Creating a hard line for treetops that are supposed to be receding into the distance is normally considered an amateur mistake. The rule of atmospheric perspective says that as objects recede into the background, they appear lighter and fuzzier. Instead of making that soft, somewhat blended transition of treeline into sky, I did the exact opposite and painted a strong wide line around almost all the shapes. I also used the edge of my brush like a pencil to draw very thin lines into the grass and especially the clouds.

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For this picture, I was inspired by Monet's "Road to Chailly" composition. He didn't paint the landscape that was in front of him exactly, instead improvising something new. Yet again I made something different in my turn. While painting, my mind was turned towards healing. My hope is that  "Contemplation's Gate" can help one's mind incline toward rest and tranquility.

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Acknowledgement: Thank you to Dr. Mukalel and his staff at MD Houston and Constance Johnson, PT at Fyzical in Conroe for enabling me to finally finish this painting without pain.

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