Richard Schmid Fine Art Auction 2011

Estes Plein Air

My submission this year for the Richard Schmid Fine Art Auction September 4, 2011 is "Estes Plein Air".  I painted this plein air oil painting on a beautiful morning in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.  I enjoyed using a pallet knife exclusively to capture the moment.  This painting is for sale in the silent auction.

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Transformer Project: FINISHED!

North facing/street side: Fort Namaqua

The 45" x 75" metal transformer box on 1st Street & Madison streets, Loveland, Colorado

Mariano's Crossing: the toll bridge, Medina's home and pioneers

The original Fort built of stone quarried from west of Loveland, CO

I found out this "barn" was actually a housing for the stone fort and was used  to store hay

The panoramic image of Fort Namaqua also has a panoramic top with the tops of Cottonwood trees linking each side together

I FINISHED painting the Transformer box today.  The project is part of Art in Public Places .  This was a juried & contract project through the City of Loveland.  I started painting the 45" x 75" metal box 3 weeks ago. I have spent most mornings there and paint until  the heat is too intense. I spent 25+ hours just planning the project.  This year's theme was "Historical Loveland".  Since I have done several historically based commissions, I was intrigued by this opportunity and decided to depict Mariano Medina's settlement. 

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Transformer Project: mid 1800's figures

Louis Papa

Mariano Medina

Here are some of the figures I've incorporated into my 45" x 75" transformer box: "Fort Namaqua".  They were the trickiest to do since I have been working on 90 degrees days on a metal box that also gives off heat (if you can imagine that).  The acrylic dries as soon as it hits the surface.

Transformer Project: the final stretch

Adding some detail!

Transformer Project: week 2 progress

 

Progression of north/street side

south side blocked in: Mariano's Crossing.

 

west side: the original Fort Namaqua

Fort Namaqua:

Mariano Medina built a toll bridge over the Big Thompson River (Loveland, Colorado) in 1858.  The route was on the  Overland Trail which connected with the Oregon Trail. He charged as much as $1 per crossing- and most pioneers paid it vs. taking the risk of crossing the river.

 

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