Krause Springs Cactus

Cactus On The Rocks, 6x6

SOLD

The site of last week's PAA paintout, Krause Springs is about thirty-five miles west of Austin, not far from where the Pedernales River feeds into Lake Travis. Our summer sites are invariably near water, so we can cool off before, during or after we put the paintbrushes away. This particular day, the forecast was for a high of 105º, so it was absolutely necessary to take a dip in the 72º spring early on to keep cool while painting. I chose this rocky, cactus-laden outcropping partly because it offered nearby shade and also a variety of textures, colors and values.

Staying Put

Staying Put, 6 x 6

purchase

This spring, Plein Air Austin had a paintout at the Michaelis Rance, south of Austin. On this particular day, feeding the cattle and mowing a pasture were enough to keep the hands busy. Happily, that meant this aging trailer was around to be admired, photographed, and finally today, painted.

Road Warrior

Road Warrior, 6 x 6

SOLD

Having never tried one, I've been keeping an eye out for an old vehicle to paint, and yesterday's PAA paint-out at the Davis Ranch offered several good choices. Besides the other vehicles, there were countless beautiful landscapes to paint on this ranch, which raises Texas Longhorn cattle. I hope to go back out there sometime soon to paint from the "natural world," but on this visit I couldn't pass up this amazingly expressive old road construction truck. It's as if it were relating to me its many stories the entire time I stood before it.