Totally Random Thoughts About New Work

This is a field in Fairview, Tennessee, that I drive by often. One day it will be grassy, and the next there will be these delightful hay rolls scattered throughout. A few days later, they may have been gathered up and arranged in a line at the end of the field. And the growing begins again, and the rolls gradually disappear from the line.

I am charmed by this process, and have wanted for months to paint the scene. In the process, I have learned (city and suburbanite that I am) that hay and straw are two different things. Hay being a grass that is grown to serve as feed for livestock, and straw being a byproduct of grain crops that is not nutritive but is used for bedding and mulch.

Just to close the circle, I wish I knew where these rolls of hay go from here.

Truth be told, despite my efforts this painting does not quite express what I feel when I look at this field. When viewed in person, the light is gently glowing and there is a feeling of peace. The hay is in and all is right in the world.

When viewed in person, there is a very fine balance between warm and cool light that might be critical to the mood. It's not quite right in the painting. I haven't been bold enough to set up an easel in the field and paint it en plein air, but perhaps that is the solution here.