Plein Air Rockies: Moraine Park

The 6AM view from Moraine Park

"Alpenglow"

 I camped for several days in Moraine Park in Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado) for the Plein Air Rockies 2014 event.  Since it was literally out my back door from the campground I created 4 different little oil paintings from this gorgeous area.  I painted "Alpenglow" first after experiencing glowing pink mountains very early in the morning.  I light lasted maybe 5 minutes but I decided to keep the glow in my painting anyway.  These were all done alla prima with quite a bit of pallet knife and impasto.

This was another little 6" x 8" pallet knife painting that I had a ball creating.

Sentinel 4" x 6" oil

 "Sentinel" is a late afternoon view looking up the alpine meadow that is currently for sale in the miniature show at the Cultural Art Center Gallery in Estes Park, Colorado.

I literally walked 20 steps from my campsite to catch this morning view looking SouthEast in Moraine Park at the Rocky Mountains.

These original oil paintings are for sale. Inquire for availabilty. 
You can see more of my artwork online:
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(a variety of my work: prints and cards available) 
 artforconservation.com  
(limited edition canvas giclees) 

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Plein Air Rockies: Bear Lake

"Altitude"  14" x 11" oil

Painting Plein Air at Bear Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

For the Plein Air Rockies 2014 event I spent several consecutive days painting in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.  On my first day there I headed up to Bear Lake to snag a parking spot as they fill up quickly.  I wheeled my plein air supplies to scenic spot on the lake, just off the very mild hiking trail that circles the alpine lake at 9,450 feet above sea level.  I painted most of the day to be able to finish it Alla Prima even though the light changed dramatically. My finished oil painting, "Altitude" is now part of the Plein Air Rockies 2014 show at the Cultural Art Council Fine Art Gallery in Estes Park through October and is for sale.
This original oil painting is for sale. Inquire for availabilty. 
You can see more of my artwork online:
Facebook page (open to the public)

fineartamerica.com    

(a variety of my work: prints and cards available) 
 artforconservation.com  
(limited edition canvas giclees) 

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MGiacominiart.blogspot.com

Plein Air Rockies 2014: Horsetooth Reservoir

Horsetooth Reservoir dusk

 My first paint day for Plein Air Rockies 2014 was at Horsetooth Reservoir just west of Fort Collins, Colorado. I wanted to capture the sunset but needed to start hours before to get the big shapes in.   I'm posting my start and ending reference pictures to see just how much the light changes plein air painting.  Although this landscape ( 9" x 12" oil) was finished on sight you can see how I incorporated the light changes.

This original oil painting is for sale. Inquire for availabilty. 
You can see more of my artwork online:
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(a variety of my work: prints and cards available) 
 artforconservation.com  
(limited edition canvas giclees)

Ongoing adult oil & watercolor classes

"Retreat"

I teach two different weekly adult art classes out of my Loveland, Colorado art studio.  
On Wednesdays I teach beginning to intermediate watercolor.  We often experiment with a new technique or study at the start of the class then everyone has their own project that I help them progress on. I take student input for class ideas and fit their requests into the schedule.
Thursday is my oil painting class day.   I teach my students a new color study and/or technique then I encourage them to paint what they have passion for.   I want my students to be able to paint what they want; not to copy what I do.  I teach them independence. I teach technique, value and color mixing.  I want my students to be challenged but not overwhelmed.  I will take up to 5 students in each class so everyone gets plenty of individual attention.  I plan to start teaching weekly class on Oct 8 for watercolor and Oct 9 (2014) for oil. 
I plan on continuing both classes weekly through May 2014, then will take the summertime to offer workshops and plein air paint.   If you are interested in attending, contact me

You can see more of my artwork online:
Facebook page (open to the public)

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(a variety of my work: prints and cards available) 
 artforconservation.com  
(limited edition canvas giclees)

marygiacomini.com

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Plein Air Rockies 2014

The next big show on my horizon is "Plein Air Rockies 2014".  I was juried into this plein air event along with about 40 other artists from various places around the country.   Artists will paint  from Aug 9-21, 2014 outdoors, in areas within a 50 mile radius of Estes Park, the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park in Northern Colorado.

Currently there is a 'preview' show for the event where samples of each chosen artist is showcased at the Cultural Event Council Gallery downtown Estes Park.  I have a pastel "Tree Yoga" and and an oil "Serenity" in this show.   Both of these pieces were created in my studio but are from images of Rocky Mountain National Park.  Artists are permitted to paint where they choose within the boundary but there will larger groups to observe during the scheduled paint outs. The final reception and show is held on August 23 from 5-8pm where the public can view and/or purchase these freshly made masterpieces.  Tune in to my blog for my latest creations.

 

"Tree Yoga"

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"Serenity"

You can see more of my artwork online:
Facebook page (open to the public)

fineartamerica.com    

(a variety of my work: prints and cards available) 
 artforconservation.com  
(limited edition canvas giclees)

marygiacomini.com

MGiacominiart.blogspot.com

PPPA: Painting Old Town Ft Collins

Old Town Impression

Getting the dark values in first

My vantage point at Linden & Walnut

The last day I painted during the Paint the Poudre Plein Air 2014 event I went to "Old Town" in Fort Collins, Colorado.  I went with a group of art friends and we started by 6:30AM, when the light is the best. I decided to paint the Loomis and Andrews block on the corner of Walnut and Linden streets right across the street from the square where I set up my pochade box.  Old Town Fort Collins is well known for it's historic buildings, great shopping and atmosphere.  My friend Amy Lewark was painting on the corner so I decided to paint the plein air painter painting in my picture as it just captured the moment. This original oil painting is for sale. Inquire for availabilty. 
You can see more of my artwork online:
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(a variety of my work: prints and cards available) 
 artforconservation.com  
(limited edition canvas giclees)

PPPA: Cool Diversion

Cool Diversion

Add caption

I painted "Cool Diversion" one morning while during the Paint the Poudre Plein Air 2014 event.  Rose Brink's was kind to allow the group to paint at her LaPorte, Colorado farm. I chose a spot in the shade next to one of the diversion channels off the the Poudre River.  There was an old, rather nasty pipe running right through my scene which I decided to eliminate. I painted this alla prima, en plein air with oil paint and sold the painting at opening night of the show. 
The second picture I posted is a black and white version of the same piece. I'm learning more and more how critical a good value range in paintings with a strong composition can make a successful painting. Prints can be ordered through Fine Art America.
You can see more of my artwork online:
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(a variety of my work: prints and cards available) 
 artforconservation.com  
(limited edition canvas giclees)

Painting the Poudre

"Backstage"

As part of participating in the Paint the Poudre Plein Air 2014 event, I headed up the Poudre River extremely early one morning last week (set my alarm for 3:40AM).  I wound up painting on the property of the Mishawaka, a restaurant and concert venue west of Fort Collins, Colorado. I was kindly given permission to paint on their property and climbed behind the stage and perched behind the stage and the rushing Poudre River to paint en plein air.  I even had the pleasure of watching 5 raft tours float by.  I wound up using my pallet knife on this one to create some fairly heavy impasto. This original oil painting is for sale, inquire for details.
You can see more of my artwork online:
Facebook page (open to the public)

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(a variety of my work: prints and cards available) 
 artforconservation.com  
(limited edition canvas giclees)

marygiacomini.com

MGiacominiart.blogspot.com

Paint the Poudre Plein Air: Swetsville Zoo

"Gotcha"

On two mornings of the Paint the Poudre Plein Air event, I went to the Swetsville Zoo in Timnath, Colorado.  Bill Swets has created an incredible sculpture park he's created out of welding old cars, farm equipment and anything else he re-purposes into the most creative sculptures around.  I choose to paint one of his 'fisherman' on the Poudre River.  I also painted his knight & dragon which I will post when I finish the painting (I got rained out)  The Swetsville Zoo is a Northern Colorado treasure that is endangered.  Do visit the zoo!  There is no admission charge, but donations are accepted to help defray the costs. I took my kids there 20 years ago but I still enjoy this treasure and am thankful to Bill Swets for sharing his creativity.

You can see more of my artwork online:
Facebook page (open to the public)

fineartamerica.com    

(a variety of my work: prints and cards available) 
 artforconservation.com  
(limited edition canvas giclees)

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Paint the Poudre Plein Air: Horsetooth Reservoir

My 'perch' on the ridges above Horsetooth Reservoir

"Perch" 5 x 11" oil

"Depth" 6 x 12" oil

On one very cloudy cool morning my painting buddy & I headed up to Horsetooth Reservoir which is just west of Fort Collins, Colorado.  At first I was let down with the dim lighting.  I soon realized the atmospheric grays were enchanting with the cool overcast, especially after painting in the 90's all week.  I completed two small oils that morning and am happy with both.
In the Paint the Poudre 2014 event we could paint anywhere along the Poudre River, Fort Collins and Timnath. I completed 8 paintings in 6 days, all of which were completed en plein air. Both of these original oil paintings are available for purchase, contact me for details.

You can see more of my artwork online:
Facebook page (open to the public)

fineartamerica.com    

(a variety of my work: prints and cards available) 
 artforconservation.com  
(limited edition canvas giclees)

marygiacomini.com

MGiacominiart.blogspot.com