Path to the Cabin

 

I just couldn't resist sketching the winding path to our cabin in pen and ink!  I love the wilderness of it all! As I worked, I heard the strangest animal sound coming from the end of that path.  After our son saw a bobcat on his way out this morning, I looked up their sounds.  Sure enough - that's what I heard as I sketched!  I love the rugged beauty and the immersion in a brand new place!  I wonder what I'll hear or see next?! Painting number 5127 in 5127 days. 

Bee Mountain

This beauty is right out our front window view in Terlingua, Texas.  It was the very first sketch I did on site, as the sun was setting.  After a bit of research, I found the name of this one is Bee Mountain.  It was so named because of the numerous bees that would build their hives in the crevices in the sides of this mountain until settlers eventually destroyed them in collecting the honey.  My daughter took a photo of three long horned goats on the side of it as they drove by!  It is so cool to see wildlife we never see in Missouri!  Painting number 5096 in 5096 days. 

Casa Grande in the Chisos Mountains

 

Casa Grande is such a prominent feature in the Chisos Mountain Basin, it simply BEGGED to be painted!  I first sketched this in pen and ink in my aged travel journal, then in ink and watercolor in a different journal and orientation. When I approached it with oil, this mountain felt like an old friend.  I'm really focusing on the glorious mountains - and each quick paint feels more natural. So much natural beauty, so little painting time...... This is painting number 5095 in 5095 days. 

The Window Trail

My very first time to visit this part of Texas has me sketching near the visitor center at the Big Bend National Park, as we watch Kirby and Casper on the Window small loop trail.  Michaela and Cooper are in the longer trail as the little ones explore every rock and road runner!  Keeping them close is no small feat, so my sketch is brief in pen and ink.  I'll come back in with the adventures of this day - and they were many!  I would not have imagined it would be in the 90s when it's only in the 20s at home!  I do love going south in February!  Painting number 5095 in 5095 days.

Saguaro Lake

Saguaro Lake is so beautiful at the golden hour!  The colors on the mountain turned golden orange as the sun set, reflecting beautifully in the Salt River.  In ink, I quickly sketched the scene as family played at water's edge.  I always rush when I know family is waiting on me, so I moved swiftly to dropping in the watercolor.  The light was magic!  Upon finish, I realized many photographers lined the pebbly shore, snapping photos in front of these bluffs.  So glad we made it here! Painting number 3378 in 3378 days. 

Sedona, AZ

The rich color in these rock formations of Sedona is a joy to capture with ink and watercolor! With a painting at every turn - how is an artist to choose just one?  Instead of finishing my lunch - I just had to get in a painting in before hiking in this beautiful place!  I definitely need more time here!  Painting number 2278 in 2278 days.  Who knew the desert could be so beautiful?

Garden of the Gods

Oh my!  What a glorious location to paint!  Grandeur in the landscape like this is humbling indeed.  How many others have climbed these bluffs to take in the magnificent view?  How many before me have made this trek with their paint gear?  Jumping boulders and clinging to the edge, I had a stunning view for this painting. I love the wide open vistas and distant view of such a place, I only need to be mindful about backing up to check my painting!  I try to avoid those steep drops!  Painting number 2090 in 2090 days.

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Abandoned Ranch

I love these old, abandoned homesteads.  Each one tells a story of the family who built it, loved and lived here, and the how such a beautiful place could come to ruin.  This ranch is on the side of the mountain, with the ground rising sharply behind it.  A row of aspens trails up the mountain, and ends just above the buildings.  No other trees are here, and this northern part of Colorado is so desert like. Even the rock formation in the background is right out of an old western.  Such a cool place, I only had time for a quick paint.  Next time in Colorado, I am definitely going to make more painting time!  Painting number 1671 in 1671 days.

Train through the Snow

Train through the Snow
Oil on canvas with easel, 4x4

 This clear, bright winter's day, has me framing and taking care of a few things I have lately been unable to.  For today's painting, I am taking a local steam engine and placing it on the tracks through the snow in Colorado.  This engine currently resides near the old depot in Belton, Missouri.  The surface is lightly textured, but the small 4 inch square size makes it look heavily textured on the large weave canvas.  I'm so thankful that my dad is so much better, and he is actually chomping at the bit to get started back home.  This makes 372 paintings in 372 days and Day 7 in the current 30 day painting challenge.  After painting daily for so many days, it really does become a force of habit to keep it up.  Each day has me finding my painting window, and adjusting my painting size to that window.  I'm looking forward to having a few days this winter when I can paint all day long!

Snow by the River - miniature

Snow by the River
Acrylic on canvas, 3x3 inch with easel
Wolf Creek Pass, CO
sold

This is my late night posting after a full day spent at the hospital with my dad.  Thank goodness I was a couple of paintings ahead.  Since I am ready to collapse into bed for a few hours of shut-eye, I will make this a quick one.  Wishing you all a wonderful new year - and praying for quick healing for my dad.  This is painting number 366 (yes, I realized my count was off when I reached my original posting date last year - I'll try to keep better count in the future) in 366 days, and the 1st painting of the newest 30 day painting challenge by Leslie Saeta.

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........

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 :)

Colorado Reflections

Colorado Reflections
Oil on panel, 14x11
sold

I keep a stack of paintings set aside that I have started, but have not finished.  Most are plein air pieces where I simply ran out of time, and a few are paintings I just did not return to.  I think I started this one years ago in a Phil Starke workshop, awaiting my return with the reference photo I had used.  It has been so long, I don't remember what mountain range this is!  I know it is Colorado, and I wish I had written on the back of it.  I seldom paint mountains, so this was fun to get the colors and shapes accurate.  I loved putting down such strong pigment for the sky and water - they truly are that blue!  Painting 82 in 82 days - now I have about a million panels to prime to prepare for next month!

Mountain Glow

On this painting, I underpainted the whole scene in acrylic, and then came over the top with oils.  I found the oils flowed smoothly over the acrylic, and really popped the warmth and lights up a notch.  The oils seem to add to the depth as well.