Angel River, Zion

Angel River, Zion, oil on gessobord, 12x12"

I revisited a few photos from my "Department of the Interiors" trip, as my family fondly calls it, taken at the end of the summer. This is the first painting I've done from Zion itself, which by the way, blew me away. I hope one day I can retire near it.

We were hiking on an incredibly hot day, when the Southwest was having higher then normal temps. So what are hot hikers to do but put their feet into a very cold river. I took this photo from the center of the river standing thigh- deep in water.  Oh what fun!!

Road to Moab, 2

Heading into Moab, 2, oil on gessoed board, 9x12"

These red rocks are embedded into my heart. It is the same part of the chain from my pastel drawing Heading into Moab from earlier this week. The colors, formations, sage and sky speak for themselves. 

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