New Series of Abstract Tree Paintings.

A Sneak Peak at new paintings that I am taking to Art of the Avenue in Macon, Georgia next week.  I began this series with intentions of painting abstract pecan groves.

After spending a couple afternoons under a pecan grove just off Old Dawson Road in Albany, I came home with around15 charcoal sketches of pecan trees.  I began to paint.

Somehow all the pecan tree decided to look more like live oaks.  Instead of fighting this, I just went with it.

The resulting paintings have a stained glass window effect to them.  They are darker than my usual work, with espresso brown backgrounds.

I like the sturdiness of the branches.  Live Oaks are dignified.  They are the sort of tree you can establish a relationship with.  Mostly because you know they will be around awhile!

These are bones paintings.  Most of the actual tree has been left off, I chose instead to focus on the branches only.  When I was working on these paintings I kept thinking of soldiers. Strength and dignity.

Have you ever spent an afternoon under a live oak?

– Simply getting to know the tree, listening to the wind and bird, swaying with the moss?

Yeah, I know, I know you say that you are too busy for this sort of thing.

Why do you think we have these beautiful masterpieces here in our world?