Looking For Open Water

Patrice Walker, friend and fellow painter from Santa Fe drove through the Valley Thursday afternoon and met up with Dave Montgomery, Sue McCullough, and myself for a little plein air painting in Alamosa. Snow was predicted - I guess we should feel lucky we didn't get any of that, but we painted under a cloud cover - in spite of Dave's Sun Dance. Afternoons are usually unfavorable because wind kicks up more after noon but overall conditions were reasonable. We found a spot down by the Rio Grande River; fed by hot spring runoff so not totally frozen and we made the most of the day with a lot of good chat and even some painting. The lower photo is a view away from the water and up toward town. The shapes created by the fence, and the town set way off in the distance, fascinated me. And I should post my painting here. Oops! I have been so busy in the studio, I never even had a chance to get it out of the painting box. Pretty sad, but the Alamosa ArtWalk is coming up on Saturday, March 27th and I have been putting together some
8"x 10" paintings of the valley, specifically for that show.

Tuesday Evening - Paint Out in Alamosa

I barely got home from Santa Maria on Tuesday before taking off again to meet Dave Roepke and Richard Luckemeier for a paint out at the Alamosa City Ranch - an open space preserved for the use of residents. We were anticipating a full moon rising but the evening light unfolded in such a beautiful display that the moon was all but forgotten.
I never get tired of watching the clouds rise up to catch the evening light from a sun long set.
By the time dark really set in I was on the wane and ready to hit it home. From before dawn to well after sunset - it was a great day.