Clouds Over San Juan

Clouds Over San Juan
Oil on panel, 10x7

This is just a quick painting of some really wonderful clouds that were rushing over the San Juan Mountains on my last Colorado trip.  I have been busy preparing for a workshop today, which didn't allow much of a painting window.  I have yet to clean my palette (which I rarely do) - and I should have gotten a few more brushes.  I literally wear my bristles down to nubs before I think to grab some more!  This is painting number 419 in as many days.  Good news - my dad is improving and was released from the hospital today!  Thanks for all your prayers and good wishes :)

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!

Winter River through the Pines

Winter River through the Pines
Oil on panel, 6x6
Colorado
GOT Art Gallery Holiday Trunk Show

Almost always, while I am painting, I have this little voice that says, "Stop painting, you're done." Not so with this one.  I'm not sure if I am finished, in fact it is quite likely I'll return to it tomorrow after looking at it with fresh eyes.  I will also take a daylight photo, for this one shows more yellow than it actually is.  This is another painting I am doing before the 6x6 show deadline, and to add to my upcoming Holiday Show at GOT Art Gallery on 3rd St, in Lee's Summit.  As well as working on new Christmas card paintings, I will have a selection of small paintings just right for the holidays - as many as I can get painted between now and then!  Painting number 314 in 314 days :)

Cabin in the San Juan Mountains

Cabin in the San Juan Mountains
Oil on panel, 6x6
San Juan Mountain Range, Colorado

Trying to get some 6x6's painted for the upcoming Randy Higbee Show, I found myself pouring through photos, looking for a composition that would "wow" in the small, square format.  I found the reference photos I took while on my way back from Pagosa Springs, Colorado, and decided these would make wonderful subject matter.  The San Juan Mountain range is so beautiful, and the clouds changed constantly - swiftly moving across the sky.  I was able to snap such a wide variety of cloudscapes, and I am only now beginning to appreciate them.  I think the key to making these clouds work, is simply trying to see all of the colors they contain.  They are so much more than white.  Painting number 309 in 309 days :)

Along the San Juan Mountains

Along the San Juan Mountains
Oil on wood panel, 12x9
Colorado

This morning, I had no idea of what I wanted to paint.  Unusual for me, as I have many subjects lined up ahead of time!  I went back through some of my recent photos, and this one, taken in May, at the base of the San Juan Mountain Range in Colorado - spoke to me.  I wish I knew the name of this mountain, but they simply do not have signs posted with this info as you drive through Colorado.  A peaceful home was nestled in the foreground.  What an amazing view they have from the back door!  This is painting number 247 in 247 days, and Day 7 in Leslie Saeta's painting challenge.  I think I'll go lay on a raft in the pool now :)

River Walk Mountain View

River Walk Mountain View
Oil on panel, 14x11
Pagosa Springs, Colorado

This charming view of the San Juan Mountains is located just east of Pagosa Springs on the River Walk.  This is a trail that winds through the town and out on either side.  This still water pond was just what I was looking for to capture those wonderful reflections in!  It had sleeted and rained hard this morning, finally letting up so I could go out and paint.  The winds change the temperature around here almost every 5 minutes - so I go from ski coat to no coat and back again!  This makes my 125th painting in 125 days.  I am now going to work on a sketch from today, as I will probably not be able to paint tomorrow........

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?