Passing through Vail

Passing through Vail, oil on gessoed board, 9x12"

When I started Passing through Vail from a relatively dark photo, I wasn't sure how it would turn out. I have been reading a lot about atmospheric perspective and how objects turn lighter or blueish to the naked eye, the further they are away.  When I was out West, I tried to recognize this with the distant views I was taking in, to apply it to my future paintings  I would be doing of the trip. The photo was taken while driving on the highway near Vail, CO. There was a small lake that held the reflection of the beautiful sky that day, with the Rockies on both sides. 

Lone Butte

Lone Butte, oil on gessobord, 8x6"

This butte was photographed while we were driving in Colorado, right before you cross into Utah. I don't remember exactly where since this was just the beginning of the red landscape. Like Mars.  I am realizing more and more how erosion itself is a artist. Each of the buttes and mesas that you find in this vast western desert territory are unique and beautiful. And worthy of anther artist's eye.

Road to Moab

Road to Moab, oil on gessobord, 8x6"

I have put painting on hold for a couple of weeks, much to my chagrin, due to life's many circumstances. Today...free time!!! It has been fun going through all my photos of my recent 2 week "Department of the Interior" trip.  I was struggling with the way some of the photos turned out because I couldn't see a painting there. A few days ago, I was listening to a great radio show podcast called "Artist Helping Artist". The episodes are archived and when browsing, found one of my favorite contemporary painters, Karin Jurick, who lives in Atlanta. Karin did not study art in an academic way and has had an interesting path to where she is today - selling almost everything she paints. When asked about painting from photos her reply was, "I don't paint what's in the photo, I paint an interpretation of a scene that I photographed." In other words, it is simply a reference and the rest is up to you. I loved this and it struck a cord as I was struggling to find a handful of photos to paint. Road to Moab is painted from a photo that almost wasn't. The road was so twisty, that every other turn provided a spectacular view. I was erasing as many photos as the number I kept.  This photo had it all, foreground, middle and enough distance to satisfy me. And of course the twisty road....always one of my favorite subjects.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/celia-kelly/road-to-moab/408044

Road to Somewhere

Road to Somewhere, 9.5 x 13" (approximately), oil on board

I have painted this image before, a few months ago, but swiped it away because I wasn't satisfied with it. I don't do that very often, mostly because I don't like wasting paint. I kept coming back to this photo, rethinking it several times, and finally got a "keeper". This is done on gessoed board, and the size is approximate because my skills with a circular saw are not spot-on. I like how moody this turned out. Subconsciously, I think it was because Hugh is leaving for college and my favorite critique-er won't be home any longer to talk me through rough creative patches.  On a good note, I am finding myself becoming more gestural as time goes by which is how I painted many years ago. It was very freeing in a sense so hopefully this is a good progression so far. 

Wet Creek, Arches

Wet Creek, Arches, oil on gessobord, 6x8"

This is the first painting I have done since returning from my great Western tour. I have since returned to work, and helped two of my three children back to school. My third will begin College in a week. Sigh. I hate summers end.

One of the most amazing experiences while on my trip was being submerged in vast, open spaces....everywhere!  I have been to parts of the Southwest and Northwest, but the actual West put me on senses overload. I couldn't take it all in fast enough: the sky, the heights, the constant changes in geological formations and topography, the wind, the temperatures, the sun....

Here was the only bit of water to be found on a day that I hiked for an hour, in 108º. There were warning signs in Arches National Park advising hikers to carry at least two quarts of water each when hiking a three mile trail.  

Overall this painting makes me smile. The first of many to come from the trip.
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/celia-kelly/wet-creek-arches/404820

Capital Reef morning

Capital Reef Morning, pastel, 9x12"

This is a drawing I did while staying at the Capital Reef National Park lodging. This was my hotel view and it was breathtaking to open the door to this first thing in the morning. We took a horse trip all through the layers of this incredible park. I took a lot(A LOT!!!) of pictures of open range cows that added another dimension to the landscape. I'm in awe of Mother Earth

Red Rocks 2, Moab

Red Rocks 2, Moab,   pastel, 5.5x8"

Here is another quick sketch that I did while in Moab, UT. If you have never been to Arches National Forest, I highly encourage you to. What a valuable national park! We hiked in 108° heat. I have severe joint pain that keeps me from doing certain things and wipes my formerly "bottomless pit" endurance out, but remarkably, I was pain free. I just had to stay hydrated which was challenging.

Red Rocks, Moab

Red Rocks, Moab, pastel, 5.5x8

It has been really liberating to be out of the studio in some ways. Doing these quick sketches from life is fun!  Here are massive red rocks from Moab, UT.  Because I worked on this for less than 20 minutes, I tried to convey the rock striations rather that get too detail-y.  Works better for my brain to sum up an area and work quickly.  These wide open spaces and fresh air are just what the doctor ordered. Now I know why Georgia O'Keefe stayed in Taos.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/celia-kelly/red-rocks-moab/402605

Hotel pool sketch, Moab, UT

Hotel Pool sketch, Moab, UT, pastel on paper

I haven't painted in a week because I am currently on a trip around the west. Thank goodness for Hotel Wi-fi.  I am doing sketches from life that may become paintings. We shall see. Here's a quick sketch I did while sitting by the hotel pool in Moab.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/celia-kelly/hotel-pool-sketch-moab-ut/402372