I started this painting a few years ago and decided to re-work some of the sky. I was inspired by William Turner’s dramatic skies. I wanted to apply the same concept with wetlands. I love the idea of creating something new and from the imagination.
I’m fortunate enough to have a tiny preserve right behind my backyard. I decided to paint the wetland area. This is on 18″ x 20″ Canvas. I can’t wait to more studies like this. I feel as an artist we shouldn’t get lost painting what others want us to paint or what society tells us is appropriate to paint in order to get noticed. In a time where people’s ideas are so heavily influenced my social media and identity politics, it is important that we remain honest with ourselves. These are things that should inspire us naturally. It has always been about aesthetics first no matter who or what I paint. The rest is always left to interpretation.
This painting is based on a recent walk my family and I took to the Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens. I love the challenge of capturing the algae in the water and was attracted to the way the sunlight hit the various sections of the wetland.
This was an older painting I reworked using my imagination. I decided to leave the textures from the under painting instead of sanding it down. I really enjoy interesting textures in paintings.
This is a mini painting I re-discovered hiding in a dresser and decided to put it in a mini frame. I initially bought this frame for another mini painting, but I could not find it and decided to try this one out in it. Some of my small paintings are my favorites!
V.W. Artist Blog 