October in the Hollow
The Catskill Mountains have many “hollows” – valleys formed between two adjacent mountains, or between the long spurs of one mountain that reach down from the summit like massive, forested fingers. Most hollows have a stream flowing through them, down toward the Esopus – the river pictured in last week’s post – and dead-end roads constructed along those streams. I live in one such hollow, and this is the view looking toward one of the spurs that form it. I started this painting last October, mid-month when the fall foliage was in peak color. This year that peak came early, and in some places has already passed.
It’s a simple scene, composed primarily as a vehicle for color. It was also an opportunity to practice painting the tall pines that are so common throughout the region. Conifers look like they’re easy to draw, but trust me, they’re not. The apple tree in the center was much easier, and the birch off to the left was an interesting counterpoint of light on dark. The 3/4 angle of the two houses lends a sense of depth to the scene.
This is a small painting, so there wasn’t a whole lot of space for articulating the subtle textures of the forested mountainside. I really wanted to capture that blend of salmon and ochre, lavender and grey and mauve that light up these mountains on a sunny autumn day. A larger painting would have done the scene more justice, but as always, I was short on time, and grateful to be able to do even a small painting. The color at this time of year is fleeting, and one has to drop everything when the weather is right and get out there. Even if I can only just start a painting en plein air, and complete it later from a photograph, as I did here – that’s good enough.
I’m keeping my eyes open, waiting for that window of opportunity.
A good week to all!
D. Yael Bernhard
https://dyaelbernhard.com
Have you seen my other Substack, The Art of Health? In addition to being a visual artist, I’m also a certified integrative health & nutrition coach with a lifelong passion for natural food cooking and herbal medicine. Now in its second year, this illustrated newsletter explores cutting-edge concepts of nutrition. I strive to make relevant information clear and accessible, and to anchor essential health concepts in unique images. Check it out, and if you like it, please subscribe and help spread the word. Your support keeps my work going!