TM8906 Ode to a Woodland Pond 36×60 oil on panel
When I look at a pond, I see the parts first – patches of sunlight sneaking through the trees and illuminating the pond’s surface, floating leaves, scatterings of duckweed, then the larger elements of reflected trees and sky, the interlace of bare branches, the sumptuous greens of distant trees, perhaps a slight fog. Then I know it’s a pond. Constructing the painting is similar. I build layers of observations and weave them together into a composition that recalls the feel of the place where it all started. The voids and empty spaces have grown in importance. Shadows provide a place for the imagination to roam, and connect the parts. Is it an abstraction? Maybe. But that raises the question – an abstraction of what? Or who?
I was recently reading Franz Wright’s book of poems “God’s Silence,” and found a poem that resonated.
The Reader
The mask was gone now, burned away
(from inside)
By God’s gaze
There was no
I, there
Was no he –
Finally
There was no text, only
What the words stood for;
And then
What all things stand for.
TM8906 Ode to a Woodland Pond – detail from right of center
TM8906 Ode to a Woodland Pond – detail from lower right showing layered spatter, scraping, and glazes
TM8906 Ode to a Woodland Pond – detail from center
TM8906 Ode to a Woodland Pond – detail from left bottom edge with branch reflections and floating leaves.
TM8906 Ode to a Woodland Pond – detail from lower left with floating leaves and reflections
TM8906 Ode to a Woodland Pond – detail to the right and above center of overhanging bough
Teri Malo Studio 
The reflections are very delicate, especially the lower left detail. 🙂
Beautiful work.
Teri; As always an excellent image. I pondered over it for a while. It has a kind of reversed perspective that must be something to do with the reflections, it reminded me of those Greek Icons where the perspective is backwards and so viewer becomes the focus. But it makes your picture jump almost into 3D. You are right, there is definitely an abstraction that makes the eye rove. Wonderful. I wish you a very happy Christmas, and a productive New Year!
Thank you Tony. I truly appreciate the way you share your perceptions of the painting. It is important. Working alone in the studio one can get into a kind of feedback loop. It’s nice to see through someone else’s eyes. Happy holidays, and I hope the New Year brings good tidings.
Beautiful paintings. I am in awe of how you merge the abstract and representational in your themes and work.
Thank you Fritz. I find the line between abstraction and realism is the most exciting place to be. Happiest of Holidays to you!
Hi Teri. Merry Christmas. You did it again. Beautiful.
Thank you, and Merry Christmas to you too!