travel

I just returned from an all week trip to Denver, Colorado visiting my brother and chewing up some frequent flyer miles. I took my full paint set with the idea I might get to do a painting for the upcoming Nomadas Del Arte show.

We spent a night at Black Hawk, the ‘Las Vegas’ of Colorado, which is a short drive into the Rockies from Denver. While there, I went out in the early morning to paint Clear Creek, although it certainly wasn’t a very clear creek. Actually, it is the north fork of Clear Creek. I ended up painting just a mile downstream of Black Hawk.

The morning light was wonderful! Below is the scene as I started painting. The sun was just hitting the distant hills with the stream reflecting the bright morning sky.

Another shot of my easel before I actually started painting.

After an hour of painting, the sun peeked over the nearby hill and I was drenched in sunlight. There wasn’t a good way of getting out of the glare of the sun, and I began to have problems judging values and colors. If I weren’t so far from home, perhaps I would have had my shade umbrella, but didn’t bring it. Below is the scene after the sun was completely out.

Below is a snapshot of the painting on the easel when I was about ready to pack it in. I can do the final touches in the studio.

I headed out again to Sand Harbor. I had time to do one quick painting, and then head to James Harold Galleries in Tahoe City to drop off some new paintings.

It was another wonderful day! It was mostly sunny with a few wisps of clouds drifting by. I painted a smaller painting at about the same spot I was yesterday. Shelly Hocknell Zenter, Bonita Paulis, and Penny Shrawder soon arrived.

In about an hour, I just about finished a 8×10. In my rush, I forgot to take a photo of the painting on the easel, and I will post it later. Below is the scene.

Too soon, it was off to James Harold Galleries to drop off some new Yosemite paintings I have been developing the last month or so, and then the long trek home!

Here is one of the paintings now at James Harold Galleries–

Shelly Hocknell Zenter and Bonita Paulis were going to join me painting around Sand Harbor. It was a wonderful day, a few clouds but plenty of sunshine.

I decided to do a 16×20, which is about as large as I paint plein air. If it turned out, could be one of my entries into the Nomadas Del Arte show. Below are a few shots of the day.

The scene I decided to paint–

My easel by a convenient park bench–

Your’s truly painting–

Bonita and Shelly enjoying the day–

My painting on the easel–

After a quick breakfast, and checking out of Yosemite Lodge, it was time to do one last painting and then head home. With the snow, there were not many places to pull off and paint, but I found a wonderful spot along the Merced River with a view of El Capitan in the background. The light was just stunning. Right under a big evergreen tree, there was no snow, so a perfect spot to paint from!

I set up and drew in my sketch, and then decided to do this painting entirely with a #4 round fairly worn bristle brush. I usually use a #8 or #10 bright, but the round bristle would force me to broaden my paint strokes.

Here is the scene when I set up–

All through my trip I was occasionally entertained by a passing coyote–

My easel as I was painting by the Merced River–

A quick snapshot of the painting–

I’ll post better pictures of all the paintings later when I get a chance to review them and maybe touch them up a little.

All too soon it was time to head home. I would have loved to stay for several more days, or a week, as this was the most beautiful I have seen Yosemite Valley in recent years!!

After a quick breakfast, I headed out this morning to a spot I found yesterday on a foot bridge over the Merced River. I set up on the bridge, and began to paint the river and the surrounding scenery. I didn’t last long! My back was starting to bother me, so I decided I had just better paint close to the car and use my camping chair to sit in. I put in a few key color notes so I could finish it at a later date, and packed up.

The first scene of the day–

Below is my uncompleted painting on the easel–

I went back to a spot by a snowy meadow with Cathedral Rocks in the background. I did a similar painting last year, and it turned out well. The scene with the snow was entirely different and probably a little more challenging. I spent several hours and the painting turned out to be a keeper.

My easel at the second location of the day–

A poor snapshot of the painting–

After relaxing a bit back at the room, I went out to another place close to Yosemite Lodge, and did a painting of Sentinel Rock. It was getting late in the day, and the sun spotlights the rock as it slowly lowers over the west end of the valley. This turned out to be the best of the trip so far.

Sentinel Rock —

My easel by the car while I was painting Sentinel Rock–

A quick snapshot of the painting on the easel–

By the time I was finished, the sun was very low and most of the valley was in shadow. Time to head back to the room, and relax for the evening!

Today I took off for what has become an annual winter trip to Yosemite National Park.

We just had a rough (at least for California) winter storm come through, however it was breaking and the weather should be great in the park. I awoke to rain and clouds in my San Jose home. I guess the storm was clearing a little late! As I made my way down 101 to Hwy 152 and over Pacheco pass, the scenery was unusually spectacular as the clearing skies were highlighting the emerald green of California hills this time of year. I probably could have just stopped and painted here for the day…but I would have to save that for another time. Going over 152 and Pacheco Pass, clouds and fog were hanging in all the California hill valleys. As soon as I got over the pass, suddenly it was instant sunshine. The entire central valley of California was clear!

On to Yosemite. The weather had backed up against the Sierras a little, but clearing. After some traffic delays, I finally got to Yosemite Valley. It was wonderful. A foot of snow was everywhere, and the plows were still out clearing roads and trails.

I wanted to do a painting prior to checking into Yosemite Lodge. With the new snow, there were not a lot of places to pull off and find a place to work. I also was not in my winter boots yet, so looked for an easy place. I settled on Sentinel Bridge, which is one of the most famous picture points at Yosemite. Half Dome looms over the Merced River, sometimes casting an exact image in the water. Winter water seems to be darker, though, and today was no exception. I spent about 90 minutes working until it was about time to pack it in.

Here is the view from Sentinel Bridge:

A not so good snapshot of my painting–

After checking into the lodge, a shower, and a good meal at the Mountain Room (the baked trout was great) it was time to retire and relax.

I am off to Yosemite Park tomorrow for a couple days of painting. As usual, I received a special coupon where I stay one night free for every night paid. It should be great as a large storm front just passed through and there should be plenty of sun and snow. Last year I went around this time and ran into Scott Burdick. If I can post to the blog during the trip, I will, but otherwise will post when I get back. Below is a painting I did last year.