From the Cascade Mountains to Canvas: A Contemporary Mountain Painting Commission for a Seattle Collector
One of the things I love most about painting mountain commissions is hearing the stories behind them. Every mountain means something different to the person who has stood beneath it, climbed it, or simply calls it home.
When Jared, an art collector from Seattle, Washington, got in touch, he wasn't looking for a painting of just any mountain. He wanted a contemporary painting inspired by the Cascade Mountains - an iconic range that has shaped the landscape and spirit of the Pacific Northwest.
Inspired by Annapurna in Blue
Jared first discovered my work through my painting Annapurna in Blue. He was drawn to the atmospheric blues, minimalist composition and impressionistic style, and wondered if I could create something with a similar feel inspired by the Cascades instead.
From the very beginning, this commission was about capturing a feeling rather than reproducing a photograph.
Finding the Right Composition
Photo of the Cascade National Park
Jared sent over several reference photographs of the Cascade Mountains, along with a picture of the room where the finished painting would hang. Seeing the space helped enormously - it meant I could recommend a canvas size that would sit perfectly without overwhelming the room.
As we discussed the commission, an image of the finished painting gradually began to emerge.
Rather than painting one dominant summit, Jared wanted to capture the character of the mountain range itself, with one striking peak standing proudly amongst the surrounding mountains.
He described the mood perfectly:
"Five minutes before the sun rises... when everything is quiet and still, but you can just make out the outline of the mountains at first light."
That description became the foundation for the entire painting.
Building a Colour Palette
Colour is one of my favourite parts of any commission.
The Cascades have a very different character to the Himalayas. While the peaks are dramatic, they're also surrounded by rich evergreen forests that give the landscape its unmistakable identity.
We decided on a palette inspired by dawn:
soft blues across the sky
subtle pink light catching the snow-covered peaks
hints of purple within the shadows
vibrant emerald greens to represent the forests below
Photo from my studio of the colour palette and canvas
The aim wasn't realism - it was to capture the atmosphere of that peaceful moment before sunrise.
Before touching the canvas, I created charcoal composition sketches and colour studies for Jared to review. This collaborative stage allows clients to shape the direction of the painting before the oils ever come out.
Composition charcoal sketch of the Cascade mountains
Painting in Oils
Once the composition had been agreed, I began building the painting using layers of oil paint.
One of the things people are often surprised to learn is that oil painting requires patience. I paint with thick, textured layers, so each stage needs time to dry before the next can begin.
After completing the first layer, I shared progress photographs with Jared.
His response made me smile
““I LOVE it – the mountains look awesome.””
A couple of weeks later, once the paint had cured enough, I returned to add the foreground trees and make subtle adjustments to the sky, increasing the depth and atmosphere without losing the calm mood we were aiming for.
The Finished Cascade Mountain Painting
When the final photographs were ready, Jared immediately knew we'd captured the feeling he had imagined.
““I absolutely love it... I think the pink is just the right amount.””
Finished painting of the Cascade mountains
After allowing the oils to dry fully, I carefully packaged the painting before shipping it safely across the Atlantic to Seattle.
A few months later, Jared sent photographs of the painting beautifully framed in his home.
Seeing a finished commission displayed exactly where it was intended to live is always one of the most rewarding moments of the entire process.
Framed painting of the final painting in Jareds home
Turning Mountain Memories into Art
This commission perfectly captures why I love creating bespoke mountain paintings.
It wasn't about copying a photograph.
It was about combining memories, atmosphere, colour and emotion to create a painting that reminds someone of a place they love every single day.
Whether it's the Cascade Mountains, the Alps, the Himalayas, Mount Kenya or your favourite national park, every mountain has its own story, and I'd love to help tell yours.
If you have a mountain landscape that means something special to you, I'd love to hear your story and create a contemporary oil painting inspired by your adventure.
