The Path

A Pacific Northwest forest scene from a local hiking trail, of dappled light falling through foliage and old growth trees, some having fallen. Beginning with a transparent orange underpainting (still visible here and there in the finished painting) I worked in thin layers of oil from background to front; abstract background to realistic details. I reflected on life’s journey while painting this and how we see our path mostly in hindsight; our next steps are often unclear as we push ahead blindly. There’s a benefit to pausing, whether it’s to rest and regroup or to simply see what’s right in front of us; we may later understand that we were right where we needed to be.