Original Oil Painting "MESA IN SHADOW" by Russ Tanner

Our opening remarks regarding this painting are best described by the artist himself:

"While driving on Route 44 near the Jemez and Zia Pueblo, the White Mesa was overcome by a large summer storm. The closer I got to this location, the stronger the light and contrasting color. There was only enough time to sketch and take notes, I couldn't wait to get to the studio to paint."

White Mesa is located in Sandoval County, New Mexico, near the village of San Ysidro, approximately 20 miles northwest of Bernalillo and 40 miles from Albuquerque. It lies between the Ojito Wilderness and San Ysidro, just off Highway 550 along Cabezon Road. It is a popular, eroded gypsum mesa known for mountain biking and hiking.

Russ Tanner captured a moment in time which lasted only briefly but he made it permanent in this oil painting. White Mesa is shrouded in clouds filled with moisture. At any moment, rain will fall but now the sun is shining. The field in front is gloriously green from previous storms. The clouds will probably disappear in half an hour and the sun will appear in full force.

Timing is everything, it's amazing what atmospheric conditions produce. The hues of color on the clouds and mesa changed by the second. The artist was fortunate to capture this moment in time.

The painting is signed with the artist's name in the lower right. It is framed in a beautiful dark brown wood frame selected by the artist.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: this Original Oil Painting "MESA IN SHADOW" by Russ Tanner is from the estate of the client to whom we sold this in 2004.

TAG: Western Art, Russ Tanner