"Winding Peace"
A visual journey in oils through the back bay area of coastal Delaware at sunset by Ellen Rice
Winding Peace
16" x 20" oil on canvas (Sold)
and 25 s/n giclee reproductions
Please note this is a digital image. Painting and print colors, depth and luminosity are best viewed in person.
16" x 20" oil on canvas (Sold)
and 25 s/n giclee reproductions
Please note this is a digital image. Painting and print colors, depth and luminosity are best viewed in person.
"Winding Peace"
by Ellen Rice
I've lived in Delaware since a teenager and have seen countless sunsets over water, but every single one is different and they never cease to fill me with awe.
My home and studio buildings are on a small peninsula that juts into Indian River Bay a couple miles west of the Atlantic Ocean in lower Delaware.
This painting was inspired by an August sunset I saw from my home's deck overlooking a wildlife refuge and the desire to create a painting that provided the tranquility I felt to people who view it.
There wasn't water in the photo I took of that sunset, just the trees and field my home overlooks, but I loved the sky and wondered how it would look over our back bay waters and decided to give it a try.
After putting a warm colored underglaze on the primed canvas and letting it dry, I lightly sketched the vision I had for it directly on the canvas, playing with the angles of the flowing water and marsh grasses that support so much wildlife. Then came glazing more colors in the sky and water.
This involved about six glazes, each drying one to two days before going on to the next. After the final glaze, I used a removal technique to reveal the glow you see. Patience isn't really my forte, but I love what can be achieved with this slow process.
Last came the contrasting grasses, heron and five geese flying north in the distance.
My home and studio buildings are on a small peninsula that juts into Indian River Bay a couple miles west of the Atlantic Ocean in lower Delaware.
This painting was inspired by an August sunset I saw from my home's deck overlooking a wildlife refuge and the desire to create a painting that provided the tranquility I felt to people who view it.
There wasn't water in the photo I took of that sunset, just the trees and field my home overlooks, but I loved the sky and wondered how it would look over our back bay waters and decided to give it a try.
After putting a warm colored underglaze on the primed canvas and letting it dry, I lightly sketched the vision I had for it directly on the canvas, playing with the angles of the flowing water and marsh grasses that support so much wildlife. Then came glazing more colors in the sky and water.
This involved about six glazes, each drying one to two days before going on to the next. After the final glaze, I used a removal technique to reveal the glow you see. Patience isn't really my forte, but I love what can be achieved with this slow process.
Last came the contrasting grasses, heron and five geese flying north in the distance.
The painting felt complete when I finished fine highlights on the great blue heron and the geese's tiny wings. There was a sense of balance and harmony. I signed my name.
Both photos above are cell photos. There weren't any lights turned on the painting, only indirect north light coming in from my studio windows to the left of my easel. No photo adjustments were made.
The painting just glows. At left is a photo I received of how a client has framed and is displaying Winding Peace, using an off-white mat and rose gold frame to pick up the colors in the sky.
I sincerely hope you enjoy this painting and feel the tranquility that guided my brushstrokes.
Both photos above are cell photos. There weren't any lights turned on the painting, only indirect north light coming in from my studio windows to the left of my easel. No photo adjustments were made.
The painting just glows. At left is a photo I received of how a client has framed and is displaying Winding Peace, using an off-white mat and rose gold frame to pick up the colors in the sky.
I sincerely hope you enjoy this painting and feel the tranquility that guided my brushstrokes.