Landscape paintings convey different times and seasons, and force attention towards light and distance. When the quality of landscape hits home, it is natural to want to retain it. My aim is to get at some kind of dynamic or emotional experience and avoid a sense of loneliness in the final work.
Spring Light, High Road
Oil paint on canvas, 24 x 18 inches, 2015 • AVAILABLE
In April, the sky often takes on an opaque, blue/grey color from seasonal moisture that looks special against the early budding color from maple trees. Shadows from leafless trees fall on the grassy field.
Salisbury Dunes, Misty Morning
Acrylic paint on canvas, 24 x 12 inches, 2017 • AVAILABLE
September mornings can be cool and moist before the sun burns off the haze. The location is near the boat ramp in the Salisbury Reservation.
Dunes and River from Salisbury
Acrylic paint on canvas, 20 x 10 inches, 2017 • AVAILABLE
After the September morning mist clears from the ground, a few remaining clouds are purple in the clearing sky. The location is near the boat ramp in the Salisbury Reservation, looking across to the Newburyport side. Harold’s Toothpick, a river marker, is in shadow.
Beaver Lodge 2
Acrylic paint on canvas, 18 x 18 inches, 2017 • AVAILABLE
A beaver lodge in Pawtuckaway State Park becomes mysterious and a bit magical to me, with direct sunlight, sparkling water and dense wood beyond.
Beaver Meadow – YO
Acrylic paint on canvas board, mounted, 14 x 11 inches, 2023 • AVAILABLE
First of five painting explorations using three colors plus white. Ultramarine blue and raw umber were two constants, plus an oxide or hooker’s green. Summer photos of beaver activity in Pawtuckaway State were a jumping off point. YO refers to yellow oxide.
Beaver Lodge – RO
Acrylic paint on canvas board, mounted, 6 x 9 inches, 2023
Second of five painting explorations using three colors plus white. Ultramarine blue and raw umber were two constants, plus an oxide or hooker’s green. Summer photos of beaver activity in Pawtuckaway State were a jumping off point. RO refers to red oxide.
Beaver Pond and Lodge – HG
Acrylic paint on canvas board, mounted, 9 x 12 inches, 2023 • AVAILABLE
One of five painting explorations using three colors plus white. Ultramarine blue and raw umber were two constants, plus an oxide or hooker’s green. Summer photos of beaver activity in Pawtuckaway State were a jumping off point. HG refers to Hooker’s Green.
Beaver Pond and Water’s Edge – HG
Acrylic paint on canvas board, mounted, 11 x 14 inches, 2023 • AVAILABLE
One of five painting explorations using three colors plus white. Ultramarine blue and raw umber were two constants, plus an oxide or hooker’s green. Summer photos of beaver activity in Pawtuckaway State were a jumping off point. HG refers to Hooker’s Green.
Beaver Lodge – HG
Acrylic paint on canvas board, mounted, 7 x 5 inches, 2023 • AVAILABLE
One of five painting explorations using three colors plus white. Ultramarine blue and raw umber were two constants, plus an oxide or hooker’s green. Summer photos of beaver activity in Pawtuckaway State were a jumping off point. HG refers to Hooker’s Green.
Garden Circle Flowers – End of Day
Oil paint on canvas, 20 x 16 inches, 2024
The garden circle has Rudbeckia and Russian sage perennials. The low summer sunlight shows off flowers and plants in a special way against deepening shadows. This painting is documentation of my own garden joy.
Garden 2025 – Brussels
Acrylic paint on canvas, 18 x 24 inches, 2025
Brussel sprouts are growing in buckets in the foreground.
Garden 2025 – Zinnia Patch End of Day
Acrylic paint on canvas, 24 x 30 inches, 2025
I always plant plenty of zinnias, this year in a large patch. The highlighted flowers seem active despite the late time of day. Quirky garden details like stones and a hanging grow bag keep it real and amusing.
Snowy Marsh, From Memory
Oil paint on canvas board, 14 x 11 inches,. 2011
The Great Marsh in Rowley/Ipswich as “seen” from the commuter train to Boston. I took the train when it was too snowy to drive.
CYNTHIA KOWAL 