Blog | Art by Cedar Lee

Friday in the Rainbow Forest

Cedar Lee January 15th, 2019

Here is “Friday in the Rainbow Forest.”

The setting of this painting was inspired by the beautiful Columbia River Gorge, but it evokes the feeling of many similar beautiful natural locations. The two little people share a moment on a sun-warmed rock near the burble of flowing water, with warm sunshine streaming down all around them through a glorious forest.

Every color of the rainbow is present in this landscape, which was so whimsically titled: “Friday in the Rainbow Forest” by my seven-year-old child, in the manner of the book titles of the Magic Tree House series.

The image embodies a feeling of child-like joy and freedom.

Close-up detail: Friday in the Rainbow Forest. 30" x 40", Acrylic on Canvas, © 2019 Cedar Lee

It is easy to put ourselves in the place of the two small, anonymous figures and share in the moment.

The sun fills the blue sky, its blinding light partially obliterating our view of a tall tree.

Rainbows appear in the far-reaching rays of sunlight.

In the shadows of the woods, birds flit around, adding their musical calls to the scene.

Friday in the Rainbow Forest. 30" x 40", Acrylic on Canvas, © 2019 Cedar Lee

Paintings! , Trees

Evergreen Spectrum

Cedar Lee December 17th, 2018

This 12″ x 36″ panorama-format original oil painting on canvas is called “Evergreen Spectrum.”

Evergreen Spectrum . 12" x 36", Oil on Canvas, © 2018 Cedar Lee

The sun breaks through the tall trees with a blinding beauty.

Every color of the visible light spectrum shines in the brilliant rays that fill the whole center of the canvas.

The trees are giant sequoias and other magnificent, huge evergreens.

Close-up detail: Evergreen Spectrum . 12" x 36", Oil on Canvas, © 2018 Cedar Lee

The brilliant sunlight filling the blue sky is a pure white light, obliterating the details of the foliage in front of it.

Tiny details of tree branches can be seen in the distance.

The painting continues around the deep edges of the gallery-wrapped canvas, so it is ready to hang without the need for a frame.

This beautiful rainbow-filled forest painting brings an image of nature’s beauty and a feeling of wonder indoors!

Art by Cedar Lee in living room: Evergreen Spectrum . 12" x 36", Oil on Canvas, © 2018 Cedar Lee

Paintings! , Trees

King of the Clearing

Cedar Lee December 3rd, 2018

Here is “King of the Clearing.”

King of the Clearing. 30" x 40", Oil on Wood, © 2018 Cedar Lee

This grassy clearing is absolutely flooded with sunlight. A lone crow alights on the end of an outstretched branch, surveying the calm scene around it.

Close-up detail: King of the Clearing. 30" x 40", Oil on Wood, © 2018 Cedar Lee

With its gentle landing, a peaceful feeling settles like a warm blanket. He belongs in the center of this beautiful place: he is the “king of the clearing.”

On the right, the white sunlight bursts through the branches of the trees, obliterating details with its brightness. The landscape is like a rainbow prism. Under the hot sun, the trees and grasses shine in tones of blue, purple, pink, orange and gold.

Parts of the ground shine so brightly in the sun that they are a blinding white. You can feel the soothing warmth of the sun-soaked clearing.

Imagine walking out of the shadow of the woods into this bright space.

The painting continues around the deep edges of the wood panel.

Cedar Lee art in living room: King of the Clearing. 30" x 40", Oil on Wood, © 2018 Cedar Lee

Paintings! , Trees

Sunshine

Cedar Lee November 26th, 2018

I started creating this painting four years ago, but stopped before it was finished because something about its rough, unfinished state pleased me. I hung it on the wall in my home and lived with it and loved it. This week, I decided to revisit the painting and finish it all the way! Here is the final result:

“Sunshine.”

This painting evokes a feeling of pleasant warmth and joy. It brings with it a fantasy of childhood freedom, the carefree feeling of tromping through the woods, surrounded by birdsong.

The space around the massive trees is filled with yellow sunlight.

Summer grasses fill the foreground, framing the bright opening between the two center trees. In the distance beyond, washed out by the sun, there are hints of more foliage.

At the periphery, the tree trunks are painted in deep shadows of crimson and inky purple.

There are abstract, painterly elements throughout the image–from a distance, it is the forest, but upon closer inspection, you can see rough smears of color that were applied with a palette knife.

It is painted on a heavy, sturdy wood panel.

The color continues around the deep edges for a bold, three-dimensional effect.

Paintings! , Trees

Creative Vision

Cedar Lee November 7th, 2018

Here is the first self portrait I’ve created in 11 years: “Creative Vision.”

Creative Vision. 20" x 20", Oil on Canvas, © 2018 Cedar Lee

It is about being an artist and an agent of purposeful change and action–the process of conceiving new ideas, and initiating the process of actualizing them.

A new idea, inspiration or goal that has formed in my mind is represented by the electric blue orb floating between my outstretched hands. It is rotating, flickering, in constant motion as it forms itself under the complete focus of my eyes.

This orb of creative power puts off a glowing light like a bright candle flame.

Close-up detail: Creative Vision. 20" x 20", Oil on Canvas, © 2018 Cedar Lee

Visualizing what could be is the first step of setting an intention, which is the precursor to any action. It is the way that I get things done, whether I’m thinking of new paintings, or things I want to manifest in other areas of my life.

The abstract pattern in the background is reminiscent of champagne bubbles rising in a glass, negative shapes of light glowing through tree branches, or sparks shooting from the flames of a bonfire into the sky.

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back– Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.”

–William Hutchinson Murray / Goethe

Paintings! , Portraits

Fall

Cedar Lee October 30th, 2018

Here is “Fall.”

Fall. 30″ x 40″, Oil on Wood, © 2018 Cedar Lee

This painting is full of the vibrant red, orange and yellow colors of autumn leaves in the forest.

Detail: Fall. 30″ x 40″, Oil on Wood, © 2018 Cedar Lee

Sunlight bursts through the colorful foliage from the bright sunny sky in the background.

The deep blue in the top left corner serves as a complementary color to the warm oranges, bringing out the full spectrum of warm colors in the fall leaves.

Warm light filters through from the background, permeating the whole space.

There is a high contrast between the bright white sky and the dark tree trunks in the foreground.

The trees viewed from below create a dizzying perspective as they tower into the sky above.

The painting continues around the deep edges of the wood panel.

The design, light and colors work together to bring the glorious feeling of a perfect fall day into a large painting on the wall!

Art by Cedar Lee in living room: Fall. 30″ x 40″, Oil on Wood, © 2018 Cedar Lee

Paintings! , Trees

Mural for Mudbone Grown Unity Farm at Oregon Food Bank

Cedar Lee October 26th, 2018

In June, I worked on a team to help finish a mural in Southeast Portland.

In July, I was added to the Regional Arts & Culture Council’s Muralist Roster.

And now, I’ve finished a beautiful mural for Mudbone Grown Unity Farm at Oregon Food Bank!

I’ve been doing volunteer shifts in the gardens there for a couple years. I very much admire the work of Art and Shantae, the leaders of this urban farm.