Sunrise over the Tetons

"Sunrise over the Tetons"

Day 26 of 30/30

6"x8" oil on canvas panel

$75.00

Yes, I was actually up (which is very rare) before the sunrise because Steve wanted to document the sun coming up over the Tetons and I wanted to go with him.  We drove over in the early dawn and naively thought we would be the only ones there.  To our amazement there were already 10-15 people with their telescopic lenses all poised to catch the sun rising.

And yes, that is really snow on the mountains even though it was June because these are the mighty Tetons and they usually hold the snow until at least August.

I know this is supposed to be about the trees and it really is.  I wanted to see how much I could simplify the tree masses with just a little bit of daylight hitting the outer branches but I could not resist playing in the mountains too!

Standing Firm

"Standing Firm"

Day 22 of 30/30

8"x6" oil on canvas panel

$75.00

I went plein air painting this past Tuesday as I do most weeks.  I attempted four other starts and kept wiping them off.  Maybe this fifth one will work!  I think that is a record for me.  There were all these massive trees on the church property and I wanted to feature them and their immense presence.    In the end I went for a very simple rendering of my surroundings.  As I named this painting, I thought it was very appropriate as I was going to "stand firm" and have something to show for my efforts!  Tomorrow is another day!

Quail Hollow Fairway

"Quail Hollow Fairway"

Day 18 of 30/30

6"x8" oil on canvas panel

$75.00

I am using some of my simplification tips from my workshop last week with Colley Whisson and this photo seemed like a perfect fit.  Last May Steve and I went to the Wells Fargo Championship Golf Tournament at Quail Hollow Country Club here in Charlotte.  It was a very warm day but we walked and walked all over this beautiful course.  As I was walking along, I came upon this scene with back lighting behind a clump of trees and it really caught my eye.  Goes to show you that beautiful sights are always around us.  You just have to learn to appreciate them and capture them and then some day you will have a good reference photo to paint!!

Soft and Dreamy

"Soft and Dreamy"

Day 15 of 30/30

8"x6" oil on canvas panel

$75.00

This started out as a plein air piece.  When I brought it home and looked at it again, as often happens, I did not like it one bit!  I decided to greatly simplify it and make the background very simple .  I added more highlights on the grass and pointed those highlights to the tree (which is my focal point) which sat forlornly off to the side.

This challenge is all about learning and trying things out to see how they work.  These few changes make it work a little better and gave it a softer look.  

Hope you return tomorrow for Day 16.

Standing on the Shore

"Standing on the Shore"

Day 12 of 30/30

8"x6"

$75.00

I am back home (but exhausted) after spending the last four days participating in a very eye-opening learning experience in a Colley Whisson workshop over in Cary NC.  I have been wanting to study with him for the last couple of years and I am so glad I did!  I plan to write a separate blog post about these four days but I need to play catch up first!

This painting was painted from a photo I took either at String Lake or Jenny Lake in the Tetons.  I really think it is String Lake but I am not sure.  I wanted to simplify the background and foreground and really focus on this clump of trees and I rather like how this one turned out.  As you know, an artist cannot always say this about something they have painted!

Please come back tomorrow as I have another very different tree to share with you!!!