Stunning Ethereal Sunset

Stunning Ethereal Sunset

This abstract ethereal cloud formation just floored me when I first saw it. The photo was taken at Golden Gardens in Seattle, Washington over 10 years ago. I have a running visual library of sky photos for reference for future soft pastel paintings. This photo just might make my hypothetical top ten list of all time.

An entire visual spectacle was unfolding above me as I gazed above. I love the velvet-like folds in the top portion of the photo, so creamy and soft. Below against the dark blue is play of intricate orange detail that is separating from the larger dense formation. The color relationship between the darker blue tones of the sky against a soft light orange is just breathtaking. It will become a painting. It is just a matter of when.

Thanks for taking the time to read my latest post. Feel free to share if this inspires you.

Kindly,
Jonathan

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Painting ‘Heavenly’

Painting ‘Heavenly’

Painting cloudscapes and skies inspires me greatly. It is the play of light that is casted not only upon these gentle giants, but more importantly the light within the veils of neutral colors.

I recall snapping a quick photo of this cloud formation on a drive down the Oregon coast with my wife. It wasn’t until much later that I saw the opportunity to paint this amazing cloud. Two aspects of this cloud grabbed my attention – so intensly that I knew I had to paint it. The light in the lower left glowing within, and the exquisite negative space as the main cloud begins to drift apart.

As an artist, I never try to capture exactly what I see. My camera can take care of that. It is the creative process where I follow my instincts in choosing color, gradations, and form. In my opinion, the true magic and inspiration in painting comes from intuition and being in the moment with your preferred art medium.

Thank you for reading.

Kindly,
Jonathan

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Remembering painting ‘Cloud Break’

Remembering painting ‘Cloud Break’

I am finally redesigning my art website. As I’m going through all of my paintings, Cloud Break jumped off the screen. I painted this painting while living in New Mexico. The slight tear in the clouds suggests some kind of tear in emotion. I feel it while looking at it, but I don’t recall why I felt that when painting the painting. However, as it happens often in my work, even though there is an apparent tear or cut in the clouds, there is light off in the distance on the horizon. Whenever we feel pain, there is always hope and assurance just waiting to find its way to the surface.

Thank you for reading.

Kindly,
Jonathan

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