Out Of The Depths

Out Of The Depths

9x12, soft pastel

This persistent late summer waterlily was intent on blooming one more time before the chill of fall set in.  The sun was low in the sky, peeking through the trees and highlighting the gorgeous bloom.  I suppose it was its final farewell to summer.

Dancing Reflections

Dancing Reflections

9x12, soft pastel 

I so enjoyed the 2016 Plein Air Festival in Door County, Wi.  Unfortunately, my trip was cut short...but not before I could visit Gordon Lodge for a second time at sunrise.  On this morning, the featured artists weren't there...just me...and a gentleman quietly fishing from the shoreline.  It was so very quiet and peaceful as the sun rose and reflections danced across the water.   I hope to return to this magical place someday.

Scars Can Be Beautiful

Scars Can Be Beautiful

9x12, pastel

Day 16 of 30

Painting number 17 is another landscape.  This one is from the Sawtooth Mountains near Stanley, Idaho. Several years ago there was a devastating forest fire in this area. Forest fires are a common occurrence in the West and unfortunately this year is no exception. It's been a very sobering summer with fires all around us. Smoke filled the valley air in Boise for weeks on end.

I felt so lucky while attending the plein air paint-out at Redfish Lake last week.  There was no smell of smoke...no troubling fires nearby.  But driving home I was reminded of fires past, where we still see the ravaged hillsides struggling to recover. Burned tree trunks stand atop the landscape like a week's stubble on a man's face.  Unfortunately we can't shave the hillside and expect new growth.  We have to be patient and wait for Mother Nature to take her time.  

I saw this section of the mountains aglow from the sunrise and pulled over to admire the early autumn colors of the new red/orange undergrowth.  Scarred deeply yes, but oh so very beautiful.  A sign that fall is coming and these beautiful hillsides are on the mend.

Ste. Chapelle Vineyard

Ste. Chapelle Vineyard

9x12, soft pastel

Day 7 of 30

Yesterday morning was a bit rainy...but several of us ventured out for a plein air paint-out at the Ste. Chapelle Winery south of Nampa, Idaho.  As we arrived the rain clouds were moving out, allowing the sun to shine for a brief period of time.  I was able to capture 75% of this painting before the rain clouds moved back in.  I finished it at home in the cozy warmth of my studio.  

So as you see, I continue my attempt to paint and improve with landscapes.  By now I've decided to embrace the colors I see (or, at least the colors I think I see) in lieu of realism.  Color just makes me happy!  I hope you enjoy!

Saguaro Sunrise

Saguaro Sunrise

9x12 soft pastel

How about one more cactus?  The Saguaro is another interesting cactus. This species grows very slowly.  It begins to flower around the 50 year mark and sprouts arm-like structures only after 75-100 years (if it sprouts them at all).  The Saguaro can also grow over 70 feet tall and live well over 150 years.  As we drive in and out of Phoenix we see thousands of them.  I'm always taking pictures as if I'm seeing them for the very first time.  Sometimes I think, if they could only talk!  I'd love to know what history they've silently witnessed.

How do you paint a horizontal 9x12 painting when your subject matter is so tall?  And still include shadows?  You zoom in really close.  An interesting look at a tall Saguaro.

Prickly Pear Cactus

Prickly Pear Cactus
9x12 soft pastel

Another painting for the cactus series...the beautiful Opuntia (more commonly known as the prickly pear).  Something I didn't know until now, cactus is native only to the Americas.  Hmmm, I guess that's proof that you learn something every day!  Or, did you already know that little piece of trivia?

Barrel Cactus

Barrel Cactus
9x12 soft pastel

This is a cactus I found during one of my early morning walks in Phoenix. The patterns we find in nature are truly amazing.  This overhead view of a barrel cactus is no exception. 

Agave Morning

Agave Morning
9 x 12, soft pastel

 

I had time for a tiny bit of painting during a recent trip to Phoenix.  An early morning sunrise cast amazing shadows off the cacti near my mother-in-law's home.  The warmth of the sunlight was just beginning to reach the tips of this agave plant.  I tried to capture the beauty of that cool quiet moment.