More Wisdom

Big Hole River, Wisdom, Montana. Oil on stretched canvas, 10x20

I've been down and out for more than a few days here. First, it was the flu - thankfully, not the swine flu, just some sleep-logging illness - that kept me groggy around the clock for days on end.

Then, I took my little laptop in to get it souped up, and that took days and days.

Meantime, it's been raining and raining and raining. So I've spent time in my basement studio, organizing and cleaning and trying some new things. This painting is one that I made over these past few days.

It's a scene I painted last summer, on a plain outside of Wisdom, Montana. I loved the way the Big Hole River curls and curves through the thick, green grass, and how the earth seems to stretch away forever. This time, I tried a darker version, and tried glazing (using small amounts of paint in a glazing medium) to add translucence and depth.

Also, I made this painting on top of another. Come to think of it, that other one was one that I made on top of yet another painting. I like painting on the rough surface of another painting. I like putting new paint over the veins and bones, the ridges and wrinkles of another painting. I like the rough textures, the unexpected highs and lows, the way the painting that's being covered maps the new work.

Thanks to all of you who called, worried. I will call back soon. And thank you, all of you, for reading.