"La Gran Sombra"

Texas Masters Show at InSight Gallery, March 2, 2018

"La Gran Sombra" (The Big Shadow) 22" x 28" oil/board  InSight Gallery - Texas Masters Show

Texas Masters Show

I'm honored and very much look forward to participating in the Texas Masters Show. After much thought, I decided to paint an elk piece and several more "local" scenes. 

 This painting is of a South Texas whitetail from a friend's ranch near Cotulla, TX. Two items set this painting into motion, the whitetail buck and the large acacia tree, (Huisache) he is emerging from behind. 

The largest of these bucks instinctively hug the shadows of very early morning or late day, when the shadows become great. The thick expanse of brush south of San Antonio offer ample cover. 

 I really enjoy the raw beauty of the Brush Country. There is a peace that comes over me sitting in the stand and yet when an animal emerges my heart races with excitement. The camera captures the details and my paint records in sketch, the energy and emotion of the moment.

I can't tell you how many times I revised the drawing for this buck. I took it to different easels, different rooms, in the frame and without. After a break, I'd go back to wipe him clean and begin again. I was determined not to begin painting until I was fully satisfied.
One slight shift of the leg and he was too tense. After much tweaking, I was ready to paint!

A quick pic framed. I tried to work out all the problems at the sketch stage so I could enjoy the actual painting process. Nonetheless, inevitably there is always something to fix in the end.