New Landscapes in Raw Umber

My recent landscape paintings are an expression of my life and work in rural Vermont. While these pieces are rooted in the actual meadows, paths, and mountain views surrounding my studio, they are not literal depictions. I am interested in capturing the feeling of the land rather than rendering a pristine or academic image of it.

In these two series, I have reduced my palette to neutral grays and raw umber. This natural earth pigment, mined in Umbria, Italy, allows the literal details of the view to settle into a warm, soft impression—much like a distant memory or a dream.

The rusticity of the Vermont landscape is mirrored in my process. I work on wood panels, applying loose, wet oil paint with brushes, rags, and sandpaper. By building up layers and then wiping them away, I tap into the wide range of tonal values for which raw umber is celebrated. The result is a light, immediate touch—an homage to the place I roam and contemplate every day.