December Sunrise

Shadows pass quickly when the winter sun rises over the hill behind Kuerner's. I arrive early, before the sun is up. It is dark while I find something to catch todays painterly interest. In the dim light of dawn I layout the bones of this scene. It's a scene I have studied and painted for years. When the sun breaks over the hill I quickly block in the shadows cast from the trees onto the back of the house and over the contours of the back yard. Once they are established, I can move on to the rest of the scene.

If you've looked over the offerings on my Kuerner's page, you will see the other key elements in this painting repeated often: the dog house, the dinner bell and the chimney- built by German POW's during WWII. These things all hold special meaning for me. They have an affectionate place deep inside. They say as much or more about the family that called this spirited place their home.

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