Along Bear Creek

Colorado is full of wonderful hiking trails, and this one runs along Bear Creek in Steamboat Springs.  Often when I'm running, I'll see amazing landscapes - and I don't have my gear!  I don't even like holding my phone on a run.  Today we had our first Open Studio for the Tri County Art League, and I got the chance to work on this. Working inside is like painting with my hands tied, the scene is not before me, and the photo does not give me enough information.  Luckily, I have just returned from Colorado and this place is still fresh in my mind.  I'm going to let it rest for now, and return tomorrow to see if it calls for anything.  Painting number 1627 in 1627 days.

Mountain Trail Inked

The Yampa River Core Trail was the closest to our hotel, and the first one Michaela and I explored for a morning run.  Advised to dangle our keys to let the bears know we were coming, we ventured out!  The views are amazing at every turn, and the evidence of bear tracks were all over the trail.  This trail parallels the main thoroughfare in town, and leads out the other side.  Passing several other runners, I felt sure the bears weren't hungry.  They surely would choose juicier morsels than us!  I've gotten so fast at pen and ink sketches, I can do them on the fly with just a short pause in activity.  It really is remarkable how skills can improve with daily dedication.  Now, if only the watercolors were this fast for me.  I think they can be, I just need to devote more time to them.  Painting number 1618 in 1618 days.

Steamboat Springs View in Ink

I try to take every opportunity to sketch, and this one was finished while waiting for the kids to bring their luggage to the cars!  I keep a small clipboard loaded with a piece of my favorite handmade paper as well as my current sketch journal in a bag in the car.  With two kinds of ink, watercolor pans and a couple waterbrush pens, I can sketch at a moment's notice.  If I have to wait on anyone, I'm actually happy about it - and hope they don't appear until I'm finished!  This landscape is just across the street from our hotel on Lincoln Street in Steamboat Springs. What a lovely place this is - I only wish I hag more time to lay paint!  Painting number 1614 in 1614 days.

Steamboat Springs Path

As I watched Alastair play at the playground, I grabbed my pen and paper, and started to draw.  This scene was visible from my vantage, and I quickly sketched the composition, I never know when this little one will want to run to a new place!  With my waterbrush pen, I filled in my values, letting the water move a bit.  This place is stunning, and the light is clear and cool.  This drawing is the perfect art fix to sandwich into a hectic day!  If only I had time to get out my oils....!  Painting number 1613 in 1613 days.