Santa Ynez Oaks 1974

Eyvind Earle conjured up these Santa Ynez Oaks with paint, turning trees into domes of dark foliage against a lavender dreamscape. It's like stepping into a fairy tale, isn't it? I imagine Earle, brush in hand, layering those tiny leaves, each one a deliberate dab. Were they thinking about the rhythm of nature, the way light filters through branches? Or maybe just getting lost in the pure pleasure of putting color on a surface? The smooth surface and precise lines are so unlike my usual chaotic style! The painting has this graphic, almost poster-like quality, but each tree still feels individual, like a portrait. There's something very satisfying in the repetition and the subtle differences between the forms. Artists, we're all magpies, borrowing and riffing off each other, and Earle’s vision here is a testament to that ongoing conversation.