Cradle of the Clouds
1943, Oil, 30¾" x 37¾"

"His Cradle of the Clouds is built with the same strength in contrasts of wind-swept sky, soft green undulating swamp land, and a patch of stagnant water reflecting the cloud forms. Even the grass blowing at the edge of the water is well-treated. But the centre of interest is found in the masses of clouds swirling to a storm over the grey green peaks."(25)

As Weston’s knowledge of the coast deepened, so did his sense of design. Critic Ian Thom attributes Weston’s matured style to the growing influences of art nouveau/deco and Japanese pattern books. He incorporated these with "heavy, opaque brush strokes, a strong sense of mass and a linear, decorative design."(26)

Weston applied these elements to his paintings for the rest of his career. "He employed them to advantage in striking images of the coastal trees and mountains and later the Okanagan and Kootenays."(27)