Artistic Explorations: Enchanted Forest

This painting is another result of the Kristina Bril'kova class series and was probably the easiest of the four for me. Titled Enchanted Forest, it came together quickly, with minimal corrections from class curators. Despite its relative ease, it became an important learning piece and ended up inspiring several techniques I would later apply in unrelated works.

• Texture and composition

• Details

Reflections:

1. My initial mistake was that I applied exaggerated texture lines at almost identical distances. I tried to vary the spacing, but somehow it still ended up looking too uniform, which made the composition feel boring. I also didn’t have enough density in the texture lines. Fortunately, I realized this early and added more lines in a more random, organic pattern to better imitate the feel of a forest.

2. Even with very cool texture, value contrast is necessary. The piece simply doesn’t work without it.

3. Choosing a simple, limited palette does not have to result in a boring one. Adding a small accent color—even if it’s pastel or muted—can breathe life into the work and elevate the emotional resonance.

4. The verticality of the lines is crucial. While trees in a real forest aren’t always perfectly straight, for this modern abstract piece, even slightly crooked lines disrupted the composition. Perfect vertical alignment made everything feel more intentional and structured.

5. I thought my husband would immediately see the Enchanted Forest theme. We had just come back from a family skiing trip in Utah, and to me, this looked exactly like the snowy forests viewed from a ski lift. Instead, he stared at it for a long time and then said it looked like a wet shower door—and added that now he understands why I spend so long in the shower! Ha-ha-ha!

6. The person who bought the painting had an entirely different interpretation. She said it looked like the view from behind a waterfall and reminded her immediately of the powerful water at Niagara Caverns. That’s the magic of abstract and expressionist art—everyone’s perception is so different.

7. Exaggerated texture is a unique technique that brings so much to the conversation. It invites people in and evokes curiosity, encouraging them to look longer, think differently, and share what they see.