Early Morning, Russellville, Kentucky

On By jonathankeeton

My parents were from Kentucky and remained close to their families there. My father’s sister and her family lived here and my family visited almost every summer and Christmas break. This painting is from a very early morning ramble when I visited her towards the end of her life.

This is the preliminary sketch using ink and markers on primed canvas. Each area of the scene is pretty different, so I wanted to have different colors to use as the foundation for the painting. Some of this – a very little bit – will show up underneath as I paint.
I’m using felt markers to make notations so that as I paint, I have a sort of topographical map of what everything is. I’ll paint from here, but occasionally go back and clarify the details with marker until I know what I’m seeing.
Now there is enough information to begin painting, let’s say. Just the beginning.
This is just a step along, but it’s a fair amount of work to clarify – to begin to clarify – what’s in the scene. I replaced that ghastly sky from earlier too!
This has started to turn into a painting, but there are LOTS of things that have to be revised and touched.
Here’s the final painting. When I was a kid, Russellville was a pretty busy little town. Now, like many small towns, it’s quite a bit more sleepy. But I love the mood here before dawn, and I honor these small places.

2 thoughts on “Early Morning, Russellville, Kentucky”

  1. miles's avatar miles

    You are a genius Jonathan and I love the “making of” sequence and info which for me is so informative and magical. Looking at the layers and your technical descriptions inspired me with a dimension of awareness and appreciation and I thank you my friend.

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