Taos Chamisa — SOLD

This oil, done mostly in plein air, was painted during the Plein Air Painters of New Mexico Annual Show at the Millicent Rogers Museum in Taos. I was among a group of members who painted directly behind the museum. The light was bright in the high elevation.

Sandstone Cliffs — SOLD

This plein air painting was done today from the parking lot at La Ventana Arch, along Highway 117 in New Mexico. The region has some very interesting and varied geology. Dinosaurs once roamed the area. Nowadays, it's cows. One artist, who was painting within eyeshot, had to shoo away some bovine intruders that were getting a little too close. Most of the subject is in shadow, with just a couple small areas of sunlight illuminating the upper cliffs. The reflected light in the sandstone cliffs and the snow in shadow are what caught my interest.

Fresh Snow In Bear Canyon

This is a view of the Sandia Mountains in Albuquerque. The clouds that enshrouded the cliff faces were breaking up, allowing brilliant sunlight to reflect off the snow. The foreground was still in shadow of clouds, which enhanced the drama. Someone had made a snowman alongside the trail. I would've included him in the painting, but he probably would have blended in too much with the background ... The painting was done in the studio, using photo references and my memory and required only a limited palette. I employed the use of a palette knife to create textural effect in the snow.

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.