Sunday, August 31, 2008

The Vines - SOLD

On the first day of the Northwest Plein Air Competition, I painted vines. The truth of the Hood River Valley is, it is way too green, everything, everywhere. Albert Handell was here and even thought there was too much of it. I was challenged to find something to paint and then stumbled into this new little vineyard. It is green, but it was luminous with a warmer, lighter, fresher green, than all the surroundings.

Don't get me wrong; the Hood River valley is very, very beautiful. It is filled with orchard, after orchard, surrounded by pine, and fir covered mountains, with Mt. Hood looming over everything. But what to paint, it seems like too much information.

My little vineyard may not perfectly reflect the feel of this immense full, verdant valley, but it's simple, newness, struck my fancy.

2 comments:

Celeste Bergin said...

What you wrote about "even" Albert Handell thinking there is too much green here has me laughing! You certainly handled it in this pretty vineyard. Beautiful!

Donna Van Tuyl said...

Celeste, after writing this, I thought maybe it came off as negative. Here is a link to an artist friends show in Alaska, and HE can handle green. I have something to learn from this paintings. Enjoy! www.artiqueltd.com/artworks/item/artwork_id/2725/start/14