My latest painting, the newest addition to my Looking Up series: Forest Cathedral, 40" x 30", Oil on Canvas.

For me, this painting gives me a feeling of joy and peacefulness, of being a small part of something tremendously beautiful, and all being right in the world.

It's the feeling I get when I'm hiking with family, friends, or dogs on a hot summer day, and the light of the forest floats down through the trees. The fresh smells of plants and earth fill the clean air. I can hear birdsong, my own feet snapping twigs, and small animals rustling leaves on the ground.

I've used creative license and stretched the majestic tree trunks to impossible heights for maximum splendor. In that respect, I feel this painting is better than reality--it exaggerates the visual, but still brings out the feeling and essence of the reality.

What do you see in this painting? How does it make you feel? Does it conjure memories for you?

See more of my work at ArtByCedar.com. (less info)