Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Big Basin Redwoods

Slick Rock Area
Went on a great RV camping trip to Big Basin Redwoods last week. I'm not much of a camper,(having only had bad experiences in the past) but I actually enjoyed it!(Thanks Sue!)  Highlights were the hikes, and being mesmerized by the flames of our camp fire (despite my fear of fire!) Here are my sketches and paintings.
Campsite- seclusion amongst the trees

Fallen Redwood    
 There were a tremendous number of fallen trees, in various states of decomposition.

Sempervirens Falls

Lunch Stop- view 1

Lunch Stop - view 2

No paper large enough to capture a whole Redwood - but I tried!

Friday, May 3, 2013

Cummins Iris Garden

What an amazing place! So much to see and paint, it was quite overwhelming. I tried three things though, a view down the valley, a more immediate view of "stuff" with trees etc, and a closeup of an Iris flower. The Cummins' were so hospitable to us - delightful people and so passionate and knowledgeable about the Irises. I learned a lot.
Lots of "stuff" to paint

Started with a blind contour drawing so my Iris doesn't quite join up in the right places!

The big view - I made up the clouds there were none to be seen!