When my husband and I were out for a hike we explored some forest service cabins above the North Fork of the American River. The variety of shapes of the cabins was interesting but they were not sitting right above the river as depicted in this painting. They were quite a distance from the drop off to the river 2000’ feet below. I decided to move them in this painting close to the edge. The hike down to the river is only for the most fit and of course much worse coming back up with its many switch backs. The name of the trail down is Euchre Bar which was a place gold miners used to search for their flecks of ore.

This watercolor started with a problem , how to make an interesting painting using mostly green. So I knew I would use the complement of green, a orange/red to give it contrast. Then I just started a journey of lines and shapes and some negative painting. I really enjoy this painting but along the way I was little dubious as often happens.

This started as pencil drawing and then used photoshop to add window frame, also snow. I am hoping to do a series on “Outside My Window” of various large animals. Some will be watercolor , some pencil and graphite. I am considering whether I want to add watercolor for windows also.