Break in the Trees

Medium: Acrylic on canvas panel
Size: 8X10 inches
Location: Valles Caldera National Preserve, New Mexico
Year: 2024

Framed by dark, towering trees, a quiet opening in the landscape reveals a band of glowing light—an unexpected clearing tucked within the vastness of Valles Caldera. The contrast between shadow and illumination draws the eye inward, guiding it through layers of forest toward a sunlit meadow beyond.

Painted on a hike during my residency at Valles Caldera National Preserve, this piece captures the feeling of discovery—the kind that happens not at a destination, but in the in-between moments along the trail. The brushwork is intuitive and responsive, echoing the movement of walking, pausing, and noticing.

Rich, earthy tones anchor the foreground while touches of gold and green pull the composition forward, suggesting both distance and depth. This painting reflects the rhythm of the land itself: quiet, expansive, and full of subtle transitions.