Autumn Blaze

Now that December has arrived, few trees have held their leaves and those that have are clinging to dried, dark and less interesting bunches, altogether less interesting than a few short weeks ago. While sorting files I ran across this plein air painting of the Raccoon River, done in late October. The trees along the banks were glorious and yellow--almost as bright as those van Gogh yellows of his final few years. Although reality is bare trees and subtle hues I'm not ready to let go of the glory of the fall.

"Autumn Color on the River," oil on panel, 9x12

"Autumn Color on the River" is a plein air painting, executed on the spot the last two days or so of October on warm autumn mornings. The time meant changing light, so it's a very impressionistic take on the bright fall colors.