Down on the River

These past few days we have been visiting dear friends in southwestern Virginia. They live in a wonderful area of mountains and rivers, full of craggy vistas and cool valleys. Our friends' home is on a river bank and has been home to members of their extended family for several generations. One of the family has an actual log cabin on the bank that could date to before the War Between the States. The river runs sweet and clear, cooling bathers and rafters on hot summer days. Opposite our hosts is a rocky cliff rising maybe forty feet, capped by dense trees. The rocks are veined and fractured, and the sloped, gravelly base of the cliff shows the effect of water. The bottom is layered with smooth river stones.

The Cliff, oil on panel, 9x12

The day after our arrival I painted the cliff face and the cool water below, trying to match color, value, and shape. I began by massing shapes, then refining into smaller and smaller shapes as necessary, but couldn't complete the sketch and spent two more hours finishing it the following day. The colors of the rock and foliage danced in the water as day trippers floated by (it was a weekend). The sun was warm in the cool breeze and the day was quietly beautiful.

Across the Hayfield, oil on panel, 9x14

On the other side where we were staying is flat farmland that has been cultivated for decades--more likely more than a century--in the river bottom. Beyond the land rises to low ridges and beyond to the Alleghenies and a blue ridge and peaks. The farms and fields are bright green in the late summer sun.

The Opposite Bank, watercolor and in, 5x9

Besides working in oils I also did a few sketches in graphite and in watercolor and ink. The differences in methods and techniques provides opportunities to exercise different mental "muscles" while preserving personal impressions of the woods and river.

Using small and lightweight setups has been the key for me during this trip. Ease of setup, simple cleanup, and sturdiness of my new pochade box have been real benefits.

There will be other paintings to show from this journey, another time.