This painting is inspired by a real stream in Hazen's Notch in Vermont. The reference for this piece however is of a stream, smaller, flowing away from the viewer's vantage point. So using that as a leaping off point I created, from memory and images of this location, a painting of a stream running downstream towards the viewer. I invented much of the stream bed and surrounding landscape, but the overall ambience, and that large leaning tree are from this place in the Notch.
I'm not afraid of creating elements and even whole landscapes from memory now, having built up my mental library spending many hours and days just scouting around and taking photos. The landscape often presents the kernel of an idea for a painting but needs some cleaning up, or re-arranging to make a stronger painting. One of the things I love about being an artist is the ability to create!
