May 24, 2010

"Adirondack Stream"

Oil on canvas 24" x 36"

This months artists Calypso Moon Artist Challenge - "the Secret Garden," gave me an opportunity to do something I almost never do - paint a landscape. Aside from the occasional outdoor setting of a dog or equestrian portrait, I just don't paint landscapes. It is not in my creative repertoire - my bag of tricks. It's not that I don't like them - on the contrary. I could get lost in of one of Gustave Courbet's landscapes for hours. Twenty years ago I was commissioned to paint the above painting which depicts a stream in the Adirondack mountains. Until recently I didn't have a slide of it. I thought it was apropos to post it now as I am leaving soon for my annual trip to Lake George. The Americade Rally is the largest motorcycle touring rally in the US and riding in the finger lakes never fails to free the spirit.

BTW - I was painting today but didn't quite get it finished. Look for something new on Wednesday.

15 comments:

Diane Morgan said...

Wow! That's all I can say.

Don Gray said...

Beautiful, Mark. You could easily add landscape painting into your bag of tricks.

Diane said...

This is unbelievable.... I lived in this area and OMG you've captured it quiet beauty!

Mark Adams said...

Thanks for the nice comments, Diane and Diane. They are appreciated more than you know.

Mark Adams said...

Thanks, Don. Twenty years ago I had more patience for such a painting. I don't know how George Seurat did it.

Gerald Schwartz said...

Fantastic... Cant say more then that without sounding redundant..

Mark Adams said...

Thanks, Gerald. That means a lot coming from you.

Margaret said...

This is truly a very exciting piece. Yes, it is dark, but all the little reflections and the spot of color in the middle is magical - I can hear the birds and the water and feel the cool shade. WOW

Mark Adams said...

Thanks for chiming in, Margaret. This piece is indeed dark which is why it made getting a good image of it so daunting. With the help of today's modern image management we finally got a good rendition.

BTW - You had me at Harley-Davidson. Your painting from the May Studio Atelier challenge was inspired. I agree the challenge photo was difficult to get excited about, but you gleaned a lot from it. I happen to ride that very model Harley - The Electra-glide Ultra Classic FLHTCUI. Nice work.

Anonymous said...

Exquisite.
Thank you! Dottie

~:~ said...

Love the rainbow light caught in the water... you continue to surprise me with your talent.
I can't believe i waited so long to check in.

Mark Adams said...

Thanks, Dottie.

Mark Adams said...

Hi, Holly. Thanks for checking in.

Dean Grey said...

Mark!

What a gorgeous landscape, even if it is 20 years old!

I just love the little burst of color near the middle of the stream.

I've got visit the Adirondacks one day!

-Dean

Mark Adams said...

Thanks, Dean. I just got back from the Adirondacks yesterday. Not much has changed in 20 years. It is as pristine as ever.