Copay Valley Ranches

. This is a beautiful ranch. The trees are starting to blossom. Birds are chattering. Great vistas are everywhere you look. The hill trees and lake are still and look cold. That's because I am cold painting on a hillside early on a February morning with no sun. It is Art&Ag's first printout of the year. We have unusual low temperatures for this time of year. It is unfortunate because this place is the most picturesque ranch I have been to for painting over the years. I was here two days ago to paint and have not finished that piece. It was cold and windy with no place to hide. I painted with a large oak tree behind to be a shield. I gave up after 2 hours. If only the sun would come out and create shadows and light.

Sisters

Out painting at 8AM with the temperature 51 degrees and a bright sun. The Art-Ag group was at a farm. When we pulled in we were directed by the son to a parking area in which his dad was directing parking and giving the history of this farm. It has been in the family since 1883 and some of the buildings appeared to be original. In an hour my sweatshirt was no longer needed and there were many more painters. The buildings are all red and there are olive and oak trees. The tomatoes had been harvested and everything was pretty neat. Personally, I prefer rust, broken farm equipment and falling down barns. The momma, papa and baby size of these 3 buildings appealed to me so I sketched and then painted them. It was a fun time.

The Pumphouse

A cloudless sky and sunny morning started the day but it changed completely in an hour. I had a quick sketch with my shadows in before the clouds arrived and the sun was gone. I was at an Art-Ag event with lots of artists again today. I had both eyes working today and my painting went along fine. This old dilapidated pump house was appealing to many of the painters so I joined in and did my version. The sun never returned.