Headlands Study

I may be learning laptop skills, such as where to angle the lid/monitor. Possibly picking up on Photoshop too. My pictures I know have been awful as I try to figure it out. This image seems better. It`s a small piece done in between larger efforts.
Meanwhile high wind warnings are in effect. It makes a truly awesome sound coming through all the trees. This morning I had a beautiful run before things got dramatic.

Alders and Estuary

Alders, Meadow, Sky

John arrived today and we walked out Cascade Head. Such a spectacular vertical climb, it`s like hanging in the air! This oil was painted after walking the same hike the day after getting here. The alders are so gorgeous with their silver bark. The meadow is absolutely vast and the sky very close.

From Cascade Head

It`s been raining so much my paint isn`t drying. I have three oil paintings in process. Remembering that David Roberts has done interesting work with ink on Yupo, just before leaving the studio last night I gave it a try. One of the reasons I keep trying with this paper is because Sitka accepted me on the basis of my work with Yupo and the project I proposed was to be with Yupo. They don`t care but I was feeling defeated by it and that felt unacceptable. So I did this ink brush drawing today as I waited for the oil paint to set up.

Elk! Nature walk and a new start!

As I left the bathroom this morning I glanced out the window and about 30 elk were grazing by the parking lot. They`re big! Then we were taken on a tour of different ecological zones within the area. I can`t say I`ve ever stood in the rain, on the side of a mountain, with three other people talking about science and literature with everyone happy to be there. I began a long painting based on the landscapes I`m seeing here. I had an obvious revelation that this is exactly what muralists do, create a type of visual narrative. I`ll play with this composition and see how it develops. The look of a mural isn`t quite what I`m after.

The Last Yupo Watercolor

This is the first watercolor I`ve completed in nine months. On Yupo no less. It`s the Devil`s paper I tell you, Devil Paper!!
I just wanted to paint yesterday after our orientation and buying groceries. Thought I`d give watercolor a new chance. It`s looking like a 40 year relationship may be ending. Why don`t I feel sad?
This afternoon I began one of the long paintings I came here to do. I`ll take some pictures of my progress.

Sitka!

Just an amazing location, wonderful facility [I have my holy grail of simultaneous oil and watermedia areas], super kind and helpful staff, and sweet fellow residents. Soon I hope to have new work to post. I`m also on a Mac for the first time unsupervised. Wish me luck, the webmaster does not arrive until Sunday.

actually this is posted by Randall, not John.