"Spring's First Green"

Pastel on self-sanded Arches cold pressed - 12x12

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In March, the marsh grasses and the trees seem to explode into new and vibrant greens which stand out against the remains of the winter's golds and browns.  This is such an overpowering few days that it is hard to express the intensity of the color.  The days are usually windy, and the water is ruffled so the reflections are soft and blue.

Spring Road

Pastel on UArt - 27x21

This is a view of a road east of Harlan, Iowa, looking to the west. I made some sketches of this scene and took reference photos in the spring of 2009. I have finally gotten around to painting it.

My first attraction was to the trees on the left, but as I worked on the design, I found much more interest in the road as it disappeared over the hill. The trees were just beginning to show the first flush of true, fresh green. The clouds were broken, and the south wind was whipping them away.

Photo taken of signed and completed work on 11/26/2010 under natural light without modification.