Yosemite!

"Bridal Veil Falls" 16x12" Pastel

My family and I took a drive out to Yosemite for a much needed Spring Break. We drove from Portland, OR to Mariposa, CA in about 12 hours, and were so glad to be stable in our new Hideaway by 5 pm. I rented us a place through AirBnB and it was delightful and clean, and it accommodated all we needed for rest from our daily outings.  Once we arrived in Mariposa, we gathered food items from the market for snacks and quick morning b-fasts for early starts out to the park. Yosemite was about a 35 minute drive from our Hideaway, and was scenic with bolders getting larger as we approached the Park. Our first day-trek out to Yosemite, we took a longer route that rides circuitously through Oakhurst and wound through the hills and entered up to the Tunnel View. I waisted no time to set up and paint.

This photo does no justice to the depth and breath of this view. It is a must see in real life!

While I thought my family would take this time to hike the trail above the viewing area while I painted, they instead decided to watch people watching me. I thought they were nuts as it's just tourism at it's best, with nearly every language spoken at the rim. I heard what I believed was Japanese, Romanian, and Swedish, but what the best part was when a bunch of fun loving Italians sang a wonderful spirited song right next to me while I painted. Oh, I love this job!

The Valley Below  12x16" Pastel

View of Yosemite Falls, midmorning, upon completing the piece.

Yosemite Falls  12x12" Pastel

Painting at Mirror Lake

Many people are curious and stop to ask about my painting. Some take photos of me, and when they do, I ask if they would please share them with me. It's not always possible to get a good shot of me doing what I love, but this one rocks! The photographer is Carlyn K and we connected through our imagery. You can see her beautiful work HERE.

Mirror Lake  11x14" Pastel

Spring Wear, 10x8, Yosemite, and PAE!

"Spring Wear", 10x8" Oil  Sold

The plein air season has begun here in Oregon; that is, whenever we get an occasional dry day. It's even better if there are blue clouds above, if you can imagine that in Portland. There have been a few days when I've gone out with full intentions to paint and then end up leaving with a camera full of images only to paint in the studio for the day. "Spring Wear", above, is one of those painting days.  The inspiring image was taken from a stroll down the trendy boutique blocks of NW 23rd.

I've been busy as usual, happily readying for upcoming trips, painting a few paintings, entering shows, traveling, and composing my Studio Updates newsletter.  Fortunately for me, my husband is home on sabbatical and that has helped tremendously, allowing me to get quality work done with a lot less rush. We took a trip to Yosemite for Spring Break last week with the kids and I had a couple of opportunities to paint the amazing landscape. The weather was cooperative for late March which allowed us to access most of the park. Imagine breathing the fresh air after a rainfall, seeing wild poppies in bloom, hiking amongst the Giant Redwood trees, walking under a solid vertical piece of granite that measures 10 football fields high, and feeling the mist from giant Yosemite Falls upon your skin. Yes, Yosemite was breathtaking! I highly recommend that every artist go there to paint at least once in a lifetime.  Here are two plein air paintings I painted in the park:

Half Dome", 8x10" Oil

(available through artist, $550)

 "Tunnel View", 8x10"  Oil

(available through artist, $550)

One Happy Camper

Upon my return from Yosemite, I was greeted with an acceptance letter to participate in Plein Air Easton!  Can you say "happy artist dance"? Some artists call it the "Ironman" of plein air events because of grueling hot and humid weather conditions, fierce competition amongst top plein air artists, and oooh sooo lavish parties. I can't wait.  To get an idea of what Plein Air Easton! is all about, click the logo below for the calender of events.

"Summer Lake" 10x8" Pastel

Today I went out with a few other artists to paint in a local park called "Summer Lake".  I have to get my act together for the upcoming Plein Air convention, so I went for a test drive with my pastels, which have been practically abandoned since my introduction to oils. I was wildly surprised that I hadn't lost my mojo with what I was able to accomplish in a little more than 1 hour.  I'd say it was a good day. How was yours?