The Forest acrylic and enamel on canvas 100 x 140 x 3 cm
The Forest was inspired by daybreak and the rising sun. I love those mornings when I am awake before the rest of my family. I pull on jeans and a sweater and quickly slip out of the house to walk the dogs in inky blue skies. A chill in the air, a comfortable solitude. I walk in the woods. The sun breaks through the trees, violet blues and golden orange, deep purple shadows and a promise of warmth. Crooked, wandering plants reach up to greet the light. Ghostly wild roses, twisted and thorny, unfold their petals to drink in the day. The twilight haze clears and sharpens the beauty of my surroundings. Delicate butterflies dance in iridescent rays. From the dark of night, The Forest
I wanted to create an impression of this moment. The viewer is met by a beautiful blend of colour which suggests forest or woodland with wild flowers and twisted undergrowth. Juxtaposed against the strong line are ethereal butterflies, dancing in the sun rays. The Forest sunlight has been created using iridescent gold paint. For this reason the light within the painting actually changes during the day depending upon where the painting is hung and how much natural light reflects off it. I have tried to include multiple photographs to show this effect. In some positions the light in the painting is cool but if light hits the painting from an angle the sun rays become golden and intense. For this reason I would suggest hanging The Forest in a room which receives plenty of natural daylight to fully benefit from the light and warmth and changing aspect of the art.
