Ponderosa Pines Mini

 

This miniature painting of ponderosa pines is now showing in the gallery at Powell Gardens.  The fountain pen is one of my newest, a TWSBI Diamond, filled with my favorite black ink.  Sadly, my white TWSBI Diamond dropped from my hand into my cushioned mat, bending the nib slightly.  I haven't had time to order a new nib, so I filled this beautiful pen with the ink I use the most.  This pines are a request, so I hope they'll find a new home soon!  Painting number 4700 in 4700 days. 

Ponderosa Pines Sketched

 

There is beauty to capture in ponderosa pines for this Day Camp demo!  It was another "red thunder" day, which means we had to paint from under the covered back porch of the building.  So, I looked to the pines for inspiration.  I talked the group through my process as I worked, sharing the pens I like to use.  There were so many wonderful young artists with fabulous nature sketches by the end of our class! It is so rewarding!  My favorite fun fact about ponderosa pines is that their bark smells low vanilla when you get close to them and inhale deeply!  This scent seems to travel in the air after a rain, as well!  Painting number 4574 in 4574 days. 

Ponderosa Paint Demo

Just when I thought we'd be able to find our perfect composition in the woods, the Day Camp group I was teaching was put under a Red Thunder protocol. This means we had to shelter under the roof on the back porch rather than in the open. So, I sketched two trees which I could see, sharing my process in steps while we worked together.  The class was full of wonderful artists!  It was super fun to see what they each did with in and watercolor, while observing their scene in nature.  I hope they all continue this practice of sketching outside in the future!  Painting number 4567 in 4567 days. 

Ponderosa Pines Sketch

 

I LOVE using pen and ink to capture these ponderosa pines - especially in such a cool, vintage sketchbook!  I found this in an artisan flee market in Arizona several years ago.  I have dedicated the whole thing to pen and ink work exclusively.  These pines are iconic to this part of the Rocky Mountains, so I am immortalizing the ones outside my cabin to this page.  I love the sweet fragrance they emit as I sit on the front porch sketching!  Painting number 4553 in 4553 days. 

Ponderosa Impressions

 

As part of my Artist Residency, I have a couple of "Artist Pop-ups" each week.  During this time, I choose something in my surroundings to paint, as onlookers watch and ask questions.  On this day, a cold rain dictated that we use the covered back porch for shelter.  I talk through my process, discussing what I do as I do it.  It is always fun to visit as I work!  This painting turned out pretty loose and fresh - very impressionistic.  The views are amazing at the YMCA of the Rockies in every direction - in fact, I need much more time here to paint it all!  Love how everyone I meet here is so very friendly, truly a wonderful place to spend some time.  Painting number 4356 in 4356 days.

Morning Light on the Pines

This is day 8 of my Artist Residency, and it is flying by! Four of my children (with their families) have arrived in the last 3 days, so family activities abound!  Dawn is my first painting window - as most sleep later than I do. After a quick one of the morning light on the mountains, I still had time to explore the colors in these pines. Their bark is brilliant with orange and red in the morning light!  Studying those subtle shifts is a pleasure on this gorgeous mountain day! Painting number 4338 in 4338 days, and day 18 of the #stradaeasel challenge. 

Ponderosa Pines

The landscape surrounding our cabin in the woods is full of ponderosa pines - which are gorgeous!  So as my husband and mom went out for breakfast, I set up to take advantage of the view.  Sketching them first with paint to get their forms, I then quickly added the light and shadow before it all changed.  That rich golden color only lasts for a little while.  It is such a treat to REALLY study the colors and forms with paint, trying to do justice to the beauty around me. I LOVED exploring the rich colors of these ponderosa pines in the early morning light, and I'm SO happy this painting sold to someone I met at Antioch Park in Merriam, KS a couple of weeks ago - who happened to be here at the YMCA of the Rockies today! It is truly a small world!  Day 3 of my Artist Residency and day 13 of the #stradaeasel challenge! Painting number 4333 in 4333 days.