A Touch of Magic 1997

Eyvind Earle’s fantastical landscape, "A Touch of Magic," likely made with gouache or tempera, feels like stepping into a dream. Look at how the colors are laid down in smooth, careful layers, the forms simplified, yet full of detail – like a fairy tale illustration. I’m struck by the way Earle uses color to create depth and mood. The cool blues and greens in the background give way to warmer tones in the foreground, drawing us into the scene. Notice the lone horse in the meadow, a tiny detail that adds a sense of scale and mystery. The brushstrokes are almost invisible, creating a seamless, almost otherworldly surface. The way the light filters through the trees is pure magic. Earle’s style reminds me a bit of Charles Burchfield’s visionary landscapes, but with a touch more polish. Both artists invite us to see the world with new eyes, finding beauty and wonder in the everyday. Art is like that, always in conversation, always finding new ways to enchant us.