Pastel | Nocturne Plein Air | 12x16”

A nocturne painted in three sessions on Main Street, Victor, Colorado. This was done in participation of the 2025 Victor Celebrates the Arts plein air event.

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This was my first time participating in Victor Celebrates the Arts, a plein air event held annually in Victor, Colorado. This year marked a special 25th anniversary celebration, and I had the pleasure of meeting artists who had been returning for as long as 16 years.
Victor was rich history dating back to the Gold Mining days, and it is better preserved than some towns from the same era. The architecture features many old Western and Art Nouveau buildings, their details enriched by age.
This week, I started a couple of paintings that proved challenging to finish due to the rapidly changing weather. Painting windows were short, which required me to keep a close eye on the weather forecasts. After an unproductive day, the rain stopped in the evening, presenting me with a chance to try my first nocturne painting.
I ended up working in three sittings for this piece, which took a lot of stamina. I found myself getting tired and, at times, a little spooked. You encounter many interesting sights at night, including raccoons, foxes, deer, and even the occasional person wandering around in a bathrobe. I was very mildly questioned by a police officer, but his suspicion turned to curiosity as I shared details about the event and showed him my work. The locals in Victor were incredibly welcoming; they showed great support and appreciation for the artists.