APPROACHING STORM oil on canvas 40H by 48W Frank Mason

The composition presents a vast landscape dominated by a dramatic sky and a sense of impending weather. Here we observe a rider on horseback moving away from the viewer, positioned centrally within the scene but receding into the distance. The horses color is muted, blending with the earth tones of the path it traverses.
The foreground is characterized by dense foliage – trees and shrubs – that frame the view, creating a sense of enclosure while simultaneously directing the eye toward the open expanse beyond. A field of tall grass occupies much of the middle ground, its golden hues contrasting with the darker greens of the surrounding vegetation. In the far distance, a small structure, likely a farmhouse or dwelling, is visible nestled within the landscape.
The sky commands significant attention. Heavy, dark clouds gather on the left side of the canvas, suggesting an approaching storm. These are juxtaposed against patches of clear blue sky and bright white cloud formations to the right, creating a dynamic interplay of light and shadow. The artist’s brushwork is loose and expressive, particularly evident in the rendering of the clouds, which convey movement and atmospheric turbulence.
The painting evokes a feeling of solitude and perhaps apprehension. The riders retreat suggests an awareness of the approaching storm, implying a sense of urgency or vulnerability. The vastness of the landscape emphasizes the individual’s smallness within the natural world. There is a palpable tension between the tranquility of the scene – the golden field, the distant home – and the ominous presence of the impending weather.
Subtly, the work explores themes of human interaction with nature and the power of the elements. The riders posture and direction suggest not defiance but rather an acceptance of the forces at play. It is a moment captured in transition, poised between calm and potential upheaval.