Shared Space

For my final painting for ACLT's Art for All Seasons, I wanted to emphasize "with a twist" by approaching the painting like I do my murals.

All sketched out and starting with background colors.

I had sketched out the landscape portion while on the Turkey Spur trail at ACLT on my sketch pad and played around with layout of a contemporary overlay to incorporate animals on my digital sketch app. I didn't encounter these animals all on one hike, but I've met these animal friends over several solo hikes where I was looking for inspiration for paintings.

When I'm hiking by myself, surrounded by nature and enfolded beneath these tall trees, I feel quiet. Not just hearing quiet by the absence of our noisy world as I'm alone in the forest, but really feeling it through my body. I notice that I step more softly so am more careful to not disturb nature as I walk through. I breathe more lightly so am not loud to disrupt nature's serene state. So, when I meet an animal, or unique tree root, or peculiar fungi---I feel a sense of connectedness. A greeting of sorts. "Thank you for sharing your space with me", I think as I see the rabbit hop away.

I've enjoyed combining a landscape painting with a mural approach for a very different artwork outcome.

Closer to the final result! I can always count on my studio buddy, Squire, to be close by.

I chose greens and blues for the "mural" overlay to represent foliage and sky, and a nod to sunshine passing through the leaves with a golden streak. Texture in the blue is created with leaves as stamps. And representations of the animal friends I've met during my hikes.

"Shared Space" | 30x48 | acrylic on canvas

I'm excited for the exhibition of this show, coming up September 28-October 13, 2024 at Annmarie Gardens, and the After Hours Reception on October 11th!