Contributed by Douglas Girard
I have painted many landscapes of Alaska, but recently I feel like the traditional formats do not always work well for Alaska's expansive space. There have been many compositions that I have felt were truncated and forced into the wrong dimensions. I have decided to create a series of wide-format oil paintings. These will be two or three times as long as they are high. The vastness of Alaska seems better suited to this ratio. I also like this format as it gives one an almost cinematic experience of the composition.
The first in my wide series: "Deepening Shadows", 12" x 24", oil on 1.5" deep wood panel. Exploring Petersville Road one evening, I came upon this lake. The wide sweep of dark trees and the curve of the shoreline had an immediate effect on me. I was attracted to the peacefulness of the water and the mysterious dark shadows of the trees. Beyond, the peak of Denali hid under clouds blown smooth by 25,000' high winds.
"Moonrise," 18" x 24", oil on canvas, is one of my recent landscape paintings.One feels the vastness of Alaska here. This flat land is interrupted by reflections of the distant mountains. The mountains bordering the Knik valley rise into the red light and march back to the glacier. Buttresses of Pioneer Peak, like supports of a great cathedral, lift into a rugged pyramid. The quiet is interrupted by the chattering of distant songbirds and a lone crane flying high above. The earth dips east into the darkening void, and the golden orb of the full moon appears above pink vapors to take its place among the emerging stars.
"Denali Rise", 12" x 36", oil on 1.5" deep wood panel.I had spent a couple of days exploring Denali Park Road and was excited to get one last shot of Denali. I woke up an hour before dawn and drove south to the location I had spotted three days before. The sky was starting to lighten as I pulled over. I watched the edge of the low clouds burn a golden rim to the low clouds. I turned around and saw, with awe, the Denali massif. Layers of mountains piled up and enlarged into a crescendo of ice and rock. Golden light touched the tallest peak and slowly worked down the snow-capped rugged range. This warm color and a line of trees reflected in a nearby lake. How could I possibly capture this dramatic vista in a painting?
"River's Rest," 12" x 24", oil on 1.5" wood panel.I have passed this spot many times, but I had not really seen it before. Sometimes I have to consciously choose to look to actually realize the beauty surrounding me. I pulled over and walked down to the river. Part of the river had escaped the flow southwards and formed a shallow lake in which the valley mountains reflected. The fall trees glowed in the warm hazy atmosphere. The world was at peace.
At noon Saturday, November 20th, I will be having a live art show on Facebook @studiogirard.
These landscapes will be showcased on the show and will be available for sale. I will also be offering other items available nowhere else and on sale! Please add the event to your calendar if you are interested in purchasing Fine Art for the holiday season. There will be pieces available in every price range. Sign up for my newsletter at studiogirard.com for 20% off your first order, special offers, and a link to the Art Show replay.