There are so many personalities when it comes to a garden. Personally, I’m more of a naturalist and like letting things be less constructed, but that’s not to say I can’t appreciate the beauty of a highly landscaped and architected space.
On a recent Sunday afternoon I joined my plein-air group to paint the garden at one of the residences in town. It was a magnificent space with beautifully manicured lawns and several perennial gardens among other treasures. Much of the area was in direct sunlight and it was a hot and humid afternoon so shade was a necessity for me. Along the back of the house was a covered patio area that I found myself drawn to because it was cool and shady!
Taking in the perspective from the covered patio brought me front and center with this entry way. It’s Romanesque flavor was hard to ignore. The strong pillar like podiums that held the curved large jardinaires made me feel like I could have been in a different country. It was their stately presence against the more natural elements that made this vista compelling to paint. The painting went through several changes and edits as I saw more things that I could eliminate from the composition. However, preserving the tension within the painting that emerged was important. It was through the contrasting textures, shapes and lines that the baroque character of the landscape was able to surface.
Categories: Landscapes, Nature, New Paintings
RENDERED IMPRESSIONS / Original Oil Paintings by Catherine J. Martzloff 