Sycamore
Sycamore, 20×16, Gouache
As many of you know, Mount Vernon, Ohio is Nell’s hometown, and we have travelled there every year for over twenty years. For the last few years, we’ve had a booth at the Dan Emmett Festival there. It’s not unusual for visitors to the booth ask about commissions, although they rarely pan out. I did get another inquiry this year, and as usual, I requested photos of the subject as a starting point. A few days after the festival, I received thee images of this huge sycamore tree that sits next to the customer’s house and has become very important to her and her family.
Over the next couple of weeks, I worked on the painting in the Outdoor Studio, and we delivered it to a very satisfied customer in nearby Marengo, Ohio. This is the second year in a row that we’ve had a commission resulting from this festival.
Ralph Parker, Artist 
Ralph, I could not view your sycamore tree except the little bit I could see on your easel. I love the look of this scene…looks so comfy and a really fun place to paint! Blessings!
Elizabeth, thanks for the heads up. I’ve changed the image and it should show up now. I really enjoy painting out under the awning.
Absolutely splendid job on the sycamore. Beautiful light and atmospheric perspective.
Thanks for the kind words, David.
Wow! I love it! I am an amateur artist and really only beginning to learn. I have always loved trees. My Mom used to say whenever I moved she could always find me by looking for the largest clump of trees in the area. I am going to use your Sycamore as a model to practice doing some trees of my own. There is a beautiful old Great Oak in our yard here on Hyder Mountain and I would love to do a good painting of it! Thanks for the great example!
I love sycamores – they are the artist’s tree, with their huge size, gnarled character, and colorful bark. Well done!
Ralph’s gorgeous painting now hangs over my bed. It’s an instant family heirloom.