As humans and likely many other creatures, what we see, what we pay attention to and what interests us, is contrast –  light vs dark, brilliant vs muted, warm vs cold – and the more detail, the more focus.

The beautiful golden leaves, the graphic contrast of white trunks against the dark and the confusion of grasses in the foreground made this a compelling picture. Aspen need plenty of sunlight which is why they can be seen at the edge of woods or clearings, Grouped close together, these trees are often different shoots from the same root system.

I’ve often been drawn to aspen and birch, probably for all the above reasons, but I also wonder whether I’m influenced by paintings such as Tom Thomson’s “The Birch Grove, Autumn” or “In the Northland” – no comparison of course – his are memorable beautiful pieces.

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Acrylic, 20×16 on gallery wrap – $360