Last Run — A Contemporary Landscape Painting Honoring the Final Light of Day
There’s a moment at the end of a long winter day on the mountain when everything becomes still. The lifts have stopped spinning, the air settles, and the ridge glows with that last fleeting sweep of light before evening arrives. That moment—quiet, luminous, and deeply spiritual—is what inspired my contemporary oil painting “Last Run.”
Painted on a brushed aluminum panel, this 28″ x 28″ work captures the tension between cold alpine shadow and the warm, ethereal sky that hovers just beyond the horizon. The aluminum surface allows light to move across the piece in a subtle, shifting way—something that simply isn’t possible on canvas. As the ambient light changes throughout the day, new colors rise forward while others retreat, creating a living, breathing landscape.
For me, this is where painting becomes meditation.
Why
I spend so much of my life in the mountains—not just hiking or skiing, but listening. That quiet connection between earth and sky is at the core of everything I create. My work explores the spiritual experience of being in nature, and the profound sense of transition and loss that comes with aging, changing seasons, and the passage of people in our lives.
“Last Run” came from a place of gratitude: gratitude for the mountains that hold us steady, for the sky that reflects everything back to us, and for those golden minutes of light when the world feels wide open and full of possibility.
My Process
Collectors often tell me that what draws them to my paintings is the way light seems to move across the surface. That effect is intentional—and it begins with my choice of substrate.
Brushed Aluminum as Canvas
Aluminum has a luminosity that transforms even the softest glazes into something radiant. When I apply oils—layered with a mix of opaque brushwork and translucent veils—it creates depth that traditional canvas simply can’t replicate.
Movement and Atmosphere
My practice is built on capturing the emotional sensation of being outside, not just the visual accuracy. In “Last Run,” clouds swirl with energy, the ridgeline fractures into cool blues and violets, and the sky drifts from gold into cerulean as if carried by wind.
A Contemporary Interpretation of the Landscape
While rooted in the recognizable forms of the mountains, the painting pushes toward abstraction. It’s this balance—between realism and expressive gesture—that gives the work its modern feel.
envision
One of my favorite parts of creating artwork is seeing how it transforms a room. Because of the reflective aluminum, “Last Run” is incredibly versatile. It pairs beautifully with:
- Minimalist interiors where the color becomes a focal point
- Warm woods and modern stonework
- Luxury bedrooms, great rooms, or entry spaces
- Collectors who favor contemporary design with organic, nature-based elements
The mood shifts with the natural light, creating an immersive and calming presence in the home.
For Collectors
“Last Run”
Oil on brushed aluminum panel
28″ x 28″
$2,750
This is an original, one-of-a-kind work. No two pieces painted on aluminum ever behave the same way, and this panel in particular carries a shimmering clarity that makes the sky feel almost weightless.
If you collect contemporary landscapes, nature-inspired art, or pieces with emotional and spiritual depth, this painting is a powerful addition to a curated collection.
Last Thoughts on Last Run
“Last Run” is a celebration of the final light—of endings that feel like beginnings, of stillness that invites reflection, and of the mountains that continue to guide my work and my life. I hope it brings a sense of peace and expansiveness to all who live with it.
If you’d like to inquire about the piece, see more images, or view it in person, please visit the Summit Gallery, 875 Main Street, Park City, Utah. It is located right below the Town Lift, you cannot miss it. I would love to help you find the perfect place for this painting in your home.
With much gratitude,
Cynthia