Oil on panel
24" x 18"
2024
 
This is a scene from Crescent Beach State Park near Portland, Maine. I was captivated by the way the rocks framed and redirected movement of the water. The way that the geology creates a stacked sense of space is disorienting, since it is sometimes difficult to tell if you're looking down or straight ahead. The landscapes in that area are so dramatic they seem surreal.
 
I carefully applied detailed translucent layers to preserve the vibrance and luminosity of the colors. I had to plan this very carefully, because if you put yellow over blue, it will make unwanted green, and if you add yellow to purple it will make the colors desaturated. It was a slow and strategic painting involving a lot of patience and tiny brushes.