Intimate Places

Equestrian Nobility

2012-01-07T09:19:00.000-08:00

"A Warming Chestnut" - 9" x 12" - oil on canvas
"Grazing" - 10" x 8" - oil on canvas Copyright 2012, Jake Gaedtke

Landscapes have been my priamary genre of subject matter for many years. To be sure, I love the landscape and it is my favorite subject to paint, however, I have always considered myself an artist where any subject is game for my canvas. Whatever catches my heart and my eye. I love painting horses and I continue to study and paint them when given the opportunity. I am not a full-fledged equestrian, but I do love the sensuality and forms of horses. Their character and beauty continue to raise my passion for painting and drawing them. The more I paint them the more I want to learn about them and broaden my knowledge. I learned to ride when I was a very young man and always surrounded myself with horses throughout my life. These paintings were recently done for the 2012 Western Stock Show held in Denver. I was invited to show some of my work for the Stock Show Club which is a private show and, unfortunately, not open to the public. I still considered it an honor and an opportunity to show some of my equestrian passion to those who know the horse. I do plan on doing more horse related paintings in the near future.

Heavenly Morning

2011-11-05T09:51:00.000-07:00

"Heavenly Morning" 18" x 24" Oil on canvas

This scene is from a location in Pagosa Springs while I was there for the Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters National Show. The river is the East Fork River that snaked it's way through a canyon and then came out into this open area. I came on this scene around 6:30 in the morning. The clouds were low and just starting to disolve as the warmth of the morning sun increased. The glow of the mountain was peaking through those clouds displaying the start of a new day as the sun's light bathed the mountain. The experience was just a split moment in time and like most stagering beauty, lasts but a few moments. It was long enough to get off a couple of frames with my camera. I painted a sketch from those photos, and then ended up with this studio painting trying to capture the romance and calm of what looked to me to be Heaven on Earth.

Colors Of Colorado

2011-09-05T08:58:00.000-07:00

"Last Light On Elk River" 24" x 18" Oil on canvas "Last Light On Elk River-Study" 10" x 8" Oil on canvas
Copyright Jake Gaedtke, 2011

The Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters have a new show that just opened this Labor Day weekend at The Steamboat Art Museum in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The name of the show is Colors of Colorado. It is a new kind of plein air show. We asked our members to participate in four separate paint outs in four separate locations throughout Colorado during the four seasons in 2010. Those locations included Ouray in the Winter, Grand Junction in the Spring, Buena Vista in the Summer and Steamboat Springs in the Fall. We asked the participating members to create one studio painting from one of the study paintings they did at one of the paint out locations. The results being this show we call Colors of Colorado where we show the field study plein air painting along side it's studio painting. Members were invited to show two other plein air paintings they did during the paint out as well. As a group we felt it is important for the public to know how we use our plein air paintings as references for our studio paintings. They aren't always an end in itself but a means to an end as well. We used to call them "field studies" before the name plein air became so popular. That's what they are.......studies.......note-taking to be used in the studio.

The painting shown here, I did in Steamboat Springs in the Fall on The Elk River. I love this river. It meanders through all kinds of cottonwood trees and aspen trees. I just finished another painting in the late afternoon when I saw the sunlight hit the cottonwood tree as it was going down. I quickly set up again and worked for about 20 minutes to capture that last bit of light. It was so fleeting, I had to do most of the painting from memory because it was gone in a matter of minutes. But I feel I got it.
The RMPAP are honored that our show is the inaugural exhibit for the newly renovated addition to the Steamboat Art Museum. It's a real funky and exciting space. Our show looks fabulous there. Opening night was very well attended adding a lot of interest to what we do.
I might add that in the main space of the museum is an amazing exhibit of the work of Scott Christenesen. An inspiring show that includes some of his very large work as well as studies and everything in between. The two shows combined makes this a very worthwhile trip to see.
Both shows run through October 15, 2011.

The Power & The Glory

2011-07-03T09:55:00.000-07:00

"The Power & The Glory" Oil on canvas 20" x 30" Copyright, 2011 Jake Gaedtke

This is the studio painting of The Power & The Glory from the study I did that is shown on a previous blog post. This is my first studio painting of a seascape. Norman Maclean's last sentence in his book and the last line to the movie "A River Runs Through It" he writes "I am haunted by waters." That line rings so true in my life and my work. There is something so appealing yet so mysterious about water that haunts me. It can be a small slow running creek, or a roaring thunderous river bringing the melted snow from high atop the mountains down to lower elevations like there is no tomorrow, or a calm ocean with it's waves coming to shore and the sunset glistening the waters like sparkling crystals. As a young boy my family would take our summer vacations to my Grandparents place on the shores of Rice Lake, Wisconsin. Our days were filled with water related activities, especially swimming and fishing. Countless hours of aquatic adventures and exploration kept us occupied. Sometimes I would just sit and watch those waters of the lake and it's rhythmic swaying waves up and down reflecting earth and sky lapping against the boat keeping time with nature. Hypnotic and timeless, the waters put me in a trance of deep thought and wonder. It still does. Water is life and water brings life. Water can take life and destroy the very things we love. The eternal vastness of the ocean and it's ultimate Power of crashing against it's sandy and rocky shores reveals the Glory in it's beauty and majesty.

Late Afternoon On The Colorado

2011-06-07T08:07:00.000-07:00

"Late Afternoon On The Colorado" - 16" x 20"- Oil on canvas Copyright 2011, Jake Gaedtke

This painting is of the Colorado River on a stretch between Hot Sulpher Springs and Kremmling, Colorado. I stopped on my way to Steamboat Springs to get references of this beautiful stretch of river. It's dotted with many fly fisherman who are trying their skills as the river meanders through a gauntlet of the splashing colors of cottonwood trees. Being mid-Autumn the river runs low and slow one can almost walk across it. The contrast of the warms and cools gives a more dynamic feel against the mood of the river's grace. The painting is reminiscent of the Hudson River School artists. Maybe we can start a movement called the Colorado River School.
This painting will be available at the Greeley Stampede Art Show running from June 23rd through July 4.

The Power & The Glory

2011-05-03T22:19:00.000-07:00

"The Power & The Glory" - 9" x 12" - Oil on canvas Copyright 2011 Jake Gaedtke

The sea is a never ceasing force of waves crashing to the shore and going out again. It's meditative cadence mingled with it's mist and salty air transforms my spirit into a blissful state of contentment. The crash and rhythm of breaking waves rolling and pounding into the sand is one of those sounds unlike any other. Like that of an elk's bugle or the rumbling echo of thunder. The foam reminds me of snow floating along the shore. I love painting these senses that only a pounding sea can create. It's power and it's glory!

The Clearing

2011-04-30T07:56:00.000-07:00

"The Clearing" - 22" x 28" - Oil on linen - Copyright 2011 Jake Gaedtke

Sunlight breaks through and shines it's light on a cluster of trees in the middle of a mountain meadow. The threat of an afternoon storm passes but not without the glistening of sunlight glowing on the billowing thunderhead. The smell of freshly fallen rain permeates the atmosphere as it cleans the air and the sounds of Clark's Nuthatcher and Ravens announce the arrival of sunlight.
As I continue to work and meditate on the work I do I realize that my work is, more than anything else, about a sense of place. I often wonder why I don't approach art and painting in a more painterly way. That is, focus on shapes or color and use the subject as the vehicle for the elements in painting. I do see the abstract in nature and that fascinates me, and I search for and include those elements in my painting. But still there is that opportunity to bring to the viewer the emotional and philosophical elements that exists in a specific place that speaks to me in a profound way that motivates my work. Maybe even move people to a point that it has the power to change lives and find a deeper sense of self and our Creator.

Harvest Moonrise

2011-01-17T20:18:00.000-08:00

"Harvest Moonrise" - 8" x 8"- Oil on panel copyright 2011 Jake Gaedtke

Capturing the moon as it's rising can be very difficult. I spent the prior two days coming to this location to see where the moon was going to rise, so I could get the best advantage. I checked on the Internet to see what time the moon was going to rise on that particular day. As the moon was rising, it was already disappearing into the clouds. Wouldn't you know it. The two days I did my reconnaissance, it was perfectly clear and no clouds. But this moonrise was particularly dramatic with those clouds and I loved it. I only had about a 5 minute window to get the moon down on canvas with the color surrounding it. I painted it mostly from memory after the moon went into the clouds. Luckily I had my book light I use for nocturne painting with me. I attached it to my pachade box and was able to finish the painting on location. It was the reflection I was after, though. I believe I got it.

Aspens Ablaze

2011-01-08T08:31:00.000-08:00

"Aspens Ablaze" 16" x 12" Oil on canvas copyright 2011 Jake Gaedtke

This is a small studio painting I recently finished of an aspen grove I came across in Rocky Mountain National Park. The aspens were so tall and the leaves were throwing off all those brilliant Fall colors. Yellows, oranges, ochres were permeating the atmosphere. Contrasted by the blue of the sky and background mountains made the colors even more intense. It was like this inferno of seasonal chroma just exploding everywhere.

One of the challenges I find in painting aspens is trying to get that characteristic of the leaves. Quaking aspen leaves twirl and turn and against the sun they glimmer like jewels. It's like turning a diamond in the light and the glitter shows off the sparkle. The aspen leaves do the same thing and it's so hard to capture that animation. Many artists who paint aspens show just the big shape of the leaves as a whole, and that's okay, but I like the individual leaves as well as the big shape, because to me, it's those leaves that attract me to the aspen tree.

This painting will be exhibited in the upcoming Colorado Governor's Art Show in April.

Art Of The Landscape

2010-10-20T08:23:00.000-07:00

There is a show coming up that I am particiapting in and very excited about. It's called Art of the Landscape at my Denver gallery Arts at Denver. It opens Friday night October 22 from 5 - 8pm. The show includes four of the gallery landscape artists David Mayer, Carol Jenkins, Brenda Hendrix, and myself. There is a variety of styles amongst us making it a very intersting show. I worked hard on it and hope it is well received as anyone would. If you can't make it to the opening, maybe you can stop by sometime during the week and check it out. Many of the paintings I did came from one of my favorite places to paint; Indian Peaks Wilderness Area. This is an area that is so prestine and delicate., and drop dead gorgeous. I think it's prettier than Rocky Mountain National Park on some levels. I certainly hope you enjoy these new works.

"Colorado Country-Indian Peaks"

24" x 24"

Oil on canvas

"Morning Shadows"

18" x 18"

Oil on canvas

Fall Continued

2010-10-20T08:05:00.000-07:00

This has been one of the best Autumn seasons we have here in Colorado in a long time. Because of the warm weather that has been lingering, the season has been extended and the colors have been taking their time leaving (no pun intended). This has given me plenty of time to get out and do some painting and capturing resources for fall paintings to come. It's been absolutely wonderful. I went up to Rocky Mountain National Park a couple of times last week with my good friend JohnTaft to get some painting in. I also spent some time painting in Allenspark and Wild Basin area of RMNP. This is a continuation of my last blog where I described the season and why it is so special. I'm posting a few of the paintings I did during this special season. I have never been that fond of painting aspen trees. I like the cottonwoods because they have so much character to them and they are massive and beautiful trees. Their shapes are varied and are so much fun to paint. This season, I forced myself to really get more aqauinted with the aspen trees and get to know their characteristics and as I did I became more fond of them and found them especially intersting. I have a new found appreciation for the aspen tree.

"Aspen Cluster"

10" x 8"

Oil on cnavas

"Early Morning Aspens"

10" x 8"

Oil on canvas

Painting In Steamboat Springs

2010-10-19T09:01:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I went to Steamboat Springs for a Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters Paint Out we had there. There weren't too many of us who had attended making it an intimate group. I actually stayed in a small little community about 26 miles from Steamboat called Hahn's Peak. It consists of about 100 people or so near Steamboat Lake. The fall colors were absolutely stunning and made for some great fodder for painting. The Elk Creek runs north and south through the area and provides some excellent water scenes. Cottonwoods and Aspens provide much of the color as do the willows and other foliage. I painted with fellow artists Keith Bond and John Taft, both whose work I admire greatly. The three of us stayed in a very cozy homey little cabin during the week and our evenings were filled with anticdotes about other painting trips and the inspiration we derive from our heros and mentors.
Fall is so magical and at times overwhelming. As we approach the termination of the year and nature will soon be asleep in the throws of Winter, what glorious announcements nature makes in bellowing to our senses of sight, sound, and scents. Elk bugling echoes through the mountain side. Is there no greater sound in nature than this? The sound of aspen leaves rustling in the wind sounds like applause giving an ovation to the colors. They seem to sparkle and glow like jewels against the sunlight, until the leaves give themselves up and fall to the groud creating an earthly carpet of oranges, yellows, reds, and ochres. There is a certain scent in the air that is so Autumn. I cannot describe it fully. You have to smell it for yourself, but it's different than Spring or Summer.....it's just Fall. Maybe it's a combination of corn, pumpkin, leaves, and atmosphere. How alluring and how sensual. There is a golden glow that permiates the aspen forests all the way up to the sky that is bathed in a cerulian blue. No doubt the sights of fall are abundant and we can become so overwhelmed we don't know where to begin. As I am out trying to locate a scene to put down on my canvas, my ADD nature comes to full throttle and I don't know what to do first. It's all so beautiful, I want to do it all. I am forced to narrow it down to what inspires me the most and remind myself I can paint again tommorrow. Tommorow will provide more opportunities to bottle this season that is so short lived onto my canvas, so that others may visually sip from the canvas bottle through the long gray winters and continue to remind us what we live for.

"Backlit Riverbank"

8" x 10"

Oil on canvas

The Elk River near Steamboat Springs

"Late Afternoon"

8" x 10"

Oil on canvas

Mountains west of Steamboat Springs

First Light

2010-06-10T20:00:00.000-07:00

This is the interior forest in Indian Peaks Wilderness Area. It's such a pristine place, and in the Spring and Summer it is blanketed with flowers and grass. The run off from Winter's bounty waters the area and soaks the soil allowing an abundence of life. The flowers' scent and cleanliness of the air and it's beauty is intoxicating to all the senses. I go there quite early in the morning so I can witness the early morning light drenching the forest and bathing it to reveal all it's glory. This place is truly heaven on Earth.
"First Light"
11" x 14"
Oil on canvas

Song Of The Sea

2010-05-06T19:44:00.000-07:00

This is my first attempt at a seascape. The scene is in Half Moon Bay, California. The waves are crashing in on the beach. The sun is mostly hidden by the clouds rolling in as it descends into the horizon. A portion of sunlight breaks through a few cloud openings allowing rays to beam down on the water's surface. The harmony of the sunlight, storm, crashing waves, spray of the wind on the waves, and smell of salt permiating the air created the song of the sea. This painting is also a tribute to Dan Fogelberg, titled after the title of one of his songs about the sea. Sailing was his favorite endevour in life. He was one of my favorite singer/songwriters/poet. His ability to touch the heart of a matter whether it be painful, joyous, confusion, or any other emotion or experience we have in life was so well written with such visual poetry, I become a big fan of him and his work. I have aways made it a goal of mine with my work that I hope others can respond to my work the way I do to Dan Fogelberg's work. Ever on!

"Song Of The Sea"

8" x 10"

Oil on canvas

April Showers

2010-04-29T20:18:00.000-07:00

A cool spring morning. The leaves are just starting to show. In the anticipation of their arrival, clouds are ready to release the life giving shower. The snow is all but gone and soon new life, full of color in the blooming flowers are to come. There is still beauty and serenity in these last few days of winter's past. This painting was a demonstration I did for a few students of mine on a beautiful Friday morning. The clouds were gorgeous and their cool colors played well against the warms of the trees. Great Blue Herons were nesting just down the pond from where we were. Even in the what appears to be the most drab of days there is beauty and life.

"April Showers"

8" x 10"

Oil on canvas

One Fine Day

2010-04-19T17:05:00.000-07:00

This is Mill's Lake located in Rocky Mountain National Park. It's such a beautiful destination for a hike and spend an afternoon or an entire day to paint or just hang out. This was one of those paintings that I really enjoyed. Making that sunset come alive actually inspired me. I've been coming to this place for many many years, and each time I come here, it still feels like my first time. Like visiting an old friend, and we pick up where we left off last time we were together. I wonder what it sees throughout the cold winter, and how peaceful the evenings must be after all the tourists are gone and no one is to be seen sans the elk, beaver, chipmunks, nuthatchers, and other denizens of this mountain hideaway.

It has definitely been one fine day.

"One Fine Day"

14" x 18"

Oil on canvas

Dancing With The Stars

2010-04-08T20:58:00.001-07:00

I have another nocturne I would like to share. This is one of my favorites. It will be exhibited in the upcoming 2010 Colorado Governor's Invitational Show. To me this epitomizes my love of nocturnes. The shape of an evergreen silhouetted against the night sky, and the gray blue clouds swirling and traveling along the sky to an unknown destination. The stars glistening in the heavens. The entire composition makes you look up to the evening sky and maybe ponder the stillness and quiet that comes when the rest of the world slumbers. The trees and clouds seemed to dance their way around the stars, hence the title. Couldn't help it, it just came to me, and I had to use it. The Ponderosa Pine seems to stretch it's limbs out like arms giving praise to God for all He has created. I hope you enjoy it.

"Dancing With The Stars"

22" x 22"

Oil on canvas

Crescendo

2009-12-08T07:03:00.000-08:00

This is one of the paintings from my first one-man show that opened at Elk Horn Gallery a few days ago. Elk Horn Gallery is located in Winter Park, Colorado. This painting I call Crescendo. It is the culmination of the body of work I did for this show. It was last painting I did and I felt like I had a reached a crescendo as the work was coming to the final painting. Deeper is the sign of hope. Through the ravage storms that we face there is a sunshine glimmering through, and the promise of the peace and joy that can lie within no matter how turbulant the storms may be.

"Crescendo"

12" x 16"

Oil on canvas

Nocturnes

2009-07-23T20:08:00.000-07:00

The beauty of night has always intrigued me as far back as I can remember. I have always been a nocturnal person and find most of my creative energy and ideas come to me in the late evening hours when everything is hushed. The nocturne paintings of Frank Tenny Johnson and Frederick Remington have fascinated me and I study them continuously.

Painting nocturnes is one of my favorite subjects, especially painting them on location. During full moon and with the help of good weather, clear skies, and calm winds I venture out into the evening and head up to Rocky Mountain National Park. It can be a bit daunting being up there all alone at one or two in the morning, but that's part of the adventure and atmosphere I am trying to capture in the mystery and unknown the evening hours provide. I use a small book light that transmits a cool light, and I attach it to my easel which to see my pallet and my panel. I don't always keep it on either. I need to turn it off so I can take in the scene before me in it's natural light. I like painting by the light of the moon when I can and with that I paint almost by instinct. I get just enough information I need to capture that mystery of the dark and luminous moonlit landscape. I really never know what I end up with until I get home and see the painting in the light of day. It surprises me how very close I get to the accuracy of the colors and light.

There is something about the beauty of a lodgepole pine silhouetted against the evening sky with stars dancing round it; or the contrast of a snowfield blanketed on a mountainside describing the shape of the crags and illuminating it's majesty; or the moon reflecting off a mountain lake interrupted by the wake of marauding beavers swimming only a few yards away. It can be intoxicating to me at times. I most enjoy feeling so alive when most of the population are tucked cozy in their sleep.

These are a few of my studies I did during the July full moon. Perfect conditions and memorable experiences.

"Moon Shadow" 8 x 10

"Moonlight Serenade " (Sprague Lake) 8 x 10

Seasons Greeting

2009-06-02T15:19:00.000-07:00

I found this beaver pond tucked away off from the main trail going up to Storm Pass in Rocky Mountain National Park. I came across this large snowbank melting into the pond. Dappled light from the shade was creating a fantastic light pattern on the white snow. I couldn't resist getting this down on canvas. One of the main elements of painting I was taught that makes for intersting paintings is "transition". The more transitions in your painting the more intersting it becomes. Near to far. Large to small. Warm to cool. Hard to soft. Winter to Spring. So on and so on. Just as our lives are in constant transition from day to day and season to season as we learn and grow and change, so nature is in a constant state of transitions. Here the snow melts into the beaver pond supplying it's water, and the last bit of snow that remains in the cool dark shadow is greeted by the warm grass glistening in the sun as the transition from winter to spring continues. The cold of winter gives way to the warmth of spring and the warm summer days ahead.

I love painting off trail. There is always so many intersting things to discover that the average hiker is missing out on. Plus, I am not bothered by passing hikers as I am painting. I don't mind the onlookers, mind you. I just need to focus when I paint, with as few distractions as possible. Also, the serenity of being alone with other living things surrounding me inspires me more than anyone can know.

The photo of the painting didn't turn out as well as I would have liked. It's a little too bright, but I think you get the idea.

"Seasons Greeting" 8 x 10 oil on canvas

Late Winter

2009-03-30T16:23:00.000-07:00

We finally got some decent snow last week. It arrived late, but we'll take it nonetheless. I almost forgot how beautiful snow is. It's been a while since I have seen it. It's like meeting an old friend again. You remember all the great things about it....you also remember a few of the not-so-good things as well. Snow is one of my favorite subjects to paint. It is so filled with so many colors and it can create a variety of moods.....from sullen and melancholy to bright and exuberant. I was able to get out and get at least one painting in before it all melted, though. Trouble with Spring snow...... it melts fast and one must play carpe diem before it vanishes before our eyes. This is a scene I painted from some ponds on an open space not far from where I live. I brought the foothills a little closer to give a feeling of intimacy. The warm colors of the willows against the cools of the mountains made for an interesting and soothing relationship. Most of all was the reflection of the snow banks on the water. They were so soft and absolutely gorgeous. It stopped me in my tracks, and there you have it.

"Late Winter" 9 x 12 field study oil on canvas

Greater Than Us

2009-03-19T20:49:00.000-07:00

Nature, in all of God's creation, can bring us to such humility. With all our pragmatic and calculating minds, and with all the man-made towers and bridges, transportation, and technical advances that makes us feel so mighty, we need only to look around us and see how much greater is that that surrounds us. Not that we should feel insignificant, because of all of God's creation, we are His masterpiece. There lies the rub.......the responsibility to use His wisdom that has been planted within us to care for and transcend the easy road, to a higher calling. This is one of my more spiritual paintings that reflects God's mighty and gentle beauty and perfectness. This scene is located just outside the humble mountain hamlet of Allenspark, Colorado. It's a very quaint and rustic location where Heaven and Earth meet.

"Greater Than Us" 32" x 26" Oil on canvas

Mill's Lake

2009-03-15T19:22:00.000-07:00

"Mills Lake" 28" x 22" oil on canvas copyright 2010 Jake Gaedtke
One of my favorite lakes located in Rocky Mountain National Park is Mill's Lake. It's a good solid hour long hike. Sometimes longer, depending on the weather and season. It's one of the larger lakes in the Park. It is so pristine and with the backdrop of the cathedral-like mountains that surround it, it is simply spectacular. I make it up there at least a couple times a year. It's a place where I can paint and be alone and absorb all that's there. It's a popular destination for the average tourist, so I see quite a few people up there in the summer from all over the world. The one thing that strikes me is how universal this creation effects everyone the same way. Like music, we can all understand this beauty that is beyond us, no matter where we are from or what our life's experience may be. If you have the oportunity to witness this miracle........if you can experience the handiwork of God in this place first hand and not come away from it changed, or at the very least humbled, you have no soul. I recently made an attempt to express the reason I go to this place so often on canvas. It is a painting I intend to put in the upcoming Colorado Governor's Art Show. Like many artists, I am never completely satisfied with my work, and this one is no exception. I know it may be a "postcard" type scene of a magnificent place, but I really don't know how else to describe it. Besides what's wrong with telling the truth? It is a picture-postcard place.

Sunrise

2009-02-28T18:41:00.000-08:00

Most mornings I run the country backroads close to where I live. I like running during that time of morning right before the sun comes up. It's still dark, but the eastern horizon is showing just a glimpse of the start of a new day. There is something quiet and peaceful during that time of day. A time when I can be alone with God and myself. He's the best running partner I could have. As I watch the sun come up over the horizon, I am always amazed at the beauty. Every morning it's like I am seeing it for the first time. It reveals itself in so many ways. No two mornings are ever the same. There is always something different whether it be the clouds, or the wind, or the chilling cold that nips at more than my nose. My favorite mornings are those when it's partly cloudy and the oranges and reds and yellows of the sunrise are trying to peek through those clouds and announce their presence. It is so beautiful that I am always asking myself what am I doing running when I should be out here painting this incredibly beautiful miracle before me. So I imposed an excercise on myself. I decided to try to paint the scene from memory. To remember everything I could about it, but mostly to remember only those things that are important to me. After getting myself showered and cleaned up, I went to my studio and did this small painting of what made the biggest impression on me. To His glory!

"Glorious Sunrise" 6" x 8" oil on canvas panel

Breathe

2009-02-27T18:53:00.000-08:00

Day one of my first blog. Puttin' it out there. The ramblings of a full-time artist and I do some instructing as well.

I live in Colorado. I've lived here for some 30 years. It's a great place to be if you love painting the landscape. There's plenty here to explore and paint. The opportunities I get when I am alone in the wilderness with my canvas and paints and the sound of the raven cawing and a trout jumping for a bite breaks the silence of the wind echoing through the mountain terrain. It is heaven on earth. The senses are full. Sometimes even on overload. Everything is absorbed. The sun blazing on the back of my neck. The piney smell of juniper trees. The taste of the sweet atmosphere rising from the cool luscious lake. The beauty in every glance. The sound of birds chattering and singing from their tree-top perch. Get that down on canvas. Channel it all through the brush. Share it for all to enjoy and experience.

"Traffic Jam" 12" x 16" oil on canvas