Vibrating colors and juicy brushstrokes

The clear light in Colorado on a blue sky day produces exquisite colors in the fresh snow.  The violets and blues vibrate alongside the warm golden tones.  This piece looks great in a black frame.

"Winter Silhouette"  |  9"x12"  |  Oil on linen mounted to board

Painted on location February 2013

Warm Autumn Day on the Cache la Poudre

Warm Autumn Day on the Cache la Poudre
by Scott Ruthven
12"x9" Oil on panel

The fall colors were spectacular this year in Colorado.  I painted this painting on site over a couple of sessions along the river here in Fort Collins.

Blowing Snow - Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain from Sprague Lake

Here is my effort from Saturday.  I drove up to Rocky Mountain National Park specifically to paint at Sprague Lake.  Up at Sprague, which is probably about 10,000 ft elevation, the temp was in the 20's and the wind blew at a steady 20-30MPH.  It's often windy in RMNP in the winter so no problem and as for the cold, once I begin to paint I become so engrossed in capturing my subject that I don't notice it.  To combat the wind I sat on a log so I could keep my tripod low to the ground (I usually stand while painting).  I also hung my weighted backpack from the tripod.  That still wasn't enough so I did the entire painting while holding my tripod down with my left hand.  The wind gusts were so forceful that I had to keep the lid on my mineral spirits can to ensure it didn't spill if the wind took it.

Painting in these tough conditions challenges me to see just what I can do.  The reward is potentially twofold: 1. I just might convey some of the feeling and imagery from the amazing show nature is putting on, and 2. I become more conditioned to focus on the key stuff and eliminate the unnecessary...both in my painting of the concept and subject matter and in the materials I bring and use.  If the painting is a disaster, I note what I learned so I can apply it next time and I take a deep breath and acknowledge the blessing of spending a few hours truly immersed in nature, seeing and experiencing what many never do.

Last Light

Last Light by Scott Ruthven
24"x18" Oil on canvas

I painted this in the studio from an 12"x9" painting I did on site while hiking and camping in the Rainbow Lakes area West of Boulder Colorado.  While painting the plein air study, the setting sun was baking my face which was fine until it hit an angle that also reflected off of the lake.  At that point I couldn't see anything so I stopped painting and enjoyed the setting sun.

This painting is about the lifecycle of nature...acknowledging the strength and vibrancy of one living tree and the weathered remnant of another.  I've also painted in a cutthroat trout...can you find it?

Here is a picture of my son with one of these trout.  He fly fished while I painted.  Jake (my son) is purely a catch and release guy.  So fun to watch these trout come up from the depths to take a dry fly.

If you like fly fishing, check out Jake's blog at: http://finsonthefly.blogspot.com/

Thanks for your comments and "likes"

Simple Pleasures - Happy Valentine's Day!

Simple Pleasures by Scott Ruthven
8"x6" Oil on canvas panel

This was sure a fun still-life to paint.  The bold, solid colors on the bag contrast with the intricate shapes in the chocolate's foil wrapper.

Winter Marsh

Winter Marsh by Scott Ruthven
6"x8" Oil on linen

Colorado has bright, sunny days throughout winter.  Cold temps + bright sunshine make for lots of great scenes to paint.  The cold, dark water contrasting with the bright reeds attracted me to this scene.  I painted it on site.

Colorado State Capitol

Gold Is In Your Future by Scott Ruthven
7"x5" Oil on panel

I painted this on location during the 2012 Denver Plein Air Arts festival.  The painting is 7"x5" and is mounted to a 8"x6" black panel so it "floats" in this 8"x6" elegant gold leaf frame.

Click here to see some in-process photos I took while painting this.
http://scottruthven.blogspot.com/2012/09/colorado-state-capitol-plein-air.html

Autumn Harvest Plein Air Sketch

Autumn Harvest by Scott Ruthven
4"x5" Oil on hardboard

Fall is a beautiful time of year in Colorado when the sky is clear, the trees change colors and farmers harvest their crops.  This small study of Mt. Meeker and Longs Peak that I painted en plein air yesterday captures it all.  Artist Worthington Whittredge (of Hudson River School fame) painted some scenes close to this location in the late 1800's.

High Country Solitude

"High Country Solitude" by Scott Ruthven
11"x14" Oil on Canvas

This quiet, contemplative scene looks wonderful in its gold leaf frame.  It reminds me of wonderful times hiking in the Rocky Mountain backcountry.

Here are some close up shots to show some of the detail:

Oh, and one more thing: please share on Facebook by clicking the "Share to Facebook" icon below the post and "introduce" me to your friends.  This really helps me connect with other art lovers.  Thanks!

Long, Cold Day

"Long, Cold Day" by Scott Ruthven 8"x8" Oil on canvas

These little birds were doing their best to stay warm on a frosty day.  I used just three colors for this painting: Titanium White, Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine Blue.