Soward Ranch paint out

On the last post I ahowed a picture of Bristol Head Mountain from the west looking at the mountain.  Well, we drove to the Soward Ranch and this is the view looking at the mountain from the east.  It was really obscurred by fog and honestly, very dramatic.  Here is a better picture of the mountain-----

I decided to give it a shot for my first painting for the paint out-- the weather had been rather rainy but was clearing fast so I really thought I could pull this off-- I never seem to get to paint mountains as much as I'd like so decided to do it when halfway through the painting the wind started to blow-- HORRIBLY-- I was standing by David Montgomery and he wisely moved close to some shelter.  I couldn't because I was painting with a pond in the front of me and had decided to put it in the painting- so I was stuck.  My umbrella flew off- and I retrieved it and just kept painting..  It's funny- when painting outside I have developed some type of concentration that earlier in my painting years, would not have been able to keep.  Also I am fortunate to have a Soltek easel that is like a rock in the wind..

I was finally able to finish..

As you can see- I pushed the drama of this mountain and I am now working on a larger version of this painting. .. I noticed that my painting is much lighter than the picture of Bristol and I really was able to see much more into the shadows than the picture shows- that's why I hate to paint from pictures.. Afterwards I tried to hang out by this cool building..

And get a little out of the wind before I started my next painting.

Soward Ranch paint out

We (Coni, David, Cindy and I) went  one day early and stayed above Creede at Santa Maria as the paint out was to start at 8:00  the next morning on Saturday- this is the view of Britol mountain from the west - coming down from Santa Maria at 7 in the morning- on our way to the paint out.

David, Cindy and Coni posing for me with a nice view in the background.  I will post my paintings from the paint out tomorrow-- I still have not had a chance to take pictures of the artwork yet.

Off to the Soward Ranch- a plein air paint out

Saturday, June 12, from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm will be the last plein air paint out to benefit the Rio Grande Headwaters Trust which will be above Creede at the Soward Ranch.


Directions:

Driving directions to Soward Ranch: (about 35 minutes from Creede)
1) From Creede, continue North on CO-149 (toward Lake City) approx. 6-7 miles;
2) turn LEFT onto Middle Creek Road (there are several prominent mailboxes there as a landmark)

3) continue on Middle Creek Road approximately 3.9 miles- bear right at  the fork in the road
4) at approximately 4.8 miles from the turnoff onto Middle Creek Road you'll cross another cattle guard and see a sign on the right that reads: "Soward Ranch"
5) Go LEFT at the next fork in the road- parking will be straight ahead between the barn and Rec room building

Hosted by the Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust - www.riograndelandtrust.org

It should be fun as the scenery up there is absolutely fantastic - hope to see everyone there!