Raccoon Trail
Materials: Pastel on Pastelbord
This work was created plein air in the fall of 2024.
I completed a short hike along the Raccoon Trail and connecting trails in Golden Canyon State Park, Colorado. The fall colors were at their glorious peak, and I was fortunate to find a parking space right at the trailhead. If you know anything about the busyness of leaf peeping in Colorado, then you’ll understand that I started the day with a win. As I prepared to set off, I was repeatedly and very boldly asked by people if they could take my parking space, and I was met with disappointed looks each time I replied, “I’ll be here all day.” If one person muttered something rude under their breath, I chose not to hear it, because it was a beautiful day.
I spoke with some hikers who were packing up after and asked if there were any specific views that would make for good paintings. It’s worth noting that sunrise hikers were a much nicer crowd than those who arrive at 10:30. They gave me some helpful directions, and I headed in the direction they suggested. It is a really nice trail system over there. I enjoyed taking my time eyeing possible compositions. I spent a good amount of time walking until I got lucky again. I discovered a break in the trees off the main trail that looked like a narrow game trail. You could easily walk past it without noticing, but when I peered through, I spotted an old structure. As soon as I reached it, I knew this was the “paint spot.” There was a shaded log in front of a small creek, overlooking a cool dilapidated cabin. The building was leaning and surrounded by aspen trees.
Materials: Pastel on Pastelbord
This work was created plein air in the fall of 2024.
I completed a short hike along the Raccoon Trail and connecting trails in Golden Canyon State Park, Colorado. The fall colors were at their glorious peak, and I was fortunate to find a parking space right at the trailhead. If you know anything about the busyness of leaf peeping in Colorado, then you’ll understand that I started the day with a win. As I prepared to set off, I was repeatedly and very boldly asked by people if they could take my parking space, and I was met with disappointed looks each time I replied, “I’ll be here all day.” If one person muttered something rude under their breath, I chose not to hear it, because it was a beautiful day.
I spoke with some hikers who were packing up after and asked if there were any specific views that would make for good paintings. It’s worth noting that sunrise hikers were a much nicer crowd than those who arrive at 10:30. They gave me some helpful directions, and I headed in the direction they suggested. It is a really nice trail system over there. I enjoyed taking my time eyeing possible compositions. I spent a good amount of time walking until I got lucky again. I discovered a break in the trees off the main trail that looked like a narrow game trail. You could easily walk past it without noticing, but when I peered through, I spotted an old structure. As soon as I reached it, I knew this was the “paint spot.” There was a shaded log in front of a small creek, overlooking a cool dilapidated cabin. The building was leaning and surrounded by aspen trees.
Materials: Pastel on Pastelbord
This work was created plein air in the fall of 2024.
I completed a short hike along the Raccoon Trail and connecting trails in Golden Canyon State Park, Colorado. The fall colors were at their glorious peak, and I was fortunate to find a parking space right at the trailhead. If you know anything about the busyness of leaf peeping in Colorado, then you’ll understand that I started the day with a win. As I prepared to set off, I was repeatedly and very boldly asked by people if they could take my parking space, and I was met with disappointed looks each time I replied, “I’ll be here all day.” If one person muttered something rude under their breath, I chose not to hear it, because it was a beautiful day.
I spoke with some hikers who were packing up after and asked if there were any specific views that would make for good paintings. It’s worth noting that sunrise hikers were a much nicer crowd than those who arrive at 10:30. They gave me some helpful directions, and I headed in the direction they suggested. It is a really nice trail system over there. I enjoyed taking my time eyeing possible compositions. I spent a good amount of time walking until I got lucky again. I discovered a break in the trees off the main trail that looked like a narrow game trail. You could easily walk past it without noticing, but when I peered through, I spotted an old structure. As soon as I reached it, I knew this was the “paint spot.” There was a shaded log in front of a small creek, overlooking a cool dilapidated cabin. The building was leaning and surrounded by aspen trees.