Standing Strong 挺拔

 This tree has been standing here in Ghost Ranch for many years.  It was featured in one of Georgia O'Keeffe's painting many years ago.  It has this artistic composition and attracted me to paint it.  While in Ghost Ranch I took tours to visit the landscape where Georgia O'Keeffe painted and also visited her home in Abique.  I was impressed with her vision of art and environment as a lady artist living in early 20th century.  On the way home we also visited her museum in Santa Fe to see the special exhibit of her paintings done in Lake George of NY before her time in New Mexico.  It was a fabulous exhibit.  I am so glad I got to see the original paintings of this amazing and unique artist. 

Oil on linen canvas board, 10x8

Fleeting Lights 飛逝的朝陽

 A group of us (15 artists) under Angie Banta Brown spent a week in Ghost Ranch (near Santa Fe, NM) to do paintings (oil, watercolor, or pastel) in late October, 2013.  This was my first visit to Ghost Ranch.  I've totally enjoyed the beauty of this inspiring place and the time without much contact with the outside world (no TV, no phone, and limited internet).  It was just a wonderful retreat to purify my soul with the mountain, the fresh air, and the art.  I did this painting one early morning standing in the cold breeze outside the Art Center to capture the fleeting morning lights.  The beautiful lights and shadows were disappeared in about 30 minutes.  I sketched the composition and painted quickly to capture the feeling of the scenery.

The flat top mountain in the background is the famous Pedernall Mountain.  Georgia O'Keeffe painted it many times in her paintings and said that "If I painted the Pedernall enough God will give the mountain to me."  After she passed away her ashes were spread over the mountain top.

 Oil on canvas board, 8x10

After Snow 雪中靜思

 Even though I grew up in the warm climate I always love to see the snow scenery.  I like the quiet feeling the snow brings to me.  Holidays are around the corner that reminds me of a good snow day.  Let it snow.

Oil on canvas board, 8x10