Impressionistic. Textured. Layered. Mark Nesmith’s oil paintings have the drama of all three, with one last surprising element: a wonderful stillness derived from his choice in subject matter.
Mark features a variety of landscapes “rooted in observed reality and reinterpreted through time, memory and imagination.” His own perspectives shape the character of each painting, and his textures are created by scraping, repainting, scrubbing, and layering with various types of brushwork.
“My techniques allow the canvas to accrue a patina-like surface rich with textures and layers of color,” Mark says.
A rambling coastline in Eventide is awash in color, and perfectly showcases Mark’s ability to layer multiple textures to create a cohesive, richly-layered feast for the eyes.
Mark’s constantly changing lines—from the straight horizon line in the background to the severely slanted cracks in the sand playing host to scraggly blooms—provide a wide, open perspective. It allows the viewer to fully take in the scene, and its rainbow of muted colors sweeping with reckless abandon across the beach.
In the same vein, the color-soaked skyline in Emerald Bay stretches gloriously above the water in all directions, leading the eye back and forth across the wide composition. The water reflects low-hanging, violet clouds, which actually block the sun’s radiant light from shining completely down onto the bay, adding to the subtle play of hues and shadows in the bay.
The result? A dreamy purple and blue wonderland complemented by lovely rose and peach hues. Mark’s carefully chosen panoramic view lets us enjoy the magnitude of the enormous bay and equally widespread sky. Meanwhile, hills lined with pine trees add a rustic, rugged feel to the painting.
And lastly, aren’t Mark’s brushstrokes in Water Lilies Last Kiss simply breathtaking? Smooth and easy, they glide in all the right directions, forming a soft watery surface for these lilies to float upon.
The drifting water swirls quite romantically, as if sharing a gentle embrace with their botanical brethren. What’s more, the lily pads are spotlighted by dawn’s soft light, casting an iridescent glow on the water while lending them a turquoise and mint hue.
Don’t miss your chance to view more my personal favorites from Mark, such as Remnants of Galveston and Angry Bird, found in his “Works on Paper” portfolio, and Big Tex located in his “Commission” portfolio. Visit his website now!
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