Cinnamon Fern

Cinnamon Fern was painted along the Boreal Life Trail at the Paul Smiths’ VIC in the High Peaks of the Adirondacks. I walk and paint it every time I’m in the ADK, because it combines many things I love: a distant mountain peak, balsam firs, tamaracks, and carnivorous plants—and of course the tall, elegant fronds of the  fern. There’s a memorable stand of them just where the bog touches the woods. It’s cool and green and lovely on a summer afternoon.

I often remind my students that the focal point of a painting is not necessarily its subject. This painting demonstrates that idea. The ferns are the subject, but the log is the focal point.

You could imagine that ferns are uniformly green, but there are all kinds of subtle colors if you search for them. This painting is an abstract riot of greens and peaches and pinks and teals. It would be equally at home in a traditional room or a very contemporary one. It’s a personal favorite of mine.