Thursday 14th August 2008 - Ray's class

They say it takes 2 people to paint a picture - one to paint and another to say when it is finished. I finally finished my large painting of Maroon Bells in Colorado and Ray was the one to say "step away from the canvas". I may leave it a while before I attempt another landscape on this scale!

Maroon Bells - 30 x 40" - oil on canvas - $3,600

Thursday 31st July 2008 - Ray's class

Still working on this big old painting! I took it to Ray Vinella's class and he made some helpful suggestions. I painted out the clouds to emphasise the shape of the mountains, added more colour to the water in the lake and painted in the elk, which was great fun. I think one or maybe two more sessions will get this one finished.

Maroon Bells - 30 x 40" - oil on canvas - unfinished

Saturday 26th July 2008 - Habitat For Humanity Fundraiser

Busy day for me! I ran the portrait group in the morning - I'm not including the picture i did because I don't like it much) and then spent the afternoon at the Habitat for Humanity Fund-raising event at the San Geronimo Lodge. I hung a few framed pictures in the big room and had my clearance box next to where I was painting and sold a few so made a bit of space in my house and earned some cash for a good cause (and some for myself too)

I brought this painting of Maroon Bells along to work on. I started this one in Ray's class a couple of weeks ago and it still needs a lot of work on it. I'm coming to the conclusion that I prefer painting smaller pieces!

Maroon Bells - Oil on Canvas - 30 x 40 - unfinished