Finding inspiration

Sometimes the inspiration for a painting comes from encountering scenes, particularly when the intention is to do so. I often drive through rural New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, looking for dusty old roads that lead to old farms, abandoned properties, or landscapes off the beaten path. Inspiration can pop up anywhere, anytime. This piece (currently untitled) came while watching my daughter Lily’s soccer game in Hollis. The High School field sits next to an old stately farm, still active, but surrounded by newer homes. The farm is not unlike many in the area, but the stately old trees that have spent the past 100 or so years providing shade, cast great shadows, and it was these that caught my attention. A quick photo with the iPhone and several charcoal sketches later, the piece is nearing completion.