Life on the Stump

Medium: Acrylic on canvas panel
Size: 8X10 inches
Location: Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas
Year: 2025

This original en plein air painting was created while backcountry camping in Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas, capturing a close-up view of the forest floor and the quiet processes of growth and decay.

Painted outdoors and in real time, the piece focuses on a weathered tree stump marked by a vivid red fungus emerging from its surface. Surrounded by earthy browns, muted greens, and layered textures, the bright color becomes a focal point within the subdued environment.

The composition draws attention to the smaller, often overlooked details of the landscape—where fallen wood, moisture, and time create space for new life. Loose, responsive brushwork preserves the immediacy of observation and the tactile quality of the scene.

This painting reflects the cyclical nature of the forest, where decay and growth exist side by side.