Cherry, Maple, Fir
pastel
10 x 10 in.image size

This is my pastel demonstration painting for a small, but observant group of onlookers on Monday, October 8, 2007 - Demo Day of the Artists' Open House Weekend.

Every year I appreciate the contrast the spindly striped maple leaves make against the venerable old black cherry bark (usually in passing on my way to the compost pile). This year I thought it would make a nice simple subject for my demo painting. Adding the young fir tree (which I started from seed!) seemed to make a complete circle of old, young & evergreen. With regards to color, I let all the stops out and still think it restrained appropriately enough.

From one tree hugger to another... (As a gardener, you've got to love the striped maple...it only grows to about 18 feet...hallelujah!)