Small Landscapes – Intimate & Expressive Nature Scene

Abstract landscapes, California Nature Art Museum, Textured paintings, Art exhibition, Small paintings, Agricultural landscapes, Expressive art, Nature-inspired art, Contemporary painting

A wall installation of small abstract landscape paintings by John Robertson at the California Nature Art Museum. The collection features textured, expressive depictions of agricultural fields and skies.

The painting employs thick impasto technique with bold brushstrokes, creating a dramatic mountain landscape - a narrow passage between peaks, with white highlights indicating fog at the summitThe painting Landscape “safe spot to pass” 7 - 7” x 11 ¾” oil on raw, treated canvas

"Woven Fields" highlights themes of interconnectedness and the organic patterns found in nature. I am trying to  suggest the harmony between agriculture and the natural world. Landscape “woven fields “ 14 - 7 ½” x 11 ½” oil on raw, treated canvas

"Wind Song" captures the ethereal essence of the wind, symbolizing freedom, movement, and the harmonious relationship between nature and emotion. Landscape “wind song “ 17 - 5” x 6 ¾” oil on raw, treated canvas

"Transparent Winter" evokes a sense of stark beauty and fragile transition. The layered landscape hints at hidden depths beneath a cold surface. The title suggests not just a season, but a state of being – revealing vulnerability and the stark beauty of nature's cycle.Landscape “transparent winter “ 16 - 5 ¾” x 9” oil on raw, treated canvas

"Sky Sails" evokes a sense of whimsical journey and ethereal lightness. The textured layers suggest a tangible atmosphere, while the "sails" imply movement and exploration. The painting may represent dreams, aspirations, or the soul's yearning for freedomLandscape “sky sails “ 19 - 2 ¾” x 5 ½” oil on raw, treated canvas

In "Settled Land" im exploring the themes of stability and the accumulation of time. It suggest a landscape shaped by both natural forces and human presence. Landscape “settled land“ 15 - 8” x 12” oil on raw, treated canvas

I am trying to capture the dynamic energy of a ceaselesswaves and how they shape the tidepools.  . My impasto textures create a tactile sense of these pools, while the composition's flow draws the viewer's eye into the scene.Seascape “running tide“ 3 - 11 ½ ” x 11 ½ “ oil on raw, treated canvas

In "Grey Dawn Breaking," I return to a regular theme in my work : the light between night and day, capturing the gradations of light as a new day begins.Seascape “grey dawn breaking “ 8 - 2 ½ ” x 7” oil on raw, treated canvas

In "Make Fast Towards Dusk," it is a journey into the liminal light of the early evening. My textured layers create a sense of depth and movement, suggesting a landscape as the daychanges to night.Landscape “make fast towards
dusk “ 10 - 4” x 5 ½” oil on raw, treated canvas

In "Eddies of the Wind," I am trying to paint the visual representation of unseen forces. My textured impasto creates a sense of of light and shadow as the wind blows across the scene.  It  invites contemplation on the nature of wind.Seascape ”eddies of the wind“ 18 - 4” x 5 ½” oil on raw, treated canvas

"Storm Blast" captures the raw energy and transformative power of a tempest. Textured layers and dynamic composition convey wind and rain's force, symbolizing emotional upheaval, sudden change, or cathartic release of pent-up energy.

In "Storm Blast," I captures the experience of a powerful storm. My impasto technique creates a sense of the stormy weather, with the swirling textures of the wind's chaotic nature. Landscape”storm blast “12 - 7 ¾” x 12” oil on raw, treated canvas

This painting embodies "season's pursuit," showcasing life's relentless drive to adapt and flourish amidst change. The layered textures and organic forms evoke earth and growth, suggesting purposeful progression through time.

"Season's Pursuit" captures the cyclical nature of time and the persistent changing seasons. and nature's continuous rhythm. My painting may symbolize growth, change, and drive for renewal and progress. Landscape “season’s pursuit “ 5 - 8 ½ ” x 11” oil on raw, treated canvas

"Good of the Earth" is a representation of nature's harvests. I use textured impasto to create a sense of soil and growth, while rich colors evoke the crops of the land. The title reflects my desire to celebrate the earth's gifts and our deep connection to its cycles of life and renewal. Landscape “good of the earth “ 9 - 4 ½ “ x 9” oil on raw, treated canvas.

"Day Long Ramble" captures an expansive journey and passage of time. The textured, topographical quality suggests a physical trek, while muted colors evoke a contemplative mood. It's a personal exploration, mapped in texture and subtle hues.

"Day Long Ramble" is my twalk through the farm landscape. I use impasto layers to create a sense of the surface of the land  a long walk. Muted tones and color suggest the changing light and atmosphere of a day I spent in nature. The raw canvas edge adds a sense of immediacy and realness to the art. Landscape “day long ramble “ 4 - 6” x 11 ½” oil on raw, treated canvas.

"Stoneyard Steady" conveys grounded permanence and quiet industry. Textured layers suggest working with stone, while subdued tones hint at time's weathering. It highlights enduring craftsmanship and the solid, unyielding nature of the material.

"Stoneyard Steady" is about the enduring nature of the rocks in this place. I used impasto technique to create the surface like layered stone and the fragments that break off. The earthy colors and simple composition show the stability and timelessness of the rocky landscape, like generations of weatheringLandscape “stoneyard steady “ 2 - 6 ¾ ” x 8 ½” oil on raw, treated canvas.

"Thunder Fit" captures powerful, turbulent energy within a defined space. Layered impasto texture evokes the storm's density and force, while the raw canvas edge hints at a fleeting event. It's a study in contrasts: raw power and deliberate form.

"Thunder Fit" is how I explore contained energy with texture. I use impasto layers to create a feeling of dynamic movement, like a storm building up. The simple colors and clean edges show my control, contrasting the raw power of the storm with how I put the paint on.Seascape “thunder fit” 13 - 5 ½” x 7 ¾ “ oil on raw, treated canvas.

"Upon the Sands" depicts elements merging—land and sea or time and tide. Textured impasto evokes granular sand, while layered colors suggest a horizon or time's passage. It conveys the ephemeral nature of moments and subtle landscape shifts.

"Upon the Sands" explores landscape and time. I use impasto to create a textured surface, like wind-swept sand. The layered colors show a meeting of earth and sky or a tide line. The raw canvas edge adds immediacy to the scene.Seascape “upon the sands” 11 - 4” x 6” oil on raw, treated canvas.

"Fair Breeze" captures a moment of the movement of th eclouds in the sky. The textured surface,and the cool tones gives a sense of calm and tranquility. The raw canvas edge adds rustic charm. Landscape ”fair breeze” 20 - 3 ½” x 4 1/2': oil on raw, treated canvas. *

"Fog and Mist" captures atmospheric ambiguity and obscured visibility. Layered impasto creates depth and density, mimicking how fog diffuses light and softens edges. It suggests a liminal space, a moment of transition, or hidden potential.

"Fog and Mist" is my textured take on how fog looks and feels. I use impasto to build up a sense of depth and thickness, like fog blurring and softening a landscape. The simple colors highlight how fleeting the scene is, like a quiet moment of change and hidden things. The raw canvas edge makes it feel immediate.Landscape “fog and mist” 23 - 4½” x 6” oil on raw, treated canvas. ****

"Ascending Silence" depicts a journey to tranquility and peace. The textured layers evoke rising or unfolding, like a landscape or spiritual path. Muted tones and soft edges create a contemplative atmosphere, hinting at reflection and inner growth.

"Ascending Silence" is how I explore tranquility and a kind of spiritual journey through texture. I use impasto to create layers that feel like a journey or something unfolding. The soft, muted colors and blended edges give a sense of peace and quiet reflection, inviting the viewer to look inward. The raw canvas edge adds a feeling of vulnerability and immediacy. Landscape “ascending silence “ 6 - 4 ½” x 7” oil on raw, treated canvas.

"Between Midnight and Dawn" captures the transition from darkness to light. Layered colors and textures evoke mystery and anticipation, suggesting the quietude and potential before sunrise. It's a moment of introspection and the promise of a new day.

"Between Midnight and Dawn" is my take on those hours before sunrise. I use impasto to create layers that suggest the depth and mystery of the night fading into dawn. The muted colors and subtle shifts give a feeling of quiet anticipation and the start of a new day. The raw canvas edge adds a personal touch. Landscape “between midnight and dawn” 1 - 4 ¼” x 6” oil on raw, treated canvas. ****

"Rise of the Bank" is my study of earth and time. I use impasto to build up layered textures like geological formation. I want the viewer to think about the slow forces that shape the land, like a riverbank rising or earth building up over time. Landscape “rise of the bank” 24 - 2 ½” x 4 ½” oil on raw, treated canvas. ****

"Hid in the Mist" is my textured painting of what's hidden. I use layers and blurring to create a sense of something partially seen, like a landscape or object coming out of fog. The muted colors and soft edges add to the mystery, inviting the viewer to look closer and imagine the story. The raw canvas edge makes it feel vulnerable and immediate. Seascape “hid in the mist” 21 - 2 ¾” x 6” oil on raw, treated canvas. ****

In "Copper Sky," I used impasto to create a really textured surface of a rugged landscape under a unique sky. The copper sky gives a sense of change and warmth, which contrasts with the muted earth tones. It's about the short-lived against the lasting. The raw canvas makes it feel more organic. Landscape  “copper sky”  22 -  3 ½” 7 ¼” oil on raw, treated canvas ****