Hiking & Painting in Nature – Chicago
I see flashes of lightning through thick stained glass gothic windows and hear a low rumble of thunder on the other side of the vaulted wooden ceiling. Still wet from the outside, I close my eyes and smile in my pew remembering the golden sun of yesterday at Spears Woods when I first closed my eyes and … Continue reading Golden Sun Sketch
This is a picture I took about two years ago at Spears Woods. I'm not 100% sure this is a poplar tree, but I love its shape. It's super tall and it's the only one like it around. One interesting thing I learned is that all planted poplar trees are male, so they do not … Continue reading Let’s Paint the Poplar Tree!
There's something wonderful about winter grasses. Could it be that bright warm golden glow? Could it be the way they sound bending in the wind? Could it be the way they poke out of the snow? Yes, all of these above make winter grasses so special. This picture was taken on a hike last winter … Continue reading Let’s Paint Winter Grasses!
Well friends, here it is! Finally! Sit back and relax and enjoy a short hike at Spears Woods before we do a step-by-step watercolor sketch demonstration. Why are we hiking before we paint? Well, I really want to invite the viewer to make a connection with nature and become familiar with the location we decide to sketch. … Continue reading Sketchbook Hiking: Spears Woods VIDEO
11-21-10 (Sunday) 55°F low clouds, rain Spears Woods Heavy clouds are so low, I can't tell where the distant tree tops end and where the sky begins. It is mild and raining. The rain makes a wonderful tap, tap, tap, sound on my rain coat which is amplified under my hood. The wet earth creates … Continue reading Spears Woods Watercolor
Am I crazy? No! There are many things we miss when we decide not to hike because it is yucky outside: 1. Wildlife is abundant. 2. Humans are not abundant (perhaps the reason for wildlife abundance). 3. The smell of the earth. Yum! 4. The pattering sound of the rain hitting leaves and puddles. 5. The color of … Continue reading Let’s Hike in the Rain at Spears Woods
Spears Woods of the Palos Division Forest Preserves in Cook County, is one of my most favorite places to hike. Not only does it have many trails to choose from, but is also contains a few wetlands and tons of wildlife! When I hike I take many photos, not because I want to clutter my … Continue reading Let’s Paint Spears Woods!
