boulders and rock formations

The Uncertainty Principle, Oil on canvas 18 x 24 inches 02/10

Here is the first of some new paintings I’ve been working on over the past several weeks. These mountain and boulder paintings are larger than my previous 8 x 10″. I’ve finally worked out a system for carrying all the gear needed for larger paintings up the mountain.

This painting is called The Uncertainty Principle after the actual name given to the big boulder on the right by Boulder climbers, they have mapped and named many of the boulders on Mt Woodson (where I painted this). I thought it an apt title as there is often a great deal of uncertainty in the thinking behind this painting. Over all I think it is the start of a new direction I’m pursuing. More on this later as my thinking evolves into greater certainty!

Mt Woodson Boulders #23 Oil on Panel 8″ x 10″ 4/13/09

I have been distracted over the past few weeks with animation work from Boston as well as a trip up to LA and a few other things. But I did manage to hike up the mountain again to work on this study. I’m not sure what I think about it yet. I really need to continue with these studies and find more ways to simplify and yet keep the light, space, and form of the boulders rock solid. I find it maddening to keep my focus on simplification rather that description – whenever my attention wavers I always seem to slip into wanting to add detail. As I clear my things to do list of non-painting work I hope to return to the mountain with renewed vigor to deal with this issue. As a note of interest, while working on this painting a bobcat walked behind me only a few yards away – according to a couple who happened to be walking nearby at the time. I was crestfallen that I didn’t get to actually see the bobcat myself!

I have been spending more time with my other blog, Painting Perceptions. It has been helping me with my own work by looking at how other painters have dealt with this simplification issue. I just wrote an article about Edwin Dickinson that hopefully will be useful to someone. I am also planning a trip in a couple of weeks to both Boston and Philadelphia to see show by both my old teachers, George Nick and John Moore. I also plan to see the big Titian, Tintoretto, and Veronese show at Boston’s MFA along with the big Cezanne show at the Philadelphia museum of art. As an added bonus there is also a Scott Prior show at the Alpha Gallery in Boston. I am pumped!

Mt Woodson Boulder Grouping # 20 Oil on Panel 8″ x 10″ 3/18/09

Finally hit 20! only 30 more to go!

Mt Woodson Boulder Grouping # 19 Oil on Panel 8″ x 10″ 3/17/09
Another gorgeous day on the mountain looking west. Pushing color in some new directions and thinking.

Mt Woodson Boulder Grouping # 18 Oil on Panel 8″ x 10″ 3/13/09

From on top of the mountain on the west side. An amazing grouping of boulders, I kept shaking my head while painting it that anything could be so wonderful! There are many trees here burnt from the fires of a couple of years ago, without realizing it I kept brushing up against one while painting and my clothing was covered in crazy charcoal marks. I hope to do another painting where these blackened trees silhouetted against the white boulders make for some powerful imagery.