Here's What I Think....What Do You Think?

I believe that my painting took a turn, a good turn, this past year.  I feel as if I am coming into my own style, my own language that represents me and what I'm trying to convey with my work.  I felt joy and excitment in producing some recent works, yet I think I have enough distance on them to see the needed areas of growth. 

I'd invite your comments, both negative and positive.  I want to continue to grow as a painter.  I want my work to continue to speak to others.  I'd like to hear from you.

This painting has gotten a bit of play, of publicity of late.  But I find that I'm a little tired of looking at it.  I named it "Rocks of Ages."

Here's what I like:

• the layering of color
• simple, sweet strokes
• the combination of colors
• it conveys joy and life

Here's what I would like to change:

• there should be a stronger sense of distance between the foreground rock and the background rocks, using less saturated colors and/or smaller shapes
• despite the richness of the hills in the background, I wish I had made it more subdued so that those forms would receed into space
• perhaps most importantly, the painting needs some areas for the eye to rest.  An "ahhhh" space

Here's another one to consider:

It's entitled "Presence" and it was a turning point painting for me.  I feel very attached to it and I need some objectivity.

The little bit of woods in the right-hand middle ground seems like an after-thought.  The colors aren't correct.  There is nothing specific about that area.  And the area of ground to the right of the largest rock is too dark.

But I love the layering of colors on the rocks.  There are lines within lines on the major shapes which seem to pull the eye around the composition.  I believe that the painting speaks of strength and timeliness, something I attempt to capture in my landscapes.

What do you think?