Len's Journal

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The Intimate Landscape

The intimate landscape is a term Elliot Porter used to describe his landscape scenes that did not include skies or horizons.  

They show the beauty in the detail. 

His book ‘Chaos’ illustrates these beautifully.   But my favourite book of his is “In wildness, lies the preservation of the world.”  A book about Walden by Thoreau is used to provide the words that he illustrates with his pictures.  

Porter was my second major influence after Dombrovskis.  Interestingly Peter also named Porter as an influence. 

Here though, my influence is modern art. The division of the frame and the use of a circle.  Drawing on abstract art I wish to push further, away from chaos and intimacy.  Well, that was the goal.   

Wolgan River, upper. The Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.  Photograph and text copyright ©️ Len Metcalf 2018