"Seawall Colors" 9x12, oil
This is an unusual painting for me in that it has lots of unmitigated color. Often, I'll work at getting the colors pretty close to what they are in the landscape before me. But sometimes, especially when I'm working quickly, I'll forgo precision and go for effect. I wanted to "push" the colors, keep things abstract, and above all, get the feeling of bright sun on the middle-distance rocks and surf. (Painted on untempered hardboard prepped with two coats of Gamblin PVA and two coats of Golden Acrylic Gesso. I painted this on-location at the seawall in Acadia National Park.)
Do you think it works? I'd be interested in your comments.
This kind of painting should also look interesting when seen upside down. Turning the painting upside-down breaks the communication link between one half of the brain and the other, so the shapes aren't quickly recognized for what they are. This lets us see the abstract pattern, which should "work" no matter which way it's oriented. (I'm sure you've all heard this before.)
Tomorrow, I promise to return with a more typical piece.
