The best day to be in Zion National Park

Here's a heads-up for all you Zion art enthusiasts. Mark your calendars now.

A group of enthusiasts watch as Roland Lee paints in the Quick Draw event of the 2011 Plein Air Invitational at Zion National Park. 

If you can spend only one day in Zion National Park this year, make it Saturday, November 10, when 25 of the nation’s best landscape artists will begin painting at 1:00 p.m. on the lawn in front of the Zion Lodge and will each create a masterpiece by 2:30.  It’s perhaps the most intriguing part of the annual week-long “In the Footsteps of Thomas Moran” Plein Air Art Event in Zion.  Early November is a magical time in the park.  There are relatively few people in the canyon, the colors are magnificent, and the opportunity to see great artists at work is priceless. Schedule of events.

Land of Contrasts: Artists Diary of Dixie National Forest. Step by step painting of Pine Valley Reservoir

I am Getting ready for "Land of Contrasts: Dixie National Forest" to be exhibited at the Eccles Art Museum November 16, 2012 through January 22, 2013. I turned to one of my favorite local spots in the Dixie Forest -- Pine Valley Reservoir for this new painting. Based on my plein air studies, I thought you'd enjoy seeing the three main steps in the production of this piece. Using Arches 140 lb paper mounted on "Incredible Art Board" I begin by laying down most of the basic glazes with very little detail. In the next image I begin adding darks as I delineate some of the major features. In the final painting I have added foreground details and refined the edges.

Plein Air Painting at Pine Valley

I have been invited to participate in a special art exhibit at the Eccles Museum this fall featuring paintings of the Dixie National Forest in Southern Utah. A number of other artists have also been invited, along with Arlene Braithwaite who is the featured artist. In preparation for that event my buddy Myron Laub and I enjoyed a morning painting at Pine Valley. We chose a cool and shady spot along the Santa Clara creek where the meandering waters tumbled over rocks and logs.

My little plein air watercolor

My friend Myron Laub came up with a nice plein air watercolor

Southern Utah Watercolor Society Enjoys Plein Air Painting at Pine Valley

Our local painting group, the Southern Utah Watercolor Society decided to head up to the mountains to bask in the cool air recently. Our destination, Pine Valley Mountain turned out to be just the spot. With 105 degree weather down in St. George the cool air and higher elevation of this quaint pioneer town was just the ticket. Some chose to work along the river, and near Pine Valley Reservoir, but most were drawn to the weathered barns and charming pioneer homes. After a morning painting we gathered near the old pioneer chapel and spread our paintings along the fence. We were surprised to find one of our favorite watercolorists, Spike Ress, had dropped in unexpectedly and shared in the critique. Everyone enjoyed a tour of Spike's "custom" van which has been converted into a near-perfect rolling art studio. What a great day painting outdoors!