Stories of Fall

Every plein air season has it's own character, and in Colorado the seasons are very distinct: Cold, Wind, Rain, Color.
In the winter, a foot of snow is easier to deal with than wind in the Spring.

Summer brings showers and fabulous sunsets,  and the Fall. . . . well - how do you top that time of year when the  mountainsides light up with color?
Our Painting Class painted OUT all Summer and Fall and we have had
a good season.
I so appreciate the "regulars" who come out every week, excited to see what the location will hold;
and "Thanks" as well to folks like Debby and Fred who come to the valley only for the summer and join the class to enjoy the best of the painting season.
I set a couple of goals for myself this year: - more varied subject matter and less "fixing" in the studio.
So - the chickens, at right, are my first chickens - ever.
Carol's Chickens.
And just for the record - I did about 8 small, Sharpie sketches of the chickens in different poses - as they ran around the yard.

Estes Park Workshop

Last week I had the privilege of teaching a 4 day PLEIN AIR workshop in Estes Park. What could be better? - beautiful views, Rocky Mountain grandeur, fall color, Elk bugling, - we had it all - plus some. . . .
Four days of falling snow -

This did not dampen our fun or keep us from painting out.
These determined ladies braved the cold - and snow - to be better designers, better color mixers, more confident painters -
and at the end of the day made some crazy good dinners.
I got to hang out with an amazing group of women who were determined to make it work and not about to let a little weather stand in their way.
Thanks All for a really great time.
Let's do it again next year - except I will be puttin' my order in for a day or two of sunshine.