A plein air painting created for the Alla Prima Westcliffe 2025 Plein Air show.

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A momentary urge to turn down a side road rewarded me with the greatest view of my trip. This painting was created for the 25th Victor Celebrates the Arts, a plein air event that has thrived for a quarter of a century in the historic gold mining town of Victor, Colorado. I didn’t know about this place before, but it now holds a special place in my heart. I shared more about the town in my Fortune Club notes. The location of this painting was all about the magnificence of nature.
I spent a day and a half exploring the area. Artists were given a 10-mile radius from Victor, "as the crow flies," and I explored a large proportion of it. My approach was to get out early and experience as much as I could. This gave me many stories and photos of places to reflect on, even if they didn't become painting spots. However, Cathedral Park left me in awe.
While driving down one of the main roads, I passed the beginning of a dirt road lined with aspen trees. It was one of the few in the area that wasn't marked as private property. Turning onto it felt more like an impulse than a decision. Once I committed, I glanced at my quarter tank of gas and wondered how far it would take me. Thankfully, it doesn’t take long to find beauty here. Driving through tunnels, aspen groves, and narrow outcroppings, I was already mentally filing away potential spots to circle back to. As always, you know it when you see it.

- The serenity of having this spot mostly to myself for hours.
- Perfect end of summer weather
- I got to watch the cowboys move cattle below me, and the cacophony of mooing created awesome echoes in this space.
- The road lacks space to step out of the way when cars pass. You must trust that they won't drive recklessly, and this paintng has it’s own gritty texture to it from the time a car passed me with little regard.
- The occasional logging truck passes and feels like it shakes the whole earth.

A Peak Of Light

A Study of Aspens