July 10th

July 10th

After painting the tumbling weathered wood yesterday at Independence Mine,

today was time to get back to the river.  

I was happy to see the survey crew back at it today.  

On a somewhat rainy, windy day, there wasn't all that much traffic on the road.  

I really do enjoy people stopping and passing by, especially when there has been a bear spotted in nearby areas.  The rushing sound of the river is a beautiful roar, but I don't want it to drown out the roar (or quietly approaching) wildlife!

Thanks for the photo surveyor!

  

Oh and I failed to mention that my 30 day challenge has become even more 

challenging with a broken leg.  Hope he can make it another 20!

I was only at the river for an hour.  A quick block in, covering the canvas.

A bit bright in places, but that will change.  

Let's just call these under colors.  I was actually pretty happy with just an hour.

I might have time to fix a little dinner tonight!

Back home in the warmth and dryness of my studio,

I added another 1/2 hour to 45 minutes and

am ready to call it complete.

(At least as far as this project goes!)

Another thing I am learning about during this 30 day challenge is that I'm not hanging on to each piece for too long.   Some are definitely done. Others, I would love to put a little more time into, but, alas :) there is another to start tomorrow.

The Rock

I am pretty happy with this one but I just might have to go back and add a little splash,

softening the line at the bottom of the big rock.

July 9

July 9th

Independence Mine.

I just have to say, what was I thinking!

Although this historic site is sliding off the mountain side it is still a great place to visit.  

It's amazing to think about the men (primarily) who followed this mountain pass before there was a road.  They set up their stakes and began mining.  

GOLD!  

That would keep a person interested and tolerate a lot.

It was early 1900's when prospectors gleaned the land and was 

permanently closed in 1951.  The State of Alaska has done a fantastic job 

keeping some of the buildings open and renovated so that we can walk through and see what it was like to live and work in an Alaska mining camp.

So, why did I say...

"what was I thinking?!"

Picture weathered wooden boards, shale, dirt and green all sliding down a mountain

seemingly dangling from an old wooden rail trestle.

Now think about painting that!

HA!

Well, there's always a lesson to be learned and on July 9th at Independence Mine,

the lesson was about simplifying.

Definitely a more difficult subject matter but this whole challenge

is about practice, persistence and growth.  

Once upon a time at

Independence Mine

10x8

July 8th

Day 8 at Hatcher Pass was... let's just say "blissful".

Why?  Well that's because fellow artist Pat Bliss joined me.

She heard about my daily plein air work and wanted to tag along for a day.

It was a beautiful day and the lower part of Hatcher's Recreation site had not reached sunshine yet but the Little Susitna River was beautiful.

We meandered up, up and up past Summit Lake (yesterday's painting location) 

and down, down, down the other side.  

As the light gray, billowy sky turned darker and more intense,

we decided to travel back to the river.  

By the time we made it there, the sun was shining brilliantly.

The river was blissful... Thanks Pat!

Panorama shots are not always the best but I had to share this one.

Wild Geraniums

How impressed I am with the many bikers pedaling up this pass!  And don't you know... 

Along comes Tosha.  When she's not biking or working, she's learning to fly helicopters!

You Go Girl!!

In progress, lost in the sound of the rushing water, 

but checking often for that bear that was spotted guarding his meal of moose meat.

Although the bear at Hatcher's 

had a mighty fine meal

of organic moose meat,

these three moose, 

(mama and young twins) 

were safe and protected 

right by my house.

Spotted them as I pulled in my driveway.

Happy :)

Oh, and before I forget,

finished plein air.

July 8th

Rush Hour

10 x 8

July 7

July 7th was a perfect day for my 

30 Day Hatcher Pass Challenge.

My good friend Laurie and her sweet friend Lacy joined me.

They hiked the hills while I painted them.

The locals all know the meaning of  "Is the road open yet?".

There is a dirt road that takes you from Independence Mine area of Hatcher's and 

comes out on the Parks Hwy in Willow.  

It's a long and gorgeous dirt road and we know that when it opens, it truly is summer.

I believe it was July 3rd this year.

A couple of miles in, there is a fresh, cold, and reflective lake.  Meandering off this lake is a bubbling stream that makes it's way down forming a song of travel.  

Today, July 7th, this was my spot.

It is truly a sweet spot.

Although I haven't been thrilled with every piece I've painted this month, 

I have been quite content with my starts.

And you know what they say, "practice makes perfect" 

and that is exactly what this 30 day challenge is about.  

Practice.

I just really love the loosely drawn lines and hints of darkness

paired with the distant subtle colors of the atmosphere.

(for those who care, note the BAPA shirt and Handipants :)

Days like this just continue to get better and better.

Is there such thing as a plein air bomber?  I think so!

Where there is snow, there are snowballs... as it should be.

And the photo bomber shows his face.

And not a bad face at that New Jersey man :)

Just as the wind brought chill and the clouds brought rain, 

it was time to pack up July 7th.

I've decided there's still a little softening and simplifying to do, but will be done soon.

Until tomorrow.....

July 6th

"Until the Rain Came"

After spending a good part of the afternoon slicing up and packaging 

homemade salmon lox my plan was to just head to the river.   

It was a heavy rain day in the valley so I figured I wouldn't go to high.  

But! As I started my drive up I saw the clouds begin to break.  The mountains of

Hatcher Pass became the stage once again for the dance of the lingering clouds.

I believe I'm becoming a big fan of painting in the clouds.

So yesterday was 74 degrees and I was in shorts and a tank top! 

Today however, was 20 degrees colder and 2 layers of wool and long johns were in order.

Oh, and keeping the hands warm is always top priority, thanks to my good friend Terry, 

I was painting in spectacular fashion.

Tighty Whitey Handerpants!



I found my spot and set up not far from my hatchback.
The sky was cloudy but the air was dry, at least at the start.
I am learning that I'm happy with my starts but am still working on getting the best saturation.  I really love seeing atmosphere in a painting but I also love color.
Looking for balance.

I was able to get most of the scene blocked in before the clouds quickly crept back in.  

I had the image still fresh in mind of the mountains in the 

distance retreating like soldiers into the mist.

Then the rain came.  

Under the hatch of my car wasn't enough for very long 

so the painting came home to add a few finishing strokes.  

I had about 35 minutes on site for this one but am happy with the final.

It feels like a rainy day, and it was.

Fun though!

Until the Rain Came
8 x 16

Love to hear your thoughts!

July 5th

Another sunny day in Alaska!

It was hot and 77 degrees here, but once again, up in the pass, 

the large lumbering clouds that float without reason passed slowly by 

watching the many people hiking, photographing and even painting (me!) 

They dappled sunlight and then shade making for beautiful but ever changing patterns of light.

I found my way all the way to Independence Mine today where 

I've been mesmerized in the past by the tall chimney of this, 

(what I believe to be) a private residence.  

I love the way the tall geometric shape shoots directly up between the peaks.  

The clouds billowing above grace the land and blue sky.

Although I might add a few strokes of color and light when I return home,

my goal is to keep them as plein air pieces and move quickly on to the next.

It is a time of learning and discovering.

Into the Sky

11x14

Independence Day! Fourth of July!

What better day to paint Independence Mine 

than Independence Day!!

And with friends.  First timers at that :)

I really enjoyed painting the distant mountains in this one.

There are many buildings on site but on the 

Fourth of July it was such a busy place!  

With three of us painting, this little spot and this little cabin,

was the perfect spot.  

I must say, during this challenge, 

I am learning a lot about

creating distance and variations in green.

Happy Independence Day!

July 3rd

Some days this will be easier than others.

Today was one of those days that wasn't.

Today, I truly felt the challenge.

It was an all day event in Anchorage to get back to the valley by 5pm,

and an event to be at by 8.

But these are just the kinds of challenge that make me go..."Oh ya", 

when others might say "not gonna happen" gives me the drive to say "yes it will"

The most challenging part of this painting is that it was painted with a heavy heart.

Enough said on that for now.

This whole 30 day challenge is more than just painting,

it's sharing my good and my not so good paintings,

it's sharing where my heart and energy is each day,

it's cataloging the journey of an artist.

Not just the painter, but the whole person.

With that...

I was happier with my start than I was with my finish.

I like the muted color and the light on the distant hill.

I made the mistake of chasing after the changing light. 

My colors became over saturated and what drew me 

into the scene became the obstacle.  I liked the little

tree in the foreground with light speckled leaves.

Unfortunately, I hurried through and missed my poetry.

Another day of learning. 

Thanks for looking!

Fresh Summer Snow

JULY 2nd   Gold Chord Lake

The second day of July at Hatcher Pass included a wonderful hike up to Gold Chord Lake with Ken.

Large billowy clouds made for sun and shade.  A great thing while climbing and hiking but certainly a challenge for a painter.  "Oh how I love that lit green on the hillside!"... and then it's gone.  

Almost there :)

Up on that ridge is where we want to be.

Even this high on a mountain side in Alaska you might run into a little boy in a sombrero!

And I must apologize for the many photos of me.  

With Ken there with a camera and the scenery so beautiful,

 Gold Chord Lake is just to pretty to not share.

I'm happy with my start, looking where the lake turns into a stream 

and trickles it's way down the mountainside.  

July 2nd   Gold Chord Lake

A beautiful day for a quick sketch on a mountain.

Fresh summer snow.

10x10

Oil on linen

Challenges

July 1st, 2014

 Painting at Hatcher Pass today presented problems and intrigue.

As I drove up the pass today the lower river sky was cloudy but climbing to find the poetry of the day brought me near to the top, or at least to Independence Mine.

Mountains shrouded in clouds, transforming and giving glimpses of themselves in constant movement seems to be my scenery of choice lately as it was today.  

It was a tough choice deciding between the Independence Mine building encased in a living gray air mass or the little stream being fed from the melting and fresh snow this July First.   As the distant mountain appeared and disappeared, 

still feeding this trail of water, the decision was made.  

After all, this is only the first day of the month, 30 more to come.  

First there is a mountain and the mountain is..

As it was, I must believe it still is.

And finished.  Plein air in the rain at Hatcher Pass.

8x8

July 1st