Postcard from Mt. Rainier

This lovely picture of Mt. Rainier and Tipsoo Lake was photographed nearly 5 years ago, in Sept. of 2005, using my very first digital camera, an Olympus single lens reflex. It was actually my first road trip with my new toy…and, frankly, I made a lot of bad shots that day.

Fortunately, this was not one of them. Tipsoo Lake is at the east entrance to Mt. Lassen National Park, just over Chinook Pass on Highway 410. It is the first view you see of Mt. Rainier. I took this photo coming down from the pass. Eventually you get down to the same level as the lake. In fact, I remember hiking the trail around it the next day.

Still, it was an interesting day…my first visit ever to this glorious national park. I enjoyed myself thoroughly, although my pictures did not turn out all that great. In fact I was a bit mystified at some of my results.  Using this camera was so different from my film cameras.

Near the end of the day, I drove all the way out of the park to the west and took a hotel room for the evening. There, I sat down and read the camera’s manual from beginning to end, trying to figure out what I had done wrong…and I mostly did. I learned a great deal that night…so much so that when I went back into the park the next day, my photos turned out much improved. How infinitely better things work when you read the instructions.

Actually, it wasn’t that I hadn’t read the instructions, it was just that I needed to do it again after I did a day of continual shooting with the new camera. The instructions then made a lot more sense…and I learned some new tricks that I didn’t read the first time through. There are so many settings on today’s cameras that one should always put the manual in the camera bag and carry it with you at all times. Worked for me on this trip and on many occasions since.

I still have that camera, but don’t use it as much as my Nikon get most of the photographic work. But, I still like to use it once in a while as it is a very good camera with some unusual features my Nikon does not have. So, I guess the lesson here is read the manual, then use the camera, then re-read the manual again and again. Works for me.

Postcard from Chicago

This rather tall building, photographed at a bit of an angle, is the Sears Tower in downtown Chicago…although it is more properly known today as Willis Tower.  However, most Chicagoans still refer to it as the Sears Tower.  And why not…it has been that name for many years.

Sear’s license for the name actually expired in 2003, but the naming rights were sold in 2009 to London-based insurance broker Willis Group Holdings, Ltd…hence the new name. 

At the time of its completion in 1974, it was the tallest building in the world, surpassing the World Trade Center towers in New York. Currently, Willis Tower is the tallest building in the United States and the fifth-tallest freestanding structure in the world.

I photographed this black building on a gray day, hence, the original image has no color. So I just changed it officially to black and white. I shot it at an angle as I am wont to do when the occasion calls for it, just to be doing something different, and because I like the results.  Also, most skyscrapers are photographed vertically, and by shooting at an angle, I can do it horizontally. I darkened the lower portion of the building on purpose. I do like way this image turned out.

Postcard from Tucson

As you might guess, it is very hot this time of year in Tucson. As I write these words, it is 105 outside, heading for 108. Yesterday, it hit 111…and there is no end in site. What all this means is I get to spend a lot of time inside, some of which is spent creating new digital paintings.

That is very true of this new work titled, “The Old Courthouse.” It only took me two days to complete it with no false starts. I knew what I wanted to do and I did it right out of the box (so to speak).

This is the old Pima County Courthouse, located here in downtown Tucson. It is called the old courthouse because in the 70’s the county built a new multistory courthouse very close by.  It is not as pretty as this one, especially when the spring flowers are blooming.

Incidentally, the old courthouse (built in 1931) is no longer used as a courthouse, but it still retains the name. It is currently used by Pima County for office space for various functionaries.

One of the interesting facts about downtown Tucson is that the modern multi-storied building are mixed right in with old Tucson, which contains some beautiful historic buildings from the city’s past. I will shortly begin painting some of these old buildings, so stay tuned.

If you are ever here, take a self-guided walking tour of the downtown area to see the old and the new together. (Be sure and stop at El Charro for the best Mexican food you ever ate.)

Postcard from Bryce

Thor’s Hammer is a famous landmark in Bryce Canyon National Park. It has probably been photographed a billion times…if not more. If you have been to Bryce, I bet you even photographed it yourself.

On this lovely early morning in September of last year, the light hitting the rock was spectacular. Thor’s Hammer had a magic glow to it, not from the sun which would be on the left…but rather from the reflection of light bouncing off red rocks to the right of this photo.

Now, the problem for me with the original photo is all the rocks in the picture are red.  Everything’s red. So I decided to play with it using black and white filters to see if I could make the glow of Thor’s Hammer be a color unto itself and separate it from the rocks in the background.  I played and played with several different filters in my arsenal to come up with the final image. It was fun doing and I am not sure I could do it again as I didn’t record my steps.

But I think I achieved what I set out to do…make Thor’s Hammer really stand out. It almost looks like I used a flash, but trust me, I didn’t. I hope you enjoy it also.

Postcard from Tucson

This is my newest painting, entitled “Magnolias Against a Brick Wall.” I must say I like it very much. I am sorry the image has to be so small for these blogs (although it is now bigger than it used to be). There is a lot of interesting brush work here (and brush marks) that add to the quality of the picture.   like.

The original image was taken in mid April this year on the campus of the University of Arizona. The UofA has done a great job of planting trees and plants all over the campus that yield spectacular colors in Spring. This year, as I have written here before, was extremely beautiful. I am already looking forward to next year.

I hope you like this new painting and I will continue to publish new works here as I finish them. There are still a few new ones you have not seen yet.

Postcard from Organ Pipe – The Double Arch

In March, my friend and fellow professional photographer Dave Forester and I made the trek to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument near the Mexican Border. You have already seen some of the photos we took that day as we were on the lookout for desert wildflowers.

But along the way, on this rather rough dirt road in the back country, we ran into a rarity in this part of the Southwest…an arch. Of course, arches are not unknown here, just a rarity this far south. What was also fun, was that I got to photograph it centered right above a rare Organ Pipe cactus. While not rare inside this National Monument, they are a rarity everywhere else as about 98% of all Organ Pipe cacti are located here.  In fact, the only other two Organ Pipes I have ever seen are on the campus of the University of Arizona in a special desert garden. 

But what make this arch so unique, as you can see from the second photo, is that on top of the large arch is a smaller arch. Now, I saw a spectacular double arch in The Arches National Park in Utah, but it was not sitting on top of another arch. This little arch out here in nowhere, just a few miles from Mexico, is quite a find. 

I nicknamed this arch “Rabbit Arch” as the rock formation inside the arch looks like a rabbit at rest, complete with ears.   I recommend you go see it if you are ever in the vicinity, but be prepared for a very rough ride.

Postcard from Hunters

This is another painting that I recently finished after being on hold for a couple of years.  As mentioned before, I had a few painting in the works that I never quite finished or was not happy with.  Again, recently acquired tools allowed me to re-do this painting from scratch and produce a work that I like better than any attempts done in the past.

This painting comes from yet another image from the town of Hunters near Lake Roosevelt in northern Washington State. The town turned out to be a treasure trove of images of old cars and trucks…and now an old gas station.  I like to think of it as a bit of Americana…remnants of a time passed, but not forgotten.

And, surprise…I have a few more images from there that I have not even attempted to paint…yet. Stay tuned.  

Postcard from Chicago – A Sketch

I mentioned in a recent blog how much I love sketches and engravings. The majority of my favorites are those done in black and white media.

The other day, I was playing with some new software specifically designed for sketching and observed that I could do watercolor sketches (digital, of course). I had never done anything in this media so I decided to explore the possibilities.  After a couple of attempts, I sketched this image of the Chicago skyline.

I was surprised by the results. As usual, I decided to let it sit for a few days to see if I still liked it later.  Well, I do. I emphasize that it is a sketch, not one of my more in-depth paintings.

As I also mentioned here before, I spent a lot of time in the Sketch Gallery at the Chicago Institute of Art. It was interesting to see the number of different kinds of sketches on display, including watercolors. In fact, there were several preliminary sketches of famous paintings that are hung elsewhere in the painting galleries.

I admit it was fun to try something different and even more fun to be pleasantly surprised at the results.

Postcard from Yosemite

It’s Spring, 2006 in Yosemite Valley, before the tourist season begins. In the valley, the waterfalls at running 25% above normal as the winter snowfall was way above normal.  There are waterfalls everywhere, most with no names. They will be gone in a couple of weeks, but they are there to enjoy now.

This waterfall does have a name…Yosemite Falls…specifically the lower portion of this landmark feature of the valley. The trail to the falls is an easy one from a parking lot. On the way, you can see all of the falls framed by trees.

When you arrive at Lower Yosemite Falls, you are standing on a bridge. For most of the year, you can stand here and leisurely take all the photos you want.

But on the this day, the mist from the falls is so intense, I had to stand with my back to the falls, quickly turn and snap a photo, then turn immediately to wipe off the camera and lens. I did this about three times and prayed that I had a good shot.  I did…all three actually.

This is one of them, done in Ansel Adams-style black and white (of course, since I am less than a mile from his Yosemite studio). I hope you like it.

Postcard from Rome

Longtime readers know I have a special love for sketches and engravings. One of my favorite places in my recent visit to the Chicago Institute of Art was the gallery where sketches are displayed. Went through that gallery three or four times.

On my last trip to Rome, I took a photograph of a statue of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. He ruled Rome from 161 till 180 AD and is known as the last of the “Five Good Emperors.” The original of this statue went on display in Rome is 176 AD (this one is a copy). Being a devotee of Roman history, I wanted to do something special with the original photo. For many reasons, I decided to do a sketch.

Easier said than done. I worked and worked on a possible sketch off and on for a few years, none of which made me happy. I tried all kinds of different techniques…but they just didn’t measure up.

Lately I’ve undertaken the task to finish a number of unfinished art projects, including the Marcus Aurelius sketch, with new tools that have been made available to me.  I have been quite successful at this task…and you will see some other results in future blogs.

But, for today, I hope you will enjoy my finally-completed sketch of this famous Roman Emperor. I went through many many steps and variations to come up with this one, and after looking at it off an on for a few days, this is my final version.

Incidentally, I also did an engraving of the original photograph which I am still completing the final touches. You may see that one in the future also. But for now, enjoy this sketch which took many years to complete. Ah, the trials and tribulations of the artist.

Postcard from the High Sierra

I took this photo on Lee Vining Creek, about 1/3 of the way up towards Tioga Pass on Highway 120 from Mono Lake. I was camped out near here for a couple of nights before heading up the mountain to the pass and the Yosemite High Country.  Obviously it is autumn, late October actually.

Water reflections was one of the subjects that fascinated the Impressionist painters. They worked hard trying to capture this visual phenomenon with brushes and paints.  It is a little easier for the photographer. What we try to do is frame the image in such as way the you see not only the interesting abstract reflection, but a little of the shoreline (like the rock in the foreground) so you, the viewer, can put the scene into perspective.

By the way, you may have noticed lately that the photos here are larger than in the past.  Thank Microsoft for this. They recently upgraded the Windows Live Writer software to make photo sizing  and positioning much easier.

Enjoy.

Postcard from Canyon de Chelly

I wanted to share this photograph I took in Canyon de Chelly (pronounced “deshay”). For those who don’t know, this unusual canyon is located in northeast Arizona and is both a National Monument and part of the Navajo Nation. Tourists are not allowed in the canyon unless they are accompanied by a Navajo guide. Most folks like me just prowl the roads and trails the skirt high above the canyon walls.

This photo, shows the effect of a phenomenon known as “desert varnish”, the black substance you see on the wall. There are several instances of it in Canyon de Chelly and other locations in the Southwest.  It can make for an interesting black and white photo, properly framed, of course.

For inquiring minds, desert varnish, according to an article on Wikipedia, “scientists originally thought that the varnish was made from substances drawn out of the rocks it coats. Microscopic and microchemical observations, however, show that a major part of varnish is clay, which could only arrive by wind. Clay, then, acts as a substrate to catch additional substances that chemically react together when the rock reaches high temperatures in the desert sun. Wetting by dew is also important in the process.”

Also in the photo on the lower left, almost too small to see, are the remains of an Anasazi cliff dwelling. There are several of those in the canyon.

I just like the abstract interplay of the desert varnish on the red rock.  Black and white works well in Canyon de Chelly.  And speaking of black and white,  Ansel Adams did some beautiful work here, including one of his famous shots of another Anasazi ruin called “The White House.” It also features a strong element  of desert varnish.

Postcard from Hunters – The Old Truck

I’ve always had good response from readers when I showed photos or paintings of trucks and automobiles in a state of old age and disrepair. In going over some of my old b logs, I realized I never showed you this painting of an old truck I found in the small town of Hunters, WA.

It was sitting right by the highway along with some other vehicles in not-so-great shapes. But this one stood out because of its colors and contrasts. Perhaps I enhanced the colors a little (artistic license), but even with that, it was a great find.

I went by it a year later and it had deteriorated quite a bit. I wonder what it looks like today or even if it is still there.

It turned out to be one of my most popular paintings and I sold many prints during my time on the art show highway. I remember one show where I sold every print I had including a large canvas version. Good times.

Enjoy.

Postcard from Venice – Ponte Rialto

I worked on my art this past Memorial Day Weekend. By that I mean the digital paintings I create from my original photographs. Long time readers know I spent some years on the art road selling my work at shows and was pretty successful at it.

Admittedly, I’ve not done as many new paintings as I thought when I retired here to Tucson. But, Tucson is a town of many charms that keep me busy…and during that time I’ve added many new photos to my collection from many different trips. Some of these will turn into paintings as I once again pick up my digital paintbrush.

I started this painting of the famous Rialto Bridge that spans the Grand Canal in Venice sometime ago…then let it sit, while I decided over time, as is my custom, if I liked it or not. And, frankly, I forgot about it…until I came across it this weekend.  And guess what…I still like it!  I put some finishing touches on it and marked it complete. It is being seen in public here for the first time.

I remember taking the photograph on my last trip to Venice, knowing I wanted to paint it. Rather than photograph the bridge from higher up or from further down the Grand Canal, as has been done so many times over the centuries, I decided to shoot it from water level close-up.  I was inspired by a watercolor by John Singer Sargent, done from this same point of view.

I hope you like it also.