Original artwork description:

An oil painting on shellacked matte board. Bryce Canyon is in Utah, and has some of the most incredible rock formations I've ever seen. The canyon freezes 200+ days a year, and the freezing breaks off pebbles as the moisture in the ground expands and contracts. Pebbles roll down the cliffs at night, and you can hear them echo through the canyon. Millions of years of this erosion leaves these fabulous rock formations all over the canyon. In addition, there are beautiful pastel pink and yellow and red color layers which change in the light as the day goes on. Fabulous!
If you are pre-disposed to believe in "Earth Spirits," you will see them here! Often the formations resemble faces or creatures. You can see them here and in my other works from Bryce Canyon.


Painting in oil paint on shellacked matte board is a technique that I learned about 40 years ago from a book about the work of Norman Rockwell. It was one of his favorite techniques, and is one of mine too. It is quite permanent, and makes a wonderful surface to paint on top of. Easy to frame, as it is stiff and only a few millimeters thick. I'd put it under glass for an elegant look, but you don't have to as it is varnished oil paint and does not require cover. The painting is 17 x 12 7/8 inches edge to edge.

Please don't hesitate to ask if you have questions or comments. I'll enjoy hearing from you.

Cheers,
rick

Materials used:

Oil paint, varnish, shellac, matte board

Tags:

#inside bryce canyon #spirits in the earth #landscape #landscape art #rock #unusual #canyon #canyon road #rock formations #western art #western united states #bryce canyon national park #bryce canyon #earth spirits