Friday, August 1, 2008

Zion Juniper


18 x 24 oil on alkyd primed canvas. Click on image for larger view.

I haven't had much time to do any painting as of late. I had a commission that I have had on the easel for the last month with alot of interruptions. I was asked to speak at the St. George Art Museum for their art conversations because of the paintings that I have on tour with Paint the Parks. This year I was awarded the distinction of a signature member of their organization. When I looked at the map, I saw that the city of St. George was just outside of Zion National Park. I got a chance on the way back to spend a couple of days hiking Zion and a couple of days hiking Bryce Canyon. I saw a bunch of trees that caught my attention and this is the first chance I have had to make a painting from any of the reference. This is a Utah Juniper. I have been fascinated with these old trees and the evident struggle for life in their trunk structure. I came back with a little over 500 photos, and I am still combing through them to see what I want to say about these places.

6 comments:

Ed Terpening said...

Beautiful work, just classic.

les lull said...

Thanks alot Ed.

Robin Weiss said...

Reading through your last couple posts,...The Indian proverb says it all,... and is very well represented visually, by this amazing painting!!....Great piece of work Les!! and a great statement about the responsibility we have to the stewardship of the land entrusted to us.

Glad to see ya back painting!!

Ryan Evans said...

Great painting Les- the tree has awesome character that deserved to be painted

Ryan

les lull said...

Thanks alot Robin. I appreciate the connection to the proverb and comment about the painting. It is nice to be back spreading pigment.

les lull said...

Thanks for stopping by Ryan. I have decided to stop fighting the urge to paint trees and just go with it. :-)