During the heat of last summer, I was commissioned to create a plein air painting of a backyard and garden. Not only was the painting planned as a Christmas gift for her husband, the painting also commemorated the work he did on the garden in preparation for their daughter’s wedding. … Read More
River’s Song, 11×14, oil on linen is now on view and available at our 7th Annual Chasing Light Art Show that continues through this Saturday. Based on a plein air painting of the Poudre River, I brought the study back to the studio to create a larger more developed version. … Read More
This fall, I drove to Steamboat Springs with wildfires raging to the north and smoldering to the south. Questions swirled. Would we have decent visibility? Would we be detoured on the return trip? Last year was cold, snowy, and rainy. What would this year bring? Well, we were lucky. … Read More
A picture perfect fall day along the Poudre River. As I painted this scene, I thought of poet Mary Oliver and this phrase from her book, Winter Hours. Sometimes, I think, were I just a little rougher made, I would go altogether to the woods – to my work entirely, … Read More
It’s the end of September and that means it’s the end of another 30 Day Challenge to draw or paint from life every day for 30 days. Sponsored by Strada Easel, this is the third challenge I’ve completed. As you may recall from this post, I hemmed and hawed over … Read More
Plein Air days are the best days. September light in Rocky Mountain National Park when the leaves are turning makes everything even better. Painted with the PAAC, Northern Colorado crew at Cow Creek in Rocky Mountain National Park this morning. Blues skies, the start of golden leaves and cool morning … Read More
Yesterday, I went up to the Estes Valley Plein Air Quick Draw with friend and artist Andrea Gabel. We went to cheer on Jenifer Cline and pick up some tips and watch the artists paint, and see the art show. We wandered around, looking at easels, brushes, paint tubes, and … Read More
It’s conversations like these that keep me moving forward. Anything here sound familiar? MAE: So, are you going to do the Strada Easel Challenge this month? (MAE: my alter ego) Me: Oh, I don’t know. I thought I’d take this one off. MAE: Really, why? Me: Well, I want to … Read More
After working diligently in the studio on a very difficult perspective problem for the past few days, I stepped outside for some much-needed plein air painting. I found painting whitewater at the Poudre River to be the perfect solution. Apparently, I needed to unleash some pent-up color craze and fluidity. … Read More
Click to Bid Each painting brings back memories. This painting “Along the Yampa River” is no exception. Last fall, I participated in the Steamboat Plein Air Event, a week-long plein air event that supports the Steamboat Art Museum. At the same time, I was painting daily as part of the … Read More