Where the Wild Things Grow
During a trip up the Cache la Poudre Canyon, I came across this field filled with aspen trees. Although I wasn’t able to paint it that day, I knew a return trip was in order and soon the opportunity arrived.
Upon my return, the small aspen grove had filled wildflowers. As I set up my easel and began to paint, I felt as if anything could stumble up out of the river or through the grove of trees. While it would most likely be a deer, I couldn’t help but think of the children’s book, “Where the Wild Things Are” and my imagination went wild.
oil on canvas panel, 5×7
painted en plein air
Peach Study in Pastel
I’ve been looking forward to summer and doing a peach study in pastel for a larger painting. Each year, Morton’s Organic Orchards sets up their fruit stand at the nearby farmer’s market. They begin with cherries that are so deep and dark in color, flavor and sugar that I feel ‘drunk’ after just a few morsels.
Following on the heels of the cherries, the peaches arrive. Clingstone peaches appear first – small and sweet. Then, giant freestone peaches arrive by the truckload, covered in peach fuzz. They line up, ready to be turned into pies and jams and in my case, ice cream and smoothies.
These little orbs of sweetness are surprisingly solid. I wanted the viewer to feel as though they could be picked up and held, as well as eaten.
pastel, still life, 5×5
Across the Pond
There are hidden gems everywhere. At a regular painting spot, the calm water created a perfect opportunity to paint this red barn reflecting off the water. The trees were in full summer foliage, creating a perfect pastoral scene…water, mountains, trees, a red barn, everything a painter could want!
oil on canvas panel, 9×12
completed en plein air
Bobcat Autumn
Walk through the foothills of Colorado in the fall and the world alights in yellow, orange and gold. This pastel painting was inspired by a walk through Bobcat Ridge Natural Area. Located in the foothills of Fort Collins, I return again and again for inspiration and the display of fall color as the leaves turn from green to orange, yellow and gold.
Pastel, 12×16
Winner of the Guerilla Painter Award – 2016 Pastel Society of Colorado Mile High National Show
Just Stopping by to Say Hello Archival Print
This Limited Edition Archival Giclée is printed on smooth 100% acid free cotton rag, natural white, heavyweight fine art paper. As an archival, museum quality paper, this print has a light fastness rating of 100+ years under normal indoor lighting conditions.
The print is shipped in a protective clear envelope with acid-free foam core, ready to present as a gift or frame.
Each print is numbered and signed by the artist.
Size: 8×10 with a half inch white border
Limited to 250 prints.
Hibiscus Archival Print
In the Victorian era, the hibiscus flower represented delicate beauty. In Hawaii, the hibiscus is often worn behind the ear as a sign of a woman’s marital status and as a symbol of hospitality. In Egypt, the flower was used as a medicinal calming tea. As I painted this flower over four months, I was reminded of Buddha’s Flower Sermon in which words are not required to understand its meaning.
For me, the story represents that the world and all of beauty exists in the one flower and that nothing is permanent. And, that painting this flower contains all the lessons of painting within this one painting.
This Limited Edition Archival Giclée is printed on smooth 100% acid free cotton rag, natural white, heavyweight fine art paper. As an archival, museum quality paper, this print has a light fastness rating of 100+ years under normal indoor lighting conditions.
The print is shipped in a protective clear envelope with acid-free foam core, ready to present as a gift or frame.
Each print is numbered and signed by the artist.
Size: 6×6 plus a half inch white border
Limited to 250 prints.
original painting, egg tempera, 6×6
You Sing to My Spirit
Just as the sky began to lighten, I wound my way up the Thompson Canyon, and bounced over the well worn highway to the Wild Basin turnoff in Rocky Mountain National Park. Meeting other painters, we started up the trail with our 30 pound packs. About a mile in, the trail became steep and covered in snow. We carried on, and the reward was well worth the effort when we reached the tumbling Cascade Waterfalls.
pastel, 18×24
Golden Owls
The “Twin Owls” rock formation is located in the heart of the MacGregor Ranch in Estes Park, Colorado. As part of a larger formation known as Lumpy Ridge, the Twin Owls can be seen from across the valley. Perched in their granite nest, the rocks harbor raptors and rock climbers. On a picture perfect fall day, the aspens have reached the height of their gold color. Each tree and leaf sparkles in the sun
pastel, 11×14
en plein air
Lazy Day at the Poudre
Not far from the city, along the Cache la Poudre River, there’s a fishing hole that’s popular with anglers seeking trout. Originating in the northern range of Rocky Mountain National Park, the ice cold water quenches the thirst of the residents along its path before joining the South Platte and traveling to the Gulf of Mexico. The water gurgled past, the trees were just beginning to turn, and I wished I’d worn my bathing suit for a quick dip in the river.
pastel, 12×15
en plein air
Cusp of Spring
The allure of Colorado is the warm spring days interspersed between cold and snow. The ice and snow melt, the geese swim through for a visit, children run and play and the moisture begins to work its way up the willows, promising summer days and sunshine.
pastel, 8.75×8.75
en plein air
Lake Marie
Mountains and tundra, covered in snow and ice from October to May, are revealed each spring as the sun warms the snow creating streams and waterfalls. Lake Marie formed at the base of the Snowy Range, near Centennial, Wyoming catches the water and releases the overflow through a tumble of rock and debris.
pastel, 18×24
