This commission for a family friend portrays one of the husband’s peaceful escapes, wading in the shallow, clear spring waters in the trout-filled rivers of Arkansas. The extreme lights in the sky and reflections on the river contrast the extreme dark values in the shadows of the banks and in the deeper part of the waters. The opposites in values emphasize the brightness of the midday sun.
Little Rock native Kristen Hess has been taken captive by the rich colors and thick textures of oil paints since 2005. Her work combines the effect of light on her subjects with expressive brushstrokes, creating movement and depth in her pieces. Her representational style along with an extensive background in drawing come together with the atmospheric colors of the impressionists to create paintings that capture the emotion of the place or subject.
