"Water's Edge"

Here is the finished painting that I fiddled with a couple days ago (mentioned in this earlier post).
http://art-a-day.blogspot.com/2015/01/graphics-work.html

Alas, it looks to be a new painting with not much recall of the original study. But I am happy with it. These lovely ponds are tucked in the Amon Basin off Leslie Road. I hiked in a short distance to find this viewpoint. Not much was happening this day, until 2 bicyclists came zooming past and startled me. For the most part it was just me and the water and the ducks and the sage and the rabbit brush and the trees. A lovely soliloquy for a winter's day. Perhaps I will return there again soon to see what nature provides. Softer colors I'm sure.

"Water's Edge" in it's final revision. 9x12 oil on board, ©Laura Gable

In the Heart of Amon Basin

This area is in the Amon Basin, behind the homes to the north end of Willowbrook housing development. I painted in the field around Christmas on one of the last warm sunny days we've had. Today (while in-situ in the studio) I brightened some of the colors and fussed with the shadows--trying to make them not look fussy ;-). Hopefully I've not lost the freshness of plein air. Anyway a fun exercise painting in the Amon Basin. A few of us are wanting to host an art show of paintings we've done there sometime in the near future. So paint paint paint some more of this beautiful area, and we will show folks just how spectacular it really is.

"In the Heart of Amon Basin" 11x14 oil on board, ©Laura Gable

Amon Basin Marshes

Yesterday I had an opportunity to paint en plein air. As I was heading south on Leslie Rd, the sun peeked out from behind it's cloud cover, and my car veered left toward Amon Basin Preserve. There is this lovely pond there on both sides of the wide path. I set up looking towards the north and did a quick painting. I like the drama of the water in the foreground as it went almost dark purple then faded towards the soft marshes in the back. The reflections were stunning and the distant trees very soft. After about an hour, when the sun ducked out again, my scene quickly changed and it was time to stop. Nature has a way of keeping us from being too fussy!!

"Amon Basin Marshes" painted plein air 1-7-14, 8" x 10" oil on board, ©Laura Gable

My scroll project continues with an "entry" a day. I've got a couple days left on this first roll of paper, then I will post my progress. I'll continue it for the 30 days, but will need a couple more rolls of paper. I may have to get resourceful here.