Stephen Day Painting Appraisal

Plum Creek Morning by Stephen Day (2003)

This is a small-scale original oil painting on board or canvas titled 'Plum Creek Morning,' executed by American artist Stephen Day in 2003. The landscape features a serene natural scene with rock formations or bluffs in the background, likely inspired by the American West. The color palette is dominated by earthy ochres, soft greens, and cool highlights in the water or sky, utilizing an Impressionistic or plein air style characterized by visible, gestural brushstrokes. The artwork is housed in a high-quality, professional presentation including a gilded inner fillet or liner and a deep, wide dark wood frame (likely mahogany or stained walnut) that provides a classic contrast to the luminous painting within. The artist's signature is visible in the lower right corner, reading 'Stephen Day'. Physically, the piece appears to be in excellent condition with no visible cracking or loss of pigment. The framing is robust and commensurate with gallery-standard display. The brushwork demonstrates a high level of craftsmanship, capturing the atmospheric light of morning with delicate tonal shifts in the shadows and foliage.