What Lies Ahead    12x16    oil on panel

Today was the Tuesday PAAC  paintout and we were at the Audubon Society out near Chatfield State Park. It was supposed to be sunny but a low hanging front pushed through early in the morning. The clouds came in so low they barely cleared the hogbacks and clipped the tops off the foothills. It wasn't too cold but without the sun it felt colder than it was. It is supposed to snow heavily tomorrow and this kinda looked like a glimpse of what is to come, hence the title. I have not done a plein air piece this big before. I decided to do it with a palette knife to prevent too much noodling with details, but as the painting went along I started drawing them in anyway. I wanted the painting to be a lot more vague and simple. Fortunately, I stopped myself from too much detail and I am happy with how the painting came out. This may be another piece I develop into a bigger painting later this winter.



Above Clear Creek Canyon    8x10    oil on panel

This was painted on 10-30-11 at the Mt. Vernon Country Club. The Clear Creek Land Conservancy had their 25th anniversary and the members of PAAC were invited to paint during the celebration. The weather was chilly but the sun was bright and clear. A 6 point deer walked through my scene towards the end of the painting. Thanks to the CCLC for inviting us!