TM8451 Empire State #1 – Gorge 30×30 oil on panel
Getting lost is the only way to discover something worthwhile. I let myself get lost often. A few years ago, I was tooling around western New York State, lost, and enjoying some of the most gorgeous farmland and waterways I’ve ever seen. I don’t know where I was when I turned a bend and came upon this lovely scene, probably somewhere not too far from Rochester. I’ve tried painting it many times since, but this week I think I may have finally found its essential character. Painting all the pondscapes helped me to understand the water, and a new approach to simplifying trees helped too. Restraint, plus establishing accurate gestures and values with the base layer allowed the painting to develop rather quickly. I have to admit my debt to the Hudson River painters. When I started seriously painting, they were among my first “mentors”, along with the early Dutch landscapists. I admire the way both groups of artists respected the integrity of the subject. Their approach has certainly informed the way I work as well. Enjoy!
TM8451 Empire State #1 Gorge, detail of foreground trees
TM8451 Empire State #1 – Gorge, detail from left side of granite wall and vegetation
Teri Malo Studio 
These are especially beautiful!
Marjorie
Thank you Marjorie. It feels like I’m beginning to understand what the art of painting can be – very exciting days in the studio. BY the way, the invitation to your current show is lovely – good luck with it!
Beautiful! I love the horizontal light in the water that contrasts with the vertical trees. The Hudson River painters would like that their tradition continues. I admire your success with the rocks. It is something that I need to work on.
Thank-you for the kind comment. Rocks are tricky, I find that I have to exaggerate the planes and simplify the seams. Good luck!