Pages

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Last Light

Last Light by Scott Ruthven
24"x18" Oil on canvas

I painted this in the studio from an 12"x9" painting I did on site while hiking and camping in the Rainbow Lakes area West of Boulder Colorado.  While painting the plein air study, the setting sun was baking my face which was fine until it hit an angle that also reflected off of the lake.  At that point I couldn't see anything so I stopped painting and enjoyed the setting sun.

This painting is about the lifecycle of nature...acknowledging the strength and vibrancy of one living tree and the weathered remnant of another.  I've also painted in a cutthroat trout...can you find it?

Here is a picture of my son with one of these trout.  He fly fished while I painted.  Jake (my son) is purely a catch and release guy.  So fun to watch these trout come up from the depths to take a dry fly.

If you like fly fishing, check out Jake's blog at: http://finsonthefly.blogspot.com/

Thanks for your comments and "likes"













6 comments:

  1. Beautiful. I love your work, but think this is my favorite.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Pamela! At 24"x18" this is the largest Oil I've done. I'm happy it worked out because as Scott Christensen says, "ugly is one thing, but big and ugly is a whole other problem".

      Delete
  2. Gorgeous work, just stunning use of light.
    I can almost hear the water.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Jim, I sure appreciate your comments! This painting was all about the concept of light and the story of the fallen tree vs the tree in it's prime. Painting on this lake while watching the trout swimming and my son fishing is probably the best way I can think to spend a summer day.

      Delete
  3. You show a lot of skill in this and i love how the light hits the tree tops.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Such a beautiful & peaceful place, Scott. What a gift you have!!Love ya, your sis. Charlotte

    ReplyDelete