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.
Painted Desert In Shades Of Orange
“I thought of the wilderness we had left behind us, open to sea and sky, joyous in its plenitude and simplicity, perfect yet vulnerable, unaware of what is coming, defended by nothing, guarded by no one.”
― Edward Abbey, Beyond the Wall: Essays from the Outside
Last Light On Chimney Rock
This is an oil pastel on canvas paper blended with a turpentine wash.
Mid Morning Plein Air
I found a shady spot, with the Ghost Ranch coral practicing behind me. It wasn’t too hot, and the music the wind carried to me was lovely. What a great way to pass a Thursday morning.
Sunrise 5:52am Ghost Ranch
THE DESERT IMPRESSIONIST
The Desert Impressionist
paints with light and color,
paints with shape and time,
paints with rock and cloud
upon the canvas of our eyes
-Max Reif
On the Road to Pedernal
This is a lovely path with a view of Pedernal. The actual road to the trail that goes up Pedernal is blocked with a sign that says “do not go any farther or you may be subject to a $10,000 fine”, that forest and many others are closed due to fires. So our hikes will have to remain less epic until they reopen the forests.
The Chama River in Full Color
The is really no question why they call it the painted desert. I loved playing with the reflections of all that color on the river.
Sunset 23 June 2013
Chimney Rock is a lovely after dinner hike. Tonight I hiked it with family and friends, old and new. The weather was delightful, and my girls so much stronger than they were a year ago when we last hiked this trail together. The two Prairie Rattlers we saw on the trail kept us sober, and reminded us that wilderness is wild. On the way down, the sunset was spectacular.
Chama River
Chama river, mid day.
paintandsimple 