06 August, 2009

Portage

Prairie Bush
5.25" x 12.75"
Pastel
Casey Klahn


Let's take a portage and see some overland scenery. We'll return to the river in due course.

This image has an interesting story. It is a scene by the road that leads from our farm to the highway, and is a low bushy tree that stands at a crop line past a neighbor's farm. I intended for so long to set up and do an on sight painting, but finally did this in the studio from memory. I stalked it so long that it just stayed in my memory.

Because of its local flavor, my wife has decided that the painting is hers.

15 comments:

Deborah Paris said...

This is beautiful Casey! I find my best work is usually done from memory (after lots of on site observation). Memory is a wonderful filter- it eliminates the unimportant and distills the scene to its most essential components. Beautifully done!

Casey Klahn said...

Once again, coming from you, this is a dear compliment, Deborah.

And, I think you have given us a keeper quote in your "filter" remarks. They are dead on.

I happened to review the scene (well, I see it every time I drive out) and it does clutter itself quickly.

loriann signori said...

Beautiful Casey. Your use of mark and contrasting absence of mark is exciting.

Casey Klahn said...

I appreciate it, Loriann. The variety of marks was a risk, but it turns out well.

Unknown said...

Casey, this is absolutely beautiful. These are "MY" favourite colours, earthbound and so warm. The composition and the format of this little painting - everything perfectly matching and giving a sense of endless view in the prairie...

Casey Klahn said...

Thank you, Petra. It is interesting how composition is essential for the open prairie, huh?

I just finished another in the studio, but in a square format. We'll see how it holds up.

Jala Pfaff said...

How gorgeous. Your wife has good taste. :) Made me laugh when you said you've "stalked" it for a long time.

Casey Klahn said...

10 Q, Jala.

BTW, I really love your spheres pastels - especially the contrasting temperature parts.

Brian McGurgan said...

I love the colors and texture here, Casey - what a beautiful painting!

Casey Klahn said...

Thanks, Brian.

As we are framing right now, I am looking at the number of local scenes (prairie) and I am thinking of where I want my next show.

Laura Dietrick said...

My husband stakes his claim on my work all the time too...really, it's getting ridiculous as I often hear, "You're NOT going to sell that are you...?"

MadSilence said...

An interesting concept, the artist stalking the image. Quite beautiful, reminiscent of the great American plains. Somehow Aldo Leopold comes to mind.

Casey Klahn said...

You know the words exactly, Laura! Ha ha.

Thanks for the reference, MS. I had to look up AL ! The area to the left is virgin prairie, and the right is cultivated, BTW.

Robyn Sinclair said...

That's a poem of a picture, Casey. Love it!

Hope your laptop is on the mend too.

Casey Klahn said...

I appreciate it, Robyn. Enter: The Prairie Series.

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