Provo River Bottoms

plein air, oil, 9" x 12", 'Provo River Bottoms'

Midway, Utah is a picturesque paradise for plein air painters. I felt the evening shadows embracing the distant peaks and the warmth of the summer rays of this location. 

Sanpete Sizzle

plein air, oil, 9"x 12", 'Sanpete Sizzle'

A summer warm up for December. 

Follow Me

studio alla prima, oil, 9" x 12", 'Follow Me'

This was the last trip into the High Uinta Mountains for both my husband Butch and his favorite steed, Preacher. He packed our gear on Banjo, 1/4 Belgium draft and 3/4 Quarter horse. I enlisted behind, taking in the scenic beauty of the rugged terrain on a horse named Sackett. It seemed then as it does now, that someone has to break trail and show leadership in unfamiliar territory. Butch and Preacher were always the happiest finding the way. Me? I was satisfied to follow. Now, I miss them both.

The Best Horse Ever!

1993-2015

Son of Red Wolf

affectionately named Preacher

In Remembrance

oil, 8" x 16", 'Sacrament Prep'

This is my entry for the 30th Annual Spiritual and Religious Exhibit at the Springville Museum of Art in Springville, Utah. This exhibition celebrates the diversity of religious experiences and belief in our community.

I captured the preparation of the sacrament trays by four priests, all young men ages 16-18. The sacrament trays are prepared prior to the opening services for the congregation every Sabbath day in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During church services, the priesthood officiates a prayer on the bread and water in remembrance of Jesus Christ, the Atonement, and as a renewal of the baptismal covenant. The sacrament is then passed to each member of the Church by deacons, young men ages 12-14. The ordinance of the sacrament makes the sacrament meeting the most sacred and important meeting of the Church. This is the spiritual purpose of sacrament meeting Sunday worship in every meetinghouse of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints world wide.

I tried to depict the center of interest on the sacrament table so I cropped the figures. The ties are simple, unpatterned but warm in color against the cool whites of the shirts and background. Hopefully, the viewer will reflect in the purpose of the sacrament preparation.

The Absolute Last

oil, 6" x 6", 'Last Bloom'

I keep finding autumn's burst of blossoms each day on my rose bush. 

I am absolutely certain this will be the absolute last rose for the year!

Feeling Joyous!

My painting 'Gold Fever' 30" x 24" was accepted into the UTAH IMAGES Commemorative Art Show, Hosted by the Equitable Life & Casualty Insurance Company in Salt Lake City. I was selected as one of the 80 Utah artists, ages 55+, whose work will be exhibited at the Salt Lake City & County Building. The exhibit is open to the public Nov 9, through Dec 4, 2015 ( Mon-Fri 9 am - 5 pm ). 

This One is for You!

oil, 6" x 6", 'This One is for You'

15 October 1970 - 45 years of happiness!

Bundle Up

oil, 6" x 6", 'Bundle Up' 

The sky was ignited with warm hues and on the changing foliage as I looked towards the Horseshoe Mountain in beautiful Sanpete Valley. Autumn is always my favorite time with extraordinary memories of family and friends. 

September's Last Roses

oil, 6" x  6", 'September's Last Roses'

My rose bush gives a burst of autumn roses right before the big freeze. I painted this floral in memory of Mom Johansen, who flew to the heavens above to meet her beloved family. May she abide in peaceful rest!

Maridean Joyce Taylor Johansen 

January 14, 1933 - September 25, 2015

Early Morning

plein air, oil, 16" x 20", 'Early Morning'

This is my entry for The Escalante Canyons Art Festival September 18-27. I have a place in my soul for this location. With every passing moment the cliffs ignite with color and definition as the sun rises above the majestic cliffs.

Boulder Utah Bold

plein air, pastel, 14" x 11", 'Boulder Bold'

The Escalante Canyons Art Festival September 18-27, celebrating twelve years of art inspired by place. This is my mixed media entry of shimmering Boulder Mountain aspen trees at 9,000 feet, on Highway 12. Fantastic views! Fantastic color!

Last of the Giants

plein air, oil, 10" x 8", 'Cottonwoods'

Cottonwood trees grow 40 to 80 feet in height with a broad open crown of widely spreading branches. In Sanpete County, cottonwood trees grew along the irrigation ditches in the wet soil. Now many of these are slowly dying off because of the sprinkler irrigation systems that have replaced the old ditches. Here are a few valiant giants left on our farm. 

The 12th Annual Escalante Canyons Art Festival

                                    

plein air, oil, 9" x 12", 'Momentarily Unbalanced'

The Escalante Canyons Art Festival September 18-27 celebrating twelve years of art inspired by place. My painting of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument was chosen, along with many other fantastic artists for the plein air artist slide show September 25-26, 2015 in Escalante, Utah. 

Yes! You Can!!

studio study, oil, 8" x 10", 'Blacksmith Fork River I'

This early fall scene was painted from the Left Hand Fork of the Blacksmith Fork River, located about 15 miles from Hyrum, Utah, on Labor Day. The leaves along the river were just beginning to make their seasonal change. A great way to spend the day with family and nature. 

Spring City Heritage Art Auction 2015

plein air, oil, 12" x 12", 'Water Rights'

Waiting for the Rain

plein air, oil, 16" x 20", 'Waiting for the Rain'

Tide In, Tide Out

plein air, oil, 8" x 10", 'Tide In, Tide Out'

My painting is a slow dance of the ocean washing across the craggy rocks and then pulling the silty sand back into the peacock aqua. The process was rhythmic and soothing as I felt the edges of my painting develop. There was so much more I wanted to add but hesitated knowing that more sometimes reduces the simplicity of subject and creates too much information for the mind to get hijacked. 

Old Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey

plein air, oil, 8" x 10", 'Old Fisherman's Wharf'

At first glimpse of this early morning scene, my eye caught the beautiful shades of viridian green with glints of cerulean blues in the ocean water contrasted with the bright red umbrellas along the board walk. The painting gives me a feeling of serenity with the restful boats anchored safely in the harbor and shop owners along the wharf slowly opening the doors for the awaiting newness of daylight. 

This was my first view of the Old Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey Bay. It was built in 1870 for loading and unloading passengers and goods. Through the years it has been used by other commercial operations in the fishing industry but after World War II, Old Fisherman's Wharf reoriented its business focus toward tourism. 

Lovers Point, Monterey

plein air, oil, 8" x 10", 'Lovers Point, Monterey'

This is a definite place to be when visiting the Monterey Pennisula. 

Spectacular! Rocky points and lots of surf! 

March Mayhem

studio, oil, 11" x 14", 'The Great Salt Lake Sunset'

My eyes locked on this splendid sunset in between the concrete barriers along I-15 north of Bountiful, Utah 10 days ago. The sky illuminated velvety violet and brilliant yellow cadmium.

Candy Cotton

studio, oil, 7" x 11", 'Candy Cotton'

I captured this fabulous February sunset on the eastern Snake River Plain in Idaho. When I reached for my camera, the sun had dipped below the horizon igniting the candy cotton clouds in pink lemonade and orange marmalade hues.  

Big Sur

studio, oil, 11" x 9", 'Big Sur'

Big Sur is a sparsely populated region of the Central Coast of California where the Santa Lucia Mountains rise abruptly from the Pacific Ocean. The region is the segment of California State Route 1 from Carmel south to San Simeon. The name "Big Sur" is derived from the original Spanish "el sur grande", meaning "the big south", or from "el pais grande del sur", "the big country of the south". 

My painting is from a photo I took on a spring road trip along Highway 1 in 2013. Being a landlubber, I am learning to sea!

Learning to Sea!

studio, oil, 11" x 14", 'Sea'

My painting is Monterey Bay, in sun drenched California. The 4th Annual Plein Air Convention will be held in Monterey again this year. What beautiful seascapes and brilliant vistas!

Overcast Evening

studio, oil, 7" x 11", 'Overcast Evening'

I love February's glowing sunset peeking through the shadows and foliage along the river's edge. We need six more weeks of winter! Bring it on!! 

2015 Day Thirty - 30 Paintings in 30 Days

studio, oil, 7" x 11", 'Five O'clock Shadows'

My painting is the illuminated vibrant skyscape off the Snake River just at dusk. The huge sheets of thick ice from today's melt off patterned the water with gorgeous blue shades giving way to the reflective light. Breath taking beauty! 

2015 Day Twenty nine - 30 Paintings in 30 Days

studio sketch, oil, 5" x 7", 'Tucson Shine'

Ahhh... sun seekers haunt! Arizona is the place to hang out this time of year. My painting is from the Catalina State Park in Tucson, Arizona. The habitat is radiant with an amazing population of an estimated 5,000 saguaro plants. If you love sunshine and rugged beauty, you will find it here! 

2015 Day Twenty eight - 30 Paintings in 30 Days

studio, oil, 14" x 11", 'Kilpatrick Pond'

Everyone has heard of Ernest Hemingway, right? But did you know he loved a place called Silver Creek?  Because of Hemingway and his family this area has been protected and is one of the most successful private stream conservation projects ever undertaken.

Silver Creek Preserve in Central Idaho, SE of Ketchum, is renowned throughout the world as a fly-fishing paradise. It includes 883 acres and 3 miles of streams which are home to one of the largest populations of brown and rainbow trout of any wild trout stream in the country.

My painting is on the Kilpatrick Pond area of the Silver Creek Preserve. The Hemingway memorial is located along the edge of the pond. The memorial is designed to be a quiet place of reflection, with a stone seating area overlooking the preserve.

2015 Day Twenty seven - 30 Paintings in 30 Days

studio, oil, 11" x 14", 'Cannon Bridge View'

The Greater Blackfoot Area Greenbelt is a loop of approximately 10 miles that connects the city of Blackfoot, Idaho with Rose Pond. My painting is a splendid winter view from the Cannon Bridge on the Greenbelt. The Cannon Bridge was dedicated in 2005 and was made from the following reclaimed materials: 

1) Steel beams were salvaged from the Snake River near Firth. 

2) Wood decking and handrails are from the Lucin Cutoff Trestle that crossed the Great Salt Lake. 

3) Wood arches are from the Ogden, Utah defense depot.  

2015 Day Twenty six - 30 Paintings in 30 Days

studio, oil, 11" x 14", 'Lifting Fog'

My painting is from last week's unusual weather by the Snake River in Idaho. When the eerie stratus clouds finally lifted from the country side, warm cobalt blue skies appeared with abundant sun rays melting the frost covered foliage. It was a glorious spectacle!

2015 Day Twenty five - 30 Paintings in 30 Days

studio sketch, oil, 4" x 6", 'Cliff Hanger'

On a crisp September early morning in Escalante, Utah, I viewed these spectacular coral cliffs lit up by the rising sun and surrounded by the verdant foliage.

2015 Day Twenty four - 30 Paintings in 30 Days

 

studio, oil, 8" x 10", 'Escalante Purples'

2015 Day Twenty three - 30 Paintings in 30 Days

studio sketch, oil, 6" x 8", 'Big Wood River'

The Big Wood River is a 137 mile long river in central Idaho. It is a tributary of the Malad River, which in turn is a tributary to the Snake River and Columbia River. It's source is the Sawtooth Range near Galena Summit in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. I can't restrain myself from gazing at this fantastic vista whenever I pass through the Wood River Valley. This simple oil sketch is in prep for a larger panorama I will be doing in the near future.  

1. 
   

2015 Day Twenty two - 30 Paintings in 30 Days

studio, oil, 11" x 14", 'River Bottom Glow' 

I wandered aimlessly through the densely covered edge of the Big Wood River in scenic Idaho and discovered this unique grouping of tangled aspens with the copper sun glowing in the distance. Wow! The river bottom is gorgeous in the autumn.

2015 Day Twenty one - 30 Paintings in 30 Days

studio, oil, 8" x 10", 'Expedited Change'

I saw this wonderful vintage barn and farm collectibles on a road trip through Idaho. I loved how the sunlight hit the west facing sides of the buildings with the brewing storm system rolling across the distant mountains.

2015 Day Twenty - 30 Paintings in 30 Days

studio, oil, 8" x 10", 'Silver Creek'

Today's painting, fresh off the easel, is from Silver Creek Preserve by Picabo, Idaho. 

All I can say is FANTASTIC scenery! 

2015 Day Nineteen - 30 Paintings in 30 Days

 studio, oil, 8"x 10", 'Bear River Massacre'

My painting is from a very sacred spot to the Shoshone Indians located near Preston, Idaho. I have traveled through this beautiful area many times and I have always felt a certain reverence and awe. I didn't understand or realize it's significance until I finally stopped, snapped a few pictures and read the monument and historical marker.

It was here on January 29, 1863 where over 490+ Shoshone were massacred in deep snow and bitter cold at a winter camp near the confluence of the Bear River and Beaver Creek by Colonel Patrick E. Connor and the militia of the U.S. Army's Third California force. The Bear River Massacre is the largest single-incident massacre of Indians in the American West, larger than Wounded Knee, South Dakota and Sand Creek, Colorado. It is often overlooked in history books because it occurred during the civil war.

2015 Day Eighteen - 30 Paintings in 30 Days

studio, oil, 9" x 12", 'It's Okay to Gawk!'

This painting is from a view from my west porch in Sanpete, Utah. We can usually count on a gorgeous sunrise and sunset each day. I love to watch the changing colors. When I get to heaven I want to be part of the sunset committee!

2015 Day Seventeen - 30 Paintings in 30 Days

studio sketch, oil, 6" x 6", 'Crater's of the Moon, Idaho'

Did you know? "Devil's vomit" is how one Oregon-bound pioneer in the 1800's described his encounter with Craters of the Moon. I have often wondered how these rugged men and women negotiated through the harsh environment of the lava fields on Goodale's Cutoff to Oregon in the mid 1800's.

2015 Day Sixteen - 30 Paintings in 30 Days

studio sketch, oil, 7" x 9", 'Goodale's Cutoff'

Goodale's Cutoff is a spur of the Oregon Trail beginning in Idaho. The cutoff left the Oregon Trail near Fort Hall, crossed the Snake River Plain to the Lost River, and then turned west to the area of Boise, crossing Camas Prarie.

My painting is from an area by Craters of the Moon National Monument. Deep wagon wheel ruts are still visible today from hundreds of pioneers who traveled through the area on the Goodale's Cutoff in the 1850's and 1860's.

2015 Day Fifteen - 30 Paintings in 30 Days

 studio sketch, oil, 9" x 11", 'A Moose is on the Loose'

I was so ecstatic when I glanced at scenic Silver Creek this past fall and spotted a huge moose at the water's edge. I quickly turned my truck around and headed back. This is what I saw but with no moose in sight!

2015 Day Fourteen - 30 Paintings in 30 Days

studio sketch, oil, 6" x 6", 'Old Mercantile'

This is another treasure along Highway 20 near Sun Valley, Idaho. As I drove passed this dilapidated old mercantile building, the red tones against the golden fall foliage caught my eye. I knew I wanted to make a painting!

2015 Day Thirteen - 30 Paintings in 30 Days

studio sketch, oil, 8" x 10", 'Treasures Unlimited'

Along Highway 20 near Sun Valley, Idaho are some gorgeous scenic vistas. This is a quick sketch of a large hay field as the sun was setting on the distant bluff colored mountain range on a road trip I was on this fall.

2015 Day Twelve - 30 Paintings in 30 Days

studio sketch, oil, 7" x 9", 'Stock Water'

Stock water is vital in wintry weather when sheets of ice cover the ditch keeping cattle and horses thirsty. Often, my husband would take our reluctant boys out into sub zero temperatures to chop thick chunks of ice to make an opening large enough for the animals to take a drink before the icy water would freeze up again. 

This painting is the stock water ditch where it is divided between several different farms in our area. It flows along the lane heading west towards our barn.  

2015 Day Eleven - 30 Paintings in 30 Days

studio sketch, oil, "6 x 6", 'January Sunset'

2015 Day Ten - 30 Paintings in 30 Days

studio sketch, oil, 6" x 6", 'Razzleberries'

2015 Day Nine - 30 Paintings in 30 Days

studio, oil, 11" x 14", 'South of Sun Valley'

2015 Day Eight - 30 Paintings in 30 Days

studio sketch, oil, 5" x 7", 'Snake River Blues'

This sketch was completed yesterday after my walk along the Snake River in Eastern Idaho. Because of our unusual warm weather, the melting ice created beautiful patterns of blues against the setting sun. Below is a photo of the Snake River near Groveland.