The Drama of Nature

From plein air studies to final studio paintings, Kim Casebeer distills the intensity and vibrance of the landscape

- Kim Casebeer

Last Light on the Ranch, oil on linen, 30 x 30"(76 x 76 cm)

I've painted plein air from the top of this hill many times. The pattern of trees and fields are interesting to me, so that plus the expanse of space is what I focused on in this studio painting. The light filtered through the clouds created a haze over the landscape. This painting captures the subtleties resulting from the soft light and distance.

You could say that I'm obsessed with clouds and skies. Painting skies is something that I've thoroughly enjoyed most of my painting career. This obsession started long before becoming an artist. I grew up in Kansas on a farm where open space was common and looking up at the sky to consider the weather was an everyday occurrence. It is a thrill to capture the movement of clouds when I'm outside. I really get into the moment, feeling the direction of the wind, and watching clouds as they go by to find the most interesting shapes.