Oil Paintings by Jason Tako: Reaching Great Heights

Monday, February 22, 2016

Reaching Great Heights

Hello Everyone,

Below is the largest painting I have done to date, and one that I am very happy with, both because of the way it turned out and because of the experience it invokes.

Lake of Glass was my the primary destination in Rocky Mountain National Park. I trained all summer, and once in Colorado I packed my gear and hiked for over 4 miles, with an elevation gain of over 1,500 feet, until I reached Timberline Falls. At this point, one must climb almost completely vertical wet rocks for about 30 feet and then climb another 70 feet at slightly less of an incline to reach the lake. It may not sound that bad until you consider that I had over 30 lbs of painting equipment on my back. After some hesitation, I emptied my pack of all immediate non-essentials, hid them under a bush, and made the climb.

When I arrived at the top of the falls, I walked onto the shore of a beautiful emerald-colored lake lined with rocks and boulders, surrounded by a wall of mountain peaks. It was one of the most beautiful places I had ever been. Looking behind me, I could see how high I had climbed which this produced in me a paradoxical feeling of fear and exhilaration. The wind was incredibly strong but the skies were almost perfectly clear. One thing I enjoy about the mountain peaks is hearing the wind as it blows through the tops of the peaks. After some looking around, I set up and created two field studies, the second of which resulted in this painting.

Ascension-Lake of Glass shows the height and grandeur of the mountain peaks as they tower over the lake. The detail and clarity of the foreground rocks, contrasted by the cooler tones of the peaks emphasizes the feeling height, as well as the large size of the painting. Up close the painting is composed of many bold and thick strokes of color which meld into a realistic image as you view the painting from a distance. This painting is unique given its vertical format and the emphasis on the peak. If you love the west; if you love mountains and have a large wall space, this painting is for you.