– Jeanne Mackenzie reporting –
In this series, plein air painter and instructor Jeanne Mackenzie takes a look at new paintings by contemporary artists and points out why they succeed as painted images. This week, Lon Brauer’s “Sunday Morning.”
Lead Image: “Sunday Morning,” by Lon Brauer, oil, 16 x 12 in.
There is a lyrical quality to this piece, with a variety of places to catch your eye. Notice the car is smack in the middle of the painting. That is not an issue as you look at the elements that help to balance (or unbalance) that centeredness. The strong, foreground walkway adds a nice diagonal to lead you into the painting. The prominent tree off to the left helps to balance the painting and holds a nice “golden mean” placement. The little spot of red (bicyclist?) adds an extra interest element. Cover the red with your finger and see that the painting works so much better with that touch of rouge.
