Good-bye to the Light

The whirl of summer is coming to an end. As we reflect on the highs and lows the light of the midnight sun slowly puts itself to bed. I love winter and I love the peaceful, blanket like darkness that tucks us in for a few months. The pace of summer here is like no where else. When the sun reaches high in the sky you can't help but keep moving. Bike ride here, a late hike there. Canoes glide across water and laughter rings through out the sun lit night. But as an artist saying good-bye to the natural light is unfortunate.

I have completed paintings in the sunless winter only to gaze upon them again in summer's daylight and see missing strokes, thin spots and highlights that didn't carry themselves as well as I thought. Nothing hides from the light of the sun. Also, finding the perfect shadow and angle takes a little more work. The sun can always show me the correct way to portray slanted light. The light bulb on my studio lamp....not so much.

I chose this Grant Wood piece to show just how well placed light can make a painting warm and cool at the same time. Notice how your eye travels to the sun light. You feel warmer just looking at it.

The cooler air is blowing in and I welcome it with open arms, even if it means the light bulb will be my sun for the next few months