April Showers

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

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

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