Here’s to another year of making Art, bring it on in 2022

 

 

 In August I took an epic pack trip to Thousand Island Lake with Faith Rumm and 7 other women artists. We spent 5 days and nights at the base of Banner Peak in the high Sierra mountains. The wild fires this year were ongoing, so we had some smoky conditions.  I enjoyed doing several plein air pastels limiting myself to 63 pastels/colors. 

Wildfire Smoke and Banner Peak

Thousand Island Lake, watercolor 

Banner Peak, 12,942 ft 

HAWAII  

I also spent a week on the Big Island in Hawaii, and was able to do a few small watercolor sketches. This coral tree was growing beautifully right across the street from our rental. The beach never disappoints and we were near a turtle sanctuary. These are postcard sized images. 

     

Honu, Hawaiian green turtles,  were basking in the surf and on the shore.

  

The natural beauty of the area where we live continues to inspire me, and I did several plein air pastels this year. This means they were completed outdoors not the studio, like the impressionists ;-) 

This is the Owens River Gorge, a favorite spot for rock climbing and expert fly fishermen. 

Another fishing spot, on the Middle Owens River in the fall. 

Twin Lakes Bridge, Mammoth Lakes plein air pastel on an outing with my painting group
      

 Lower Rock Creek 

 

Winter  Sage brush 

 

The winter landscape with the muted colors and texture was a fun subject to explore. I hiked over 500 miles on trails near my home last year. I enjoyed exploring nature I encountered: the animals, plants and rock formations. I made some nature journal sketches in my journal to identify and remember the encounters. 

Sky Rock 

One of the hiking highlights was discovering ancient Paiute petroglyphs in the Tablelands above Bishop. It was thrilling to discover and find them in their secret and remote locations. This one is called Sky Rock, and may depict solar lunar and or other constellations. 

Life is good!

Happy & Healthy 2022