Here is “Tropical Glow.”
Tropical Glow. 36″ Diameter, Acrylic on Canvas, © 2020 Cedar LeeIn this painting, as our eyes follow the many weaving branches meandering above, we get lost in a sphere of golden light.
Tropical Glow. 36″ Diameter, Acrylic on Canvas, © 2020 Cedar LeeMy reference photos and ideas for this painting came from photos I took a couple years ago in a Hawaiian jungle. That jungle was lush and green. But I made the artistic decision to paint this scene in warm earth tones, with high contrast between dark and light.
Cedar Lee painting: Tropical Glow. 36″ Diameter, Acrylic on Canvas, © 2020 Cedar LeeIt is really cool watching this one come together in the time lapse video of my process:
Time Lapse: Creation of “Tropical Glow”The image of tiny branches interweaving and reaching many fingers out into space is reminiscent of my earlier painting Arboreal Dendrites. That painting was also inspired by Hawaii’s jungles!
Detail: Tropical Glow. 36″ Diameter, Acrylic on Canvas, © 2020 Cedar LeeThis is partially realistic, and partially an imaginary dream landscape, with its outlandish colors.
Detail: Tropical Glow. 36″ Diameter, Acrylic on Canvas, © 2020 Cedar LeeA bit of fantasy feels appropriate in the cold months of 2020. In a typical winter in the pre-pandemic world, I might be making plans to travel. I might go stay for a few days in a hostel in some faraway place in the tropics and take hundreds of photos to use as inspiration for future paintings.
Detail: Tropical Glow. 36″ Diameter, Acrylic on Canvas, © 2020 Cedar LeeThis art embodies the feeling of escaping into paradise!
Detail: Tropical Glow. 36″ Diameter, Acrylic on Canvas, © 2020 Cedar LeeImagine a beautiful, sun-drenched dome of tangled tropical plants curving above us. Imagine gazing up into sunshine which pleasantly warms our faces. This painting offers an invitation to get lost in its details.
Detail: Tropical Glow. 36″ Diameter, Acrylic on Canvas, © 2020 Cedar LeeThe original is large, 36″ in diameter. Besides the original painting, circular art prints of this one are also currently available!
Artist with Art: Tropical Glow. 36″ Diameter, Acrylic on Canvas, © 2020 Cedar Lee