I love the texture found in sand dunes and the variety of low growing native plants. In this piece, I’ve focused on the hint of a path amongst it all.
A Way Through
8″ x 10″ oil on linen panel
Leslie Landers
Leisurely Breakfast
11” x 14” oil on linen panel
I began this just outside Mariposa and when I brought it home I felt the painting needed something so I added cows.
Mill Creek Bank
8″ x 10″ oil on linen panel
This plein air piece was painted in Lundy Canyon in the Eastern Sierra. In this piece, I focused on observing the junction of sunlit and shad on the other bank of the stream.
Mill Creek in Gold
6″ x 6″ oil on panel
This was one of the last paintings I did on a recent autumn trip in the Eastern Sierra. The plan had been to find a spot next to one of Lundy Canyon’s beaver ponds upstream from this spot but it was raining when we got there. It still was plenty photo worthy though. As we were leaving the canyon (close to Highway 395) the sun came out and everything sparkled. I went with this small format in case the weather turned and enjoyed to chance to enjoy the colors dancing in the water next to me.
Rush Creek at Rest
8″ x 6″ oil on linen panel
I was drawn to the way the pair of aspen trees framing the bank of on the far side of the stream. I also enjoyed the range of purples, oranges and greens in the sierra willow brush along the bank.
Autumn, Lee Vining Creek
10″ x 8″ oil on linen panel
This was painted just off of Tioga Pass close to the junction of Highway 395. There had been worry that the snow would close the pass. Thankfully, that didn’t happen. Just a lovely dusting on distant peaks as I painted by this scenic stream.
Blue Oak Bolero
8″ x 6″ oil on linen panel
I was struck by these two California Blue Oaks and their sympathetically arranged branches and painted them as if caught in a dance … perhaps a slow and sensuous bolero.
Mariposa Airstream
6″ x 8″ oil on linen panel
Sometimes the criteria for a perfect place for a plein air painting is a spot that is protected from the rain. I painted this under a portico. Of course, the sun came out just as I was wrapping up.
Circa 1860, Mariposa
8″ x 10″ oil on linen panel
There’s lots of history to discover in the town of Mariposa. This clapboard home is situated on the grounds of the town’s history center. I enjoyed looking at the patterns created by the sun passing through the trees as I painted and concentrated on getting the perspective right. I worked out the foreground and added details after returning home.
Autumn in the Eastern Sierra
This is the second year in a row that I’ve been fortunate enough to paint along Eastern Sierra streams with gorgeous fall colors. We were thinking we might be hitting Highway 395 a bit late for peak color and there had been forecasts of rain and snow.
Fortunately for us, there was tons of color to savor while we were there and a dusting of snow on the peaks as a bonus. Our first stop came along Tioga Pass itself as we approached Lee Vining. There was just time for a quick painting next to the sounds of rushing creek water. The aspen leaves blowing on my palette served as a color check. My painting of the spot has been pretty much left as is though I’m not sure I consider it to be a finished piece. In any case, I am very interested in hanging on to the sense of fresh air in this little painting. “Autumn, Lee Vining Creek”
I didn’t get a chance to paint in McGee Canyon last year but fell in love the stunning views. Not only are the aspen beautiful but the purples, greens and magenta tones of the brush make a lovely counterpoint. Too windy for a tripod, I painted this in my lap and found my wet panel covered in seeds from the surrounding brush. The painting is not finished but I have been able to remove the seeds. “Waking Canyon”
I painted this in the June Lake Loop area near where we were staying. I’ve only had enough time to sort out the composition and block things in while I was by the stream and took it from there once I was home. I am not sure it’s finished but it is close. I thought I ws going to add the drifts of aspen leaves as they came down the stream but now think there is already plenty going on for very small painting. I left out the ducks too. I may have a go at a larger studio painting of a similar view. “Rush Creek at Rest”
The Lundy Canyon views of mountains, rock formations, colorful aspen and quietly reflective beaver ponds is pretty magical. Unfortunately, we had to call a rain delay at when we arrived at our planned painting spot. Still, as we were leaving the canyon, the sun came out and we happened on a delightful spot by the river. Turned out to be wonderful to the colors of the water and rocks beneath the surface. Joyful low-key moments to wrap up our experience. “Mill Creek in Gold” and “Mill Creek Bank”
I’m still basking in the glow of the Eastern Sierras and hoping for an opportunity to visit and paint again there next year.
