Overlooking Sciscoe Creek Valley, April 12, 2021
Hiking back into the forest about one and a half miles, there is a gorgeous view, overlooking the Sciscoe Creek Valley. I see this view every day but have never painted it from this vantage point. This smaller ridge juts out between two larger ridges on either side. Hiking north up the creek, the ridges get steeper and tighter together until one gets to the start of the creek where the two ridges converge at the top. This gorgeous spring day was the perfect day to capture the beauty and energy of this scene.
Unfortunately, I did not take my cell phone and tripod on this expedition. In an earlier blog, I wrote that I had ordered a new, super, lightweight tripod as my old one was no match for years of use and a rambunctious puppy. The new tripod was never sent, never arrived, and the seller refunded my money. I have no idea what happened there. So far, I just haven’t taken the time to search online and re-order the tripod. My old tripod for the cell phone now has a stick splint taped to the leg to support it. It no longer telescopes.
In addition to the energetic puppy and the funky tripod, I have a foxhound that has been known to follow his nose off into the forest and disappear for hours at a time. I have trained him with an e-collar so that he comes when I beep him. The problem is that if he gets too far away or there is a hill between me and him, he doesn’t hear the beep and he is gone. This dog can be a mile away in a minute. Since I cannot keep tabs on him while I am painting, I have started to take a 30′ lead and tie him while I paint.
So between the active puppy, the wonky tripod, and the dog bred to run for miles and miles with horses, I already had my hands full. I just wanted to focus on painting. I did get a new clip for my cell phone to use on the tripod and it works great. But, for now, I don’t think I am going to be hauling the entire set up into the forest to record the painting in progress.
This time of year is so magical with the mauve greys of winter giving way to the fresh spring greens with tinges of pink redbuds and purple shadows. The vibrancy of the colors makes for an effervescent glow in the forest. Gradually, as the greenery comes out, the view closes up. On this day, there is still a lot of open space between the trees to see into the distance. The sun casts shadows from the trees that wrap around and define the hills. The first hint of bright green emerges on the top of the trees.
Field Notes
When I get back to the studio, I always like to write my field notes on the back of the painting. The weather, the temps, any memorable happenings during the course of the painting or the day. I suppose it makes the paintings a diary for that moment in time, that day. Captured, frozen in paint, imbued with the vibrational frequency of the energy of the day and the transformative energy of the forest.
“Gorgeous Spring Day! 64°-66°Sunny with some clouds. redbuds blooming. Greening up. Tied jack so he couldn’t run off. Tied Tommy while I set up & then let him off. He likes to steal stuff. 
Packing up, he stole my hat. Windy.”
I hope you can get out to enjoy this lovely spring weather and, especially, out in the forest.
Happy trails!
Charlene
P.S. You can purchase this painting HERE. Until May 8, 2021, use coupon code SpringValley to get a 20% special savings on this painting, exclusively for VIPs.
