This past July a I adventured up to the High Sierras by myself for a painting/ nature immersion intensive . I wanted to Plein Aire Paint at the Big Pines Lakes , This location was made famous by Edgar Payne the premier California Impressionist painter who would take simular painting excursions on Horseback in the 1930s and 40s. I hired Mert of Glacial Pack Trains to haul my painting and camping gear up the rugged trail to a spectacular camping spot he found for me overlooking Lake #4 at 11,000 feet . The glaciers and rocky mountain peaks made for spectacular views in every direction . As soon as I set up camp I began Painting on small 6x8 and 8x10 panels. The beauty of the space overwhelmed me and I was inspired to paint until it was dark . Although sleeping under the stars was amazing I wanted to awake early to paint the first light of the day . The location was so serene , I did'nt have electronics to distract me from my connection to nature . I was ingulfed by its beauty . I packed my painting gear for a time and hiked the area looking for different compositions but I did'nt have to go far . I painted 8 panels that day . and painted again the next day until Mert picked me up with his mules .
It was a experience that made me feel alive . and gave me plenty of materials to return to my studio to enlarge the small panels into larger pieces .