Fly Fishing

I did this painting some years ago but put it aside because most of my work at the time was not abstract and it didn't seem to fit. I always liked it though, and retained it in my portfolio of unframed work. As I have continued over the years my work has increasingly taken on elements of the abstract and could now be fairly called semi-abstract. So I took another look and decided it was time.

I especially like the sharp contrasts around the focal figure - negative painting of the fishing rod and the dark shadows that shape the massive rock upon which the angler stands. Wide dry brush strokes to the right  taper away in vignette, evoking the movement of the river. Blues and grays and browns dance in the background and set the hushed wooded scene. Finally, a dramatic white space reveals early morning light through the trees, spilling brightness on both the fly fisherman and the great rock.

This piece is unframed, 11.5 x 16.5 inches.