Rolling Along...

ROLLING - 48x72 - 2009

I left high detail realism many years ago, in search for all things abstract... found that mode and have had a nice career painting simple essences or juxtapositions. But every now and then, a line wobbles and suggests a horizon... a shape fuzzes and becomes a grouping of trees... and being the permissive type, I let it happen, I even take advantage and go along for the ride.

As we travel by car around the southern states, the rolling hills constantly change and intrigue. I've photographed many from the passenger seat and have sketchbooks filled with scribbled, glimpsed views, perhaps incorporating several scenes into one. It's not surprising that I should find one of these experiences showing up on a canvas... with way more reality than I usually allow. But it was such a fun change of pace I couldn't bring myself to paint over it, as I usually do when my efforts don't really fit the current genre.

So, after a proper length of time at an out of town gallery, I made plans to bring it home, wondering what it's future would hold. At about the same time, a collector who selects art for Alabama Power Company chose "Rolling" from my web site to be placed with my other three in a redecorated space. Today I delivered the painting and saw the new space... love the assorted wall colors which break up the hallway and highlight various entryways and especially how well the three earlier painting look in this space. I understand they had not been hung together previously and the hallway had been an industrial putty color... much improved!  The bigger painting will go at the other end of the well traveled hallway on the opposite wall... they promised a photo when it's installed. Love it when they say "It looks even better in person than on the website!" ;)