dipping my brush in my soul - jana van wyk

Monday, July 27, 2009

Day 1 - Plein Air Painters of NM Paint Out

"Racing the Sun" 14x11 oil $585

Day one (for me) of the Plein Air Painters of NM Paint Out in Taos began with a very early rising and on the road to Arroyo Hondo by 7am. And the early rising was so worth it! The rolling countryside was enchanting.

Eventually, the road revealed the Rio Grande gorge.

And by 8am we were throwing up our easels to paint this scene! We painted quickly since the sun would be over the west side of the gorge wall in less than 90 minutes. By 10:30am we were back at the El Monte Sagrado resort to enjoy a late breakfast/early lunch - with a painting to show for our early adventure!

"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." -Henry Ward Beecher. This is my journey of dipping my brush into my own soul and painting what I find. I have a passion for our American West and those landscapes are my primary focus. But, averaging 6-8 weeks of travel a year, I will paint whereever I am. I usually paint on location, i.e. plein air, but also revel in taking a plein air study and my photographs and using them to create a large, more thoughtful, studio work. In addition to bold brushwork and vibrant color, the power of the composition is becoming more important to my work. The work of Vincent Van Gogh, Maynard Dixon, Edgar Payne, Birger Sandzen, and Walt Gonske has been a huge inspiration to me.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Pilar Yacht Club

There was not a yacht in sight but the idea of a yacht club in the middle of the high desert did cool us off on a warm day in May! The High Desert Painters posed for this photo after a day painting along the Rio Grande Gorge in northern New Mexico.

The High Desert Painters in Pilar, NM - l to r: Jana Van Wyk, Judy Howells, Nelson Hubley, Coni Grant, Nita Harper, Ron, and Janis Loverin.

"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." -Henry Ward Beecher. This is my journey of dipping my brush into my own soul and painting what I find. I have a passion for our American West and those landscapes are my primary focus. But, averaging 6-8 weeks of travel a year, I will paint whereever I am. I usually paint on location, i.e. plein air, but also revel in taking a plein air study and my photographs and using them to create a large, more thoughtful, studio work. In addition to bold brushwork and vibrant color, the power of the composition is becoming more important to my work. The work of Vincent Van Gogh, Maynard Dixon, Edgar Payne, Birger Sandzen, and Walt Gonske has been a huge inspiration to me.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Looking Down - from photo taken at Yellowstone National Park

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"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." -Henry Ward Beecher. This is my journey of dipping my brush into my own soul and painting what I find. I have a passion for our American West and those landscapes are my primary focus. But, averaging 6-8 weeks of travel a year, I will paint whereever I am. I usually paint on location, i.e. plein air, but also revel in taking a plein air study and my photographs and using them to create a large, more thoughtful, studio work. In addition to bold brushwork and vibrant color, the power of the composition is becoming more important to my work. The work of Vincent Van Gogh, Maynard Dixon, Edgar Payne, Birger Sandzen, and Walt Gonske has been a huge inspiration to me.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Cottonwood Afternoon

"Cottonwood Afternoon" 8x10 oil $350 framed

Painted on location at Ghost Ranch near Abiquiu, New Mexico during the Autumn season of golden cottonwoods.

"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." -Henry Ward Beecher. This is my journey of dipping my brush into my own soul and painting what I find. I have a passion for our American West and those landscapes are my primary focus. But, averaging 6-8 weeks of travel a year, I will paint whereever I am. I usually paint on location, i.e. plein air, but also revel in taking a plein air study and my photographs and using them to create a large, more thoughtful, studio work. In addition to bold brushwork and vibrant color, the power of the composition is becoming more important to my work. The work of Vincent Van Gogh, Maynard Dixon, Edgar Payne, Birger Sandzen, and Walt Gonske has been a huge inspiration to me.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

"Autumn Cottonwoods", 11x14 oil, $750 framed

The sun was low -- near evening-- in northern New Mexico; the shadows were deepening and the glow of the sun was golden. Painted on location at Ghost Ranch.

"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." -Henry Ward Beecher. This is my journey of dipping my brush into my own soul and painting what I find. I have a passion for our American West and those landscapes are my primary focus. But, averaging 6-8 weeks of travel a year, I will paint whereever I am. I usually paint on location, i.e. plein air, but also revel in taking a plein air study and my photographs and using them to create a large, more thoughtful, studio work. In addition to bold brushwork and vibrant color, the power of the composition is becoming more important to my work. The work of Vincent Van Gogh, Maynard Dixon, Edgar Payne, Birger Sandzen, and Walt Gonske has been a huge inspiration to me.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Local Color Paint Out and Show, Raleigh, NC

On April 18, 2009, Local Color Gallery in Raleigh, NC will hold their annual Local Color Paint Out competition with a show of the paintings created that day. The photo above is of a painting I did at the event last year on Boylan Avenue. And the photo below is of me while I was painting it.

I will be painting in this event again this year. The official paint out locations have changed this year to the southern area of the neighborhood, and I'm excited to paint these historic areas of Boylan Avenue in Raleigh, NC for the first time. Let's hope for great weather like we had in 2008!

"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." -Henry Ward Beecher. This is my journey of dipping my brush into my own soul and painting what I find. I have a passion for our American West and those landscapes are my primary focus. But, averaging 6-8 weeks of travel a year, I will paint whereever I am. I usually paint on location, i.e. plein air, but also revel in taking a plein air study and my photographs and using them to create a large, more thoughtful, studio work. In addition to bold brushwork and vibrant color, the power of the composition is becoming more important to my work. The work of Vincent Van Gogh, Maynard Dixon, Edgar Payne, Birger Sandzen, and Walt Gonske has been a huge inspiration to me.

Friday, February 27, 2009

"On the Mesa" oil 11x14

Usually I experience northern New Mexico during the autumn months; for example, the painting above was painted in October at Ghost Ranch. However, this year, for the first time, the High Desert Painters will visit Taos in May during the Spring season. It will be very exciting to see the difference in the landscape, colors, and light! The rivers will be swollen and the foliage will be new and bright pastels instead of golden autumnal. I expect the color change will be a challenge for me and I will need to remember to adjust my palette accordingly.

"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." -Henry Ward Beecher. This is my journey of dipping my brush into my own soul and painting what I find. I have a passion for our American West and those landscapes are my primary focus. But, averaging 6-8 weeks of travel a year, I will paint whereever I am. I usually paint on location, i.e. plein air, but also revel in taking a plein air study and my photographs and using them to create a large, more thoughtful, studio work. In addition to bold brushwork and vibrant color, the power of the composition is becoming more important to my work. The work of Vincent Van Gogh, Maynard Dixon, Edgar Payne, Birger Sandzen, and Walt Gonske has been a huge inspiration to me.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Crested Butte, Colorado

My family and I vacationed in Crested Butte, Colorado a few weeks ago - what a gorgeous town and area to visit. The vacation was primarily for skiing but I did manage to get into town late one afternoon, specifically to take reference photographs for future paintings. The town is a historic mining town and it is very "paintable"; everywhere you look there's compositions and character.

I visited Shaun Horne's gallery named Oh-Be-Joyful Gallery. I've been following his career and it's a class act. The gallery is wonderful and his large, plein air work is very well done.

Here's a photo of us on the Crested Butte Mountain!

"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." -Henry Ward Beecher. This is my journey of dipping my brush into my own soul and painting what I find. I have a passion for our American West and those landscapes are my primary focus. But, averaging 6-8 weeks of travel a year, I will paint whereever I am. I usually paint on location, i.e. plein air, but also revel in taking a plein air study and my photographs and using them to create a large, more thoughtful, studio work. In addition to bold brushwork and vibrant color, the power of the composition is becoming more important to my work. The work of Vincent Van Gogh, Maynard Dixon, Edgar Payne, Birger Sandzen, and Walt Gonske has been a huge inspiration to me.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Winter Light

"Winter Light" oil 11x14

The combination of a late afternoon warm sunshine on a cool wintry scene in northern New Mexico allows a delicious blend of rich colors.

"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." -Henry Ward Beecher. This is my journey of dipping my brush into my own soul and painting what I find. I have a passion for our American West and those landscapes are my primary focus. But, averaging 6-8 weeks of travel a year, I will paint whereever I am. I usually paint on location, i.e. plein air, but also revel in taking a plein air study and my photographs and using them to create a large, more thoughtful, studio work. In addition to bold brushwork and vibrant color, the power of the composition is becoming more important to my work. The work of Vincent Van Gogh, Maynard Dixon, Edgar Payne, Birger Sandzen, and Walt Gonske has been a huge inspiration to me.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Taos paint out in May 2009

Even though it's only February we're beginning to plan the next High Desert Painters' plein air paint out trip. Our next paint out will be Taos, New Mexico and its environs which we will visit during the week of May 3, 2009. We should enjoy some wonderful spring color in the high desert!

"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." -Henry Ward Beecher. This is my journey of dipping my brush into my own soul and painting what I find. I have a passion for our American West and those landscapes are my primary focus. But, averaging 6-8 weeks of travel a year, I will paint whereever I am. I usually paint on location, i.e. plein air, but also revel in taking a plein air study and my photographs and using them to create a large, more thoughtful, studio work. In addition to bold brushwork and vibrant color, the power of the composition is becoming more important to my work. The work of Vincent Van Gogh, Maynard Dixon, Edgar Payne, Birger Sandzen, and Walt Gonske has been a huge inspiration to me.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

La Santisima Trinidad, Arroyo Seco, NM

La Santisima Trinidad, Arroyo Seco, NM

14x11 oil

(painted on location)

From the church's website: "The Holy Trinity church in Arroyo Seco is an excellent example of early 19th century historic mission churches of northern New Mexico. Dating from the 1830’s, its thick adobe walls, heavy pine vigas, hand-crafted corbels and original altar screen tell of the intense faith that motivated the early settlers who built it, using only the simplest of tools: their hands, wood and earth. "

Mid-morning in autumn was a wonderful time to set up on location and paint my reaction to this scene. There was so much to absorb outside that we didn't even think of going inside! The next time I'm in Arroyo Seco I'll be sure to stop by and see the altar screen.

"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." -Henry Ward Beecher. This is my journey of dipping my brush into my own soul and painting what I find. I have a passion for our American West and those landscapes are my primary focus. But, averaging 6-8 weeks of travel a year, I will paint whereever I am. I usually paint on location, i.e. plein air, but also revel in taking a plein air study and my photographs and using them to create a large, more thoughtful, studio work. In addition to bold brushwork and vibrant color, the power of the composition is becoming more important to my work. The work of Vincent Van Gogh, Maynard Dixon, Edgar Payne, Birger Sandzen, and Walt Gonske has been a huge inspiration to me.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Santuario de Chimayo

Santuario de Chimayo, Autumn

11x14 oil

(painted on location)

In early October of 2008 I was privileged to spend a day in Chimayo, New Mexico. After a deeply moving visit to the santuario, two friends and I set up our easels and painted in the warm sun. I chose to paint this side view under a tree next to a babbling stream. What a wonderful day.

"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." -Henry Ward Beecher. This is my journey of dipping my brush into my own soul and painting what I find. I have a passion for our American West and those landscapes are my primary focus. But, averaging 6-8 weeks of travel a year, I will paint whereever I am. I usually paint on location, i.e. plein air, but also revel in taking a plein air study and my photographs and using them to create a large, more thoughtful, studio work. In addition to bold brushwork and vibrant color, the power of the composition is becoming more important to my work. The work of Vincent Van Gogh, Maynard Dixon, Edgar Payne, Birger Sandzen, and Walt Gonske has been a huge inspiration to me.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Sunrise on Chimney Rock in northern NM

During my stay at Ghost Ranch NM in Oct 2008, breakfast was served in the cafeteria at 7:30 a.m. sharp, so early rising was a must. That meant that I got to see the sunrise on the high desert every morning. I took this photograph during the 5 minutes when the sun was creeping over Kitchen Mesa to the east and casting its glow on Chimney Rock to the west. I can still feel the crisp, early-morning, autumn air on my just-washed face.

"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." -Henry Ward Beecher. This is my journey of dipping my brush into my own soul and painting what I find. I have a passion for our American West and those landscapes are my primary focus. But, averaging 6-8 weeks of travel a year, I will paint whereever I am. I usually paint on location, i.e. plein air, but also revel in taking a plein air study and my photographs and using them to create a large, more thoughtful, studio work. In addition to bold brushwork and vibrant color, the power of the composition is becoming more important to my work. The work of Vincent Van Gogh, Maynard Dixon, Edgar Payne, Birger Sandzen, and Walt Gonske has been a huge inspiration to me.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Visiting Walt Gonske's Studio

Lask week during my trip to Taos, New Mexico, I was fortunate enough to visit Walt Gonske's home, studio, and gallery. We had had a week of warm, dry weather so this day of gentle rain was a wonderful respite from the dust. This photo shows Walt's garden and portal; if you look through his work, you will find that he occasionally uses this view as the subject for his paintings. Walt was very gracious during our visit -- the High Desert Painters did this together -- and later we met for dinner in Taos.

"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." -Henry Ward Beecher. This is my journey of dipping my brush into my own soul and painting what I find. I have a passion for our American West and those landscapes are my primary focus. But, averaging 6-8 weeks of travel a year, I will paint whereever I am. I usually paint on location, i.e. plein air, but also revel in taking a plein air study and my photographs and using them to create a large, more thoughtful, studio work. In addition to bold brushwork and vibrant color, the power of the composition is becoming more important to my work. The work of Vincent Van Gogh, Maynard Dixon, Edgar Payne, Birger Sandzen, and Walt Gonske has been a huge inspiration to me.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Fifth Annual Ghost Ranch NM Plein Air Paint Out

Members of the High Desert Painters met at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico for a seven day plein air paint out in the Abiqui, NM area during the second week of October 2008. Members participating included (top l to r) Judy Howells, Nita Harper, Coni Grant, Jana Van Wyk (bottom l to r) Ann Templeton and Janis Loverin. (Nelson Hubley is not pictured)
The paintings created during this event will be in the High Desert Painting group show entitled "Autumn at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico" which was curated by Ann Templeton. The show runs from November 6 through December 5, 2008 at http://www.highdesertpainters.com/
Be sure to view the show and the accompanying descriptions so that you too can experience the glory of the High Desert at Ghost Ranch New Mexico during the golden Autumn season!Opening for "Autumn at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico" will be held November 6, 2008.

"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." -Henry Ward Beecher. This is my journey of dipping my brush into my own soul and painting what I find. I have a passion for our American West and those landscapes are my primary focus. But, averaging 6-8 weeks of travel a year, I will paint whereever I am. I usually paint on location, i.e. plein air, but also revel in taking a plein air study and my photographs and using them to create a large, more thoughtful, studio work. In addition to bold brushwork and vibrant color, the power of the composition is becoming more important to my work. The work of Vincent Van Gogh, Maynard Dixon, Edgar Payne, Birger Sandzen, and Walt Gonske has been a huge inspiration to me.

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