Carmel Valley 1982

Eyvind Earle's "Carmel Valley" presents a flattened, graphic depiction of nature, prioritizing shape and color over realistic representation. The process here feels so controlled, each element carefully placed to build up a striking composition. Look at how Earle uses layers of color and repeated forms to create depth. The dark greens and blacks in the foreground give way to lighter greens and yellows, suggesting distance and the rolling hills of the valley. The texture is smooth, the paint applied in flat, even layers, which adds to the print-like quality of the piece. I love how he renders the trees with such meticulous detail, using the same repeated shapes to build up the foliage. It’s like he’s invented a new way to see nature, reducing it to its simplest forms while still capturing its essence. Earle’s style reminds me a bit of Japanese woodblock prints, where landscapes are simplified and stylized. Like those prints, “Carmel Valley” offers a unique vision, inviting us to see the world through a different lens, one where color and form take precedence over realism.