Blue Bottle

6" x 8" - oil on canvas panel

Just a couple of bottles I keep in my bathroom.

Poudre Valley

8" x 10" - oil on masonite

I painted this a week ago Sunday while testing out my pochade box. It was a beautiful day; mostly sunny with a few rain showers. The weather was a good test of my box because the rain gave me an opportunity to see how quickly I could pack up my supplies. About halfway through the painting I felt the first few drops and started to break camp. It took roughly 5 minutes to pack everything away. I was moving at a reasonable pace and am happy with the time. After waiting out the storm, I was able to finish the study an hour later.

Pochade Test Drive

After working on the box for two Saturdays, we finally have a functional box. Yesterday, we headed out to give it a test. My husband chose a spot along the Poudre River, west of Ft. Collins, CO. Here is a picture of my set-up. Pictured with the box is my husband (fishing in the upper left corner) and one of my dogs (Finley). The test went well. I will make a few minor modifications, but overall I like our design. I was able to pack all my gear into one backpack, leaving my arms free. The total weight of the full backpack, including water for myself and my dogs, 6 Masonite panels, and camera, was 27 pounds. It was definitely manageable and I know I can reduce the weight further (no need to bring 6 panels).

Montana Meadow

9" x 12" - oil on canvas panel

Another study that I painted in Montana. Black Tail Deer Creek runs along the right side of this meadow and my husband fished that creek for several hours. The grasses were knee-high and were still displaying the fresh color of spring. A large variety of wildflowers were blooming throughout the meadow. I remember that the sky was quite hazy because of smoke drifting up from forest fires to the south.

Yellowstone River

7" x 9" - oil on canvas panel

My husband likes to fly-fish. More accurately, he loves, loves, loves to fly-fish. Although I don't share his love of fishing, I do appreciate the opportunity to paint outdoors. While my husband spends hours flogging the river, I set up camp and paint. Plein-air painting has allowed each of us to do something that we enjoy and still spend time together.

I painted this study in Montana last July. My husband and his father were fishing just upstream along the bank of the Yellowstone River. I have enlarged this study and today I varnished the finished painting.

Also, if you are at all interested in fly-fishing or breakfast burritos then please visit my husband's blog. He is great story-teller and is going to talk about all things related to fly-fishing. Enjoy!

Grand County

oil on canvas - sold

Spent a good portion of yesterday and today getting ready for a plein-air painting trip to Winter Park, CO in Grand county. I prepared boards and, with the help of my husband, started making a pochade box. This year I am hoping to fit all my supplies into one backpack; making it easier to travel further down the trail. In the past I could only manage a mile or so before my arms gave out from carrying my french easel.

Getting Started

Where does time go and how am I spending it? How is my art progressing? These are questions that I am constantly asking myself. So, this is my attempt to document part of my daily life and my artistic journey. I hope to look back at this blog and perhaps, if just a bit, answer these questions.