The Cathedral

(from the flat files)

This scene is a contrast in values, textures and colors.

The contrast between the Cottonwoods on the left and the

pines on the right. The dry creek and it's sun baked surface

leads the eye in and Cathedral Rock in the background hovers

over the entire scene.

15" x 20" on Arches 140 lb. watercolor paper.

From the Flat Files

As you will see, I tend to procrastinate.

I few days ago I was looking through my flat files

and discovered a stack of paintings with no matte

and left to linger in the drawer. You ask, how can an

artist do that? Easy, really easy! Sometimes I just feel

like painting and just don't take the time to mount, matte

and frame finished pieces. Part of the problem is being

retired with no real sense of urgency on most days. Years

of stress and deadlines are the main culprit. When painting

begins to feel like a job, I tend to back off completely

for long periods of time. Heck, I like the outdoors, I like yard

work. I have a list of projects that will take me through the

rest of my life I'm sure. We travel a fair amount, we have

8 grandkids, we have a pool with 8 grandkids in it.

Last but not least, I like to relax.

So, to ease the pressure of blogging, (pressure?) I present

the flat file lost art discovery. Let me know what you

think. I'll let you know if I slip in a new painting.

Hope you enjoy.

A Light Up Ahead

The Big Sable Light.

Sits quietly at the end of a 2 mile service road perched

on a rise over looking Lake Michigan.

Very late in the fall of the year, I stopped for a look. The

wind was howling and it was cold. Sun hanging low in the

sky with about 2 hours till sunset. Wasn't sure I could make

it there and back before dark. Not really fond of wandering

around in the dark in a deserted state park in early November.

I hustled up the road, (well lets say I walked at a quick pace)

and hoped the light would hold until I got there. About a mile

out I could begin to see the top of the light. As I trudged along

it grew in size and shape. It's an unusual black and white

color style, at least unusual for Michigan.

I kept thinking I could hear things rustling along the trail but

nothing was ever there. Just the wind. As I rounded the last

hill the sound was deafening from the huge waves as they roared

ashore. It was a strange feeling standing there on a deserted

stretch of beach looking at a lighthouse that was empty.

I did a few quick sketches and took a few photo's and got

the hell out of there. It was dark by the time I got back to

my car. Ironic I guess, standing there in the dark with

no light up ahead.

Wind from the West

Pale Blues