The Road Renewed

It’s been a long time since I’ve written any thoughts about painting or travels.  Poor health had sent me into an uninspired and un-spirited period.  But the non-painting period allowed me to think about my art−how I want to connect with the viewer, what I want it to reflect, my subject matter, and my style and technique.  I’m refocused!

In the next few posts I will be sharing my recent travels to stunning Sedona, Arizona (and one also to beautiful Door County, Wisconsin) and the photos, thoughts, sketches and studio paintings that resulted from the renewal I’ve experienced walking in the beautiful State Parks and National Forests at each of these locations. 

The first day in Sedona we set out for Red Rock Loop Road and Red Rock Crossing Park.  I very quickly found a shady spot along Oak Creek within site of the famous Cathedral Rock.  Because I’ve decided I’m best a painter of intimate scenes, not monumental landscapes, I chose to sketch the handsome western sycamores along the sandstone banks.

What I experienced—think crisp, clear dry air, gentle cascading creek, cottonwood pollen floating gently by, soft sandstone path beneath my feet, challenging rocks and tree roots, spring desert colors from almost white to yellow to yellow-greens to olive greens, blues, purples and the full spectrum of brown to flaming reds and oranges. Exhale! 

Cathedral Rock-much painted by others. I'm looking for the intimate

"Sycamore Shadows" A watercolor field sketch

My watercolor sketches will be the basis for larger studio works.

Cary Gallery of Artists 200 S. Academy St. in downtown Cary Ashworth Village for these and other paintings. 919-462-2035 Mon-Sat 11am - 5:30 pm.

In the Wilmington area, works available at Figments Gallery, 1319 Military Cutoff, Landfall Shopping Center  Wilmington, NC 28405 910.509.4289

www.sheffieldartstudio.com