Black Mesa in the Fall
November 6th, 2008This is a great place to paint at every turn. The rabbitbrush in the foreground turns gold in the fall and is as close to leaves as the High Desert in Arizona will get.
Towering Black Mesa
October 1st, 20088X10 oil plein-air
Black Mesa is overwhelming in size and has a repeating shape which is compelling to paint.
Rough Rock Canyon
October 1st, 2008
In September the sun is intense with a cool breeze. This is one of my favorite places to paint.
Rough Rock Corral
October 1st, 2008
8X10 oil plein air
This was painted in the morning and the shadow had subtle colors that were fascinating.
This painting will be going to the “Paint the Aspens” show in Pinetop, AZ at the Joyous Lake Gallery.
Black Mesa#3
September 24th, 2008
Trading Post/Old Corral
August 14th, 2008I’m excited about all of the landscapes to paint. This caught my eye right away. It is part of the old Trading Post at Rough Rock. This corral, not used anymore was probably an old corral used for sheep at the Post. Great shadow and light on these rocks.
Black Mesa #2
August 5th, 2008
Black Mesa #1 Rough Rock hidden jewel
August 5th, 2008My first painting in a new area, called Rough Rock, a very beautiful area. This black mesa is a very remote part of the reservation. Not really known about and almost as remote as Pinon. This mesa has to be the size of a state back East, maybe Mass. I’m only guessing, but it would take a jeep to travel up the mesa and explore. There is so much to paint here and the light changes every day so I plan on doing a series of these paintings. There is even an old trading post here which are hard to find these days. I’m not sure you can even find this on a map. Maybe look in a topography map.
Looking and Listening
January 29th, 2008
Last fall I did a plein air of Joe on Isleta, his oldest but favorite horse. I seemed to capture something as Joe’s head was turned and he was looking at something. The sun was setting and the orange glow was incredible. I took lots of pictures, so together with the pictures and the plein air sketch, I did this painting today. Today was the fourth day of painting straight because the snow and mud was so deep, that my car did not move. So I put being stranded to use and painted like crazy.