The San Juan in Pagosa Springs

The San Juan in Pagosa Springs
oil on panel, 6x6
Colorado
GOT Art Gallery Holiday Trunk Show

This painting seemed to take me forever to finish today!  I started the line drawing this morning, before going to A birthday brunch.  Hours later, I returned home to finish the housework - so I could then feel free to paint.  I start my painting, then am called on for a little grandson watching - which of course, I want to do!  Start, stop, start, stop...the method of my madness today, until - just now - I am finished.  I intended to use my palette knife, but I just couldn't get in the zone - so I forgot.  I ended up using my "stick" brush for so much of this, as I worked to define trees and mountains - trying to capture all the colors in their appropriate places.  I also intended to lay down some snow, but was so distracted that I forgot.  So, I guess you could say this painting found it's own way to completion, getting very little leadership from me!  Painting number 315 in 315 days.  And I thought I would get another 5 paintings framed today - ha!

Colorado Path

Colorado Path
Oil on panel, 8x6
Pagosa Springs, Colorado

I painted this today from photos I took while recently in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.  This was a day full of complications.  While watching the grandsons, first one of them threw up, then the next only two hours later.  Nursing was my role today, until the second - who was suddenly so much better - decided to jump on his older brother repeatedly.  I then became bodyguard.  With all the other things involved with running a household, I was VERY distracted today.  With a little time between the little darlings leaving and my youngest son's baseball game, I have managed to paint this landscape.  Nothing short of a miracle-193rd painting in193 days.

San Juan River Bluffs

San Juan River Bluffs
Oil on panel, 14x11
Pagosa Springs, Colorado

I started this painting on location at the River Walk Park just east of Pagosa Springs.  There are 2 ponds on site to catch the reflections of the bluffs.  I sketched it out in pastel, and was just ready to start laying paint - when I realized we had to get back in time to hear a jazz band play in town!  This is the way so many painting days go.....having to stop just when I am getting in the zone.  So, this one was completed back at the room.  Staying up late to finish, as I doubt I'll be able to paint tomorrow.  I sure wish I had been able to paint two a day all week long.......this one makes 126 paintings in 126 days.  So many beautiful sites, so little time.........

San Juan Mountain Magic

San Juan Mountain Magic
Oil on panel, 14x11
Pagosa Springs, Colorado

After scouting several other possible locations today, we ended up driving up a road that took us high on a hill top.  Pulling along side the road, we set up in a gravel area to start this painting.  The weather was perfect, clouds drifted overhead causing an ever changing light on the mountains.  I worked fast to capture the light on the snow patches - thinking the clouds could drop down any minute to cover the mountain tops.  We could not even see these mountains yesterday in the rain.  It was magical, and the light was so dreamy - a perfectly splendid painting day.  Then, to top it off, we spent the rest of the day at the hot springs, hopping from basin to basin.  I am now so relaxed, I could just drift off to sleep without a care in the world!  LOVE those hot springs!  This is painting number 124 in 124 days.  What wonderful sight will we find to paint tomorrow?

San Juan River Rapids

San Juan River Rapids
Oil on panel, 14x11
Pagosa Springs, Colorado

The San Juan River in Pagosa Springs is gorgeous - twisting and turning over rocks and against banks.  As I was painting this, three kayakers came right down the middle of the biggest falls.  Each one of them slipped underwater for just a moment before popping back up.  Then, each one circled back over to do it again before continuing on their journey!  I got some great photos - but they were too fast for me to put them down in paint!  This is painting number 123 in 123 days -  I may just be painting the river again tomorrow.....

Treasure Falls Majesty

Treasure Falls Majesty
Oil on panel, 11x14
Pagosa, Colorado

We first spotted this location yesterday before arriving at our destination.  It immediately grabbed me - BEGGING to be painted!  First chance we got today, we headed straight for it and got down to business.  This is one of those paintings that seemed to just fall from the tip of my brushes.  It was an absolute joy to paint - weather was warmish - a little windy towards the wind, but so much fun to stand in front of this beauty - and paint!  All the time, little chipmunks climbed up my boots, into my paint bag, and even on the ledge where my safflower oil was - ready to take a drink!  They are so friendly - I am sure they are used to being fed.  So today, these little guys made amusing little paint companions!  It is time to go scope out another location - so this makes painting number 122 in 122 days!  I can't wait to start the next one :)

A Little Mountain Magic

A Little Mountain Magic
Oil on panel, 14x11
Pagosa Springs, CO

My first plein air mountain painting!  The weather is absolutly beautiful!  So much sun, warm temps in the 60's, and these beautiful clouds rising up from the mountain range - what could be more perfect than that?  After a day full of scouting out spots and taking photos for reference - it feels SO GOOD to be putting paint to panel!  This is painting number 121 in 121 days- and now its time for a little dinner :)