First Winter – Farley

The underglow of a late afternoon

One of the first, best painting locations I’ve yet found is in Irving, MA, at the Farley Ledges.  Folks familiar with my work and the history of climbing in the area will recognize some of the most famous boulders in Massachusetts, subjects I never get tired of painting in any season.  I love how in the evening, the sun begins to drop behind the cliff band, casting the steep rock walls in blue shadow, while snow and vines lead the eye to the bright warm tones of the jumbled gneiss.  I began with a plein air sketch (seen here in the gallery), then developed it into this 48″x24″‘ painting.  The original underpainting was completed in cadmium orange and alizerin crimson, and occasionally peeks through the foreground snow, making the whole piece seem to vibrate.

“First Winter – Farley” is an original oil painting, 48″x24,” oil on stretched and gessoed canvas, mounted in a 1/4″ black floater frame.