Complicated scenes like a stream flowing through the woods of Vermont excite and frighten me at the same time. I love the beauty of flowing water over rocks, through the woods and the variety it poses. The challenge of painting the variety of textures, patterns, colors and values of a woodland scene is compounded by all the rocks and reflective qualities of the water. A perfect subject for long winter months in the studio.

This particular piece is a spot along Sterling Brook just north of Stowe Vermont. Catching the afternoon sun coming through the overhead trees gave a nice contrast to the light and dark areas. The browns and muted tones of the forest floor and stream banks was punctuated by bright green mosses on the rocks and along the shoreline. These pieces present more of a mental challenge than a technical one, although the variety of techniques used to realistically represent the range of subject increases the enjoyment of painting.