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Oil and Acrylic Painting featuring Landscapes, Nature, and Wildlife
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This site introduces to the world the art of George Van Humbeck, artist, painter, naturalist, and teacher. Besides visual links to his art this site also gives details about the process of creating fine works of art for the artist community, beginner or advanced, acrylic or oil painting. 

Great Blue Morning

2021

Oil on Canvas

36 x 24

Great and Blue small.jpg

Instead of my usual commentary about my painting I would like to share some emails between myself and a kindred spirit that I have come to consider a friend.

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To: Bob Watson <Bob@bobwatsonphotography.com>
Subject: Wenatchee River  

From: "George Van Humbeck" <george.vanhumbeck@outlook.com>

Message: Dear Bob Watson
A came across your photograph from the Wenatchee National Forest. It is amazing. I was especially captivated by this photograph as I had visited the area more than thirty years ago now. The photo really took me back to that same river but what really stuck in my mind was the great blue heron that I came upon suddenly. It took to flight so fast and so close to me I have a memory of being able to almost touch it. In truth it scared the crap out of me. I am now a retired teacher and using my time to develop my art painting in acrylic and oil. I am drawn to the natural world and wildlife although my wife has asked for paintings of our kids over the years. I would like to use your photograph of the Wenatchee River in a painting with a great blue heron. I know I will have to make some changes to balance the composition. The foreground would need to be changed completely with the heron over the water in the lower right. Could you please let me know if there is a fee for using some of that photograph in my painting.

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To: George Van Humbeck
Subject: Wenatchee River  

From: Bob Watson 

Message: Hi George,

 

Thank you for your email.

 

No there is no fee. I'm glad it was inspirational to you. That photo will be on the cover of my book coming out in August. It was a remarkable place.

 

Please send me a picture of your artwork when you finish it.

 

                                                 Bob
                                                             
Bob Watson Photography

  http://BobWatsonPhotography.com

NATURE - LANDSCAPES - WILDLIFE

   - Reflecting The Spirit of Nature -

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The Beauty of Nature.jpg

To say that I enjoyed Bob's book is an understatement.  His dedication to bringing the natural world to the public and reminding us of its importance is an inspirational blessing.  The jacket quote by John Muir was well chosen. As a naturalist, Muir was a renaissance man and I wonder if there would be an environmental moment without him.  The print and paper quality is exquisite. Bob's command of light in colour is as Ansel Adams did in black and white.

Bob's accompanying quotes are well chosen, and of course, I could not help but notice that each and every photograph spoke volumes. The photo of the book is a  link to Bob Watson's website. Please check it out.

 

Over the last couple months of 2020 I had been working on this painting. Continuing with my art has been great therapy.  I've enjoyed playing with a loser brush style and oleogel, a medium that maintains the brush texture and allows varying degrees of transparency for glazing.  Thanks again Bob for allowing me the use of your photograph.

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