Manistee Red Pines, NFS

This painting was done over a year ago after hiking with my brother Cliff along the Manistee River. Cliff was nice enough to slow his pace so that I could stop every now and then and take photographs. This painting is a representation of some of the planted tree rows along the trail. Their unnatural look caught my attention. This may have never seen the light of day if Bethany from Davinci’s Gallery hadn’t selected it from my portfolio. It’s currently on display at the LCVA Gallery. Although it may be of interest to some people I only see it as a path to a style I’m trying to call my own. A later painting which I titled, “Trillium Gap” is a further example of my fascination with repetition and verticals. James Freeman told me he liked “Trillium Gap” because it reminded him of some of the woodcuts from the Arts and Crafts movement. I am familiar with the architectural arts and crafts style but not very familiar with arts and crafts woodcuts so I researched it a little and noticed the similarity. I looked at some of Arthur Wesley Dow’s work and it raised my eyebrows. Like Dow, I admire Japanese paintings. I also prefer to emphasize line and color as opposed to realism. I was so inspired by Dow’s work I’m going to try another rendition of Trillium Gap, only larger and more in the arts and crafts style. I’m even considering purchasing a starter wood carving set to try my hand at some woodcut prints.