Light and Shadow
The Source
“Late Afternoon in Watchung” 24”x 36” oil painting on canvas
The most significant thing in a landscape painting and in one’s life is the source of light and seeing it’s affect.
I am enthralled by the effects of Sunlight in landscapes or on objects. In my paintings I exploit light and shadow to bring life and dimension to a piece. Using indirect or diffused lighting, with a subtle suggestion of the source, allows me to create an ambient effect with and soft focus. A more brilliant, clear light produces visual contrast with the light source an obvious theme.
Both are equally fulfilling.
Diffused Light
“Pond in South Mountain Reservation” 30”x 40” oil painting on canvas
Diffused Light produces gorgeous and gentle affects in a painting or photograph. The contrast of glaring detail and dark shadows are intentionally subdued. The hard angles, glaring highlights, harsh detail, and dark shadows produced by bright, clear light disappear, but then so does the vivacity and zest.
The hazy reflection off the water in this piece uses an indirect Source of Light. Never the same intensity, but affective in the soft glow on the placid surface of the lake.
How easy iit is to be near those illuminated with a calm, serene demeanor? You can feel their light and see it in their eyes, it resonates and spreads without overwhelming. In an awkward conversation about a difficult subject, a diffused approach is often more beautiful and less harsh, but also depletes the vivacity and zest. In most cases kindness is the motivation.
“Overcast Light on Oak Creek” digital photograph
“Cathedral Rock Veiled in Smoke” digital photograph
“In the Clouds Over Ireland” digital photograph
Obstructed Light
“Hawthorne Woods” 30”x 40” oil painting on canvas
Back Lighting
Back lighting is a favorite theme in my landscapes.The light creeps around into the shadow, not quite enough to eliminate the darkness but just enough to add color and show subtle detail. I call this painting Aspen Glow for obvious reasons. The dark side of the trees seems to radiate, not only from the main source of light but from the golden field which reflects the light and color.
Like the influence we can have, and the difference we can make…Source, or the Light that comes through us reflects and radiates to those around us. Our energy influences those we come into contact with and vice versa. It’s just energy and as humans we can feel it, absorb it, or chose to walk away.
“Aspen Glow” 18”x 36” oil painting
“Backlit Aspens” 18”x 30” oil painting on canvas
Shadow Work
Shadow Work is a term used by Spiritual advisors nowadays. It was a theory of Sigmund Freud, originally made familiar to those educated in Psychology many years ago. Freud used the term Shadow to refer to those aspects of yourself that are hidden in your subconscious from your conscious perspective.
We all have shadows, whatever the catalyst, ranging from a small chastisement by an angry parent to a horrific and painful event. The result is shame and trauma that we cannot or will not revisit. These “shadows” that we’ve cleverly hidden are alive and, despite our efforts to snuff them out, emerge when we are unguarded. Their purpose is not to harm or destroy, but to be healed. These shadows are not graceful, in fact they come out as a reaction to a cause that is way out of proportion to the effect…like a harsh admonishment to a simple mistake, or a violent tantrum to an event gone wrong. So what to do?
Apparently it’s as simple as shedding light on these mysterious shadows that disappear as soon as you do! Simple, yes, but not so easy, not when egoistic fear stands at the door.
Ahhh…the Ego. That OTHER part of ourselves that perceives the issue, now a repressed memory, as life threatening. Our Ego protects us with all of its misguided might, by keeping that door closed by any means possible.
What if the soldier that is your Ego were told by your conscious mind who is the Sargent in Command “Thank you for your service. Now, Stand down!”? What if you could open that door, turn the light on and see a harmless thought in the form of a bad memory? What if you really looked, remembered, and felt the pain of it? Then without any effort at all it vanished and you were free and healed. Imagine that….I’ll bet, the next time there’s a simple mistake or an event that goes wrong, your reaction will be productive and in proportion to that event. That’s what the process of Shadow Work boils down to.
There is so much energy expelled by that little soldier we call the Ego, that when it finally goes on leave our creativity blossoms, or relationships are easier, and we have more energy than ever to accomplish whatever fulfills us.
This may be the theme of my work going forward.
Light Work
What is the Light that dissipates the darkness in a painting or photo, across a lawn, in a room or in our subconscious? Different sources surely, but the same effect even if figuratively.
