Loyola Potomac sunset

Description

There is a roman catholic retreat house called the loyola house that sits in the Maryland countryside next to the Potomac river. During my stay here, I witnessed this beautiful sunset. I felt that the silence of the retreat was fitting and even necessary to pay full homage to the loud and bold orchestra of colours that seeped through the setting sky. There were clouds of soft blue the colour of delicate periwinkle flowers, contrasted with sensual, vibrant peach, laden over with heavy clouds of iron, and in the middle of it all, a sun the exact shade of an egg yolk, slashing intense yellow across the horizon, that faded into a lemony hue at the edges of my vision. When I got home from the retreat I attempted to re-create that sunset, got frustrated and gave up, and only 2 years later was able to finish this painting. The colours are not true to the ones I saw, sadly, but I like to think I captured a little of the vibrance. I will probably re-attempt this painting sometime in the future. This painting has a simple layout that allows the rich colours and variety of textures to make a statement. I think it would make a nice centerpiece in a dining room or office.