Steller Autumn - jays in colorful trees by wilderness artist Stephen Lyman

Steller Autumn - Jay by Stephen Lyman

  

This work was a favorite of Stephen's—he liked that it was a departure from his wide open landscapes. He was a quiet man who loved the serenity of nature and Far Eastern simplicity of design and focus—this is also seen in earlier prints like Morning Solitude. This print shows off autumnal aesthetics of color and texture—the bright blue Steller jays contrast with the fiery orange of fall leaves and the dark maple boughs.

Artist Stephen Lyman was well known for his epic landscape paintings featuring mountain ranges, broad rivers and valleys, and often the wildlife that make their home in each terrain. Steller Autumn is an intimate portrait of one landscape (a tree) and its inhabitants, Steller's blue jays. In order to capture the intricate details of the scene, Stephen concentrated on one area of a maple tree. The Steller's blue jays are seated contentedly among the glowing maple leaves. As the dark boughs spread upward and outward, the golden leaves and a handful of sky-blue birds remain, imbuing the painting with a sense of closeness and comfort. Artist Stephen Lyman specialized in painting the most elusive moments in nature and no piece better showcases his abilities than Steller Autumn.

Print released 1998, Giclee MasterWork canvas released 2007