Light, Silhouette and Sight

Silhouette would not be known without light. Because of light everything seen is in silhouette. Of course nether would exist in our human consciousness without out sight. The universe is abundant with light and it is also vastly very full of dark. Specks of light will always penetrate unobstructed darkness; however all the darkness of space could not penetrate those same specks of light. Interesting that every thing we see is some form of matter silhouetted in light.  Trees, mountains, lakes, clouds, or a distant star are all visible because light puts them in silhouette. At night those specks of light we call stars become visible in the absence of our suns light then silhouetted by the surrounding darkness of space. 

Creation displays amazing beauty with light, the painter is limited to brush and pigment. It is at best a feeble attempt; never the less the obsession continues.

Be in the Light,

Len Sodenkamp

Original paintings, prints and cards of my Earth Light Series are available at:
http://www.len-sodenkamp.artistwebsites.com/

 Oil on panel called (Be in the Light) 24 inches x 48 inches by Len Sodenkamp

The panorama composition

The panorama composition has long been a favorite. Both horizontal and vertical panels are common in my studio. It lends itself to the vast expanses of sky and mountain shapes that dominate the Pacific North West I call home. The long and narrow is often considered a contemporary look in the art and design world. I just find it the only way to capture what I am trying to say.

The painting below is oil on panel 13 inches x 42 inches depicting  a day break on top of the Trinity Mountains. I snuggled down in my sleeping bag on that cool summer morning and watched in aw as nature provided the light show of a life time. The water droplets were of uniform size with just the right clouds in just the right relationship to the sun producing colors by way of an incandescent reaction.

Needless to say once in a life time if you’re lucky, don’t forget to take your camera to bed with you.

Len Sodenkamp
Original art, prints and cards available at www.len-sodenkamp.artistwebsites.com

Miniatures

These miniatures are oil on panel, each 4 inches x 6 inches. A variation on a theme using a limited palette of Indian red, yellow ocher, cobalt blue and white to tell the story. Each 4 inch x 6 inch study was completed in 30 to 45 minutes. The original grouping contained six miniatures on a special panel of my own design.
(See below) 

I was taught this practice by several great mentors over the years and had forgotten how fun it is.

Happy painting,

Len Sodenkamp
http://www.len-sodenkamp.artistwebsites.com/