Colorado High

Last week I did an 8x10 study first and then a 16x20 painting based on that study. This was the first time I tried this process and I'm excited to say it was very successful. I worked out some design and color problems in the study. And then painted the larger painting, having learned from the study. And when the larger painting didn't seem quite strong, I looked at the study and realized what I had done there to strengthen the composition! viola, I added this strength (a separation of background from foreground) to the larger painting.

Another huge win for me is that I could use one decision to create two paintings. Choosing the photo to use for a studio painting is always a huge challenge for me. I just can't seem to commit to a decision. I think it's all about fear - fear of choosing the "wrong" photo. I usually have several dozen perfectly good photos and just need to commit. If I first commit to an 8x10 painting then perhaps the decision will be easier.

I'll post photos of those paintings as soon as I get some daylight to use! In the meantime, enjoy a Colorado scene above. It's from the same hike and resulting photos that I used in the painting. This was a hike we did in a gentle rain in July using the Dream Lake trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park.

From Study to Large Painting

My goal this Autumn is to take 4 of my on-location studies and use them as inspiration for large paintings. I really enjoy this process, since by re-visiting the study itself I am swept away by memories of the day when I created the study. This church in Arroyo Seco, NM was painted on site during a warm, wonderful May morning when I and several of my good friends set up and spent 2 glorious hours immersed in our creative bliss. The sun was warm on our shoulders, the only sounds were the call of birds and the rustle of bright green foilage in the breeze.

GOP, not for me

This letter to the editor in the News & Observer on Nov 14, 2010 sums up my beliefs and feelings so well that I just can't help put post it here too:

GOP, not for me
The free market is the most powerful driver of innovation and invention there is. It is great at creating things. The Republicans get that.

But when a free market creates things that benefit a few to the detriment of the nation as a whole, it is totally lousy at fixing them. The Republicans don't get that.

If the market creates things that make a very few people obscenely wealthy, I have no problem with that. But if it makes a few individuals obscenely wealthy while nearly causing the collapse of our entire financial system or making adequate health care unaffordable for a growing segment of our population, then I believe the government has a constitutional obligation ("provide for the general welfare") to step in.


That's why, after 40 years, I am no longer a Republican.


Steve Mark


Cary NC