"Early Snow on Cathedral Peak"

20" x 30" oil/linen

Some of these posted scenes are from a hiking trip that I took to Colorado in the early fall of 2012.  The challenge for the week or so that I was there was that the sun rarely came out, mostly the skies were filled with overcast clouds and light rain.  On this day on a hike up to Cathedral Lake the sun came out for a half an hour before clouding over again and a snow squall blew in.  This painting represents the approach to the lake which is over the ridge in the background at the foot of the main peak.  The sky was a brilliant blue with light clouds, soon to disappear. The foliage of the growth along the valley floor contrasts with the evergreens and blue spruce.  A cloud blocks the sun along the ridge on the left and the mountains show a dusting of new snow proclaiming the start of winter.  There are contrasts of complimentary colors and styles of brushwork, the rock formations are simply expressed, the trees are represented in contrasts of light and shadow against the multi-layered vegetation on the lower slopes.