Deep in the Woods

Watercolor & 24-ct gold leaf on gessoed board, 20 x 20 cm, Private Collection

This is a small painting on a traditional gesso panel. It is inspired by medieval and early Renaissance art, in which there is no need for perspective: The bullfinch is just as important as the wolf. I have spent many hours in the National Gallery in London studying the wonderful collection there. My favorite work there I think is The Wilton Diptych, a rare survival of a 14th-century panel painting featuring a ‘donor portrait’ of King Richard II of England. I have traveled to see mosaics in places like Ravenna, Italy. The smooth white gesso is quite tricky to paint on with watercolor, but the smoothness allows the matte colors to appear almost luminous, and the gold glows. This contrast of matte and glowing is very beguiling when viewed in real life.

Curator’s Note: Linda first applies traditional gesso, a mix of chalk (whiting) and rabbit skin glue, to create an absorbent surface for applying watercolor.