WoW! How? "Indian Summer" by Robert Reynolds

"Indian Summer"

by Robert Reynolds
This painting, unlike my painting of the chapel, was much more interpretive and much of the subject went through various stages of change before I was finished. When I was at the estuary location, it was midday, and quite clear. I could see the mountains and houses across the bay. After arriving back home, I decided that I wanted to concentrate on the design of the canals, and the way the sun was striking and highlighting the water moving through the canals.	*Indian Summer* by Robert Reynolds
I wanted to recreate the painting in a late day situation and also to avoid the scene across the bay, so I placed a misty or fog bank across the bay, which is usually a very common occurrence. This allowed me to simplify the design of the painting and also to concentrate on the sun and its reflective qualities. I wanted the warm, setting sun to affect the whole image, so after placing the setting sun in the painting, I tried to have all the other elements react to this last burst of light. Many of the shapes became orange and red, but I was able to control the bright colors from getting too much out of control, by the occasional blue purple, that seemed to unify the total image. It is unusual to place the sun in the middle of the horizon, but I felt it added a symbolic element that took it beyond reality and added mystery to the image. It's an interesting process when the painting begins to have its own life. When you throw in a dash of color, it can take off and you have to run to keep up with it! Very interesting experience this process we call "painting". We all know that there is an "agony" and "ecstasy" to this process. The trick is to have more "ecstasy" than "agony"! Digression: The most curious question asked when being telephoned by a non artist friend: :Are you working or are you just painting?" hmmm