November Moon
Have you ever had this experience?
It’s sunset.
The sun has just dipped below the tree line.
The sky is a beautiful gradient of pastel colors.
You turn around, and there it is: the moon is enormous, epic, glowing, full.
It’s such a spectacular moment: subtle, energizing, breath-taking.
That’s what happened to me while I was working on my latest painting, “November Moon.”
"November Moon”
2024, Oil on Linen
9 x 12 inches, unframed
Please see the Available Originals page for current availability.
The funny thing is, like many of my favorite paintings, this composition wasn’t planned.
I was working on several paintings that afternoon.
One flowing into the next.
I started this particular painting just after the sun went down.
Something about the way that tree looked, standing in the field; a red sapling of late autumn in the foreground, in stark contrast to the tan grey grasses on the hillside.
As I painted the colors of the sky at dusk, energizing clouds gave way to a clear sky.
And that’s when the magic happened.
The full moon rose just above the tree line, and a flock of birds crossed the sky.
That’s why I love working directly in nature.
Because I don’t have to ‘come up’ with everything…
Nature gives so much.
At times it feels like she is an active participant in the creative process.
I’m just there to capture what is offered.
Next steps?
I’m thinking about making a bigger version of this new painting.
You can see me experimenting in my studio below, projecting the painting onto a larger canvas to see how it looks.
Less is More
It’s fascinating to me how delicate some compositions can be.
For instance, with this painting, I had a star in the sky (or a planet) as well as the moon, and a few more birds.
But in the end, I removed the star and reduced the number of birds in the flock.
Somehow, the attitude of “less is more” really applied here, allowing the moon to be the primary focal point.
In The Studio
Presently, I’m stretching new canvases, making some of my favorite hand made paint for the year, and working on a new family portrait commission.
I’m letting winter settle into my bones and getting plenty of rest.
I am reminding myself that I am nature.
And right now, nature is sleeping… preparing.
It’s time to charge my batteries, so when springtime comes, new creations will be ready to break through the soil, and manifest in my life.
I hope you are also finding time to rest and recharge.
Moving with the cycles of nature can be such a great blessing.
Doing so continues to increase my appreciation of the energy of each season.
Even the cold, silent, restful energy of winter... ❄️
I'll be in touch soon.
Sincerely,
Dustin