Judge's Remarks: This painting is a symphony of brushstrokes that are energetic and economical at the same time. The movement of the water pulls us through the stillness of the winter landscape. The winter sky with its soft peaches against cool greys is perfection. There are moments where the corals and greys in the sky sneak into the landscape. There is a gestalt to this painting, a cohesiveness that binds it. It has a Plein air quality and feels as though it goes on forever. The mark making is so utterly deliberate and uninhibited. There are brushstrokes that inspire a sense of vigor and direction. There is no hesitation or questioning by the painter here, just a joy of expressing something beautiful.
This artist did not capture a landscape. The landscape captured the artist.
This is what Robert Henri was referring to in his quote: “Paint the flying spirit of the bird rather than it’s feathers”
We don’t need to see every branch, every blade of grass, every rock, every ripple in the water. The artist has painted the spirit of this place and that is what held me here.