Monday 22 October 2012

Oil Painting 51 - The Canal in Oxford, Autumn



I was aware that a autumnal image would enhance this project charting a year and was waiting for the leaves to turn and to arrive at the right subject. This happened to be the stretch of canal leading into central Oxford. less than a mile from the centre the canal has been kept pleasant and leafy with enormous town houses backing on to it, each with their own slim mooring. The boat in this painting 'Little Beauty' was about as big a boat as the house owners could get away with without prodding into next doors. The towpath was almost tunnelled in a thin drapery of leaves on their way out, some already in the canal giving flashes of floating colour against the brushwork of the reflecting murky water.







This piece shot together quickly. I have consciously left it very early on, enjoying the abstracted, sometimes harshly angled brushwork and the unusual colour palette. The colour combinations were reminding me of some of Gauguin's work, it's rare and exciting that he has cropped up in my subconscious.

Paul Gauguin
Paul Gauguin




2 comments:

  1. So many wonderful paintings from a brilliantly imaginative project! Pen and I love the presence that you created in our sitting room - and look forward to being able to commission portraits of my sons from you when you return from your travels - assuming you don't find somewhere more delightful to live whilst travelling. I hope you continue to have an inspiring and creative journey - Tone

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Rob, So pleased we have discovered your blog, we have added it to ours so hope it may be of some benefit to you. We wish you every success for the future and will follow your blog with interest. Best Wishes James and Doug

    ReplyDelete