The success of O’Keeffe’s composition relies upon the color, dramatic light, and simplified forms. What colors does O’Keeffe employ? What shape is repeated and what natural form is it supposed to reveal?
The composition is divided into two sections: the mountains and the sky. What section dominates the composition? Why?
Study this painting. What is absent and what is present? Describe what you see and think about the general mood or emotion of the work.
Red Hills, Lake George is drawn from O’Keeffe’s memories and experiences. Think of a special place you have been, and using your own experiences or imagination, write about your response to that place. Can you create a word-picture of your memory or response? Or create an image of it?
Red Hills, Lake George is drawn from O’Keeffe’s memories and experiences in the Adirondack mountains, near Lake George. Find the Adirondacks and locate Lake George.
Red Hills, Lake George reflects O’Keeffe’s knowledge of Wassily Kandinsky’s treatise On the Spiritual in Art and specifically his emphasis on the association of colors to the sounds of musical instruments. Look at the colors in this painting and try to think of the sounds they evoke. (Warm tones might convey a cheerful, upbeat tune whereas cool tones might suggest a more melancholy melody or slow song.)
Find musical concerts and performances in your area to attend. While you are listening to the music, what colors come to mind and what images do these sounds suggest in your imagination?