JEFFREY VAUGHN
Artist Statement
There is a sense of freedom that I experience when painting landscape. The quality of these kinds of images allows for expression and interpretation, yet they can still be viewed as landscape. I generally choose to depict the quiet, peaceful aspect of the natural world as opposed to its threatening or volatile side. The decisions made about what images to paint are intuitive and develop slowly over time with a large body of work. There is a contemplative manner to the approach that I take when studying and painting from the land: As one delves more deeply into the act of painting, the image evolves as a work about painting itself. When one looks more closely at the painting, there is a feeling of departure from the image of nature as seen with our own eyes.
In the studio, the painting develops with a grisaille style under-painting followed by a finished layering of blended colors. I work from photographs that are made typically with a medium format camera, and choose images that have an attractive quality of light and abundant detail. Dramatic light enhances the translucent interplay of light and shadow on blossoms and leaves. Soft light allows for purer color and subtle explorations of shadow.
Through these abstract concerns, I hope to convey the quiet beauty of nature.
In the studio, the painting develops with a grisaille style under-painting followed by a finished layering of blended colors. I work from photographs that are made typically with a medium format camera, and choose images that have an attractive quality of light and abundant detail. Dramatic light enhances the translucent interplay of light and shadow on blossoms and leaves. Soft light allows for purer color and subtle explorations of shadow.
Through these abstract concerns, I hope to convey the quiet beauty of nature.
