This 12″ x 36″ oil painting is called “Discovering the Woods.”
![](https://www.artbycedar.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Insta-Discovering-the-Woods.jpg)
I took reference photos for this painting while walking in the woods near Breitenbush hot springs. It was mid-morning, chilly and quiet. As I meandered on the trail, my eyes followed the sun as it peeked through the slender tree trunks. Everything appeared to sparkle in the soft golden light.
![](https://www.artbycedar.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Discovering-the-Woods-2-800x623.jpg)
Deep in the woods with my solitude, I had a little time for self-reflection, and when I emerged back out into the open space of the parking lot, I felt refreshed.
![](https://www.artbycedar.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Discovering-the-Woods-cedar-studio-scale-working.jpg)
The color palette is comprised of soft, warm earth tones.
![](https://www.artbycedar.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Insta-Discovering-the-Woods-2.jpg)
Up close, thick, loose brush strokes fill the canvas. The details of many criss-crossing branches painted with a tiny brush also have a loose, fluid quality to them.
![](https://www.artbycedar.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Discovering-the-Woods-detail1-533x800.jpg)
I achieved thick texture in certain spots by mixing cold wax medium into some of my layers of color.
![](https://www.artbycedar.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Discovering-the-Woods-detail2.jpg)
This painting expresses an appreciation for all that we can discover when we enter a wild space like these woods, taking in everything with our senses until we feel refreshed.
![](https://www.artbycedar.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Discovering-the-Woods-Product-3-800x800.jpg)