Vortex - Cold Creek

Egg tempera on gessoed birch panel.

8x8"

In my painting I strive to frame an object or a moment for the viewer to observe. Most of my paintings are of otherwise unspectacular objects or vistas which, when cropped to the confines of of a painting, become noteworthy or beautiful. The play of light, texture and contrast can render even the simplest of these objects “artworthy”, and although my paintings are in a realistic style, I see them as abstractions of shape and composition.

Here, the contrast of the cold, blue water and the stark white snow capture a swirling vortex of light on a stark winter day.

Egg tempera is an exacting medium in which pure pigments are mixed with egg yolk as a binder, diluted with water, and then applied in very thin washes on a prepared panel. Light over dark will result in transparency, whereas dark over light paint produces opacity. If handled well, a wonderful translucency can be achieved, which is highlighted by a final burnishing.