Beaver dam Pond, Acadia National Park 2009

Richard Estes created this painting of Beaver dam Pond in Acadia National Park. The painting is mostly cool blues and greens with accents of golds, which made me think about the shift in seasons. I can imagine Estes standing there, observing the serene landscape and mixing these cool colors on his palette. Look how the dark greens of the forest meet the light blues of the water. The surface is so smooth and reflective, it gives the scene a mirror like quality. I like the way the trees line the horizon, creating a barrier between land and water. I'm wondering if he thought about how those upright lines play against the horizontal stretch of the pond and mountain. You know, painting is really like having a conversation, not only with yourself, but with everyone who has ever put brush to canvas. Each piece adds to this ever-evolving dialogue, influencing and inspiring us all.