Flying Across the Colors ...a Bluebird Appeared Out of Nowhere... Colorado hikes are never routine because the scenery changes. What I remember from the last time I visited looks different now. In fall, Colorado aspens have an explosive color change. It happens first on the highest peaks and slowly invades lower altitudes. The [...]
The Song Session —A Chorus of Chirping— It’s a regular part of summer for us to hike in the woods and not just for the exercise. The inspiration, spiritual peace, experience of solitude, joyful conversations, and especially the visuals that surround us, call us back again and again. Hiking drives the creative process [...]
First Light on Marmot Trail You’ve got to be kidding! Ever since I embraced Staunton State Park as my favorite place to hike the trails, I’ve made it a point to challenge myself. With its beautiful scenery, it’s easy to get carried away and venture further and further out before heading back. I [...]
Rams Horn Lodge I knew this photo would make a good subject for a painting. The Flat Tops Wilderness Area is home to many places rich with beauty, dotted with scenic mountain lakes. One lake in particular has drawn us to visit it whenever we head to Yampa, a tiny mountain town roughly [...]
Seeking Shelter in the Pines Talk about a blast of color! I have lived in Colorado over fifty years and still have not been able to see some bird species that are native to our state. The common ones, sure. But when I come across one that I have always wanted to see [...]
A Tough Nut to Crack How am I ever going to paint this guy? That is what I was thinking when I saw this tufted, or tassel-eared, squirrel watching me just off my hiking path. In nature he stands out because of his dark body against all the pine needles that surround him. [...]
From the Timber to the Lake As I left, the quiet prayer that is carried inside me became audible that day. Being in nature helps me to sort things out about my life. It provides the calmness I need to cope with all the busyness that goes on during the winter months. Being [...]
Pristine Moment We have what we call “leaf-peeping” season when the aspen trees explode into vibrant color. Colorado is noted for its beautiful scenic parks, scattered all across the state. Every one of them has something unique going for it that draws people from all over the country to visit. We have what [...]
Vanishing Point My grandparents lived on a farm in rural North Dakota… During a visit in my early childhood a strong storm developed. Everyone was huddled in the house watching and waiting. My memory begins with hearing the twister rather than seeing it. As it approached, the strong wind tipped over the outhouse. [...]
Distant Thunder The inspiration for this painting happened on a camping trip. Robin and I had enjoyed a day hiking and were relaxing around the campfire at the base of Guanella Pass, at the Geneva Creek Campground. The weather forecast had been good for the weekend, but anyone who lives in Colorado will [...]
