Original painting, oil on canvas, by John Blosser, approximately 15 inches by 11 inches.

Artist's statement about "Treetude I":

This painting is the result of a direct observation method of working; i.e. I stand in a specific location and paint in direct response to what I see.  I find this process to be more complex than one might expect. I do the work of designing in a less predetermined, more rapid-fire intuitive manner, but I take considerable liberties with shape and color choices. The results are often delightfully surprising.  As a youth, I enjoyed playing the French Horn, which required a lot of practice of "etudes," or studies.  So as I "studied" this tree the title came to me as a word play and seemed appropriate. I tend to play more as I make these many smaller studies so they sometimes provide ideas for larger, more complex works. I hope you can enjoy the spirit of this little piece as much as I have!

John Blosser

Professor of Art Emeritus, Goshen College