Painting and sketching trees is one of my favorite things to do. Their shapes, forms, textures, and colors keep my brain occupied for lengthy periods. Plus, they don’t move much!

The Black Cottonwood species is a particularly intriguing subject, with it’s thick limbs and wiry, tangley movement through space.

I painted it as a monochromatic study. Essentially, establishing form and values with one pigment, in this case, a mixture of French Ultramarine Blue and Raw Umber.

This particular tree stands on the edge of a windy road leading up to Arctic Valley Ski Area. It’s been a habit of mine to work in the field whenever and wherever my husband is backcountry skiing.

Originally part of my Ten Littles project, I chose to frame it in collaboration with Andy Poster – Andy Poster – a NH barrista, tile artist, and framer.

Custom framed in cherry wood featuring inlaid Purple Heartwood corner spline accents for reinforcement and is protected with museum quality glass.

Andy’s work truly is custom. While discussing a piece with his customer, Andy develops a vision. For each piece he frames, Andy sources the wood from a local NH vendor, cuts, seals, and assembles to specification with acid-free and archival materials. He also sources the mat and glass from local shops in Portland, ME.

Arctic Valley, AK
March
Watercolor 10.5×7.5” framed