Past Peak

November 2015

As canoeing season wraps up, I had to get out one last time with my camera to capture the Charles River in late fall.  The day was a little chilly, but beautiful and sunny – so I was able to enjoy a long trip to close out a great year of paddling.

Again, I decided to spend the day taking pictures rather than painting – with the hopes of capturing some good images to paint in my studio (where it is now much warmer!).  As I paddled, the look had changed significantly since I took pictures for “Charles River Reflections”.  Almost all the leaves had dropped and the color was largely gone – but a new scene of floating and freshly submerged leaves took its place.

Once again, I got a lot of pictures – one of which is likely to be the subject of a large painting sometime soon.  For this one, though, I really wanted to focus on the patterns of pine trees and bare deciduous trees in the reflections along with the layers of sunken and floating leaves.

While the colors in the reflections are gone, I had fun with the more subdued dark colors at the bottom of the river and the washed-out light colors in the leaves drifting along the surface – as well as the story they seem to tell.

Enjoy,

Jason

Charles River Reflections

October 2015

After doing 10 of my “canoe paintings” where I was painting while crouched in the canoe, I wanted to take the same subject back into the studio.  Certainly the comfort of a roof and a stool was appealing (!), but most of all I wanted to focus more on the fine details of the incredible views I had been seeing while out paddling.

On Columbus Day, I had the chance to get my canoe out on the Charles with my son Beck paddling in the bow. It was nice to have some company, but it was definitely not the kind of day where I could spend an entire day painting.  Instead, Beck was patient with me while I stopped every 10 minutes or so to take more (and more!) pictures.

Since we were out for a couple of hours, I ended up with a lot of pictures. The image I chose from all of these shots jumped out to me because of the vivid colors and the sharp but complex and almost abstract patterns that were created by the ripples across the reflection.

In the studio, I enjoyed focusing on all of these intricate shapes and the movement they create.  I also enjoyed using colors that ended up being brighter than my usual palette.

Enjoy,

Jason

Reflection and Transparency

October 2015

After finishing “Summer Falling”, I was anxious to start another large finr art painting - and this 30”x40” canvas for“Reflection and Transparency” fit the bill.  The image I used is actually from the same backpacking trip to the Hudson River that “Summer Falling” came from, but this one has a very different feel.

For this piece, I wanted to focus more on the contrast of the reflected sky and the clear view of the bottom of the river. The title plays with both the visual reflection and transparency happening in the image, but also the feel of the painting and my experience painting it.  While I love the textures and details in the clouds reflected to the “border” of reflection and transparency created by the trees to the play of light on the bottom – I also wanted to pull viewers into the quiet, meditative space that this was for me.

Enjoy,

Jason

Summer Falling

August 2015

It’s probably no secret by now that I love painting water, but this image in particular was just screaming to me to be turned into a major painting.  I was drawn to the patterns created by the different depths of water across the rocks, and at 3 feet by 3 feet, the size helps get across the impact of the spinning, falling and churning water.  Most of all, I wanted to capture the movement of water and light in this little scene that I could have looked at all day.

I took the picture while on a backpacking trip with my son Beck, my brother Matt and my nephew Zack.  Neither Beck nor Zack had ever been backpacking before, so Matt and I decided to take them on a hike we know well from growing up in upstate New York.  The trail is just outside of Minerva, NY and leads to the Blue Ledges – which is an impressive rock cliff on the opposite side of the Hudson from the trail end.  Matt and I had hiked this many times, but had never camped at the sight – so we were excited for this trip.  While camping on the river, though, Beck and Zack were beyond excited about playing on the rocks and in the river – all around the place where I took this picture.

Because of my experiences at this site, the painting is as much about a connection to the place – both new and old- as it is about the beauty and movement of the scene itself.

Enjoy,

Jason

The Canoe Paintings

As a life-long paddling enthusiast, I have always loved the views from the seat of a canoe.  The unique perspective creates a look and feeling that is very different than images you see from any other vantage point – and one that is not typically seen unless you are in the boat yourself.

Over the winter I saw a video shot from inside a canoe that captured this feeling – which made  me eager to get back on the water myself, but even more so, I couldn’t wait to paint this viewpoint. Rather than take pictures and paint from the photos though, I decided it would be best to capture the real feeling by actually painting in the canoe!

So, since the thaw, I have spent a number of days crouched in my canoe, with my paints and canvas precariously rigged so they (so far) stay reasonably dry.  Between the motion of the boat, wrestling with weather and the impossibility of being able to comfortably sit on the floor – I discovered that I need to paint much looser than I usually do.  I have found that the result is a look that gets at the feeling of the view and the day but also the process.

My other goal was to paint a large number of these canvases with the vision of showing them all together and creating the feeling of immersion in the beautiful spaces and images of floating in a canoe.

Below are some pictures of my set-up in the canoe

Enjoy,

Jason

June Through August Showings

June 2015

If you find yourself out and about in the greater Framingham/Natick, MA area, following are two stops for an art break!

First is the “Community of Artists” exhibition at the Danforth Art Museum in Framingham.  This is their annual juried exhibit, and I am happy to share that one of my pieces was selected.  My 30”x24” oil painting “September Afternoon, Olson House” (below) is one of over 100 works on display.  The opening was June 6th, so I had the chance to see the full collection in person – and it is definitely worth the trip.  The artists represented are mostly from this area, and the exhibit includes works in a wide of variety of media, sizes and styles.

 The next stop is Gallery 55 in Natick, where three of my paintings are on display! (below).  The Gallery was founded by photographer and art supporter/enthusiast John Mottern, and as a result, there is always an interesting collection of art on display. In addition to art, the space also features jewelry crafted by the talented silversmith John Harwood. 

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March

April 2015

While I painted this in April, the image is from a photo I took last month - and the fact that it is still in the 30’s and rainy here in Norfolk, MA made it easy to stay in that March frame of mind!

 My choice for the title – simply “March” – is inspired by the feeling of the image.  To me, this scene screams all that is both great and grueling about the month that supposedly kicks off spring. The actual subject of ice and pond-muck is suitably unglamorous for a time dominated by gloomy weather and half-melted greys and browns… but more importantly, I love the feeling of hope to this image; hope that winter is finally coming to a close, hope that the sun will indeed make it through. 

In Plane View

March 2015

Between my commissioned jobs, I am continuing to fill out my portfolio of fine art paintings.  The most recent is “In Plane View”, which is painted from memory.  This is a picture that I have had in the “future paintings” queue in my head for several years. 

I don’t enjoy flying much, but the amazing change of perspective is one of the few saving graces of being trapped in an airplane.  I have seen many spectacular views from the air over the years, but this one in particular stuck with me.  The plane was a little closer to the ground than usual, and the endless lush green drew me in.  As I was watching the mountains pass under me, my eye stopped on a road carved along the top of one of the ridges.  It was so out of place with the rest of the scenery that it looked like a wound in the landscape.

In painting this I wanted to capture the unique perspective, the hazy look of the atmosphere, the serene beauty of the scene and the jarring feeling of the mountain road. 

Summer Storm

February 2015

In addition to my commissioned work, I am putting together a collection of my own paintings to do a show this spring or summer (assuming winter ends?!).  You will be able to look for paintings like “September Afternoon, Olson House”, “Walden Pond Winter” and my newest painting “Summer Storm”.

This painting is inspired by a camping trip with my good friends Steve and Joe a few years ago in upstate New York.  As it seems to be the norm with me and camping, this trip was made more eventful by torrential down-pour.  At one point, the three of us sat under a makeshift lean-to while so much water poured in around us we had to lift our feet to keep them out of 6-inch deep puddles.

When the storm cleared in the evening, though, we were treated with some of the most spectacular views we have seen.  This painting is a combination of my memory and several different shots.  What I wanted to capture most was the clouds that looked like they were alive – climbing and swirling.  The silhouettes of the trees seemed to join in with the climbing and swirling shapes, while the light made everything look like it was on fire. 

Rain or not, going back to these summer images was a nice escape from our never-ending snow storm. 

After the Storm

February 2015

Was it really just 2 weeks ago that I wrote about wanting snow for some good winter images? Now that we have about 4 feet on the ground (with more falling as I write this), I certainly got what I asked for!

After shoveling out from our first big storm, I spent the better part of the day trudging through the woods with my camera.  It was a perfect day for enjoying snow views, with an untouched covering over everything and bright sunlight creating fantastic shadows.

While I definitely appreciate the beauty of grand vistas, I typically find myself drawn to the drama of smaller, more “every day” scenes.  I took a lot of pictures in my trek, but it was the patterns in this one that grabbed my attention.  The repeating shapes in the snow and shadows, the branches and the background trees and clouds are what make this scene something that I enjoy looking at again and again.

For those of you who will be shoveling out again today, I hope this helps you to enjoy the views as you dig out!

Walden Pond Winter

january, 2015

For a while now I have been wanting to paint a winter scene, but the absence of snow has left me lacking for images to work with.  Regardless of conditions, I am constantly on the lookout for views that would make compelling paintings – so I was thrilled when I stumbled on this one! While it is not a traditional winter scene, it still possesses that quiet beauty that makes this season so appealing. 

Adding to the draw, I was walking around Walden Pond when I saw this.  Focusing on something so simple that offered such drama seemed appropriate when thinking of the time Thoreau spent making the same walk. 

“Nature will bear the closest inspection; she invites us to lay our eye level with the smallest leaf, and take an insect view of its plain.  She has no interstices; every part is full of life”

- Henry David Thoreau

September Afternoon, Olson House

January 2015

This image has been with me since my trip to the Olson House in early September.  The Olson House in Port Clyde, ME is where Andrew Wyeth painted his famous “Christina’s World” in addition to many of his other well-known works.  The main point of my time in Port Clyde was to get in the field and do some painting, but the time I spent in the Olson House ended up being one of the highlights of the trip.  As I walked through (taking many pictures), it became clear why this house was such an inspiration to Wyeth. There is a magical feel to the place - which was accentuated by the amazing afternoon light.

I always have a queue of images in my head that I want to paint, and this one has been at the front of the line.  I used my pictures as a reference, but photos could not quite do this scene justice.  My goal with the painting was to get the quiet and peaceful feel of being in the room, taking in the play of the beautiful afternoon light across a room that inspired one of the greatest painters.