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| View from Cascade Falls, Mt. Ascutney |
Nestled in south-central Vermont, the beautiful Town of Weathersfield is a great place to visit. Located in Windsor County, the town is made up of several small villages and hamlets. The picturesque landscape is punctuated by the Conneticut River on the east, and the beautiful Mount Ascutney to the north. Known for its stunning views and abundant wildlife, the landscape is truly inspiring, and during our recent trip to Vermont, we were lucky enough to get a chance to drop by.
Of course it wasn’t just the scenery that brought us to Weathersfield. The town is also home to one of the most popular wildlife artists in the United States, our own Bradley Jackson. The 2011 Pine Ridge Art “Wings of Nature” calendar marks the 5th year that Brad has been working with us, and work on the 2012 calendar is now under way.
We caught up with Brad at his home/studio where we had the pleasure of seeing him work, and even got a sneak peek at some of the art that will be featured in the 2012 calendar.
Known for his realistic approach, and soft shimmering backgrounds, Brad begins by laying his background colours with a watered down acrylic and airbrush. By using full strength acrylic paint he creates a sharp detailed subject. Through this technique, Brad achieves a result that many compare to the realism of a photograph – but that’s not his primary intention. Brad explains-
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| Brad works on a red-winged blackbird piece for the calendar in his home studio |
“I have tried to transcend the materials used and the surface worked on to create as much depth and space relationship as possible. If it looks like a photograph, so be it.”
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The painting on the board (above) is a red-winged blackbird piece for the 2012 Pine Ridge Art calendar. The completed image is nothing short of breathtaking, and Brad has been generous enough to let us give you a sneak peek.
The realism and beauty in these paintings stem from the artist’s deep affection and love of nature and wildlife. He takes his inspiration directly from the plentiful nature surrounding him. Birds drawn to his backyard bird feeder serve as reference for his detailed paintings. Here he photographs a pair of grosbeaks.
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| Brad photographs a pair of grosbeaks at his bird feeder |
Brad’s work will be exhibited in several upcoming shows. See the show schedule below, or visit www.bradleyjackson.com for more details.
August 28, 2010
45th WCSH 6 Art Festival
Monument Square, Downtown
Portland, ME
September 19, 2010
Bel Air Festival of the Arts
Shamrock Park behind Town Hall
Bel Air, MD
September 24, 25 & 26, 2010
Mountain Heritage Arts & Craft Festival
Sam Michaels Park near Harpers Ferry
Charles Town, WV
October 9, 10 & 11, 2010
Scituate Art Festival
North Scituate, RI
October 16 & 17, 2010
Hollis Fine Art Festival
Nichols Field, Depot Road
Hollis, NH