When I first created this painting, I was disappointed with how painterly things looked. My entire body of work is actually very painterly. Thick brush strokes, loose lines, exposed pencil markings - I just can’t help myself. When I took a step back from this one, I was almost too embarrassed to show anyone.

Until, my artist-friend’s face lit up looking at the work. “Wow, wow. I love it. It’s like the sky is on fire with the Aurora Borealis.” Well, when you put it like that, how could I feel otherwise?

I also really loved how the trees turned out on the sides. The mirroring black trees on one side, and white on the other. The mirroring of the frozen lake. Suddenly I loved this painting as much as she did. The original was later gifted to my talented friend JT.