A plein air adventure deep in a slot canyon among the red rock of Southern Utah. The spring afternoons were hot, but snow still lingered in the canyon’s perpetually shaded corners—so while the sun said summer, the shadows said winter. I was freezing in the refrigerated canyon bottom. I also exercised a little artistic license, removing the tall, leafless trees and giving the brush some greener foliage. Plein air painting has a way of putting you in strange situations: sweating on the hike in, shivering at the easel, and trying to paint quickly before the light slips away. This piece was painted as part of the St. George Plein Air Festival.

These hills and meadow had just reached their full springtime greens. The scene kept shifting in and out of shadow as fast-moving clouds passed overhead. I briefly considered adding the horses and riders moving through the scene, but that would have been a bit too ambitious for a little 6x8. As often happens when painting outdoors, the perfect spot to set up was already occupied—so the site needed a little cleanup before the easel could go up.

The fall colors were spectacular. The aspens were at their peak—not just the usual yellows, but oranges and even a few rare reds mixed in. Unfortunately, I didn’t leave myself enough time. I kept wishing for a few more hours to squeeze in another painting—there were so many possible subjects everywhere. A light wind would kick up now and then, and the falling aspen leaves would swirl through the air like a little golden snowstorm