Heading out

This week I will be participating in the Wayne Plein Air art festival in Wayne, PA, and the first order of business is to cram everything I might need into something that is portable….and light enough that I can actually lift it. No small task.

So after stripping everything down to the bare essentials I have two bags. One for pastels and one for watercolors. I will pick which one I want to use at the beginning if each day and head out. I am rather proud of how small a space it takes up. Watercolor is on the left, Pastel on the right, and the tripod that I will use for both in its bag in the center.

Well….ok….It doesn't show the umbrella I will take for shade, or the wheely crate in case I have to do a lot of walking around town, or the folding chair (in case I want to sit down), or extra plastic bags in case it rains (which it is supposed to), or my big floppy hat, sunscreen, plastic poncho (rain again), rope and or bungie cords for tie downs, drawing and sketching materials, and a bag lunch and water, and first aid kit.

Oh yeah….I forgot about the framing materials. All paintings must be framed and ready for hanging before they are judged. So I must take frames, glass, mats, backing, and all tools it takes to put it all together on the spot.

I guess it's good that I drive an SUV………

Here's the reason I go to all this trouble.

"Dancing Birches"    9x12     pastel on sanded paper

Little Bit of Heaven

I always encourage anyone who will listen to visit Alaska if they get a chance.  I have seen no landscape more spectacular. Denali guides get to see such sights as this, painted from several photos my son brought back from one of his expeditions.
I was struck by the graphic, abstract qualities of the landscape and tried to think of composition before subject matter. I will probably never make it to this altitude in reality, but maybe I can get there on canvas.

Josh's Office   9" x 12"  oil on canvas

Painting Turnagain Arm

Painted along Turnagain Arm today and was glad I didn't meet up with the black bear up the trail that several hikers encountered throughout the day. Lucky for all of us the bear turned tail whenever he saw anybody. I was in the same spot, morning through afternoon, and though I heard some noises I never actually saw the bear.
Several people stopped to watch me paint. All were courteous and encouraging.

Glorious weather, quiet painting time to myself. A good day!

Along Turnagain Arm they have some of the strongest and fastest bore tides ever.

Todays painting from the same spot as the photo.  9"x12"

Flightseeing in Alaska

I finally made it to AK and am coping with sensory overload. Too much good stuff!!

Went flightseeing around Denali and collected enough material to paint on for years.  The scale of everything is unbelievable. Talk about supersized!

Here's some pics.......

Flying toward Denali, still 40 miles out: highest spot in North America.

The two Peaks of Denali. South Peak (in front) is the true summit.

"The Moose's Tooth" - Love the names of some of the peaks!

I once heard a comedian say, "What America needs for vacationers is a good ocean in the mountains." Well, Alaska's got it.

Looking across Turnagain Arm. When the tide comes in it rushes up this river in a wave called a bore tide and can be 10 feet in height. Don't get caught in it.

If you are looking for a place with endless subject matter for the landscape painter, Alaska is it!

Alaska Vacation Start

Well, well, well.

I had everything so carefully planned. My Alaska Adventure has hit a snag.

The first leg (Philly to Boston) was delayed because of a thunderstorm. But, I still might have made my connection had they not discovered a "baggage count discrepancy". So, after waiting on the tarmac, it's back to the gate to resolve the problem. then back out onto the tarmac for another hour and half of waiting. I was 3 hours late for my connection. Thank you, US Airways.

The next flight I was able to get was for the next day and since the only motel in the area that wasn't full was $349 a night (airline wouldn't pay) I spent the night in Logan Airport in Boston. It's hard to sleep sitting in a chair. Supposed to leave on the new flight at 3:30  this afternoon, but my confidence is shaken and I am taking all promises with a grain of salt...a big grain of salt.

No pictures this post, though some of the people passing before me, lo these many hours, are interesting (if not downright strange). Was roundly cursed by a man (homeless?crazy?) who accused me of "running him off" when I sat down three seats away from him.

Thank you, whoever invented Excedrin Extra Strength.