This new art collection of 12 abstract landscape paintings is inspired by memories of traveling with my parents to various parts of the country.
Here's the story behind the art:
My dad drove us to whatever part of the country he wanted us to see that summer, sharing his love of our country with his children. He had served his country and was proud of it. Therefore, he wanted to share that love with his children. He drove most of the time, and my mom was responsible for the map, folding, unfolding, and guiding us. As they planned our route, my brother and I were in the back of the station wagons, probably facing backward.
I was lucky enough to see a lot of the country that way. Because my dad was an outdoorsman, he took us to lots of National Parks. But we also stopped at obscure places, little towns, and big cities.
Those travels and that view from the car window opened my eyes to how much there is to see in the world. But back then…..all I wanted to do was finish my book and get to the hotel pool.
Now, I’m thankful for the opportunity to have seen so much of our country.
The process behind the art:
I continue to appreciate our beautiful countryside and I've attempted to represent it in this new art collection, 'American the Beautiful.' The work in this collection is painted not from photos but from memories of the American countryside, from the Carolinas, across Texas and Arizona, and to the California desert.
I used a lighter palette, reflecting the strong Southern sunlight of both the South and Western deserts. Each painting in this art collection began with acrylic paint on gallery-depth canvas. I added marks and layers using oil pastels, charcoal, and graphite. I finished with an archival satin varnish and wiring for hanging.
Take a look at the collection on my website.
Want to read more about the inspiration I find through traveling? Want to see other art collections?