The artist was fascinated by bends in country roads as evidenced in the number of paintings in The Road Ahead Series.
The rule of structure used to place the elements of this painting on the canvas, is roughly thirds laterally and vertically, as is found in most of the artist’s other paintings. The two trees that frame the red roofed house and sheds, in the central section, have both been placed to the right of the two vertical lines and their bases are in the central third. The tops of the trees have been ’cropped’. This brings the foreground and the trees closer to the front of the painting, and causes some tension in the central section.
By placing the road widely across the bottom third of the painting, it is forced to recede and narrow as it winds away from the viewer. This gives a sense of mystery to the painting.
The pink-purple tints of the roadway are reflected on the trees and around the painting. The horizontal shadows are in direct contrast to the upright trees. Dabs and ‘stipples’ of paint have been placed over the canvas to represent trees and bushes. The middle section has a ‘break’ where the brighter yellow-green section shows a darker row of green. This may be a paddock of barley or lucerne.
The sky colour has not been handled as well in this painting when compared with other skies the artist has painted. However, it does not detract from the painting. The person Pete has not been identified amongst the artist’s friends.
Acrylic on Masonite, date unknown. (Cleaned and framed.)
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