Sunday, November 27, 2016

River Thoughts


                                                     River Thought 2 oil on panel 26x24


                                                     River Thought 1 oil on panel 26x24


  In the days after the election, the best thing I did for myself was to paint on the bank of the Tualatin River with a friend. Only then did I begin to imagine a way forward.
 I have ten new 24x26 panels from Art Substrates and think I might concentrate on the river with these. In winter it sure fascinates me as it surges down from the coast range. Our most serious storms happen in November and December swelling this lazy water into a muddy juggernaut.
 Long before moving here I read the Barry Lopez prose poem River Notes. It was a seductive introduction to a deeper understanding of the Northwest. So the  tentative title of these paintings 'River Thoughts' is a reference and tribute to this sublime author.


WE were made for these Times

Thank you Clarissa, that was most helpful.


                                                             Julie Oppermann


 Isn`t this ravishing? I want to eat it, roll in it, wear it and never stop looking at it.



work for sale in my studio




5 comments:

Libby Fife said...

Randall,

Always the water or the land in some way. Those things are restorative. And thanks for the tip on Barry Lopez. I tend to feel at a loss for words when I view the land. Maybe his book will help.

I just looked a few days ago for some panels at Matt's site. I think I may give it a try. I have done two pieces now on wood panels and I really like that surface.

The two pieces you showed are lovely and delicate. Winter can be such a rough time on the landscape with the water surging through it. I like the peace of those two paintings.

Glad that you are busy repairing:) Hope your Thanksgiving was good.

Libby

Gary L. Everest said...

Hi Randall,
These two panels took me right back to scenes along the Willamette this time of year. My jogging route along South Waterfront and beyond brought me fairly close to the river and scenery like this. And as much as the look brings back that time, it's more the feeling I get from them.
Your profound feeling for the Pacific Northwest is clearly evident in these two paintings. You've found a beautiful way to express sadness and loss, and maybe even death. The highest compliment I can offer is that these paintings make me truly feel something.
Sincerely,
Gary

John said...

Beautiful!!

Melody Cleary said...

Those are two amazing paintings, Randall! Wood panels are so different to work on compared to canvas. Indestructible!

RH Carpenter said...

The top painting makes me think of the leaves dancing, bright and hopeful on this day before winter bites. Lovely work which makes me smile :).