Revisiting a Site

Over the years I've noticed that certain specific locations are fertile ground for my paintings. This particular place has given me more than a few good paintings. It is a comfortable place to paint on a bridge. It is rare to have low traffic while enjoying an elevated vantage point. Many years ago I realized the benefits to be gained from returning to "the scene". At that time I was persisting, stubbornly, in trying to paint a certain small waterfall with disastrous results time and again. On my self-declared final try I got a painting I liked. I think it was then that the light bulb went off! I need more than one painting session to learn enough about a location to make a decent painting. These days I have fewer failures and more successes the first time out, but it is still a pleasure to paint a familiar spot on an unfamiliar day and see what kind of "new" painting emerges. In fact, it is very rewarding and comfortable.

Thirty Days, Thirty Paintings

I spent the month of March living in the Sonoita/Elgin area of southern Arizona. This is high grasslands country; lots of cattle, no saguaros. My goal was to do a plein air painting every day. Such grueling work; one pastel painting every day, out in the warm winter sun, under a blue sky, take the dogs for a walk and then it was pretty much Margarita time.

The first few days I realized my Northeastern Pennsylvania palette was too dark and deep for the high key colors in front of me. A quick trip to the art supply store in Tucson and I was set to go with a full range of pastels much lighter in value than I would normally use here. I worked on various papers; Wallis, Art Spectrum and Sabertooth, tinted and white.

For now, I've framed 15 of them and they will be the "hot" part of my upcoming show here at my studio in Montrose; recent landscape paintings; hot and cold - June 29 through July 8.

Paint-out days are July 2 through 8, 10-6. Come and bring your art supplies. Paint out in the garden with me or your friends. Free. Fun. 570-278-2479