Brandy Creek Alcove

The last painting of my residency at Whiskeytown.
The area is California at it`s best; friendly, spacious and natural.

The Perfect Day - Shasta Bally

Yesterday! Having survived my 'teaching' gig, I was fresh for painting. Then the director of the program here at Whiskeytown, Sheila Edridge, invited me for a ride on the lake in her vintage motorboat. It was surprisingly peaceful and the weather was sparkling.
Today is my last day here, yet I have another painting in mind that I hope to eke out before I leave tomorrow.

Trinity Alps

Well that was an interesting experience.
It`s kind of profound to be listened to so intently. I hope they didn`t feel too harangued. My message was uncomplicated; focus on the subject and your own motivations then simplify everything else to emphasize that.
They were very good sports as I trashed traditional watercolor technique.
Painting is hard, we need every means possible.
This was my demonstration painting.

Davis Gulch

One of those beautiful coves I mentioned.
Tomorrow, as the public service part of my residency, I`m teaching a workshop with 30 people signed up. Yikes!, I`m not a teacher, but I am a talker. Maybe that will be enough.

Rivulet and Creek Rapid

I`m painting with watercolor and acrylic because of their portability, and I`m appreciating just how versatile oil paints are. I wish I had them with me.
This place is subtle and gorgeous. Driving by, you would see the lake and maybe assume the park was all about boats. Being man made from a canyon, the lake has many coves and bays which are lovely. The hiking is mostly vertical with rewards for the effort. The oaks alone are worth a visit.

Oaks at Brandy Creek

Here`s my latest and a view of my 'studio'.

Heat Lightning / Shasta Bally

Driving back to the cabin from Weaverville the other night, I saw heat lightning for the first time since I lived in New Mexico. Such a beautiful phenomenon! Just dazzling far away light without any sound.

Brandy Creek at Whiskeytown

John just got on the bus for home and I`m ready to paint. This park is absolutely jewel like. Why it`s not better known is odd. New paintings soon!

#13, 25 and 27

These are the first of my 'daily' paintings, done for a benefit in 2008. Thirty one paintings in thirty one days!
Rio en Medio 5 just couldn`t be pulled together before I leave for California tomorrow.

Rio en Medio 4

Rio en Medio 3

This is the most literal painting I`ve done in some time. On the hike this series is based on, the snow was beginning to fall as we climbed a bit higher. In this piece I tried to suggest that dusky quiet light just before the flakes start falling.
I hope to complete two more this week before leaving for my residency at Whiskeytown.

Rio en Medio 2

New Mexico

Rio en Medio

When I lived in New Mexico, I walked up the canyon of this 'river' often. Though I`m not a nostalgic person, I wanted to see it again on my recent visit. By any measure it`s a modest little creek but what a moment to see it! The new greens of Spring were well underway, the leaves that fell last fall carpeted the ground in gold and further upstream, it began to snow! It was spellbinding with it`s seasonal contradictions. The mood was so vivid, I think I have several paintings to get out as soon as possible.

Prints!

Since I`m asked about them frequently, I decided to offer some of my largest paintings as giclee prints.
From top to bottom;
Iron Mt. Fog 36"x36"
Rain on the Mountain 40"x30"
Late Summer Stream 36"x36"
Hoh 48"x36"
The Alders in Spring 36"x36"
Thicket 60"x48"
Oswego Creek 36"x60"
Mt. Tabor in Fog 60"x48"
Winter Marsh 48"x48"
The Cliff Joins the Water #2 48"x60"
Creek Alcove 48"x48"

Please inquire for details;
randalldavidt@gmail.com 

Spring Snow Study

A 'daily' painting from my hike in the snow last week in New Mexico.
I think a good vacation makes you excited to return to your life. Mine was that and more.
The tapestry artist and my friend, James Kohler, died unexpectedly in March. I said goodbye at his memorial last Saturday. We met when he was a monk at Christ in the Desert Monastery where he began to weave. Premature deaths such as his are so sad. He was a devoted teacher and his students are truly bereft.