Beautiful and Brutal

Hopkins Forest, Williamstown, MA. 6x8 inches, gouache on multimedia paper. What amazed me during my visit to the forest was how extensive were the areas of snow dug up by deer looking for acorns. The forest in winter can be beautiful but also brutal.

Hopkins Forest Contrast

Hopkins Forest, Williamstown, MA. 8x10 inches, gouache on mixed media paper.  The weather was nice enough to walk in Hopkins Forest yesterday.  This is a view on the lower loop, looking down into the ravine. I love the contrast between the snowbank and the trees on the stream banks below.

Hopkins Forest

 Snow in Hopkins Forest, Williamstown, MA. 8x10 inches, oil on canvas panel. 

Into the Woods

Looking for a change, I went into the woods this afternoon, and painted the maple sugar shack at Hopkins Forest in Williamstown, MA.  9x12 inches, oil on canvas panel.

Still Full of Snow

Yesterday afternoon, I went walking in the woods at Hopkins Forest in Williamstown, MA. They're still full of snow.  And where there wasn't any snow, it was all mud.  But I'll take it.  It was quiet.  8x10 inches, gouache on mixed media paper.

A "V" And A Treasure

Not too exciting but I was attracted by the "V" at the bottom.  Another Hopkins Forest gouache. Hopkins Forest, a treasure, is located in Williamstown, MA.  The snow melts more slowly in the woods.  6x8 inches, gouache and watercolor on multimedia paper.

Deep And Dark

At the most remote point of the figure-eight trail at Hopkins Forest in Williamstown, MA, there's a dark ravine with a deep, rushing stream covered over with pines.  6x8 inches, gouache and watercolor on multimedia paper.

When The Snow Melts

At some point I will stop making these snow landscapes in gouache, but that may be when the snow melts.  Here's another view from the upper part of the Hopkins Forest trail in Williamstown, MA.  6x8 inches, gouache and watercolor on multimedia paper.

An Interesting Experience

In winter the ground seems more unstable, not just because of the ice and snow, but because of the ever-changing gauze of conspicuous light and shadow.  Combine this with not seeing anyone while walking on the upper path in Hopkins Forest in Williamstown, MA makes for an interesting experience.  Actually, I did encounter one person at the remotest point.  He was moving quickly with two walking sticks, goggles, and earphones with music so loud I could hear it.  Unsurprisingly in retrospect he didn't even look at me when I said 'hello'.  6x8 inches, gouache and watercolor on multimedia paper.  

Up And Down

Another view from the upper part of the figure-eight trail at Hopkins Forest, which suggests the up-and-down.  6x8 inches, gouache and watercolor on multimedia paper.

From The Upper Section

Over the years I've been to the figure-eight trail at Hopkins Forest many times but seldom venture to the upper section, which is longer and has more ups and downs.  Yesterday I did the whole trail, and this view is from the upper section.  6x8 inches, gouache and watercolor on multimedia paper.

You Can Tell

In this painting you can tell where the sun is located.  It's an afternoon view into the woods from the path at Hopkins Forest in Williamstown, MA.  6x8 inches, gouache and watercolor on multimedia paper.

No Favors

For an experiment I painted this one on black multimedia paper.  It depicts the path in Hopkins Forest looking toward the large field with the weather devices.  6x8 inches, gouache on multimedia paper.

Deep Contrast

There's a section of the path in Hopkins Forest in Williamstown, MA where you can look down into a deep gully. But what I like is the deep contrast in the composition.  6x8 inches, gouache and watercolor on multimedia paper.

Encountering Green

When I went to Hopkins Forest yesterday late morning, the sky was blue and the sun was shining.  Halfway through painting this view of the picnic table under the apple trees,  the clouds quickly appeared, and then it started to rain.  I finished the painting in the room where I paint.

I'm still in my "painting green project".  The red table and benches I realized are another way to counter green.  So are red metal roofs, tree trunks, and boulders in old foundations.

Sunday Morning

Early this morning I visited the Rosenburg Center at Hopkins Forest where I painted the above 9x12 oil landscape.