This painting, fresh off the easel is of our iconic local mountains, the Twin Sisters. This range is just south of Mount Baker and these dramatic peaks are a local landmark throughout eastern Whatcom County https://wa100.dnr.wa.gov/north-cascades/twin-sisters. The challenge with this painting was in rendering the dramatic cloud backdrop, difficult with acrylic paint but I think it was successful. Compositionally I painted five geese to echo the five peaks and the undulating foreground foothills tend to mimic the cloud forms. This beautifully unique mountain range is comprised of Dunite with a high concentration of iron and magnesium rich Olivine, which results in the beautiful reddish brown hue of the rock.
When I was composing this painting I put a lot of thought into the placement of the Canada Geese in flight. Originally I had them flying left to right, or south, then it came to me, these are Canadian Geese and should be flying north, home, hence the title “Homeward Bound”, I am envious.
This painting along with many others will be on display on October 15 through January 9 at Jansen Art Center in Lynden Washington https://www.jansenartcenter.org/ The following paintings will be paired with this new work as Geese and Swans are a familiar sight around Whatcom County.
I am pleased to announce that Chuckanut Bay Gallery sold one of my recent paintings, see below. Its always a little sad to let these paintings go but it does prompt me to keep painting and I am happy they are out in the world.
Feel free to come by PatternArt Studio and Gallery, just call, text or email to make sure I’m there. I’m always happy to have visitors and share this blogpost with your friends and family if you feel like.
Let’s all try to reach out and help each other during these challenging times. When ignorance, corruption and cruelty are in our government and all over our screens, acts of kindness and compassion can make all the diffeence.
