– Bob Bahr reporting, Editor PleinAir Today –
Sometimes you formulate a great composition, and sometimes circumstances force a compelling composition upon you. Just ask Jody Crow.
Lead Image: “Cute Barn,” by Jody Crow, 2016, oil, 11 x 14 in.
“Worthington, Ohio, has so many historic homes that have great character,” Crow tells us. “The home in front of the barn that I painted is an old Victorian-style house. I wrestled with the idea of painting the house or the barn. I kept being drawn back to the barn because of the lighting and the color of the barn. I also liked the tulip tree that was in bloom next to it. It created a beautiful harmony.
“The dilemma was there did not appear to be anyone at home to ask if I could go on the property and go closer to the barn to do a painting of it, so, partly out of necessity, I stood on the sidewalk to paint it. I loved the shadow being cast across the driveway. I chose to put part of the house in the painting to explain the shadow. I grayed down the house and did not put much detail in it to lead the viewer’s eye back to the barn and the tulip tree. I felt the gravel driveway also led the viewer’s eye to the focal point.”
