"Pace Bend, Giles Cove" 14x11 Oil

Yesterday afternoon I had gone out to the lake :

Photo of my studio:

"Cacti" 12x9 Oil

"Golden Field" 12x9

"Desert Dagger" 12x9 Oil

"The Chimneys" 14x11 Oil

"Mule Ears Peaks" 14x11 Oil

East side of Mule Ears Peaks in Big Bend National Park. You can read a bit more about my journey in the previous blog post.

Big Bend Painting trip, Early summer 2013

Well, I went to the Chihuahuan desert for several days to paint a few scenes in Big Bend National Park. Each day I'd hike mid-day(around 12-1pm)  in order to set up and paint the landscape by late afternoon/early evening. Sometimes this involved hiking several miles to points of interest, while on the hike out I'd seek desert springs to refill my water and take a break from the 100+ temperatures.
In the end I created these paintings from some areas of Big Bend that caught my eye:

As I'd drive on the highway near a little desert town called Terlingua I'd see a famous landmark,
Mule Ears Peaks, as an interesting, light blue shape in the far distance.

I'd see it from the west face, but I wanted to hike the east side of it, while the sun was casting the shadow of the peaks. So, the day before I planned the venture.

Here is a photo my easel setup(I use an Open Box M) while I was painting the east side of Mule Ears Peaks. The solitude during the whole journey was pleasant.

On another day I went to paint a ridge of distinct rock outcroppings called The Chimneys:

Here is a view of Burro Mesa Trail, which was dotted with these huge dagger-like plants:

Here is quite a view of the Rio Grande and far into Mexico. I had tried to paint a scene from way up high but it didn't turn out so great. There are so many great views from River Road but I felt a bit uneasy painting so close to the border, but hopefully another time I will try again.

"Terlingua Home" 12x9 Oil

Terlingua,TX used to be a mining town but now it's a peaceful stay near Big Bend. Desert foregrounds, are an opportunity for me to apply tonal washes of paint, which help to set the color harmony for the overall painting.

"Towards Elephant Tusk Mountain" 14x11 Oil

Here is a view of Elephant Tusk Mountain in the distance, with the Lost Mine peaks in the mid ground  One day I hope to hike out further into the back country in Big Bend .

Cool Waters:Field Study 7x5 oil painting

I've gone back to this place and studied them near the waters edge. I had tried to capture a refreshing moment.  click here to bid

Grazing in the Sun:Field Study 7x5 oil painting

 I came across one of these, longhorns I think, while I was exploring the hill country not too far from Johnson City,TX. I was attracted to the warmth reflected up and into the shadow of its massive form. Maybe I will see him again sometime soon.
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"Blues of Spring" 14x11 Oil

Tried to tie the blues together:

River Crossing:Field Study 7x5 oil painting

 I had stumbled upon a heard of around 15 of these little guys, grazing on cypress trees by the river's edge. I'n the past I'd hear them echoing along the limestone cliff sides I'd explore, but had not seen the full herd till yesterday. I wadded into the current and found a boulder to paint from while one of them crossed the river. I guess all my exploring of the hill country is paying off because I have new ideas to try out. Click Here to Bid

Sunbather:Field Study 7x5 oil painting

I had gone to McKinney Falls this morning and studied this reptile bathing in the light, which was challenging for me because the log it was on slowly rotated in the torrent of the upper falls. So, I did a quick gesture,drawing, and glanced back at the scene for the colors.

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Pedernales River Sunset 7x5 Oil Painting

This vantage point wasn't easy to find, but I'm glad I kept scrambling up the limestone ledges with my gear to try it:

I like seeing barbed wire because it's a sign telling me I've explored all I can and that it's time to go onto the next one.
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Climb Higher

Falls of Bull Creek: Field Study 7x5 oil painting

Went to Bull Creek yesterday evening to study some of the colors:
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"Rio Grande Bend" : Landscape Study 5x7

This was a neat scene atop Santa Elena Canyon, overlooking the Rio Grande:
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Desert Coral 14x11 oil

Here is another painting from Big Bend. I had stopped by the side of the road after some Ocotillos had caught my eye. The Chisos mountains are in the distance, with the famous "Window" in the background.

Oasis Sailing 18x14 Oil

I had finally found a Sail Boat that wasn't docked in a harbor:

"Lakeview" 12x9 Oil

Painted this residence/resort near the Oasis on Lake Travis:

Driscoll Villa 16x12 Oil

Revisited this painting which I had done of the Driscoll Villa architecture at Laguna Gloria.

Cool Inlet:Field Study (5x7)

Sometimes I'll pack up my travel easel and explore a new area, not knowing what to expect, and when I find something pleasing I'll do one of these field studies. Now, I have a bit more info and possibilities of going back to the scene when the sun is where I want it or going indoors(hopefully in the future) to work on a larger piece from these "notes".

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"Balanced Rocks" 12x9" Oil

A little something from last year, out west.

"Castolon and Cactus" 14x11" Oil

Here is one from when I took a trip out to Big Bend last year. I had hiked up by this huge canyon called Santa Elena and explored around to see this view and gave it a shot. The main focus is on the foreground cactus but I did a gesture of Castolon peak in the distance.

"Pace Bend Cactus" 14x11" Oil

I had waited till the late afternoon light bathed the main cactus in a warm glow.

"Lakeside Trees" 14x11" Oil

Went out to Pace Bend park for an afternoon:

"Stairway to Solitude" 14x11" Oil

I was frustrated this morning because I felt as if I'm dependent on the changing colors outdoors. While I"m often motivated by the colors seen outside, I want to also tell a story. Tried to do both:

in the field

"Oak 14x11" Oil

I know one of my weaknesses is in drawing while I think my strength is in color. Perhaps this is because I've mostly painted outside, trying to get the big picture down and chase the fading light. Outside has always been a more pleasing environment for me. Maybe one day I'll have my own studio so I can focus inside on my drawing for a change.

 I've been studying trees lately, trying to learn about their qualities. What sets apart this tree from that? While my past efforts were unsatisfying, I think I'm getting closer to recreating more pleasing forms:

I had started in the morning during a bright, overcast sky in with the sun behind the tree, shining into the clouds the sky was bouncing light around like ground glass and the oak cast its huge canopy onto the ground. Among other things, these huge oak trees are known for their shade.

My instagram photos

River Scene 30x24

trying to compose something pleasing on a larger canvas:

on the easel

practice

Fallen Log 12x9" Oil

Went to McKinney Falls this afternoon and tried to make something out of limestone boulders and fallen logs  among the stagnant waters:

Landscape Painting Plein-Air

Great article about landscape painting and the outdoors by Anthony Watkins

"Every successful artist must possess the courage to meet artistic challenges as well as the ingenuity and determination necessary to carry a work of art to completion. These traits are never more evident than with artists who set up their easels outdoors and paint their landscape pictures right there on the spot. The term plein-air (French for “open air”) refers to paintings that are done on site." (read on)