Cedar, 2007
oil pastel, 16" x 13"
There is a Cedar tree outside the window in my house that catches the morning sun and stops me in my tracks as I pass. I have stopped and stared at the light and the branches, all of the shadows and twigs details many times. I have photographed it and told myself I would paint it one of these days. I finally stopped long enough to realize I needed to make something from this gift, the tree in the glory of morning light, and went right to the studio. I am fascinated with extreme contrasts lately and this was something I couldn't walk away from. Brightly lit branches and deep shadows made up the entire image of the tree. There wasn't a subtle value in it anywhere but the background.
