Here is “Dazzling Sky,” 24″ x 36″.
Dazzling Sky. 24″ x 36″, Oil on Canvas, © 2018 Cedar Lee
The starting point for this painting was a photo I took of the sun bursting through the trees, obliterating part of the image. I decided to incorporate the dramatic lens flare into the painting.
Artist Cedar Lee in the studio: Dazzling Sky. 24″ x 36″, Oil on Canvas, © 2018 Cedar Lee
As I built up the surface with many layers of paint and cold wax medium, there is a lot of thick texture. As with all art, this one is so much better to experience in person.
Dazzling Sky. 24″ x 36″, Oil on Canvas, © 2018 Cedar Lee
The painting wrapping around the deep edges of the canvas gives the art a clean, modern look. The colors cover the whole spectrum, from the vibrant teal in the sky to the deep purple, magenta, orange-yellow and blue-green found in the trees.
Close-up detail: Dazzling Sky. 24″ x 36″, Oil on Canvas, © 2018 Cedar Lee
Upon close inspection, you can see the giant sunburst, which dominates the center of the image, contains rainbow colors.
Close-up detail: Dazzling Sky. 24″ x 36″, Oil on Canvas, © 2018 Cedar Lee
The trees are full of delightful painterly details–the many small marks of the brush creating areas of curved movement like a breeze through the foliage, and unexpected pops of bright colors throughout.
Close-up detail: Dazzling Sky. 24″ x 36″, Oil on Canvas, © 2018 Cedar Lee
The glowing yellow-white emanating from the sky fills the whole painting, appearing in of many of the negative shapes between the branches.
Close-up detail: Dazzling Sky. 24″ x 36″, Oil on Canvas, © 2018 Cedar Lee
The perspective of the tall trees makes you feel you are standing right there beneath them.
Close-up detail: Dazzling Sky. 24″ x 36″, Oil on Canvas, © 2018 Cedar Lee
The tiny shapes of a few wild birds soaring up in the distant sky add to the sense of scale.
Close-up detail: Dazzling Sky. 24″ x 36″, Oil on Canvas, © 2018 Cedar Lee
These staggeringly tall trees painted in many colors, reaching up into the paradise of a glorious open sky, fill the viewer with awe at nature’s grandeur.
Dazzling Sky. 24″ x 36″, Oil on Canvas, © 2018 Cedar Lee
This beautiful imagery can bring a feeling of peace to a frenetic mind dwelling on a harsh world.