Colorado River Shores

Colorado River Shores - 5x7 - Oil on Linen Panel

This little scene comes to you via Google Streetview! I loved the variety of colors in the big shadow on the rocks, even though it's sandstone it reminded me of the basalt formations we have here in the Inland Northwest.

Valley Wall

Valley Wall - 5x7 - Oil on Linen Panel

Click Here to Bid

I was really drawn to the warmth of the distant shadows in this scene! And of course I'm always partial to oceans of sagebrush.

Hart Point Shadows

Hart Point Shadows - Oil on Canvas Panel - 6x8

Click Here to Bid

Doesn't that just warm you up seeing that southwest light? I was out painting en plein air today and the wind chill brought the temperature down to 7 degrees! So this whole virtual southwestern roadtrip is really making me happy. I just keep telling myself it will be wildflower season here soon enough!

Cove of Caves

Cove of Caves - 5x7 - Oil on Linen Panel

Click to Bid

Another from Arches National Park! Courtesy of Google Maps Streetview, of course.

Shadow of a Monument

Shadow of a Monument - 5x7 - Oil on Linen Panel

Click  to Bid

I wanted to get out on the road this weekend, but a cold took all the wind out of my sails. Instead I decided to go on a virtual road trip through Arches National Park in Utah! I'd definitely like to visit this place in person, because of its beauty and also because it's the primary setting for one of my favorite books, "Desert Solitaire" by Edward Abbey.

Along 89 II

Along 89 II - Oil on Panel - 2.5 x 3.5

Click to Bid

I can't seem to get away from clouds lately, their colors, shape and texture is endlessly fascinating to me! These clouds are from the Utah desert along HWY 89, but lately we've been getting some great ones with our annual springtime windstorms here in eastern Washington State.

OK, I wasn't kidding when I said last time that these tiny ACEO sized paintings look great in mini easels. Here's a shot of this painting in an easel that I rubbed with a craft store gold-leaf wax:

I love this as a little accent for a bookshelf, or for brightening up my work desk! 

Under a Southwest Sky III

Under a Southwest Sky III - 6x6 -  Oil on Panel

Sold

Wow. I swear it's impossible to take a bad picture on the way from Page, Arizona, to Zion NP along Highway 89! Which of course makes it easier to paint the area. Until I started painting I never noticed just how much variety of color there is in clouds. As they get closer to the horizon they turn progressively from gold to pinkish; when that was combined with the expansive views of the southwest I couldn't resist painting this scene!

Under a Southwest Sky I

Under a Southwest Sky I - 6x6 - Oil

Sold

What? Still paintings from the southwest? I have no shortage of reference materials from this trip, for the first time ever I filled an 8gb memory card, plus some! This scene, along with the next couple, are from Hwy 89 heading north out of Page, Arizona. Simply stunning country!

Utah, 65mph

Utah, 65mph - 6x6 - Oil on Panel

Click Here to Purchase

A little bit more abstract this time! I wanted to really capture the movement as we drove through the hills, I think the orange underpainting added a lot of energy to the painting!

Pahvant Dusk - Utah Landscape Painting

Pahvant Dusk - 5x7 - Oil on Panel

Sold

The fading light was simply fantastic along our drive from Phoenix, Arizona, to Salt Lake City, Utah. The intricate pattern in the mountain ranges were highlighted by the glowing sunset, I was wishing we could stop so I could do plein air work! Between our tight itinerary and the freezing temperatures, though, that was NOT about to happen! The photos bring back the vivid memories of this gorgeous drive, and that beats painting in the snow in my book.

Snow and Sage, Utah

Snow and Sage,  Utah - 6x6 - Oil on Panel

Sold

I'm very excited to finally start working from the amazing photographs I took while driving through Arizona and Utah. Not that my photography skills are anything to brag about, but driving through that scenery, it's hard NOT to take a good picture!

We were rolling north along Highway 15, the sun was creeping down and casting the most beautiful light on what I believe, in checking maps after the fact, was the Pahvant Range. We had a great view of them, I only wish the sunlight had lasted long enough to get a view of the Wasatch. Maybe next time?