Plein Air

This will be a longer post than I usually do since I spent the day plein air painting up in the Heber Valley for the upcoming show on Friday eve. This was actually a new experience for me as I usually like the control of my studio but the requirement for the show is they had to be painted plein air and done this week.

I began my day painting a cabin near the headwaters of the Provo River.

Provo River Cabin

8" x 8" acrylic

Across the road was a rise which afforded an expansive view of the Heber Valley.

Heber Valley

8" x 8" acrylic

SOLD

Willows, Snake Creek

8" x 8" acrylic

SOLD

Soldier Hollow

8" x 8" acrylic

SOLD

I was doing fine but did feel a little cautious when I looked around and saw this sign.

On the way back to the village of Midway the roadside had these beautiful wild lupins growing along the fence line.

Roadside

8" x 8" acrylic

SOLD

So, all and all I enjoyed the experience and think this may be a regular event.

The exhibit opens on Friday evening in Midway and runs through Monday July 5.

Meadow Grass

Meadow Grass

8" x 8" acrylic

There is a beautiful open plain as you enter Park City with a wonderful view of the distant mountains and expansive skies.

Passing Thunderstorm

Passing Thunderstorm

8" x 8" acrylic

Late this afternoon there was a beautiful thunderstorm cloud building over the mountains.

Path to the Provo

Path to the Provo

8" x 8" acrylic

I was up in the Heber Valley last week where the path I was hiking on led to the Provo River which is famous around here with the fly fishermen. There are a number of crystal clear small tributaries which meander through these meadows on their way to the river. Even saw a trout:)

Owl's Clover, Red Butte Gardens, Utah

Owl's Clover, Red Butte Gardens, Utah

8"x8", acrylic

Just behind the Red Butte Gardens I came across this patch of Owl's Clover.

The plant is called Escobita in Spanish, which means 'little broom'.

Midway Cottonwoods

Midway Cottonwoods

8" x 8" acrylic

There are lots of cottonwood trees growing along the Provo river in the Heber Valley.

White Pine Canyon

White Pine Canyon

18" x 80" acrylic

Located just outside of Park City is this panoramic scene with aspens and pines.

Red Barn

Red Barn

8" x 10" acrylic on panel

I came across this quaint red barn nestled in oak trees.

SOLD

Sant Ynez Oaks

Santa Ynez Oaks

 8"x10", acrylic on panel

When we lived in Los Olivos, California it was always a beautiful site going up to the hills surrounding the Santa Ynez valley.

Park City Magazine

Ranch Creek

8.5" x 11" Mixed Media

I was honored this week with the release of the Summer issue of the Park City Magazine featuring my painting on the cover. There is this beautiful creek which meanders along the road leading into the village.

Cedar Forest

Cedar Forest

 8"x 10"  acrylic on panel

I really like the cedar forests as you drive to southern Utah.

Santa Barbara Beach

Santa Barbara Beach

 8" x 10" acrylic on professional canvas panel

This is a beautiful shoreline just below Cliff Drive in Santa Barbara.

We enjoyed walking here each morning while staying there.

Last of the Snow

Last of the Snow

 5" x 7"  acrylic

This week saw the last of the snow melt with warm weather coming in.

Prairie Summer

Prairie Summer

 8" x 10"  acrylic on professional canvas panel

Anyone who has driven across the plains can remember the wide open spaces and beautiful clouds.

Liberty Park Greenhouses, Utah

Liberty Park Greenhouses, Utah

 8" x 8" acylic

We biked over to Liberty Park and saw the greenhouses filled with flowers waiting to be planted outside.

Spring Grass - Red Butte Gardens

Spring Grass - Red Butte Gardens

8" x 8" acrylic

Last night was amazing with incredible clouds contrasting with the verdant green hills above the Red Butte Gardens.

Gentle Days of Autumn

Gentle Days of Autumn

 8"x8" acrylic

The aspen trees of the Wasatch mountians seem to glow like amber in the fall.

California Poppies

California Poppies

 8" x 8" acrylic

After a lot of rain this winter the California poppies came out in all their glory this year.

Evening Glow

Evening Glow

 8" x 8" acrylic

There is a wide open expanse of a valley just to the south of here called the Rush Valley. Actually, the Pony Express trail runs across it on its way to California.