The Silo's of Carson Valley

Painting No. 134,The Silo's of Carson Valley Carson Valley, Nevada
6"x 8", oil on linen board
October 12, 2011

I finally found time to paint yesterday. It's been nearly a month since the last opportunity.

Not far from my house is a row of local farms near the highway, where these 3 silos have stood for as long as I've lived here ( 38 years yikes!).
The afternoon light was low and clean. Notice that the silos and the foreground brushline form an "L" shape, this on one of the standards composition shapes as described by Edgar Payne. Notice also that without the strong silos in the middle ground that this painting of fields and mountains would be quite boring. I try to add a strong vertical element if possible in each painting to add excitement. Also notice the long mountain shadow extending in from the right side of the painting. This is common effect here in Carson Valley. I think I did a good job of getting the mountain detail inside and outside of the mountain shadow.

Forestdale Divide

Painting No. 132, Forestdale Divide
Alpine County, California
6"x 8", oil on linen panel
September 20, 2011

This spot is located along the Pacific Crest Trail, near the road at the Forestdale Divide. It's really different painting at high altitudes, the air is thin, the atmosphere is desert-dry, and the weather is constantly changing.

This painting was entered into the 2011 Markleeville Fall Plein Air Event.

Water Tower

Painting No. 130, Water Tower
Stewart Indian School, Carson City, Nevada
8"x 8", oil on linen panel
September 1, 2011

Standing over the facility, like a giant sci-fi robot, the water tower is surrounded by trees and buildings. It's silvery exterior reflecting the local color.
This is painting 6 of 10 in a series painted at the school.