Morning Mist

Another favorite from the Ulrich Farm Series. "Morning Mist,' was inspired from an early morning visit to the farm. Entering the front lane from Bedminster Road, one views the front pastures looking east. The sun was making its entrance burning through the cool and cloudy dawn - there was still a hint of its pink glow from earlier at sunrise. The mist rising from the pastures created this wonderful atmospheric effect, as well as the frosty dew on the grasses in the foreground. I paused on the driveway, turned off the car and just watched for a while. I made some notes and quick sketches, took some photos and then continued on to the barn to care for the donkeys.
For months, I reflected on this scene and then set about to capture it on paper in the studio. It's a large piece for me and a new direction in terms of medium. Laying in the large areas of color with watercolor and then going back into the painting with oil pastels to add depth and texture. I love the play between the paint and pastels. It affords me the opportunity to add to the color process and bring some of the emotion of the scene to life.

"Morning Mist," watercolor and oil pastel