Cold Smoke

      This is a larger painting from a plein air study I did earlier.  This was in the dead of winter and there were high winds above.  This is Sheep Mountain at Lizardhead pass - 13168 ft or 4013m.  The snow blowing off the top is called Cold Smoke, Dragon's breath and other colorful names depending on where you live.

Terrapin Ridge

     I had done this scene before but that one was in the springtime and was done en plein air.   This is a larger version of that scene in the fall.  I liked the warms against the cool of the blacktop road.

Light in the Storm

This is a larger work than I ususally do.  I headed up to the pass to catch an early snowfall (what was I thinking, I have 5 more months of this!) and this is what I found.  I painted a smaller 10 x 12, plein air, to capture the color and essence of this scene.  It was about 38 degrees at that time with a good wind.  I used my SUV to block what wind I could and eventually ended up in the back end of the truck with just my easel outside.  I finally had to stop when I found my hands not working well and having a hard time thinking because I was so cold.  I have done a few touch ups since this picture but this is pretty close.