Birches

Painting on a ladder is a tricky business. It’s important to not forget you are on the ladder. But I get forgetful when painting because I’m focused on the effect of color against color. So I grip tightly on the ladder with one hand and paint with the other. So far so good.

What am I doing? Painting the sensation of walking through a birch forest. Their strong noble trunks and magnificent colors of bark and shadow. Breezes stir everything around and make the woods crackle in it’s aliveness. It would be easier to just paint birch trees. No. I want to feel movement in the painting. I want to be surprised by color. I want to feel rejuvenated from walking among birches. I want to feel peaceful.

Yes, this was a very challenging project. I almost gave up but stubbornness led the way and finally helped me to conquer. I am celebrating by sharing the images of the paintings with you.

These paintings are seven feet tall on Sky Cloth. It has an airy weave and organic texture that makes you want to touch it. Go ahead. I encourage it. My Sky Cloth paintings hang on the wall like a large scroll. A pocket at the top and the bottom hold small boards to keep their shape. They are easily rolled up for transporting. Kind of a forest walk “to-go”.

Condensing seven feet of painting into a small electronic image is its own kind of challenge. But you can add the proper scaling with your imagination. I want to share the amazing color and joy in the world around us.