County Road
Oil on board, 6" x 6"
$125 plus $6 shipping in U.S.
SOLD$125 plus $6 shipping in U.S.
Don't give up on me! Even though posting frequency has slowed down as I work on larger pieces, I'm still doing small paintings like this one to post every few days. I'll put up some of the larger stuff before long.
Today's painting is of one of the county roads that criss-cross the valley floor here. They follow the edges of farmer's fields, occasionally making 90 degree turns at section corners. From a distance the valley appears flat as a tabletop, but there's actually quite a bit of undulating ground. One of those low hills prompted this warning sign for the blind curve ahead.
Massive ancient volcanic flows formed much of this region--forces almost impossible to imagine today when looking across this serene valley. The power of nature is much on my mind in the wake of the terrible tragedy in Japan. I recently came across this quote by the poet John Ashbery that seems somehow appropriate: "...even at its most poetic, nature doesn't kid around."
Today's painting is of one of the county roads that criss-cross the valley floor here. They follow the edges of farmer's fields, occasionally making 90 degree turns at section corners. From a distance the valley appears flat as a tabletop, but there's actually quite a bit of undulating ground. One of those low hills prompted this warning sign for the blind curve ahead.
Massive ancient volcanic flows formed much of this region--forces almost impossible to imagine today when looking across this serene valley. The power of nature is much on my mind in the wake of the terrible tragedy in Japan. I recently came across this quote by the poet John Ashbery that seems somehow appropriate: "...even at its most poetic, nature doesn't kid around."
12 comments:
give up on you? no way:) i haven't posted anything for almost a month and it is not from not doing anything... i'm in the process of learning from every canvas that bites the dust. I am amazed you managed to produce this beautiful serene painting with everything else you are doing. your thoughts on Japan and nature are similar to mine ... with the nuclear power stations blowing their lids and radiation leaks i thought it doesn't matter how much our 'clever people' give us guarantees of safety they just aren't capable of dealing with nature.
and as for cheap energy, well there is a price to be paid over above the electric bill for such forms of energy... time to reevaluate our lifestyles and get back to basics?
Beautiful piece Don, I always connect with these metaphorical landscape, especially yours. Also, as we are all connected, lack of comments doesn't mean that people are giving up (on you), besides, thanks for expressing it. Events are speeding up at a fast rate on the planet, deeply scary and confusing for many- I think there's moments where individuals just need silence in order to reevaluate everything. Have a beautiful week Don, we all are in this together.
There's a lot to love in this little painting, but seeing that Nature is flexible enough to arch the planted rows past the blind curve reassures.
Beautiful painting! I chose it as my favorite painting on my blog, rosaspicks.wordpress.com. I hope you'll come by and check it out! Thanks, Rosa
Thanks for your note, Rahina. I appreciate your willingness to keep checking in on my posts.
The reactor problems in Japan are really scary, and this may end up as a referendum on whether or not to continue using nuclear power. Countries around the world are heavily invested in it, however, so it's a very difficult issue. Just how far back to basic are we willing to go?
Pierre, I always appreciate hearing from you--thanks. Yes, we are all connected, no doubt far more deeply than we can imagine. Your paintings offer me those moments of contemplative silence you speak of. I'm grateful for them.
Thanks, Sam. Yeah, as the wise old farmer said, life is easier if you just plow around the stump.
Once again I'm honored, Rosa--thank you!
Nice painting-I love the composition and strong value contrasts!
I love the composition and the painting. But meaning I guess is in the eye of the beholder. For me, this beautiful little painting is not serene instead it makes me feel as though I'm driving off a precipice! A Thelma and Louise moment for sure.
Thank you, b.
Slow down, Shirley--that's why the warning sign is there! :)
Thanks for your take on the painting--much appreciated.
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