Nice and Warm California

        

plein air, oil, 9" x 12", 'San Juan Bautista Mission'

El Camino Real

California’s Royal Road

In 1769 Spain began occupying what is now California. Franciscan padres supervised the construction of 21 missions to convert the California Indians to Roman Catholicism and teach them European agriculture and trade. The military established four presidios (forts) to protect the new colonies. Travel between the settlements was difficult due to the great distances and rough terrain. Establishing a connecting road system was vital to the Spanish success. The Native Californians had developed routes to their hunting, gathering and trade areas. The roads and routes varied with the seasons. The Spanish followed and expanded these existing routes to link the missions, presidios, and pueblos (towns). Some of these routes became the Royal Road, today’s El Camino Real.

Portions of El Camino Real later became stagecoach roads and automobile highways. At the turn of the 20^th century, California women’s clubs began marking the old road with reproduction mission bells. Today the bells still mark the route between the missions.

End of Autumn Madness

 

plein air, 8" x 8", oil, 'The Lone Poplar'

 

The iconic 'Horseshoe Mountain' has snow! The fields are planted with fall grain. Others have been plowed awaiting the freezing storms to break down the sod for spring oats. Wheel lines are still and staked in place bracing for the upcoming winter winds. Each day has less light and dropping temperatures. I love this beautiful and bounteous time of year! 

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!!

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.

Day Twenty Eight - 30 Paintings in 30 Days

plein air, 10" x 12", oil, 'Three in a Row'

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?

Day Twenty Six - 30 Paintings in 30 Days

plein air, 12" x 10", oil, 'Grandma Jo's'