Sage Beauty, Autumn

After a painting trip to New Mexico, I was inspired to paint the Old West from a contemporary point-of-view. I found the perfect subject in this nondescript sage that was growing from the sandy bank of a small creek, being fed not only by creekwater, but the moisture of the snow beginning to fall on the landscape. Complementary color palette provided the contrast I needed to point up the characteristic of water element and land elements. I used large flat brushes from the hardware store, a credit card and a razor blade to create effects that evoke the rawness of this "natural still life."