Woodland Born, 2018

40 x 40 x 1.5 inches large original oil painting of a white winter woodland landscape with a stag and a doe. This painting is semi abstract in style and was built up with lots of thick layers of paint. The first layer was in autumn colours and the second and third layer were more muted whites and pale pastel colours that give the impression of a winter landscape with snow and frost and ice. Two deer stand to the left looking half formed. Their faces are fairly realistic but their bodies and legs are abstract and and are emerging or melting into the landscape itself. There are trees behind the deer and a cold winter sky behind the treeline. On the branches next to the deer are pastel coloured leaves here and there that mimic the colours of leaves with frost on them or even of early spring cherry tree blossom. I confess this is is a painting I have wrestled with and over-painted parts of it a few times. I am finally very happy with it though because it stands somewhere between abstract winter landscape and a traditional winter landscape as do the deer. Deer are quite mysterious with their ability to appear and disappear at will, especially in forests, and I feel I have captured that transitory thing they do quite well. Sometimes I glance at the painting I and wonder if the deer have moved a little each time I do... Painted on deep edge canvas, white edges, frame not necessary.