Hiking Badger Springs

Hiking to the Agua Fria River on the Badger Springs trail on a windy Saturday was a way to catch more allergies and check out a new place.  This was a small reward after working 2 weeks on my thesis, a day trip to the Agua Fria National Monument.  The hike down to the river was an easy one mile.  Looking up to the left, petroglyphs grace the rock wall.  The trail from here is mostly boulder hopping and crossing the river a few times.  We went on for another mile up river, finding cactus blooms and a biggie sized suguaro.  On our way home, we stopped in at Arcosanti, my wife's first time there.  It is worth a visit to experience an innovative urban city.  The allergies that came on later that evening were unsatisfactory, but the cactus blooms made it all worth it.

Apex dome at Arcosanti

Signs of Spring

The air is warming, buds are bursting, the grass is green, the lakes are full, the creeks are chortling, and I am enjoying it (despite the pollen). 

Buds at Lynx Creek

Falls at Lynx Creek, south of Lynx Lake

On the shores of Lynx Lake

Moss in the Dells

Watson Lake Dam, overflowing

Lichen, in the Dells

My Studio

This is where I create!  It is a small space but very functional.  It measures about 8x18 ft, well lit, with enough wall space to hang finished paintings and paintings in progress.  I have a separate work table for working on my laptop, reviewing photos, sketching, and finishing picture frames.  A glass-topped table serves as my pallette.  My wife made the lovely burnt orange curtains for a touch of color.  I installed a wall unit air-conditioner and heat it with a space heater.  A few years ago, I insulated this space and hung plywood.  Recently, I finally finished the room by chaulking, trimming, and painting.  Before, the room also doubled as a storage room (all of that junk went into the shed).  It was time to devote this space exclusively to my art-making.  Well, I did leave the bike helmets hanging in there, a reminder to get out and enjoy beautiful AZ.   

 These coffee cans contain my paint thinner. 

A screen door lets the fresh air in and the bugs out.  Looks like my thesis is being worked on!  I better get back to it.

Art Exhibition Coming Soon!

Just about a week until my show starts at the Frame & I Art Gallery in beautiful downtown Prescott.

Snow-Shoeing Smith Ravine

 

Birthday Hike

For my birthday, I chose to hike the Grapevine Trail to check out the waterfall at the end.  The late morning light was great for photographing slow speed images.  Here are some of my favorites.  We were surprised to find the waterfall was frozen, exhibiting an awesome cascading ice sculpture.  Happy Birthday to me!!

New Oil Painting - West Fork Reflections

I've really enjoyed my winter break from grad school, especially having time to paint in the studio.  This 16x20 inch oil was painted only with a pallette knife.  When I started painting, I was using a brush but decided the pallette knife would create the kind of effects I wanted.  This is part of West Fork, about 2.5 miles in, where a natural dam of logs created this reflecting pool.  The sun was illuminating the autumn colors on the opposite bank that were reflected in the quiet waters.  There is some movement in the water in the lower right, where a red leaf floats on the surface.  This was a lot of fun to paint!  Now, I must get back to revising my thesis and save up another bucket full of painting ideas for this summer.  Who knows, I might find some free time to whip up another painting while my thesis is being reviewed.