December 30, "Southern Winter"

Today I was out south of Denver when I saw this wonderful ridge with a sliver of light on the edge and thought what a nice scene to paint.

"Southern Winter"

This is the wrong location photo. The ridge I painted was on the left of this one. 

December 29, " Breaking Through"

 Today I wanted to find some light to paint so I drove up my neighborhood road. I went past one of my favorite views and as I looked over there was a wonderful warm light glowing the top of Mt. Evans. I quickily set up and just as fast began to rapidly paint before I would lose the light. Like magic in only a few strokes this piece was created. I didn't think about painting it, it just flowed. I love when that kind of magic happens. The joy of painting combined with the beauty of nature can be quite moving. 

"Breaking Through" 6" x 12"

My wonderful view after I lost the light.

December 28," Winter Amaryllis"

Today I thought I would do a plein air still life of our Amaryllis. We received a Amaryllis bulb as a gift on Thanksgiving. So as never growing one before I was quite anxious to get it in the dirt to see it bloom. A few weeks passed and the next thing you know it was Christmas day and I looked over at the Amaryllis to see it in full bloom. They are quite stunning and large. Just beautiful. So today I noticed that it was glowing and I thought how nice it wold look next to the snow. So I set up the Amaryllis out side and enjoyed the beauty.  

"Winter Amaryllis" 8" x 10" 

Our Winter beauty.

December 27, "Happy Hanukkah"

Tonight I wanted to paint the Menorah at Evergreen Lake in celebration of the last night of "The Festival of Lights" in celebration of my Jewish friends. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!

"Happy Hanukkah" 8" x 10"

A wonderful light to paint by.

December 26, "Winter Range"

Today I was in Ft. Collins when I saw this great out croup and it reminded me of the Red Rocks area near my home and with the cattle roaming around it was just to inviting to pass up.

"Winter Range" 6" x 12" 

The Range.

December 25, "Holy Family"

Today I wanted to do a painting of baby Jesus in a manger. On Christmas day I didn't think it would be too hard to find this type of scene, but do you think I could find a manger scene anywhere?, no. I had just spent the day celebrating Christmas with my family in Denver and then that night drove to Ft. Collins to see the rest of the family when I realized that my time was running out to paint. It was already 10:30 p.m. and still no mangers could be found. I went by at least 9 different churches and not one manger. Just about the time I was ready to give up on the manger scene I deiced to stop by  the old Catholic church and asked for some help. As I walked up to the main doors my inner voice said "look up" and when I did I saw this wonderful stained glass scene of Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus, my nativity scene I had been looking for. It's amazing how the divine spirt works. So with out hesitation I knew what I must paint so out came the paints the brushes and the winter gloves (it was cold out around 18 degrees).

"Holy Family" 8" x 10"

It's hard to see but this was my inspiration.

View of "The Church" as I walked up to it

December 24, "Santa"

Merry Christmas! Tonight I wanted to paint a nativity scene but they were all covered by the heavy snow from two days ago. So I thought I would try for something else... Santa!

'Santa" 8" x 10"

"Mr. Claus"

December 23, "What Lies Ahead"

Tonight I drove past this wonderful entrance and the colors were so great that I had to turn around and try to capture some of it.

"What Lies Ahead" 6" x 12"

The Entrance.

December 22, "Lake House Splendor"

 Tonight I was at the lake house in Evergreen after the big snow and the lake house looked like a greeting card so I thought I might as well try and make my own greeting card.

"Lake House Splendor" 8" x 10"

Lake house after two feet of snow.

December 21, "Sand and Snow"

 Today I was at Red Rocks to do some painting when I saw this great out croup of sandstone
and snow and I liked to contrast of colors.

"Sand And Snow" 8" x 10"

December 20, "Afternoon Blue"

Today I wanted to paint one of my favorite spots. I headed up Bear Creek road and found my spot full of warm and cool colors, just what I was looking for.

"Afternoon Blue" 8" x 10"

Me and my spot.

December 19, "Beary Merry Christmas"

Today was a cold snowy day but I found  scene that warmed me up. It was a bear statue that had a cute ribbon and it just seamed so appropriate for the day.

"Beary Merry Christmas" 8x10

The Bear family before the snow fell.

December 18, "Home Warmth"

I saw this charming little scene and well... as i have said before, I couldn't resist painting it.

"Home Warmth" 8" x 10"

What a Great House to paint.

December 17, "Divne Light"

 When I was out today I happened to look over this little hill and through the trees a sliver of light caught my eye and I just had to paint it.

"Divine Light" 8" x 10"

A sliver of light.

December 16, "Barn Light"

It was another night at the Trail Of Lights. It has so much to paint it's almost overwhelming.

I only wish I could take a photo that actually looks good of the final painting.

"Barn Light" 16" x 20"

December 15, "Farm Lights"

Tonight I was a the Trail of Lights again and what a great delight it is. I saw this barn tucked away and almost hidden by the amazing lights on the huge trees.

"Farm Lights" 8" x 10"

Down on the farm.

December 14, "Simple Delight" 8" x 10"

Last light while I was out looking for some lights to paint I notice this tree and it just looked so peaceful and simple sitting up on the hillside with just a hint of the city lights illuminating the night sky. I couldn't resist painting it.

"Simple Delight" 8" x 10"

Not much light even with a flash.

December 13, "Light Bright Delight"

Tonight I wanted to paint this group of trees at the Chatfield Botanical Trail of Lights. They were just spectacular and reminded me of a light brite I had as a kid. So, with childish delight I began to paint and remembered all the wonderful Christmas's I had as a child, Thank You Mom!

"Light Bright Delight" 8" x 10"

Wow!

December 13, "Cool Shadows"

Today was a PAAC day and we meet at one of my favorite local spot, lair O the Bear. It's such a nice area with a vast variety of scenes to paint. I went with one full of warm light and cool shadows. I think I am more of a colorist when it comes to painting. I like the bold colors.

"Cool Shadows" 8" x 10"

Beautiful Bear Creek looking west.

December 12, "Serenity"

Today I was out walking when I found this great scene. It reminded me of of some locations one of my painting friends would choose and feeing a little reminiscent I deiced to set up and paint. It was so nice and quiet up on the mountain side just me, paint and Mother Nature. I thought I would loosen up and keep a little more of a painterly look to it , not so rendered.

"Serenity" 8" x 10"

On the mountain side.

December 11, "Continental Moon Set"

Today I wanted to paint the big moon over the Continental Divide. I love the difference between the painting and the photo. When I took the photo the sun was just coming up so the upper part of the sky was pinkish. By the time I put the sky in the sun was a little higher and made the pink move down and the blue go up. It's a little reminder to me of how fast a scene changes as I paint.

"Continental Moon Set" 8" x 10"

A moon set in progress.

December 10, "One in Every Crowd"

Tonight I was out looking for something to paint when noticed that our neighbor put lights on one of the big pine trees. It must be 80 feet tall and looks like a cake decoration. It was great to paint. I only wish my camera was charged for my photo.

"One In Every Crowd 8" x 10"

December 9, "Red, White and a Full Moon"

Wow another great night of lights. At the beginning of the month there wasn't many out, but now they are everywhere. 

"Red, White and a Full Moon" 8" x 10"

Wow, look at the color!

December 8, "Winter Green"

I was out tonight when I found this great strand of lights. I was so cold painting this that I didn't notice the fence in the back.

"Winter Green" 6" x 12"

My Location.

December 7, "Winter Palette"

Today I need to finish up a studio painting so I thought I would go out early and capture some of the great cool colors of the shadows and warmth of the warm reeds. 

"Winter Palette" 8" x 10"

One of my favorite places.