Cottonwood and Barn
Cottonwood trees thrive by the creeks that flow through southern Idaho. Dry Creek — which, oddly enough, I’ve never seen go dry —runs 50 yards away. The cottonwood grows beside a farm barn. It isn’t Idaho’s oldest (that honor is nearby, built in 1854), but the local farm crew uses its newer cousin for the farm’s everyday field work. A mature cottonwood shades the barn’s southern exposure.
What I found artistically compelling are the deep fissures in the bark. The textures, colors, and patterns interested me enough to attempt an art piece.
I selected oil pastels (over softer pastels) for this piece, as oils seem to capture the vitality and color of wood. The various component colors blend organically. The mid-summer light that this scene depicts brings out violet undertones in the barn’s planks.
Inspiration: 5219 W. Dry Creek Road, Boise Idaho
