Buckeye Creek

Buckeye Creek                                                  No. 13-F-12                                                   8"x10"                                                                  oil on canvas board                                                 Mid-afternoon shadows and reflections along Buckeye Creek in the Eastern Sierra Mountains. This was painted during our recent camp out.

Dusk After the Rain

Dusk After the Rain
Painting No. 9-E-12
9"x12" oil on linen panel

It had rained for nearly 18 hours straight. The rivers were swollen to their banks and the tops of the highest peaks had a fresh dusting on snow. I decided to paint this view of the Madison Valley because of the available trees vs. the mountains, to add depth and perspective. Directly behind me is the confluence of the Gibbon River and the Firehole River which becomes the Madison River, some of the most legendary fly fishing in the Western United States. But more importantly, this is the spot where the 1870 Yellowstone Expedition camped overnight and discussed the unique qualities of this place and how they should be protected for all Americans. This conversation became the birthplace of the idea of the National Park System. In some ways, this is sacred ground of the central idea that we as Americans can protect areas of our vast western landscape to always remember the explorer and discoverer in all of us that is part of the American culture. 

Mount Seigel

Painting No. 153
Mount Seigel
Carson Valley, Nevada
6"x 8", oil on linen panel
December 18, 2011

The evening light is always beautiful on this mountain, but it only last a few minutes each day. This plein air painting took me about 10-15 minutes to complete and then then color was completely gone.

Abandoned Road

Painting No. 126, Abandoned Road
Stewart Indian School, Carson City, Nevada
8"x 8", oil on linen panel
August 12, 2011

Today was warm but not terrible, I feel sorry for those Texans experiencing 100+ temperatures for over a month.
I'm back at the Stewart Indian School for painting number 5 of 10. I thought that I should try to convey the sense of loneliness and solitude that permeates this place. This dirt road was once a designated street that separated the Cafeteria and Band Building from the employee housing. Now it's mostly ignored by the locals. After standing in the same spot for 2 hours I still haven't seen a soul.

Sierra Summer

Painting No. 117, Sierra Summer
Buckeye Creek, California
10"x 8", oil on linen panel
7-3-2011

Noon in the Sierra's can be a tough time to paint. It's hot, the mountains are dull, my afternoon nap is calling me to retire to the travel trailer with a good book and a chilled ice tea. Yet here I am, roaming the country side with the hope of getting one more painting in before we head home.
I spotted these aspen trees earlier in the day on the Hunewill Ranch property above Buckeye Creek. I sized up the scene and figured that I could stand in the shade while painting which only added to the appeal. I like to sketch the subject first to get a sense of the composition,  just to make sure that what I'm seeing will actually transfer into the painting, then I block in the basic colors.
What I like especially about Aspen trees are the trunks, which are usually scared from graffiti (people carving their names) or rubbing against other trees, and the wonderful shape. When I paint them, I imagine they are jazz dancers, with their bodies creating smooth "S" shapes that flow to the music.  Each tree is distinct in character and markings with helps to create interest in the painting.