Currently, I am working on a study I call Lost Canyons. These acrylic paintings are idealized visions of the lofty, mountainous canyons that fill my memories. Memories of hikes into the Sierra's craggy depths and the forest filled Rocky Mountains. These are not real locations and I do not use any reference photographs, allowing the painting to speak for itself and rise from the canvas. I believe that each painting is an undiscovered place and a metaphor for itself: A pathless, rocky journey into the unknown, a struggle against perspective, light, depth, and color.
HIDDEN CANYON - Acrylic on Cotton Canvas - 30" x 24"
Above is a series of progress frames for Hidden Canyon. This was the first canyon that I started out with a rough, mountainous structure instead of a horizon line. There were many phases that I almost called it quits, but I couldn't resist one more. A gamble I took at the end, which i recommend to no one, was changing the background. I decided to develop the distant mountain peaks into a bowl structure. After the first irreversible stroke, I thought I'd ruined the composition, but I am happy I made the choice, as it added a new layer of depth that was not quite present.
DEEP CANYON - Acrylic on Cotton Canvas - 24" x 18"
Above is a series of progress frames from Deep Canyon. This painting started as a simple cloud study and developed from there into a canyon.
LOST CANYON - Acrylic on Cotton Canvas - 36"x 24"
Above is a series of progress frames for my original canyon, Lost Canyon. The process of development from plain to canyon was incredibly long and challenging, but endlessly fun. I spent a long time staring at each phase, planning the next. But I tried to enjoy the journey and got excited for each new layer and each new transitional phase.