Winter Sunset and Wind Turbines; Pacific Crest Trail, Tehachapi
Oil on panel
24" x 30", artwork
33.75" x 39.75" x 2.25", framed
Contemporary
Not Available
Provenance
Acquired by American Legacy Fine Arts directly from the artist
Artist Statement
“Imagine standing at the foothills of the Tehachapi Mountains on Willow Springs Road, gazing out at a sprawling landscape that seems to come alive with a graceful dance. One’s eyes are immediately drawn to the colossal white structures that dominate the horizon. They stand tall, like giants reaching for the sky, with their turbine blades slicing through the air. This was my first impression of the Tehachapi Pass wind farm. During the winter when I heard that Tehachapi was socked in under snow, I was immediately struck by the transformative potential of the scene. Recognizing that the juxtaposition of the wind farm's turbines set against the backdrop of snow and dark clouds would create a surprising beauty, I rushed over there and painted for three days. As the snow blanketed the undulating hills, a serene change took place. The familiar structures of the wind farm become ethereal; their clean lines softened by the delicate touch of snow. In this wintry tableau, I found a profound beauty that transcended the boundaries of the ordinary. In this plein air painting, I used a palette of cool blues and whites to evoke a sense of tranquility and stillness; and reflected the transition from day to dusk by using warm shades of oranges, pinks, and purples. The snow-covered landscape offers a serene canvas upon which the turbines emerge, juxtaposing their modernity against the timeless beauty of nature's frozen embrace. With each brushstroke, I aimed to convey the subtleties of light and shadow, revealing the textures of both the natural landscape and the sleek, modern forms of the turbines. I was intrigued to learn that this wind farm is part of the Alta Wind Energy Center and the largest wind farm in the United States. Through this artwork, I invite viewers to engage in a dialogue about the delicate balance between humanity and nature, progress and preservation.”
—Peter Adams
Exhibited
ArT 2023 Tehachapi Invitational Exhibition, Aspen Center, Tehachapi, California, July 21, 2023
Santa Barbara Natural History Museum, September 19, 2016
