Monday, October 17, 2011

Before and after

(detail)

I think this landscape is finished now.  I didn't do too much more to it.  Just highlighted parts of the leaves with a little oil pastel, adjusted some of the colors, and added some texture to the bottom portion.  It has an acrylic encaustic finish, to protect the leaves and to give the whole piece a warm, more organic feeling.

(detail)

The broken purple line along the horizon reminds me of Lake Michigan, of how it looks when you're driving toward it and suddenly catch that first amazing glimpse of the water along the horizon.  It never looks the same twice, ranging from the palest gray to the most intense Mediterranean blue.  And it's gorgeous every time.

This landscape is my interpretation of Wisconsin's golden corn fields, the Lake, and the short but glorious fall foliage.

So here it was before:



and here it is after:

Wisconsin Landscape
acrylic encaustic mixed media collage with leaves
on 12 x 12 wrapped canvas

Two more 12 x 12 landscapes to go, and then - who knows?
:0)

13 comments:

Karen Martin Sampson said...

I love these deceptively simple images and your use of the textures in the real leaves. I don't know much about encaustic but glad to know that it will preserve your found items (i.e. the leaves:-) . The complementary colours work beautifully together and that purple streak on the horizon just makes it sing. These would be wonderful images to wake up to every morning.

Angela Recada said...

Thank you Karen! They really are deceptively simple images. :0) It would have taken me far less time to paint trees, but I adore the texture and complexity of these leaves. The result was worth the extra effort, I think.

** You can click on any of the images to see more detail. **

andrea said...

Love the explanation. And the image!

Art at Chesterbrook Academy Elementary School said...

I love the softness of the blue and green in the last composition.

Katherine Thomas said...

You're so inventive! These are both wonderful! I like how you described the changing colors of the lake, too. You definitely think like a true artist!

Lisa Graham Art said...

They are so fun Angela...it's like they are standing up to say something...to tell us how their year went. : )

april said...

Thanks for your kind comments on my blog, Angela. I love your Wisconsin landscape. Love the textures of the land, the glorious blue sky, giving importance to the beautiful autumn leaves...and I too can see Lake Michigan!

Annie Coe said...

Angela, This is beautiful, I am glad you did not do too much more, perfect as it is.xoxo

ArtistUnplugged said...

This is really pretty, love the concept and the colors!

Elena said...

This is truly beautiful. I know I meant to leave a comment before but it may have become lost.

Paula said...

You think it is finish? Artists! I tell you! As far as I know a painting is never finish, it only can be abandoned! Paula Valere

Big warm hug
Paula

Scarlet said...

The colors and the leaves really make this original piece stir up the senses. Love your style!

Crafty Green Poet said...

this is so lovely, what a beautiful idea!