In 2014 my pastor and I drove through the Appalachian mountains in a sudden snowstorm at that point when all the trees turn bright autumn colors. That trip marked the beginning of many changes for me in my professional and private life, that led me out of freelance art for a time, and back to my roots.
As I’ve jumped back into making art full time, I think it fitting to return to this piece, update it a little, and offer it for sale.
When I first spotted the gorgeous scenery out there, I could not do anything about it. I needed to get to a friend’s wedding! Unable to stop I took in as much of the view and stored it in my memory. We crested one hill to see the road dive down between two other hills that dramatically appeared through the falling snow. The thick flakes fell slowly, veiling the road ahead and behind. We passed a fallen tree that someone had pushed out of the roadway. The danger and beauty of the journey haunts me to this day.
That trip I learned that my grandpa did not have long. In fact, he had less than a month to live. That trip I talked with my sister about moving nearer to family. In two months I helped her and my parents move closer to our roots, and I moved up there too. That trip I began what would be my first serious relationship, which would eventually lead me to the woman who I married. The trip impacted me in so many ways, some really hard, but all good. God uses all things for His glory, and for the good of His people. Rarely does so much life swing on one hinge.
When I could, I sat down to paint. Beginning with the large shapes, I used a reddish brown and cool grey as my base colors.
Later I painted the bright colors of fall all over, using atmospheric perspective to neutralize the color as it approaches the point where the scenery fades into the swirling storm.
Then I layered on a ground layer of snow, trying to show the roundness of the mountain forms.
Next I painted a bunch of trees. Painting the forest can be tedious, but I like trees! I first painted rough tree forms, and then refined the forms with detail.
After bringing the trees to more of a finish, I dusted swirling snowfall over the whole scene.
The painting stayed at that level of finish for years, as life happened. My grandma passed away a few months after grandpa passed away. I moved to the town where my mom birthed me. The relationship that seemed to bring my life in full circle, ended without marriage. In the emotional turmoil of that time, I took an amazing job in Texas, where I lived far enough from a hurricane to remain safe but close enough to help with cleanup on weekends. I met my wife. And now, with the birth of our new child and the new COVID economy, I find myself back in frelance art.
Everything that I thought brought me stability and comfort has changed dramatically. We live in a world where we can’t quite see what’s ahead and sometimes even what happened in the past is questioned. Through it all God has remained constant and faithful. Our understanding of Him and His will change, but He remains the same. As the uncertainties of life swirl around us, let us cling to the one constant refuge.
I’m offering Snowfall in Appalachia for sale for a short time. If you want a gallery wrap giclée, I’m offering it for sale between now and the end of November. Finished, it is 11″ x 14″ printed and stretched by veteran giclée printer, Ron Brant, a master craftsman in his field. If you order in the next couple weeks, I can get it to stateside addresses by Christmas (conditional to shipping options).
pictogifts.com 