December 2023 / No.5

Notes on my art and creative process

“Across the Field” is based on a photo I took during one of my first visits to Montana over 20 years ago. It was December and I was astonished by the seemingly endless snowy landscape. I would point my (cool! new!) digital camera out the car window and feel like I was in Narnia.

Can you tell I grew up in southern California? As a kid, I associated wintry weather with Rudolph and The Grinch, and I assumed snow faded as quickly as holiday lights on houses — gone by mid-January. So during my first year of college in the Midwest, I was shocked when the frigid weather continued well beyond that. Looking at the dark, bare tree branches one late-April day, I doubted if anything green would ever appear again.

“I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, ‘Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.’ ”
— LEWIS CARROLL

Since moving to Whitefish, I have attempted many times to figure out exactly where I took the original photo. I once even used other images from the same day to try and triangulate its location, without success. Then a thought emerged: maybe the foreground’s vast field is no longer empty due to population growth and development. The idea was sobering, because in my mind the location is preserved indefinitely. But the reality is my painting might be a record of something past versus present.

Despite that possibility, I will continue to watch (and hope) for this specific stand of trees to unexpectedly appear again outside my car window. It might be more recognizable now with winter’s “white quilt” to match the photo.

And if I don’t find it this month, I certainly won’t fret about the snow disappearing in January…
or February…
or March…
or April…

My prints are still on sale until the end of December — 20% off regular prices with free ground shipping. They are all archival and many are unique artist proofs.

Browse through the “Available Works” gallery on my website and email me if you are interested in purchasing a print for yourself or as a gift.

There’s also a giveaway! All details here.

Instagram: @DrawKevinDraw
Website: KevinTseng.com
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