“Winter’s Passage” is from one of our rare days in Dallas where everything was covered in ice and even though it was the middle of winter, there was still a warmth to the landscape. So I chose a bold yellow/orange to tone the canvas and to add a glow to the final piece. While painting this White Rock scene, I really liked the contrast between the golden underpainting and the deep indigo blues in the shadows and branches, so I decided to leave the underpainting showing through. The finished painting has such an unusual light and I really love the dramatic mood that resulted.

For more information on this painting, e-mail Niki Gulley.