One year ago, a close friend of mine went camping in the National Parks of Bryce Canyon and Zion in Utah.  He kept sending me photos and messages exclaiming with great enthusiasm that I *HAVE* to come and see these places, and that they are a landscape painter's paradise.  "You would DIE!" he exclaimed. 

For a long time, I have admired artists who paint the southwestern landscape.  So, I have always wanted to visit the national parks of these places that painters love to paint.  I wanted to see with my own eyes what inspired so many artists before me. 

So, this past fall, my friend invited me to go on a road trip adventure with him, so I could see for myself.  I've always been big on adventure and traveling, especially after being cooped up for so long, so I jumped at the chance. 



I had just discovered the act of painting "en plein air" which means to paint outdoors on location, "in the open air".  I wanted to try it out on this adventure, so I spent about a month building a lightweight easel with an attachable palette that could fit into a backpack, and could be set up and broken down quickly and easily.



Armed with cameras, tripods, and as many art supplies as we could squeeze into a Suburu Outback (which also served as our sleeping quarters), we set off on our journey to 5 national parks through 3 different states.  Starting from home base in the California Bay Area, we made our way down to Joshua Tree, up to the Grand Canyon, further up to Zion and Bryce Canyon, and back around through Death Valley, ending near Mammoth Mountain.

To launch off the new year of 2021, I am going to begin a new series of paintings inspired from this trip called "Desert Hues".  I will be highlighting the scenery of the southwestern desert, it's amazing rock formations, views and vistas, plant life, sunrises and sunsets, and glimpses into the beauty and vastness of "the middle of nowhere" on the road.



As I paint this series, I will share more about the journey, my painting process, interesting facts about the southwestern desert, and awesome details about what inspired each new piece.

If this excites you, be sure to follow along and live the adventure vicariously through me!