Black Oak

This painting was inspired from a trip to the foothills of Sierra Nevadas near Nevada City, California. A round format seemed appropriate for the subject and vantage point.

Three Gun Spring Trail

This is the second painting done close to the Three Gun Spring trailhead, which is on the south side of the Sandia Mountains near Albuquerque. Although I did some touch up and pushing of color possibilities in the studio afterward, much of the painting is in a rough state. The mountain and shadow part of the trail show just the thin underpainting. My usual inclination is to go in and refine the painting. So, for me, this has an unfinished look. But, maybe that's all that was needed to be said. I'll put it away and return to it later to see if I still like it as is. By the way, on this day, I was prepared for the gnats and flies. But, they still have a way of irritating you. I even had to use my palette knife to remove a couple that landed on the painting. Goes with the territory, I guess.

Daybreak, Three Gun Spring

I got most of this painting done early this morning, before the temperature got too hot. Not to worry, however, the gnats and flies made things miserable enough — buzzing around my eyes nose and ears. Fortunately, a fellow painter friend showed up with some bug spray. Another artist said he saw a rather large rattlesnake in the parking area at the trailhead. Back in the studio, I added some finishing touches.