St. Philips of the Highlands

The first time I saw this gorgeous church, with sun-bleached gravestones lining its yard like crooked teeth, it was begging to be painted. This was our very first exposure to the Hudson River Valley, and this welcoming structure seemed to embody the rich beauty and history of the area. 

I chose to render this landscape in pen-and-ink to capture its Old World charm. Then I added lavish colors on hot press paper to bring the drawing to life. I loved the rich contrast of the reds and greens as a backdrop for the grey stone church. The goal is always for the colors to remain fresh and vibrant without overpowering the ink drawing beneath.

I was originally planning to enter this piece in a show. But when I texted the image to a dear friend who used to live in the area, she instantly declared it "SOLD"...which is the best case scenario for an artist. There will be plenty of other shows. More than anything, we want our paintings to go to good homes where they'll be treasured for decades.

My friend who purchased this piece came to pick it up last week. Having only seen a digital image, she was visibly moved when she laid eyes on the original. An emotional response is the ultimate compliment for an artist, as we are constantly striving to capture and express the feeling of a place, rather than merely documenting details.

If only every day in the life of an artist could be as ideal as this one was! Thank you, my dear friends, for allowing us to visit this beautiful spot a few years ago, and now for fully appreciating the finished product.