A new father strolled by with his newborn son while I was sitting along the edge of Johnson Creek in Portland this summer.
I was painting a small canvas and feeling quite frustrated that I could not simplify the water and tree branches.
These challenges were not important to the father, however. He offered to purchase the painting to remember the first peaceful week of his son’s life.
$25 © Pam Van Londen 2007 Johnson Creek 2 acrylic on canvasboard on 12 x 12 x 1 canvas
When I return to Oregon, I’ll be sitting there again to make another attempt. Perhaps the light will be more interesting–in the previous lighting the water looked muddy. I don’t really care to paint brown. Not sure that can be helped if the water is in shade on an overcast day.
Later, in 2007, I painted another rendition with bright colors on canvasboard. This summer I hope to try again.