"Monumental Oak" Now On Offer

Purchase this painting here: https://www.catherinetwomey.com/available/monumental-oak

When I hike up a trail approaching a bare area (bald) or rounded hill, I get such an expansive, peaceful feeling. Near my home is the Biltmore Estate which has grounds manicured back in the day (early 1900's) by the famous Frederick Olmsted. I go there often to hike and am often struck by these 100+ year old oaks at the top of the balds. They're so large their branches often hit the ground as they loom over me!

In this painting I was thinking about the cools and warms. This magnificent specimen was just getting a hint of autumn colors. The right side has a variety of purplish and blue/green colors. I was drawn to the brilliant warmth of the trunk as it was hit by the setting sun. Rather than paint in individual leaves, I massed the shapes to suggest their beauty but focused on the patterns of warmth playing against the cools throughout the painting.

This original oil is on stretched canvas with a poplar wood frame. It has painted edges of 1.5".

"Hydrangeas Over The Dam" Plein Air Oil

We have had more than 9 inches of rain this year above and beyond the average. The almost daily thunderstorms have poured tremendous volumes of water into our lakes and streams, including this lake below my house. The runoff is so great the typically blue/green water turns all shades of browns, reds, yellows and gold. Of course, the vegetation is growing feet by the second. It's white ball hydrangea time of year. The large popcorn-appearing balls are so beautiful and refreshing against the water. That dam in the foreground is almost a hundred years old, and of course with all the rain it's rather worrisome. So much water running over the side, what kind of pressure is that old concrete under? I painted this outdoors and reveled in the sounds and sights of the water and flowers. So glad I had bug spray on, as much as I dislike it! And of course, sunscreen. This oil in painted on archival canvas and is 11 X 14". It is unframed and ready to complement your indoor decor.