Otter Creek
Otter Creek (2022)
24×18 Pastel on Pastel Paper
Original is Sold
I always find it incredibly rewarding to take one of my own local reference photos and build an entire painted narrative around it, transforming a familiar spot into a hidden sanctuary.
Capturing the dappled, filtered sunlight in Otter Creek was a fantastic artistic challenge. I wanted the dense, lush green canopy of the forest to feel enveloping but not overwhelming, allowing natural spotlights to break through and highlight the rocky creek bed. By using soft pastels, I was able to layer the gentle reflections in the shallow stream and map the warm, raking sunlight across his deeply muscled, fully exposed physique, perfectly conveying the serene freedom of a secluded Summer dip.
