A Boring Visit

'Stewardship' Woodblock print 9" x 12" 2008

The calendar says it's April and we should be well aware that we are past the equinox, with longer evenings, and warmer weather. This year, not the case, still rainy, very cool more like February and not many chances for plein air painting. Fortunately, our friend and neighbor has a family sized tree farm, with rows of young trees and lovely vistas. It has been easier to paint at his place as my own property is in the middle of the birthing pains that accompany re-zoning land from rural to urban/commercial uses.  I have spent most of my life here, with a few exceptions, and it has been a family farm and private residence since 1925.  In Oregon, we are known to have an additional layer of government which plans future regional changes. This area has been slated for industrial or commercial uses and the ubiquitous development has been vigorous. It is very close now, any time we could get the notice as to our final hour in our own homes.

'Stately yucca' Landscape study, charcoal on sanded gessoed panel

So, as an intuitive painter, the scenes that lay before me at my own place have too much resonance of that heavy handed power, and I feel the inevitable fate of the trees, as they are the first to be cleared. And, so, that is why I find solace and refuge at the tree farm.

'Eastward, morning' 2018, Landscape study

The work from these sketches and studies are the beginning of a series of woodblock prints, black and white or, color reductive prints and a few paintings. There are beautiful mature trees on this property, it is quiet and a peaceful place -- I am hoping that this comes through in the works intended.