Stephen Quiller Workshop at the 4UR Ranch

"Nature's Confetti"

19" x 14" Watercolor

 





 

"Trout Fishing at the 4UR Ranch"
19" x 14" Watercolor

"Nature's Beauty"
12" x 15" Watercolor

After travel to Colorado and Japan, an October visit from a good friend, and two workshops, I am back to blogging about three art adventures. Here goes with the Steven Quiller plein air workshop at the 4UR Ranch in Creede, CO, Steven's home town. I attended with friend Jeannie from the Santa Clara Valley Watercolor Society, and the whole experience was just so special. Jeannie and I found that we were very compatible travel companions. 

 

The ranch was so much more than I expected -- a Cordon Bleu trained chef gave us beautiful meals; the ranch has breathtaking scenery; we could take advantage of horseback riding, swimming, fly fishing, and hiking trails; though we were mostly busy painting); we were also treated to two meals cooked on the chuck wagon hauled into the mountains; and the accommodations were superb. I loved this dude ranch that has hosted the likes of Presidents, John Wayne, and Walt Disney. Steven gives two workshops a year at the ranch. We had an interesting range of temps, from low 20s early in the day to 70s by afternoon, mostly clear skies, and just a bit of rain a couple days.

 

A frosty scene from our porch on our first Colorado morning

Steven gave us our money's worth. In addition to working from 9 am to 5 pm, he hosted several evening sessions. Everyday we painted at a different location in the San Juan mountains: by the Rio Grande, by a trout lake, and amidst spectacular fall colors. Steven would demonstrate his approach, and then we selected our subject and painted. At the end of the day, we returned to a workshop area at the ranch where Stephen did a critique of the day's work.  

 

When I finished the week, I felt like all my paintings were pretty mediocre as I was pushing myself to try new approaches to watercolor. However, after going back to the paintings a week later, I decided to do a bit of work and apply Steven's critique suggestions to three of them. I was then satisfied with my results.

 

"Fall Confetti" was done on the morning of our second day when we went high in the mountains on an unpaved ranch road to a spot Steven had previously selected. Steven is a color expert and has written several books on the subject. He always emphasizes that the greyed colors and neutrals are what make the pure color pop. His suggestion was to use pure acrylic to add in the dots of falling leaves. The name came from a statement by Angie, our carpool driver in her large SUV -- she gazed at all the fallen leaves and stated they were nature's confetti. That day we had to return to the ranch workshop area and finish our paintings due to rain.

 

Painting fall color before the rain

The third day was spent at a beautiful trout pond backed by spectacular scenery. Steven arranged from two of the ranch hands to do some fly fishing while we sketched and photographed them. I worked one of images of the two fisherman into "Trout Fishing at the 4UR Ranch." The fourth day we painted along the Rio Grande, which runs past the trout pond. Steven arranged for a wrangler and one of the horses, Navajo to do some posing for us  along the river. I have not yet gone back to that painting.

 

The final day we went even higher in the mountains, roughly 10,000 foot level to paint an area of nature that was both affected by a fire a few years ago and by a beattle blight in the evergreens. The area is called Station 10 for the purposes of trout fisherman. The result is quite spectacular with the colorful aspens against the burn and the deep magenta and purples of the blight. It was extremely cold that morning, and I wore 4 layers, including a light down jacket. Later I would shed a jacket and flannel shirt as the day warmed nicely for the fish fry done on location by the chef.

 

 

Attentive artists at Station 10

 

Steven demos at Station 10

On Thursday evening, we had a voluntary visit to the Quiller Gallery in Creede and the local historic theater where Steven recently installed a gorgeous 4 panel mural. Part of the gallery is devoted to his "Beauty in the Burn" series done in paintings and monoprints. The "burn" refers to the devastating fire, a small bit of which we painted on Friday.

On Friday night, we were invited by Steven and his wife Marta to their home for a delicious catered dinner. They graciously allowed us to view Steven's paintings throughout the house. Steven gave us a tour of his splendid studio, which we entered into the top level office retreat and descended into the working studio. Spectacular views of the Rio Grande that flows below them and the mountains across the valley were icing on the cake. Steven said the view paid for the studio as he has painted it many times in all seasons and weather.



Mary, Steven, and Jeannie behind the studio

The following day, Jeannie and I toured the area by car, seeing the remains of the old mines that built Creede in their day. A day-long scenic drive back to the Denver area completed this art adventure. We flew home the next day.

 

Driving the RioGrande in New Mexico

"Driving the Rio Grande"
South of Taos, NM

Bob's Photo from the Car

Yesterday we did the Taos loop from Sante Fe. On the way to Taos, we traveled on the High Road through snow-capped mountains and the colorful trees. I will likely paint at least one of those scenes later. We stopped at a great, funky little cafe in an old theater, Sugar Nymphs Bistro, and they delivered on their promise -- fresh pies, cobbler, and cookies arrived on top of the counter while we dined on very fine Southwestern cuisine. Bob could not resist the chocolate, maple pecan pie with ice cream. I had to have a couple bites and it was yummy.

We drove the River Road along the Rio Grande where we were treated to brilliant fall colors against muted grey sages and sparse flora on rugged mountains. This morning between breakfast and a Georgia O,Keefe landscape tour, I referenced Bob,s photo taken from the car at a dirt pullout to paint this scene using my tiny Koi pan paints and water brush.

Colorado, Days 3 and 4

"Fishing the Rio Grande"
29" x 15" Watercolor

On our third day at the ranch, Steve arranged for the Chris, the ranch hand in charge of fishing, to do some casting at the Rio Grande that runs through the ranch near the entrance. We would make quick sketches and take photos. Rain was forecasted shortly, so we were planning to return to the workshop building.

It was a cold morning and very overcast so not much detail was seen in the distance.  Chris chose a spot where he knew he could catch fish and within seconds, pulled out a large one. We admired the fish and then he was returned to freedom. Chris then moved downstream where Steven wanted him to "pose" backed by gorgeous scenery.  He quickly caught three more fish. Steven demoed how he would capture the moistness of the morning and we returned to our work space. After lunch Steve braved the rain and painted outside the building looking across the narrow value, capturing a scene of an outbuilding with a white roof. He managed to finish the painting with minimum raindrops included. I watched briefly, but was too uncomfortable and returned to my painting.

That evening we carpooled to the town of Creede to visit Steve's gallery and to tour the amazing mural he painted for the local theater. We started getting snow and were told it was about a month early. The next morning we awakened to a beautiful dusting of snow on the valley and some with staying power on the high peaks.

Thursday morning we all bravely lined up behind Allie and headed up the now mushy, muddy ranch road toward the hills in the above photo. Steve had positioned himself to paint the old Miner's cabin. By the time we started our own work, Steve was standing in a puddle of water and mud from the warming temperatures. He showed us how to prime the paper with white gouache on the top portion to achive the misty effect.

Steven's demo painting

Jeanne and I painted a similar scene from a different perspective and it's one I would like to redo, so stay tuned. Tiring of my poor attempt, I turned to the mountains and painted the scene I showed on my first Colorado post. I used Steve's technique of priming with white gouache to create the sky. I was happy to have Steve tell me to stop and soften a few edges and call it done. He liked the mood I captured with little detail.

A Quiet Scene

January on McReynolds Road

14" x 20" Watercolor

My son Jeff has been sharing pictures of his village, North Danville, VT. I know the area intimately as I walk the dirt roads every morning during visits to his family. There are five dirt roads, all steep hills, that take off from Bruce Badger Memorial Highway that is the main road through the village. The main part of town is 12 houses and a church. The hills are dotted with farms and homes. I always ask permission to paint from photos of others, so I don't violate copyrights. Jeff tells me he is honored. I started this piece Wednesday evening and it was one that painted itself. I did the sky and mountains very wet and let them run together. The remainder was wet onto dry. I added the finishing touches in the morning. I enjoyed mixing the gray tones in the lower left corner on the paper.

I love the shape element and simplicity. This is both. The only real addition to the scene are the weeds in the foreground which was a huge white field in the photo. The critique group yesterday gave me a thumbs up on the piece and made one suggestion to soften the diagonal line of weeds on the left and right edges. I may yet, but I am reluctant to touch the piece, which I have already finished in a nice wood frame, and I fear disturbing the freshness.

Below are my smallest framed pieces for the show, done on 7" x 10" Arches watercolor block, and framed in 11" x 14" metal frames. The top four are parts of my Room with a View series from my travels using a tiny Koi pan paint set. The left bottom piece was from another Jeff photo. The bottom right piece was en plein air with the Santa Clara Valley Watercolor Society paint sites group. We roam the Santa Clara Valley, painting, hiking, and sketching.

From left to right, top to bottom, 

"The Launderette," Aeroskubing, Denmark,

"Down the Hill," Pacific Grove, CA; 

"The Cathedral," Tallin, Estonia; 

"Driving the Rio Grande," near Taos, NM; 

"Fall on Lake Eden," Vermont;

"Fall Colors in San Jose," California

"Fall Colors in San Jose" is featured near the bottom of the paint sites page of the society. I just discovered that the other day. I know that it simply means the plein air chairs are happy to have the leader among their faithful plein air painters. Of our 400+ members, their group numbers over 60, and on a given day, there are usually 8 to 20 artists painting on location.

I'm now up to 44 pieces for the show, a few of which remain to be framed. A few additional pieces still exist in my mind and may yet get painted!

My Second Day at the Gwen Fox Workshop

"Taos in Living Color"



 

Gwen said she would be working in acrylic, so I decided to use the medium. I want to get more proficient with them because I want to combine them with collage and do abstracts.

 

Gwen suggested that I paint with acrylic on 300 lb. cold press paper that I first gessoed. I use the three fluid acrylics that Gwen had on the supply list that are quite transparent and make a wide range of colors. I included one tube of Titanium Buff. They were perfect to suggest the typography and colors of Taos.

 

I created a semi-abstract painting depicting  the deep slashing canyon carved by the Rio Grande, the eroded sandstone mountains, the plateaus, and manmade adobe structures.

 



Colorado: Days 5 and 6

"Mountain Mist"

Day 5 dawned with rain and cold. We were a brave bunch, venturing higher into the mountains on the muddy road. At least today, no one ended up in the ditch as one of the car drivers did on Thursday. Fortunately she was able to drive out of it. Steven was set up overlooking a pasture with some cows. His work include the cows, but I decided to complete this scene sans cows until I practice strokes needed to create a herd. Jeanne and I were soaked to bone by the time Stephen finished.

The demo

Stephen Quiller's painting

Though some hardy artists remained behind, we went back to the workshop studio. I used Steve's approach to mist with the gouache underpainting. We returned late to "Station 15" as the stretch of Goose Creek is known at about 10,000 foot elevation, so numbered for the ranch fishing lotteries. Two years ago we painted at this station. Today we enjoyed a fish fry done by the chef and his staff.

We finished painting at 3:30,  saving critique for Saturday morning with our final farewell session. That evening we cleaned up and went to Steve and Marta's home where they hosted a lovely buffet. We got to see Steve's studio, which is a dream come true to any artist, sitting over the Rio Grande and just a short distance from his home, which is beautiful and filled with art. 

Day 6 started with a buffet breakfast and then critique. By now, some of our fellow students had left to get an early start on their return home. Jeanne and I had plenty of time as we planned to make our 2.5 hour trip back to Durango and stay overnight before flying home to California. After pats on the back for our final paintings, we packed our supplies and took them to the office for shipping. The day was threatening weather for going over Wolf Pass. We experienced some rain, some thunder and lightening, and snow in the pass. We stopped in sweet Pagosa Springs for lunch at a very popular cafe.

Here a miracle occurred. As we parked a man approached the car and showed us a credit card that was adhered to the trunk of the car. It belonged to a fellow artist who rode with us to Steve and Marta's home. Patty must have set her purse down and the card fell out. The water tension kept it snuggly on the car for over 12 hours and many miles! We got hold of Patty and I promised to send it to her home,

At some point during the whirlwind week I accepted the wrangler's invitation to go on a trail ride. Four of us women participated. Mind you, I had never ridden a horse, in spite of having granddaughters who own horses in Vermont and one is in Equine Management  at UNH. I learned the basics of communicating with the horse and then road up and down hills and through water crossings. I made it back without falling, thanks to a horse who has likely nurtured many novices and could deal with the rider's poor communication skills.

Jeanne and I had such a great time that we decided to do plein air by ourselves on Thursday in the mountains near her home. We also promised ourselves to consider returning to this perfect workshop and ranch in a few years. Twice was not enough!!

Cumbres and Toltec Steam Train: Comin' Round the Mountain

"Cumbres and Toltec Steam Train: Comin' Round the Mountain"
19" x 14" Watercolor

Bob is a train buff and I enjoy them, too. So when I planned my Colorado ranch workshop with fellow artist Jeanne, we decided to spend the week before riding two famous steam trains that are remnants of the narrow guage railroads operated by the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railway. The railroad was built for mining operations with narrow guage because it was easier to make tight turns.
First we flew to Durango, CO, and then I drove us 2.5 hours to Chama, NM, where we would board the famous Cumbres Toltec train. It travels over 60 miles at a slow pace over Cumbres Pass (10, 015 feet elevation to Antonito, CO, crossing the boarder between NM and CO eleven times in the process. Passengers board before 10 and arrive in Antonito about 3:30. I just completed this painting based on various snapshots taken when rounding Windy Pass. Here is one of several photos.

Rounding Windy Pass

I wanted to capture the steam coming from the train, the long vista, and the colorful trees using knowledge gained at Steven Quiller's workshop.

We rode in the beautiful parlor car with a hostess to take care of our needs. Midway we stopped in Osier for lunch in a large dining hall, toured old buildings, left some passengers behind who boarded another train to return to Cumbres Pass or Chama. We continued on to Antonito where we spent the night in the Steam Train Hotel. Antonito is a old, high dessert town, now known for the surrounding agriculture. I was amazed that they produce a large quantity of crops. The town itself had a couple restaurants, three liquor stores, a nice supermarket, a marijuana dispensary, and a Dollar store. Like many towns, it is in a slow recovery from the mines closing.

The Parlor Car is luxurious complete with hostss

The Steam Train Hotel occupies a 100+ year old hotel 

The following morning we made the return trip to Chama where we spend another night at the Chama Station Inn, a sweet, local property lovingly run by a family.

The Station Inn in Chama, NM

Showtime



"Early Morning Shadows on the Rio Grande Gorge

Taos, NM

14" x 19" Watercolor

$300 (unframed)

 

 

The Santa Clara Valley Watercolor Society (SCVWS) will be having a summer show, "Shades of Summer" in Saratoga. I called upon some photos and memories of early morning at the eighth highest bridge in the USA to create a painting for entry in the show. A hot air balloon was suspended over the landscape and the bridge shone in the early morning light.

 

I used a lot of imagination for the colors. My challenge was to subdue enough of the painting to put the focus on the center part of the gorge, bridge, and balloon. I just finished the work so I may yet make the some changes. I have to walk by it for a few days so it can tell me if it is done.