Thanksgiving Snows

Painting #1 Haypress Creek – 11 x 14 inches

The painting above is based on our overnight camping in Sierra County with the Sierra Buttes in the background.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving complete with a snow storm, and a power outage. Our family decided to go ahead with our Thanksgiving plans regardless if we had power or not. With the recent planned power shut-offs here in Northern California, this recent outage was a piece of cake. It was fun to be able to see bear prints walking through our property, in fact right by our car. We are bear aware and try to be responsible. We haven’t had a problem yet, well in the last four years at least. Another story for another post.

Painting #2 Another Time – 11 x 14 inches

This one is entirely from my imagination, my favorite way to paint. I try going for a general essence or feeling.

Painting #3 In The Shadow of Thy Wings – 13 x 19 inches

I simply brushed on colors and chased shapes and light. Sometimes this approach takes a while to emerge. Often I have to set it aside in order for my creative vision to capture the direction that a painting wants to go. I have to trust this process which means that I paint blindly. It has taken me a while to understand that this is the best creative avenue for me.

Painting #4 The Secret Place – 13 x 19 inches

I have a fascination with caves, mines, mysterious nooks and crannies within nature. I have been deep in a gold mine several times, as deep as 2200 feet. I have explored the inner workings of the 16 to one mine that my husband worked in. I never felt uncomfortable, hard to explain but I find such places creatively stimulating.

Painting #5 The Light of Thy Countenance – 13 x 19 inches

As I worked on this painting it was as though I was trying to capture wisps of smoke. An illusive searching and at the end, I felt that some expressive brush strokes using transparent white was the last hurrah. I might have already posted this one but wanted to include my thought process while painting it.

Painting #6 Morning Hope 11 x 14 inches

Yes indeed! Glowing light is something that I often chase. I wanted a mysterious feeling with minimal detail.

I will leave you with a photo of my favorite place to hike, Bullards Bar Reservoir. Have a wonderful weekend!

Hello November!

Painting #1 “Healing” 12 x 14 inches

November 8th was the one year anniversary of the Camp Fire in the Paradise area in Butte County. 85 people died and approximately 19,000 homes were destroyed.

I didn’t intend on painting anything to do with the fire but I instinctively reached for hot colors. I painted three paintings that I feel relates to forest fires. This is the first one.

Painting #2 “Everlasting to Everlasting” – Psalm 90:2 11 x 14 inches

I suppose that giving my artwork titles referring to Bible scripture might turn people off but I can’t help when scripture seems to fit or comes to mind. I can’t deny that part of my creative self, let the chips fall, I say!

Painting #3 “Indian Creek” 13 x 19 inches

This one is based on the creek at the campground that my husband and I stayed at on the Mendocino coast. Painted on one of my favorite watercolor papers, Schut Noblesse. The white of the paper is the most brilliant of any paper I have ever used.

The stampmill at the Kentucky Mine Historical Park in Sierra City, California

My husband is retiring the end of this year and his retirement party was held at the Kentucky Mine Historical Park in Sierra City last weekend. He spent 25 years with the US Forest Service in the Minerals Dept.

Photo of my husband’s crew (1990’s era) at the 16 to 1 mine located in Sierra County. It was fun to see this photo at the museum located at the historical park. By the way, the 16 to 1 mine is the longest running mine in California.

Photo of my husband on left and a co-worker and my daughter and her husband.

We camped at Haypress Creek with the view of the Sierra Buttes. The entire campground was open to anyone who wanted to camp after the party, we were the brave souls who did. It was so cold but we had a great time.

Photo looking towards the Sierra Buttes. That glow in the sky is the Buttes. Yes, it was a beautiful morning and this was our view. Until next time, enjoy your November fall!