Inspired Brushstrokes

My Journey as an Artist

"Aspen Glow"

Many years ago when my kids were very young, I started this large golden painting that is now my "Welcome" page.

We wanted to go on a hike to see fall aspen groves in Colorado, but not drive way up into the Rocky Mountains. We found a place just west of Littleton that was perfect. I took tons of pictures of my family among the beautiful trees and promised myself I would paint them one day.

My vision of the painting was initially different from how it turned out. Originally I wanted to do a black and white ink drawing with very little color added. When I finished the illustration of the trees and way to many branches, it felt chaotic to me and I wanted it to reflect peaceful golden beauty that radiated happiness from that day. I put it away and worked on something else. And then something else. My kids became teenagers. We eventually moved across town into another house and when unpacking, there was that big canvas waiting to be reimagined! At the time, I was working with acrylics and had a lot of tubes of yellows. I began trying to capture that warm feeling of "connectedness" with my family among the Aspens. Their roots connect as a single life form, sharing resources as their branches reach out toward light and one another. The time I love most during Colorado's fall is when some of the leaves have fallen off and partially bare branches hold on to drops of gold before the snow comes. The path of the painting was tricky and I tried several different shades of color until it felt right to me. THIS is what I wanted to express. Are you feeling inspired to hike among the trees?

This piece is available as a Giclee on canvas or a print on archival paper that can be sized to your preference.

Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing at Lisabrennanart@gmail.com