Description The Patuxent Research Refuge is a beautiful swath of nature in the megapolis between Baltimore and DC. Composed of about 20 square miles of forests, marshlands, and small lakes, it's a crucial area for waterfowl and other animals in the region. Unlike many of our nation's national parks, this refuge has also thankfully not been completely overrun by tourists, nor has it been threatened by wildfires or other devastating effects of climate change. Here, we look through the trees, some still flowering, at one of the Refuge's lakes on a sunny day in late April.Acrylic painting; 14' x 17'
Matthew Hannum Member Since July 2011 Artist Statement Greetings! My name is Matthew Hannum, and I've been painting acrylic landscapes for over a decade. I have also created digital science-fiction images over the years.
My artwork generally focuses on the forgotten corners of nature where we can all easily find ourselves – a winding road through a local forest, or a cloudscape above rolling hills. When adding human elements, I tend to keep them simple and straightforward as a reminder that mankind’s works are only temporary, even in the local environment. Much of my work is heavily influenced by the landscape of the eastern United States, with occasional trips out to the mountains of the west – this ties into my belief of painting what you know since it will come across as more genuine.