“The mountains are calling and I must go.”

— John Muir

I’m surrounded by mountains here in Iceland. There are very few trees, so I can see every crevice and cranny, every shadow and shape within their huge forms… They define the environment.

My favourite mountain is Rimar, which I can see from almost everywhere on this island, including my bedroom window. Every day I watch the changing weather reflected on this mountain. Sometimes it’s completely hidden by the clouds… but when the clouds lift, the mountain’s presence is like a majestic jewel across the ocean.

I’m working on a “mini” mountain series and I have just a few supplies and some small 8'“ x 10” canvas boards to paint on. I’m used to working on large canvases, so it’s an adjustment to scale everything down… especially mountains! But it’s a good practice and it’s giving me more ideas and inspiration… (and it’s nice to finish a painting in a couple of days!!).

Rimar might just have to wait for a larger canvas though…

The mountains are calling and I must paint…