Train Station

9x12

Coni invited me to Alamosa to paint with other SLV painters around the train station. I enjoy painting this area in Alamosa as there is alot of activity going on and passengers were ready to load for the trip to La Veta . I haven't taken this ride yet but I've heard that it is very scenic so will have to do that sometime. I started painting this and realized halfway through that I was going to need to bring in either a vehicle of some sort or a figure to achieve the composition that would be necessary to make this a successful painting. A cowboy walked past me so I was primed to paint him as he walked by the spot where I needed him to be. I don't do figures in landscapes so I fussed with it more than I should have- I will have to practice on that.

The Zapata

11x14

Coni asked me to go to the Zapata Ranch and scout out the place for her art class. We just thought it might be good to check it out before a large group of painters show up - especially when you're not quite sure where it is etc. Well after getting through the gate we approached a heavily forested area; it was just beautiful. It was easy to see many compositions while driving but we settled on this spot- It didn't take me long at all to start painting this nice little grouping, with very small amounts of editing. Coni painted a beautiful grouping of trees to the east of my location. This was a great place to paint and we also painted small paintings later in the afternoon- I will post that one next.

Grain Elevator

This Grain Elevator is appproximately 1 mile from my house and can be seen outside of my windows. There have been times when the potato warehouse behind it is burning trash etc. and it makes for some very interesting effects but for this day, I waited until the sun was setting and ran over and painted it quickly- there was a lot happening in the clouds and they were moving fast.

Painting along the Rio Grande River

9x12
It was finally starting to warm up along the Rio Grande and so Coni and I went over to the ranch in the morning (trying to beat the afternoon winds) to paint. Alot of the trees had not budded out yet except for this particular stand- we painted looking towards the San Juans and I do have a small bit of mountain in this painting- the ranch is starting to flood and I don't know how long it will be before the mosquitos take over so I will try to do a few here while I can.