Working Fast Outdoors

When artists, out in the elements, get their easels all teed up, ready to paint, they have to move pretty darned quick, PDQ. As the sun goes up or down, the clouds are always moving, bad weather maybe coming in, insects working for a meal, you get the picture. It is a test of skills: organizational, artistic, patience and humility. I'm pretty good on most of the skills except the last two, patience and humility. I am working hard to acquire a bigger share of these. This painting was done outdoors in the Sandia Mountains outside Albuquerque and required all of my skills. Therefore,I humbly offer it for your viewing.

Palo Duro Canyon - Amarillo Texas

People in the Panhandle of Texas call the Palo Duro Canyon the Texas Grand Canyon. I have to ask, "Have you seen the Grand Canyon?" While this is certainly one of the most beautiful places on earth it is only a fraction of the size of the other canyon in Colorado and Arizona. But yes, it is very beautiful! I painted here with Albert Handel and a group of other artists and produced this piece. The colors are very typical of this wonderful state park. I camped out all week in the canyon alone. It was a spiritual week indeed.

New Mexico Landscape - Sandia Mountains I

A few years ago I took a workshop with Gil Dellinger a professor and painter from California. I chose to work in oils during the workshop. It was held in the Sandia Mountains just outside of town in Albuquerque New Mexico. The Sandia Mountains overlook the city and are beautiful and accessible from my friends Steve and Diana Jackson's house. So it was a very comfortable trip and a pleasant experience. I remember my oil technique was new then and I struggled a bit at first. I have been working hard with my oils for the past couple of years and I decided to re-paint a couple of these Sandia scenes. I am quite pleased with results. Maybe Steve and Diana will let me come back this year and paint these scenes again from life. we'll see.....

Hawaiian Sunset

Over thirty years ago, before Cheryl and I got married, we went to Hawaii for a vacation together. Our hotel in Waikiki was right on the beach. One afternoon I shoot some beautiful pictures from our room balcony. The colors of blue in the water were gorgeous. The range of color was from deep violet to shimmering turquoise. I always wanted to paint this photograph, so with the weather as cold and rainy as it has been here, I decided it was a good time to visit Hawaii, again. Although it is not in person, this mini-vacation is relaxing and fun. Hope you enjoy..