Lost Creek from below the Hardman,  2012 Colored Pencil

The Bedford place had such lovely scenery - any direction was a visual treat.  This scene was done on textured mat board with Prismacolor colored pencils which are fantastic  for the range of colors possible. 

New Watercolor

Bedroom Window #1  (Water Color on Cold Press, 5 in by 7in)

Had a great adventure associated with this lovely old brick home.  If you'd like to read more, check out our Kennington family blog spot site.

I happened on to the south side of the house just at the right time on a hot afternoon.  Shadows were lovely, brick color and texture were great!

The bricks need some adjustment - and the bright red one needs toned down.  Next time I'll paint the rose bushes in the foreground and then mask them off to try and preserve the definition - same with the cottonwood leaves in the upper left.  The shadows need some toning down too - they should all be the same depth of blue, maybe wash the brick with yellow.

But for a starting point I was pretty pleased.

From the Sketchbook

Francis Peak

Francis Peak at Sunrise

We lost a beloved daughter-in-law in March.  These are scenes from her kitchen window.  I spent a lot of quiet time looking out that window.  The top scene seems to reflect my initial mindset to get everything right - frustration at not being in control of the situation.  A few days later I sketched the second.  It seems to mirror my acceptance of what had happened and a desire (subconscious) to hope for a better day coming - the promise of sunrise.  There are always brighter tomorrows.

State Art Candids

State Art kids:  Brandi, McKayla, Jordan, Taylor, Anita

Anita and Bradie (can you believe I ever taught that child art??) setting up the poles.

Brandi and Taylor adjust the panels.

Former student, Mason, representing one of the colleges.  

Mason discusses his technique - removing charcoal with erasers. 

The show in progress.  I would guess about 3,000 entries from high school students all over the state.

Ribbon Winners for 2012

Above:   State Art Ribbon Winners and projects.  

We had a wide range of mediums Yupo paper and Ink, Styrafoam Cups and marker, Fused Glass, Colored Pencil, and Torn Paper from magazines - could we call that Recycled Paper?  

The kids were great and the weather was fantastic!

Below:  Ribbon winners from the County Library Art Show in March.

Watercolor Studies

 Northern Utah farm ground

Watercolor on Cold Press

Echo Canyon #1

Watercolor on Cold Press

Garden wall

Adobe Wall
Watercolor on cold press

The path ran along this adobe wall which had  a wonderful garden on the other side - dropped down about 3 feet to a large patio - yes, I did take a peek - too beautiful to pass up.  

I was impressed with the very structured wall and ironwork in contrast to the wild greens of the thick foliage rising up behind it.  This would be wonderful retreat on a hot afternoon.

New Scenery = New Creativity

       Small building from back side      

Watercolor on Strathmore

I liked the large tree throwing shade on an absolutely bare section of ground. 

The small building meshed together - crumbling bricks on the left joined to old adobe which is also merged with newer finished adobe in the one section with the roof covered with palm fronds
gave a history of construction. 

Such construction different sensibilities in a hot climate.

Pacific Ocean       

Watercolor on Cold Press

Scene looks deceptively small without a point of reference.  

The dunes on the front right are about 2 stories high. 

Peach colored sand made the water appear silvery blue most days and in most light.

Abandoned building 

Colored pencil on Charcoal paper

From the shady side of the building, the view through 
to the sunny vegetation out beyond was striking. 

I also liked the grand entrance opposed to the crumbling adobe on the back wall. 

Reminds me of some people - lots of show up front, but not much on the interior. 

We had the opportunity to see some new country in January.  It was an enlightening experience and we are grateful for the opportunity.  I took 3 sketchbooks (almost my whole carry on) and couldn't wait to get sketching each day.  Amazing to me how travel and new sights stir up the creative juices.