Square Deal

"Elkkhorn Backwater"

oil on stretched canvas, 12 x 12 inches

Having never painted on a square format before now, I have always shied from it because there was no dominant direction in the format. That is, neither dominantly horizontal nor vertical. Considering the golden mean, there is no way to express it in the square, at least, as far as I am aware. So, it is very important, in my opinion, to place dynamic, unsymmetrical, 'moving' shapes inside the square to excite the viewer. Otherwise symmetry leads to boredom.

The long, leading linear light valued shape on the water's edge leads the eye deep into the square in an oblique direction, thus giving the internals of the square some tension and movement. The end of that shape, or line, the viewer is immediately attracted to the orange shapes lying out in the distance. Much is going on in this seemingly quiet, static square.

On the way to another painting site a few weeks ago, we stopped at this location to photograph the beutiful contrasts of the hills, the swarming green succulent, the orange fungus ( I think it is a fungus), and the water / reflections. Having just finished painting for the day, we only had time to photograph and go.

Working from my computer monitor in my studio, I was able to take a few days developing this painting . . . .glazing, reshaping, refining, recoloring . . .what ever was needed to refine this to the art piece that it is. I enjoyed it and like the result!

Meanwhile, I am painting the interior of our home and removing old "popcorn" ceilings. the labor is abusive, that is for sure. What's more, the abuse doubles because I am away from my beloved easel. Some deal!!