Driftwood Patterns

My personal tendency, as an artist and mountaineer, is always to be looking up at lofty summits and dramatic panoramas.  However, I have found that looking down at ones feet, on occasion is often worthwhile.  Standing on the shore of the outlet of Ramshead Lake, in the Grand Tetons, I was fascinated by the patterns made by the tangle of driftwood in the crystal clear waters.  It caused me to ponder the ancient trees that had struggled for countless years to survive in the rugged conditions of the high mountains only to succumb to time and find their way to rest beneath the surface of the still waters.
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The painting was an exercise in glazing, accomplished with a careful drawing and then several glazes to give the piece a feeling of depth and transparency.