The Last Sliver of Light (The Golden Hour)

"The Last Sliver of Light"
Mark Nesmith
Oil on Canvas
8" x 10"
2011
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Here's a view from Malloy Bridge near I-45 in Ferris.  Malloy Bridge Road runs from Ferris through Seagoville and into Forney.  It's a very scenic drive, winding it's way through pastures and farm land and along gentle hills.  Part of the road between Seagoville and Forney is very low lying and is often closed due to flooding after a heavy rain.  On this particular evening clouds rolled in with the approaching rain at sunset, leaving one last, dramatic sliver of yellow at the horizon.  I wanted to capture the moment just before sunset when everything is bathed in golden light.  George Inness, one of my favorite American landscape artists, used the light during this "golden hour" to great effect in many of his paintings.  He believed the unifying effect and warmth of the lighting revealed the presence of God in all things.