Kaleidoscopic Forest

I’ve finished another large-scale painting! Here is “Kaleidoscopic Forest.”

Kaleidoscopic Forest. 48" x 48", Oil on Wood, © 2017 Cedar Lee
Kaleidoscopic Forest. 48″ x 48″, Oil on Wood, © 2017 Cedar Lee

This painting is like looking into a kaleidoscope: the vibrant rainbow of colors, the many small dynamic shapes and the dizzying perspective that gives a feeling of turning movement.

Artist Cedar Lee in the studio with painting: Kaleidoscopic Forest. 48" x 48", Oil on Wood, © 2017 Cedar Lee
Artist Cedar Lee in the studio with painting: Kaleidoscopic Forest. 48″ x 48″, Oil on Wood, © 2017 Cedar Lee

The large scale pulls the viewer right into the depth of the redwood forest canopy.

Kaleidoscopic Forest. 48" x 48", Oil on Wood, © 2017 Cedar Lee
Kaleidoscopic Forest. 48″ x 48″, Oil on Wood, © 2017 Cedar Lee

The giant trees zoom high into the sky. The sunlight above the treetops is a brilliant white.

Detail: Kaleidoscopic Forest. 48" x 48", Oil on Wood, © 2017 Cedar Lee
Detail: Kaleidoscopic Forest. 48″ x 48″, Oil on Wood, © 2017 Cedar Lee

Up close, the painting becomes more abstract.

Detail: Kaleidoscopic Forest. 48" x 48", Oil on Wood, © 2017 Cedar Lee
Detail: Kaleidoscopic Forest. 48″ x 48″, Oil on Wood, © 2017 Cedar Lee

In the yellow sunlight glowing through the overhead foliage, some of the patterns look like plant cells or stained glass, amorphous shapes outlined. Parts of the image have a fluid quality reminiscent of a reflection in water.

Detail: Kaleidoscopic Forest. 48" x 48", Oil on Wood, © 2017 Cedar Lee
Detail: Kaleidoscopic Forest. 48″ x 48″, Oil on Wood, © 2017 Cedar Lee

From the texture of the tree bark in the foreground to the tiny branches high in the sky and lit up by the sun like a flame, all the colors are vivid. Every color of the rainbow is present.

Detail: Kaleidoscopic Forest. 48" x 48", Oil on Wood, © 2017 Cedar Lee
Detail: Kaleidoscopic Forest. 48″ x 48″, Oil on Wood, © 2017 Cedar Lee

The playfulness of the painting process is evident in unexpected circles and curlicues in the tree branches.

Detail: Kaleidoscopic Forest. 48" x 48", Oil on Wood, © 2017 Cedar Lee
Detail: Kaleidoscopic Forest. 48″ x 48″, Oil on Wood, © 2017 Cedar Lee

The leaves (needles?) on the most distant branches show up as tiny patterns of dots and lines. The bright sun washes out parts of the tree canopy.

All these details come together as one realistic image, giving the feeling of being present in a real forest of majestic ancient redwoods.

Kaleidoscopic Forest. 48" x 48", Oil on Wood, © 2017 Cedar Lee
Kaleidoscopic Forest. 48″ x 48″, Oil on Wood, © 2017 Cedar Lee

This painting is currently on loan to the newly opened Ever Green Salon in SW Portland, OR, where it can be seen in person starting tomorrow, if you are local!

2 thoughts on “Kaleidoscopic Forest”

  1. Rebecca J Snow

    I am interested in this picture. What is the cost?
    Do you ship to Maryland? What is the usual cost of shipping. Thanks, Rebecca Snow

  2. Hi Rebecca,

    The retail value of my 48×48 paintings is $3,900. I ship to Maryland frequently. 🙂 The shipping cost to me is usually $200-$300 for a painting of this size, but I often give discounted shipping to absorb that cost myself.

    Email Cedar@ArtByCedar.com to arrange a purchase, or if you have any questions about this or any other of my original paintings. Thanks!

    Cedar

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