Shasta Moon

Shasta Moon is a 3 by 4 inch oil painting that focuses on a snow-covered mountain standing firmly against a clear blue sky. I worked exclusively with a palette knife to build up thick, tactile layers that draw out the texture of snow and rock in subtle shades of white, beige, and gray. Below the peak, a reflective body of water mirrors the scene, blending cool blues and whites to extend the landscape’s quiet presence. A small white moon rests in the upper left corner of the sky, providing a calm counterpoint to the broad, still forms. This piece started from a photograph but grew through the physicality of knife work, capturing the sharp clarity and tranquil atmosphere of a winter mountain moment.