I used the stone wall around Ghost House as a standing desk to paint this morning. The air was brisk after a wonderful storm last night.
Cottonwoods
Limited palette, quick study, historic landscape…it was a lovely morning.
Sunset 8:06
Ghost House – Limited Pallette
Quick study in my sunset colors, I love working with a limited palette. Limitations encourage creativity and a painting based on values instead of color.
Last Light Chimney Rock
I love when my days are bracketed with the sun rise and set.
Virga Roja
In meteorology, virga is an observable streak or shaft of precipitation that falls from a cloud but evaporates or sublimes before reaching the ground. If you are lucky this happens at sunset and the setting sun reflects off the virga making red rain. Truly, I think I may be in the most beautiful place in the world.
Chama In Violet and Yellow
Complimentary colors do it for me every time.
Chama Late July
Chama in late July. Picnic or plein air on the bank, or kayak down the middle…either way a lovely way to spend the afternoon.
Sunrise 5:59am
Dear friends left camp just after 5am, it was a treasure to spend several weeks with them on the ranch. I had fun watching the colors unfold as I contemplated the treasure of friendship. I declared the sunset peak just before 6am.
Orphan Mesa
To the Desert
By Benjamin Alire Sáenz
I came to you one rainless August night.
You taught me how to live without the rain.
You are thirst and thirst is all I know.
You are sand, wind, sun, and burning sky,
The hottest blue. You blow a breeze and brand
Your breath into my mouth. You reach—then bend
Your force, to break, blow, burn, and make me new.
You wrap your name tight around my ribs
And keep me warm. I was born for you.
Above, below, by you, by you surrounded.
I wake to you at dawn. Never break your
Knot. Reach, rise, blow, Sálvame, mi dios,
Trágame, mi tierra. Salva, traga, Break me,
I am bread. I will be the water for your thirst.
paintandsimple 