The Story behind the Art: Sunset at Summer Lake

"Sunset at Summer Lake" oil on canvas by Hilary J. England

My inspiration behind this painting is similar to what inspires me as a whole -- the beauty of the moment and the happiness behind watching the fading, warm summer evening, the warmth on my face, the sight of the colorful wildflowers on the banks of the lake as the sun cast it's fading rays in hues of pinks and purples and yellows...I am a big fan of Mother Nature!

I love these "mundane" moments in life - the simple pleasures of a beautiful evening, laughing with people you love, the sound of a favorite song you recollect from the past, the taste of a dish of food made with care -- all of these happy simplicities stir my soul and inform my choices for artworks that move me.  I love to share those moments -- to capture and keep them, they are interesting and beautiful, and they speak of the times we live in. Things around us can be chaotic, but we can choose to exist in a universe of beauty and serenity.

 

Scales and practice

As artists, we don’t talk much about the unglamorous side of things, such as looking to continually improve our skills and grow, because like all things, if you just continue to do what you always do, you begin to stagnate.  It’s important to continue honing our skills and stretching ourselves to new limits, not just in the physical realm, but also in the spiritual, mental, and artistic areas.

I enjoy learning and there is a certain comfort in discomfort, at least for me.  The discomfort lets me know I’m growing — even if I growl at the process.  It forces me to slow down — and true to my generation — I like things FAST.  Exercises force me to take stock, to see, and yes, to struggle through problems and learn new solutions.  So, I continue to do these exercises because they are an integral part to who I am and what I’m growing toward — and we never stop growing, until the day we pass on...so keep going!!!

❤️ 🌸 

Light Space Time Gallery Exhibition

Honorable Mention

My artwork: “Between the Storms” has received an Honorable Mention in the Light, Space and Time Gallery’s Annual Landscape Exhibition.  According to the Gallery, they had 724 artists submit their works, and from that they narrowed it down to 50 artworks (mine being one).  They awarded mine an Honorable Mention — and I’m very humbled and honored to receive it!

I hope you all enjoy my artwork too — that’s the satisfaction in the creative process — yes, I love to paint, and would do so even if no one ever saw the artworks — but when people do, and it brings them joy and moments of happiness — that makes the creation process infinitely sweeter ♥️