I'm Baaaaaack!

OK, I am wiped out, much like a failed painting. But I got out and painted today. Wind Canyon is sporting the brilliant yellow of fall and the grasses are bleached out to a muted light yellow awaiting winter’s arrival. Even the llamas and the horses are looking furrier, as are the local deer. There are no more quail babies, as that time has long since passed. But some of the adults have these deep red heads. Rather pretty.

Wind Canyon - a fall morning

I have been dying to paint the canyon while the bright yellow flowers are out. They are fading in some spots already. But there are fields out here that are full of these bushes. They are sagey-green and rangy looking topped with brilliant yellow flowers.  What a dazzling sight in the sunlight. Wish I knew their names.

Because this was my first time painting since my very unscheduled surgery, I opted to use any colors I wanted to and treat myself to some rich colors. Fall has always had a sentimental attachment to me of rich deep colors, spiced by occasional brilliance and brilliant blue skies. Today did not disappoint.

No.3 Wind Canyon oil on board
11 x 14

I parked on Fleming Tank Road, just off the highway and started to paint. Again my neighbors are considerate in the extreme, slowing down considerably, to keep from enveloping me in a cloud of fine white dust.  And several stopped to inquire about the painting. Some even said they thought it was beautiful. I love meeting my neighbors this way and its getting to where they stop and visit when they see me paint. Some artists don’t care for the intrusion, but out here in the country, one never knows when a helping hand might be needed. And a little civility goes a long way.

I didn’t approach this painting with any specific system in mind. The composition just seemed to unveil itself as I went slowly down the road. After looking at this piece for a bit, I have decided the glaze the foreground, when it is dried, with a subdued blue, to tone down the transparent red earth in the bottom. Its a bit too strong and needs taming. I remember a teacher who always said "It's easier to tame a wild stallion than to resurrect a dead horse". 

My friend Connie used to live in the house atop the hill. New people are moving in as they have moved back East. I hope the new people are a good fit for Wind Canyon. I have gotten to feel pretty much like the canyon is mine now. I know many spots better than some of the long time locals who pass them every day, unseeing. Civility and friendliness, yup, that seems to sum up Wind Canyon. And privacy when desired. This is #3 Wind Canyon Drive.