Dusk Along The Riverbank

Dusk Along The Riverbank

8x10, soft pastel

Much of my summer was spent at a little getaway in Cascade, Id.  We were a mile from the lake and only steps away from the Payette river.  This scene is across the Payette and is always a delight to paint whether it be in the early morning or late evening hours.

Sunrise Over Redfish Lake

Sunrise Over Redfish Lake

8x10, soft pastel

It was time to paint mountains again.  This scene was an early morning sunrise while I was staying at Redfish Lake last fall during a plein air event.  The sun was lighting up the mountain tops while a subtle fog was lifting over the water's edge.  It was such a peaceful morning!    

Waiting for Snow

Waiting for Snow
9x6, pastel

Day 21 of 30

This is a quick practice piece based on a similar painting by Barbara Jaenicke who's work I so admire.  I thought I'd practice a "light touch" and limited palette.  This was the result.  I'm still wrestling with landscapes...and whether I should do them or leave it to the pros...but it was fun practice in any event.

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.

Quietly Grazing

Quietly Grazing

8x10, soft pastel

Day 6 of 30

It was a peaceful morning as we drove along I84 in Montana this summer.  A light fog was lifting over the hillside and the cattle were quietly munching on their breakfast unaware (and uninterested) in the camera pointed in their direction.  

September Sky

September Sky

6x8, soft pastel 

Today is day 19 in the 30 in 30 challenge.  This is painting #20.  I felt the need yesterday to get a little ahead of the curve and post two pictures...having a bit of a cushion is easier on my psyche!  The challenge had been fun...but painful...exhilarating...but exhausting...rewarding...but defeating...and at the end of the day...satisfying.  The most satisfying aspect for me is being able to (very humbly) get out of my comfort zone and practice, practice, practice. 

Earlier in the month I declared to you (assuming there is someone out there reading this)...I declared that I am definitely not a landscape artist.   Then I reflected on that statement and told myself..."Hey!  Now is the time to force yourself to try and grow a bit and not accept defeat or hide behind an excuse!"   So, I've stayed in my "discomfort zone"...I've committed to myself to trying skies, earth, water etc. for the final two weeks of the challenge.  So...this is "September Sky".  A typical Idaho scene that my mind conjured up...but one that I'm sure I've seen over the years while travelling around the state...most likely on a fly fishing trip with my husband.  

Idaho Sunset

Idaho Sunset 

6x8, soft pastel

It's true...in Idaho we don't get a lot of rain. We have more than our share of sun and blue skies throughout the summer months.  Many of us relish those days when the clouds move in and light up our skies! This was one such day several weeks ago...a beautiful sunset photographed by "jasonstwisted" and posted to Instagram.  He regularly captures the beauty around us and shares his photos.  Check out his work...a feast for the eyes!