Light, Atmosphere and Depth
If there were no light, we would not see – ANYTHING. And we very much need the darkness in order to appreciate the light in all its various incarnations. I love the drama created by light in the natural and man-made world. Depending upon the time of day or night, in combination with the amount of moisture present in the air, we have, what I like to call the resultant atmosphere, or mood. Living at altitude in Taos, New Mexico, where the air is so dry and clear year-round I am presented with an unusual set of challenges in painting this dramatic landscape. Everything seems to be within touching distance of the viewer; even the mountains in the distance. My challenge is how do I create a painting where, upon a flat surface, depth perception is accurate in my rendering (the mountains in the distance appear to be in the distance) and I can then draw the viewer in, to hopefully experience their own joy and fascination?
Generally speaking, variations in light evoke my emotional response. For example, if the light and atmosphere are strong and clear, I feel a confident sense of drama; if it’s misty, then I’m perhaps more hesitant and tentative. And if darkness prevails, I am filled with a sense of mystery, comfort, possibility, reward and excitement.
