Monday, September 30, 2013

Day Thirty - 30 Paintings in 30 Days


plein air, 8" x 8", oil, 'The End'

I finished what I started! 30 paintings in 30 days. This is what I learned. Paint! Paint often. Paint what you see. Paint what you don't see. Paint what is challenging. Paint what is easy. Paint what you like. Paint what you don't. Paint things out. Paint things in. Paint when you have something to say. Paint if you don't. Paint by yourself. Paint with someone. Paint while you are fresh and enthusiastic. Paint when you aren't. Paint in your studio. Paint outside. Paint when it's sunny and warm. Paint when it's cloudy and cold. Paint in the rain. Paint when it's windy. Paint in the morning. Paint at dusk. Paint at midnight. Just PAINT! and keep PAINTING!!

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Day Twenty Nine - 30 Paintings in 30 Days


plein air, 10" x 12", oil, 'Eastern Idaho'

I just returned from visiting my family in Blackfoot, Idaho. Home of the Idaho Potato Museum. Blackfoot is designated as the "Potato Capital of the World", because it has the largest potato industry. In the museum you"ll find the world's largest baked potato and potato chip on display. 

Blackfoot got the name because of folks walking through the black ashes left after wildfires during the 1800's. There were no Blackfoot people in the area, but the early Hudson Bay Company traders and trappers who came through named it for all those folks with blackened footwear.

I love the open sky in Eastern Idaho! The sun hangs low in the western horizon at dusk creating brilliant sunsets.


Friday, September 27, 2013

Day Twenty Seven - 30 Paintings in 30 Days



plein air, 9" x 12", oil, 'Utah Meets Ireland'


This is my painting friend Louise Treacy from Wexford, Ireland. We met two years ago at the Plein Air Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada and again this past April in Monterey, California. She is here in the States visiting with her friend Phillip. We both entered the Escalante Plein Air Competition. Yesterday, we finished our last work together along with James Bradley Holt. 


This is one of the views from the Kiva KoffeeHouse in the Escalante-Grand Staircase National Monument. Just breath taking! Do you agree?