I've lived almost all my life on the west coast of the United States, so my current series, West Coast Scapes, is to promote the beauty of California, Oregon, and Washington State. It highlights the magnificent scenes of landscapes, seascapes, cloudscapes, and cityscapes that I experienced traveling up and down these areas all season. This series of oil paintings are snapshots of moments emphasizing the elements that create excellent lights and shadows unique to these places. Working on this series is very therapeutic, especially when trying to re-create nature and infrastructure scenes through paints and brushes. It is helping me heal from my battle with anxiety that transpired during my time in the military.
I've accumulated countless reference photos in my many trips from California, Oregon, and Washington State. Sorting out the right images from my collection for the best possible composition to fit my series is a necessary process. Combined with a couple of thumbnail sketches and color studies, I transformed these precious memories into painterly realistic artwork pieces. The sizes vary from medium-large to large canvas. The format ranges from a square, two by one, three by four, and four by five in either portrait or landscape setting. Depending on the reference photo, my color palette ranges from limited to broader choices to support the mood and elements of the painting.
In "Night at the Wharf," I emphasize the mood from a limited color pallet using compliments of warm yellow-orange lights to cool blue-purple shadows. This composition is to lead the viewers into the space and explore the lights in the distance that happens during the golden hour in the Bay Area. In "Eagle Harbor," I used an expansive range of colors to highlight the greeneries and outdoor water activities in the Pacific Northwest to suggest the variety of characteristics of the west coast. In both pieces, the combination of palette knives and various sizes of brushes shows the mark-making evident in the surrounding elements.
In my early time in the military, I remember meeting individuals who had never been to the west coast. This series will not replace the in-person experience but will provide a visual appreciation to those who still need to experience the region's beauty. The goal is to encourage others to visit these gorgeous places someday.
I am lucky to have lived on this coast. I wanted to share these experiences and moments that provided me with healing and inspiration through this series of paintings.
I've accumulated countless reference photos in my many trips from California, Oregon, and Washington State. Sorting out the right images from my collection for the best possible composition to fit my series is a necessary process. Combined with a couple of thumbnail sketches and color studies, I transformed these precious memories into painterly realistic artwork pieces. The sizes vary from medium-large to large canvas. The format ranges from a square, two by one, three by four, and four by five in either portrait or landscape setting. Depending on the reference photo, my color palette ranges from limited to broader choices to support the mood and elements of the painting.
In "Night at the Wharf," I emphasize the mood from a limited color pallet using compliments of warm yellow-orange lights to cool blue-purple shadows. This composition is to lead the viewers into the space and explore the lights in the distance that happens during the golden hour in the Bay Area. In "Eagle Harbor," I used an expansive range of colors to highlight the greeneries and outdoor water activities in the Pacific Northwest to suggest the variety of characteristics of the west coast. In both pieces, the combination of palette knives and various sizes of brushes shows the mark-making evident in the surrounding elements.
In my early time in the military, I remember meeting individuals who had never been to the west coast. This series will not replace the in-person experience but will provide a visual appreciation to those who still need to experience the region's beauty. The goal is to encourage others to visit these gorgeous places someday.
I am lucky to have lived on this coast. I wanted to share these experiences and moments that provided me with healing and inspiration through this series of paintings.
(c) 2020 Jeffrey Geronimo