Washed Light5.6" x 12.75"
Pastel
Casey Klahn
Eastern Washington has tremendous beauty. Much of it is on the grand scale typical of the American west. Here is where immense dry coulees (cliff-rich basalt formations that bookmark dry valleys), deserts, the irrigated Columbia Basin, the Columbia River Gorge, vast orchards, and some of the richest wheat lands anywhere, all take your breath away.
This image isn't of the grand scale, or the Hudson River School genre, as Deborah Paris likes to say. But it hints of that. What peeks through those trees? What will I find in the next field over? What events await tomorrow? These are some questions I think of when I look at this painting.
Great distillation Casey. It reads Eastern Washington for sure.
ReplyDeleteIt's that swath of light reflecting off the water in the distance that pulls me in -- it's all about entering the surface, of becoming one with the image, isn't it? Lovely!
ReplyDeleteLove it - the splashes of dark turquoise you've got in there add to the appeal.
ReplyDeleteI've never been to WA, but the eastern part in particular holds great appeal for the reasons you mention: large, open space, with varying landscape features, which I'm all about. It's on my list of places to visit, for sure.
Beautiful piece. Love the simplicity and the grays. Nice work
ReplyDeleteBecky - glad to meet you via comments and follow. I appreciate that.
ReplyDeleteSonya, I hope you do get to see Washington someday.
Thank you, too, Kelly.
John, I appreciate your thoughts, too. Thanks!
Casey, that really is a special piece.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think such questions make a painting...there's mystery here. Questions allow the viewer to use his/her mind to partake in the creative process by imagining their own narrative for the piece. Very well done, both in concept and execution...
ReplyDeleteI love it when light actually emanates right out of a painting. Also, thanks for another little Matisse movie.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful piece Casey. Love the color harmony through greys. Warm and wonderful.
ReplyDeleteGolden.
ReplyDeleteMy appreciation to these commenters:
ReplyDeleteLisa - who loves painting eastern WA.
Caroline - except I can't remember the thought process before I did this.
Sam - thanks for following the videos! Once in a while some light sneaks into my pictures.
Loriann - Glad you noticed the grays, which are my favorite neutrals (default neutrals?)
James - Golden elevates the humble ochres in this piece. Thank you.
Oooo, niiiiice....
ReplyDeleteYou know how I love yellow.
And that cobalt green in front makes the painting.
Thank you, Jala. I am thinking the greens work by relationship. For instance, with the dark blue next door.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work, Casey - hints of grand scale, but I also feel a sense of intimacy - maybe because of the rich color notes in ochre, turquoise and green in the foreground.
ReplyDeleteThanks for even looking at it, Brian.
ReplyDelete