Aspen Aflame

a 16 x 20 oil painting just completed of aspen from Rampart Range in October. The colors are fabulous, energizing, and a challenge to paint all the variety and subtle changes with the light dancing as the leaves shimmer in the sun.

Aspen Glow and Peak

Another 16 x 20 of aspen from Rampart Range with Pikes Peak in the distance. This was from the Lovell Gulch Trail. I hiked it in October and didn't bring my camera. This view was worth going back
to get a photo reference.

Aspen Energy

I've been waiting for months to paint this, from Rampart Range when the aspen were turning for the last time, what a beautiful drive. There is a series I want to do of this, really looking forward to painting more. The energy of the color was fabulous. I just read in Frank Waters book "Colorado" how settlers sometimes thought the bright sunlit aspen were a forest fire. The colors are the same, brilliant reds and yellows and oranges just glow with the afternoon backlighting.

Water Lilies

16 x 20 oil from a photo I took several years ago when Denver Botanical Gardens had its "Monet" Garden. It was lovely and not as far of a trip as Giverny. Had wanted to paint this scene for awhile, just before my trip to Taos, and just varnished it today. I like the composition and texture.

Aspen near Cripple Creek

They were really stunning this year, and you had to be there to believe all the color variety. Backlit against the shadowy hills, they were a color riot. For sale at Seven Arrows Gallery in Woodland Park

Aspen in Fall

A 6 x 8 oil done on location on Rampart Range Road after a hike there with my dog. It was getting later in the day, and skies were overcast. Made for more brilliant color without so much contrast. This one is framed and for sale at Seven Arrows Gallery in Woodland Park.

"Simply Taos"

A 6 x 8 on location behind the Millicent Rogers museum at an invitational paintout from the PPANM group. It was fun painting with a group, and their show "Light and Landscape" at the museum was fabulous and well attended. In all, I completed 26 paintings in the 21 days I was there, all on location, except the few larger studio pieces I did on the days it rained all day. These were from photo references I took while on my walks. Staying in Arroyo Seco at the Waters Foundation was inspiring, and simple, as my little casita didn't require much upkeep, except for refilling water jugs. The sunsets and storms were spectacular, and there were wonderful animal sound effects from the little farms nearby. I'm still studying the on location sketches I did, and am not ready to give some of them up, as I learned a lot from the true colors of the place.

its August Already!

Confession:I have been painting and not blogging. Life always seems to speed up in August, and this year is no exception. In June, we had a wonderful paint-out and art show for the Pikes Peak Plein Air Painters at 7 Arrows Gallery in Woodland Park. I was thrilled to win an honorable mention award after painting for a week on location

with many talented artists from across the region. This is my submission of aspen on Rampart Range, which I've painted before on location, but never in the evening. The trunks turned really purple with the changing light, and I wanted to capture it. This year, in retrospect, I've noticed most of my paintings contain trees,and I've been drawn to them. I've just learned trees are a symbol of feminine energy. I need this gift from the trees. I'm humbled to realize we intuit more than we know, if we just pay attention.

Painting Again

It's been awhile, busy with work, and teaching a new class and 2 clinicals took all my energy in April and May. Finally, the end of May, a beautiful Wednesday morning, several of us went to a place off Hwy 67 in Woodland Park. It was gorgeous, the willows were just starting to turn, and I did a little 8 x 10 oil on location. It made me want to paint again. I've learned with plein aire (painting on location) to paint fast, and can knock something out in 1-2 h

ours max, because you have to. Plein aire has made me be a more observant and prolific painter. You learn to put in what's important, and leave out what is not. I hope this translates to all of my life.