Merry Christmas 2018

10" x 8" Oil on Panel

As often as I can, I attend painting and drawing sessions at other artist's studios. A week or so ago, one of the studios had none other than ol' Kris Kringle himself sitting for us to paint! Of course, instead of using charcoal, I had to break out the oil paints. As usual for my portrait oils, I used only four colors, almost a pure "Zorn palette": titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red (instead of vermilion) and ivory black. My little oil study of Santa is shown above.

Saint Nick is a fun subject to paint, and far easier than painting an entire nativity scene on portrait night. Of course the real reason for Christmas is expressed in the following video:

Merry Christmas everybody!

Man Reading a book

12" x 9" Charcoal on Grey Paper

Last Wednesday the model for the portrait session at Howard Lyon's studio brought along a book to read as we drew or painted him. You'd think that would make it easier to draw the subject, but even something as small as the model moving his eyes from one page to the next changes his appearance. That creates a challenge, but you learn to deal with it. The picture above is how I dealt with it.

For more about portrait sessions, go to "Labels" on the side bar and click on "portrait", "sketching" or "drawing".

Portrait Session Drawing

12" x 9" Charcoal Pencil on Gray Paper

This drawing is from last week's portrait session at Howard Lyon's studio. Once again, I relied on one of my favorite mediums, charcoal pencil and toned paper. 

For more about portrait sessions, go to "Labels" on the side bar and click on "portrait", "sketching" or "drawing".

Back to the Portrait Sessions II

12" x 9" Charcoal on Grey Paper

It's about time I started regularly attending weekly portrait sessions again. Last week at Casey Child's studio we had a male model. The drawing I made of him is shown above. I plan on getting back to using oil paints at these sessions, but for now It's charcoal on paper and focusing on drawing. Honestly, I might love drawing even more than I love painting!

For more about portrait sessions, go to "Labels" on the side bar and click on "portrait", "sketching" or "drawing".

Late Autumn Hike 2018

Autumn color is past. The brilliant reds of Rocky Mountain Maples and warm golden glow of aspens have come and gone, always, it seems, in too much of a hurry to go. Grays, ochres and russet tones dominate the landscape in this season.

Of course, any season can be good for hiking in the Wasatch Mountains. Last week I went for a hike in a nearby canyon. The weather that day was very pleasant, a little cool but not really cold. Higher up there was frost on the ground and small patches of snow in parts of the canyon that never see the sun this time of year. The higher peaks are snow capped.

When hiking, I try to always carry a few things I might need with me in a day pack. Things like water, snacks, compass, flashlight, knife, warmer clothes for when the weather turns colder, etc. These days, one of the things I try to always have with me is a camera. The images in this post were all taken during last week's hike.

First Meadow, Left Fork

Up near the top of the canyon the trail forks. Following the right fork, I came over a rise to see two large, dark animals in the path. Two cow moose blocked my way. When I took a couple more steps toward them, the larger moose laid her ears back. That's when I decided it was no longer my path and retreated a few steps. After one more look back at the moose, I decided to hike back the other way, away from the moose!

Moose

In case the above photograph isn't clear enough to easily see the moose, I've added something in the next photo to help point them out to you.

Returning to the fork, I then went up the left trail to a favorite meadow. There I ate some snacks I'd brought with me, drank some water and refilled my water bottle at a spring in the meadow. Wandering around the meadow I found a broken tine from a moose antler. I wondered if it had been broken off in a savage fight between two adult bull moose. 

Broken Moose Antler

A few years ago I was in this same meadow when I heard a loud grunt off to my right. I turned to see a huge bull moose coming off the mountainside and into the meadow. The moose was walking straight towards me! The moose would take a few steps, pause, then move a few steps closer. As He approached, he slowly tilted his head back and forth as if to draw attention to the massive antlers that adorned his head! Not waiting to see if and how the bull moose intended to use that rack, I quickly surrendered the meadow and headed back down the trail walking at a fast pace. 

There were no moose in the meadow when I was there last week, so I took my ease and enjoyed exploring the place. As I wandered around through some aspen trees I discovered some extensive carving on a couple of them. This one stated,

"I WILL CROSS THE GREAT DIVIDE    GARY TAYLOR   1871"

I can't verify the date carved at the bottom, nor do I know anything about the rest of the carved statement, but it was a mildly intriguing find.

A nearby tree had an even more extensive text scrawled into the bark. I'd imagine that any comment that began with the word "Yea" might be important. Unfortunately I couldn't make out what most of it said, so that Wasatch Mountain prophet's message is lost to me. Good luck if you think you can make it out. If you can, let me know in the comments, OK?

These three little figures were carved on the same tree. Maybe they have something to do with the message carved on the tree? 

Mesa Top Juniper

9" x 12" Oil on Panel

This was painted during a recent trip to the the four corners region of southeast Utah. I was driving around the high desert looking for something to paint when I spotted this tree on a mesa top. After deciding to make a painting of it, I parked in a safe spot off the road, grabbed a 9 x 12 pochade box, and headed up through the sagebrush toward the tree.

The Four Corners Region is full of bits and pieces of ancient civilizations. One can pretty much hike into any canyon and find stone ruins high up on cliff faces. Lithic flakes and pottery shards are also common finds. Lots to look at and wonder about, but don't take!

As I approached the tree, I found two little pieces of ancient broken pottery. Farther on I found more shards. Every few steps revealed more and more pottery fragments, including this spot where it seems someone had gathered different kinds of pot shards into one place:

Likely this much ancient detritus wasn't dropped by someone just passing by. I thought there must have been people living here on this mesa top long ago. Looking around for any signs of past settlement, I found an incongruous pile of rocks and dirt. I think this was once a pueblo, now collapsed and overgrown with sagebrush:

What a great view the ancient residents of this pueblo would have had! From the Abajo Mountains to the north to the spires, buttes and mesas to the south, their view of the landscape would have been wide open!

____________________

As for my own dwelling during this trip, I brought one with me. It's a new tent that's roomy and big enough to stand up in:

And I brought a kitchen, too. Made of pine and baltic birch plywood, it was painted with oil primer that was colored with thalo oil colors I no longer wanted in my paintbox:

My Chuck Box.

I bought this Coleman stove in 1982. It was once my backpacking stove but is now a permanent part of my chuck box gear, as I now have lighter options for backpacking stoves. After 36 years it still works great!

Cooking breakfast on my 36 year old Coleman stove.

Autumn Comes to the Valley

11" x 14" Oil on Panel

This is a painting made last week at a ranch west of town. Autumn colors in the mountains came and went in a hurry. Here in the valley however, Fall colors are just beginning to ramp up!

Lady Grey

9" x 12" Charcoal on Grey Paper

My drawing from last Wednesday's live portrait session. This portrait was drawn using charcoal and "charcoal white" pencils. It's fun working on grey paper.

For more about portrait sessions, go to "Labels" on the side bar and click on "portrait", "sketching" or "drawing".

Back to the Portrait Sessions!

12" x 9" Charcoal on Grey Paper

It's probably been since February that I haven't been to the weekly portrait sessions. It's about time I got back to them, so this week I went to both Howard Lyon's class and Casey Child's class. Shown above is the sketch I did at Casey's studio on Thursday, and below is the sketch I made Wednesday at Howard's studio. Both sketches were made with charcoal pencils and "white charcoal" pencil on grey paper.

12" x 9" Charcoal on Grey Paper

For more about portrait sessions, go to "Labels" on the side bar and click on "portrait", "sketching" or "drawing".

Barns, Sheds and Shacks

9" x 12" Oil on Panel

This jumbled collection of ranch buildings beneath a big cottonwood tree has attracted my attention for quite some time. I finally was able to set up my pochade box on a neighboring ranch, from where I was able to paint the scene shown above. The day I visited the ranch no one else was there, but I had the companionship of several head of cattle, a couple horses, a mule, and a bunch of chickens.

It's been difficult to paint en plein aire lately. There's huge wildfires in the mountains not far from here. Often smoke from the fires obscure the mountains, and sometimes makes it hard to see here in the valley. The smoke is unpleasant to eyes and lungs. On this day a change in the wind cleared the air in most of the valley making painting on location possible. 

To date the fires have burned one hundred and thirteen thousand acres. Roads in the area of the fires have been closed and communities near the fires have been evacuated. So far no homes have been lost and hopefully none will. 

A week or two ago I was planning to go up Payson Canyon to the Nebo Loop Road to paint, but most of that is charred now, parts of it still burning. Those plans have also gone up in smoke. For the foreseeable future, I'll be looking elsewhere to paint.

Late Summer Ranch Road

18" x 24" Oil on Panel

The weather's still rather warm, but nights are becoming a little cooler and autumn color is beginning to sneak into the summer greenery. The rancher who owns this property is letting me have access to his ranch for plein air painting. It opens up new places to paint in the valley not far from where I live. On an earlier trip to the ranch I saw this scene and was struck by it, but only had a 9" x 12" pochade box with me. I thought it should be painted larger than that, so I returned earlier this week with a much bigger panel and made the painting shown above. Ranches are great places to paint! I'm looking forward to returning there for more paintings.

Hay Rows on a Ranch West of Town

9" x 12" Oil on Panel

The owner of this ranch has allowed me access to it for plein air painting. That opens a lot of new opportunities for new paintings. Earlier this week I went there with a 9" x 12" pochade box and made the painting shown above. Some of the views on the ranch would work well painted larger than 9" x 12", so I'm planning to go back with bigger panels. Stay tuned!

Hiking and Painting

7" x 5" oil on Panel

All throughout my life I've enjoyed going for hikes into wild country, whether it's forest, desert or mountains. I'm so glad that I live in a place, and my health is good enough, that I can continue to hit the trail for all day excursions. Likewise I've enjoyed drawing for probably my whole life, and am so happy I've been able to develop that into painting. It's wonderful that people enjoy my work and are willing to purchase my paintings from galleries and shows.

For a long time I've wanted to combine those two interests, hiking and painting, but usually find myself doing one or the other, not both at the same time. Much of the plein air painting equipment I've built for myself is sturdy but light, and easily carried. However, the vast majority of my plein air paintings are done either close to my car, or only a quarter mile to a mile away from the car.

Last Saturday I finally put the two things, hiking and painting, together when I took my little 5" x 7" pochade box on a hike up a canyon in the Wasatch Mountains.The hike started in the early afternoon at the mouth of the canyon. A few miles and a few thousand feet in gained elevation later, I finally decided on a spot to set up and paint. Though the day had begun with clear blue skies, by the time I'd reached the upper part of the canyon a general overcast had moved in. Grey skies dulled the mountain vistas I had hoped to paint, so instead I chose a small stand of aspen trees near the edge of a meadow. The little oil study didn't take very long, and was finished around sunset. My hike back down the canyon to the trail head was made after dark. The little oil study from that day can be seen at the beginning of this post.

Utah County Plein Air Art Show

16" x 20" Oil on Panel

This Friday, August 3rd, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM, is the opening for the Utah County Plein Air Art Show, sponsored by the Utah County Arts Board. The exhibit will be at the Utah County Health and Justice Building, 151 South University Ave, Provo, Utah. The show is free and will be up until the 25th of August.

11" x 14" Oil on Panel

Shown here are the two paintings I did for the show, One painted west of Springville, and the other west of Provo. All paintings in the show are for sale. This is the first plein air event for the UCAB. It's a relatively small show, but I believe it's well worth supporting. The Utah Valley area really ought to have it's own plein air event. Besides, as the event becomes larger and more successful, I'll be able to say, "I was at the first one!" 

Come out and see the exhibit, and if you see any paintings you really like and want, you can buy them! For more information about the Utah County Art Board, click here.

If you have the opportunity, you can see more of my paintings in person at these galleries::
In Salt Lake City: http://www.evergreengallery.com/
In Logan, Utah: http://loganfineartgallery.com/
In Ivins, Utah: https://www.facebook.com/juniperskyfineartgallery/

Today's Painting, and a New Plein Air Event!

9" x 12" Oil on Panel

Went back to the Spanish Fork River Trail, and out into the mid summer heat, for this painting. Colors used were cadmium yellow lemon, cadmium yellow, yellow ochre, cadmium red, thio violet, cobalt blue, ultramarine blue, and thalo green, plus titanium white.

I learned recently that the Utah County Art Board is putting on a plein air event. I understand this is the first time the UCAB has held a plein air event. I don't know how well attended it'll be, but it's high time someone held such an event, and it ought to be well attended! I think I'll give it a go!

Painting for the event begins this Saturday, with finished works being turned in the following Saturday morning. The show opens to the public the first Friday evening of August and runs through most of the month. The show will be at 151 South University Ave, Provo, Utah. For more information, visit their website at http://www.utahcountyart.com/

First Hike of Summer 2018

Beginning the Hike

My hike started in the mouth of a canyon where the Rocky Mountains meet Basin and Range. The altitude of the trailhead is around 4700 feet above sea level. It was early afternoon, and the day was warm with mild breezes, and only a few small scattered clouds. Good hikes can be had in a many kinds of weather, but this was particularly good weather for a hike.

A Little Ways up the Trail

This is one of my favorite trails. It's the first mountain canyon I ever hiked in back in 1982 when I first visited this area. The canyon continues to provide good hiking experiences in all seasons. For more pictures of this canyon, you can visit this post from two years ago.

Roots

The lower end of the canyon is more desert-like than other parts of the trail. Every once in a while a small lizard or skink would dart across the trail ahead of me.

Looking Back

The character of the canyon changes as the trail gains altitude. Drier below, it becomes greener higher up. There's a noticeable temperature difference between the lower and upper parts of the trail.

Dense Greenery

Around halfway up the canyon rocky mountain maple and box elder trees crowd the trail. The close foliage can give the impression of being in a forest, but the deciduous thickets only line the narrow bottom of the canyon. Occasional views up through the canopy reveal mostly juniper, cliff rose, and towering evergreen trees standing singly or in scattered stands. Huge cliffs and outcrops dominate the canyon sides.

Looking South Toward Corral Mountain

I reach the top of the canyon trail and take the left fork, heading north. The trail winds through stands of maple trees, then aspen groves. The trail also passes through meadows, providing great views of the surrounding mountains. Summer breezes cause the aspen leaves to whisper and shimmer in the sunlight.

Provo Peak

This section of trail rises a thousand feet, from about 7200 feet to 8200 feet above sea level. I see a few deer scattered throughout this area, their red coats standing out against the forest greenery.

Yet Another Rubber Boa

Just below the 8200' pass I come across what looks like a huge earthworm on the dirt trail. It's a kind of snake called a rubber boa. I've yet to find anyone who knows what I'm talking about when I mention to them about rubber boas. Even avid outdoor hikers I know have never seen nor heard of them, yet I come across rubber boas almost regularly on my summer hikes, and in several of the local canyons. I've posted about them before on this blog. On this hike I gently pick up the rubber boa and move it off the trail lest some unobservant hiker come along and carelessly tread on the snake.

Cascade Mountain

At the pass I turn right onto another trail, heading east. Parts of the trail run through open country, providing great views of towering mountains. If majestic is a term that applies to mountains, how can it ever be applied to mortal kings and queens? I don't care how lavish their palaces, how fancy their carriages, or how dazzling their crowns, mere royalty doesn't measure up to the majesty of these mountains! Silly though it might seem, the grand scenery surrounding the trail occasionally caused me to whisper in awe, simply, "Oh, wow!"

Columbines

This segment of trail travels around the north side of a mountain and passes through large stands of tall evergreen trees. The trees provide cool shade to the forest floor. The understory is only about knee high or so, with abundant white columbine flowers scattered throughout. Red squirrels and woodpeckers are common in these woods.

Provo Peak

The trail crosses a stony ridge at about 8700 feet, and here I stop to eat and rest before heading back. Directly east of this overlook is a mountain which towers to over 11,000 feet in altitude. A gibbous moon rises above the ridge line. The air where I rest is mild, almost cool, and the sunlight feels pleasantly warm on my back.

A Snack Before the Hike Back

Next time I'll bring more food. The packaging on the fig bars I ate tout two servings per package, yet I was still hungry after eating all I had brought. The water bottle was filled with cold water from a spring a mile or so back down the trail, and was so refreshing. After a while it was time to return. A desire to stay tugged at me as I headed back. As I descended the trail, the air grew warmer even as the evening sky became darker. It was almost ten o'clock by the time I reached the trailhead.

Here's another post with pictures from this and another nearby canyon.

A View of Timp

18" x 24" Oil on Panel

Took a break from Spanish Fork for a day and went to Heber Valley to paint. This was painted near Midway. The view is looking across ranch land to the back of Mount Timpanogos. 

Painted out of the Big Box today!

It's kind of important for me to know which way the wind is blowing when I go paint along the dirt roads in this area. Then I can set up on the side of the road that gets less dust from passing cars and trucks, so I eat less dust while I work. It's just one of the little challenges of plein air painting.