The inspiration for “Better Days” was the challenge to see if I could get the lighting just right. Nestled between two rises of land lay this little homestead, quietly existing in rural Idaho. To me, it conveyed a sense of continued hope that seemed to enliven the everyday feel of life and make it seem special.

The light seemed to be everywhere and nowhere at the same time. There were no sharp shadows or highlights to be had. I realized that without direct sunlight, everything was of a medium value and color. I think that’s what was made this view uniquely compelling to me. Where some may see a scene of mostly flat grays, I saw color harmony. To get the mood I was after, I had to carefully craft my oil paint mixtures to maintain balance in the value and chroma among all the subtle color differences.