Lost Maples 2024 is a 10 by 10-inch gouache painting that captures the essence of the Texas Hill Country landscape with a focused intensity. This compact work presents a vibrant scene where the foreground features a flowing river punctuated by carefully placed rocks, their forms suggesting steady movement within the cool blue water. Just beyond, an uneven terrain of rocky soil transitions into a stretch of grassy green, leading toward the painting’s heart—a dense forest alive with the vivid colors of autumn leaves in oranges, reds, and yellows.

The composition balances natural elements through deliberate layering and textural contrast. The forest’s warm palette stands out sharply against a serene blue sky, itself composed of subtle tone variations that offer depth without distraction. The scale and framing invite close engagement, allowing viewers to experience the landscape in a distilled yet immersive way.

The work grew from my response to Lost Maples, a well-known site in Texas celebrated for its striking fall foliage. I wanted to convey the tangible qualities of this environment—the coolness of the river water, the roughness of rocky earth, and the fiery colors of the changing trees—without extra detail that might dilute the scene’s essential feeling. Gouache, with its opacity and vibrant color saturation, was instrumental in achieving this clarity and immediacy.

Lost Maples 2024 stands apart from my previous landscape works through its particular focus on a confined space that nonetheless communicates a rich sense of place. The medium’s smooth, matte finish encourages the eye to navigate the interplay of natural textures and hues without interruption. This painting is both a personal reflection on a specific landscape and an invitation to appreciate the quiet intensity found in nature’s transitions.

Cradled Birch Wood. Does not require a frame.