On the bluffs of a quiet beach, deep within the wilderness, or high up on a mountain peak... the brushes climb the mountains with me and capture a quick moment of magic before I return to the studio filled with inspiration
Where the brush meets the adventure.
Granite Lake
October 2 , 2025
Hikes during the fall months are often a mixed bag weather wise, you really never know what you are going to get. Hoping for a bit of snow at elevation, we set out early on our first truly cold trek of the season. As we got closer to the lake, the snow began to deepen and we could tell we were going to the get the conditions on the peak we were hoping for. When the peak first came into sight, I was awe-struck. I was completely transfixed by it’s incredible profile and the perfect dusting of snow.
I quickly got set up to paint all the while struggling to get my hands warm. We made hot tea and I shoved hand warmers into each of my gloves! As enamored as I was by the peak, I could tell right away that this was a study that would eventually lead to an oil once back in studio.
Lake of the Hanging Glacier
September 28, 2025
In search of larch laden hikes, we set out on a spontaneous van trip to our neighbors in the north! The Canadian Rockies have become some of my favorite mountains to explore and this trip only served to solidify that. Depending on where you are in the range, you are greeted by the most spectacular glacially carved peaks above and rivers and lakes of turquoise below. In the fall, these places are decorated in the golden glow of larches. Over our few days of exploring we hiked between 20-30 miles taking in all the sights and welcoming with open arms the first real signs of autumn.
Up Up Lookout
September 12, 2025
Whether sunrise or sunset, this spot was tough to beat. 40 feet above the ground, your unobstructed view of the mountains and valley below are awe-inspiring. We woke up to a stunning inversion layer filling the valley and creating truly stunning sunrise conditions. In our cozy lookout above the clouds we read, I painted, and we soaked in the peaceful views of Montana.
Coeur d’Alene River
July 20, 2025
While summer is my season of crazy schedules, I have been trying to squeeze in more and more plein air sessions. I did not start my painting journey painting from life so with each experience of working on site, I find myself learning new things and ultimately viewing both the landscape and painting as a whole differently. As the light and conditions are constantly changing, the focus can no longer be on the details but on the larger shapes and specifically the use of color.
Selkirk Mountains
July 17, 2025
After hiking out to the lake first thing in the morning, we enjoyed some solitude and dramatic light across the granite walls. As is always the case for painting from life, the ever changing light creates a constant challenge as you race to get paint on the canvas. I quickly captured what I could and then worked to block in the rest. I left the lake not with a finished painting but with one that began in real time as the sun lit up the world.
Selkirk Mountains
June 28, 2025
While I can hardly call this a true plein air experience as it lasted maybe 15 minutes, I tried! The wind about blew us off the rocks as we attempted to settle in, but I got a quick sketch in before we threw in the towel! Just like when adventuring, you have to be willing to change plans and sometimes that may mean accepting defeat! While the painting time was minimal, I’m excited to get back to painting this spot. One of the many gems of North Idaho.
Cabinet Mountains
June 25, 2025
Painting on top of a mountain, at sunset…Perfection does exist. I returned to the studio with nothing but inspiration, excited to finish bringing my little painting to life. This spot holds a special place in my heart and as a result, each painting it inspires does as well.
Sand Point
April 23, 2025
Our first Backpacking trip of the year! The Olympic Peninsula is known for rain, but during this particular week the forecast was showing nothing but sunshine! At the last minute, we threw together our gear and drove 8 hours to the coast. Hiking both through a lush rainforest as well as along the Washington coastline, the landscape was stunning! On our first night we camped on the Westernmost Point of the Continental U.S. The following day, as the tides allowed, we hiked south along the coast and found this perfect grassy knoll for me to paint on as well as another cozy spot on the beach to camp. The eagles were out fishing, the sun was shining and the 360º views were incredible.
Lake Pend Orielle
April 4, 2025
Sunny days are returning to the Northwest!! Nothing quite compares to the comfort of sunshine after a dark and cold winter. Suddenly, a 50º day can feel like mid-summer and the shorts must come out!
This little adventure began with a short hike weaving through the trees and down to the shore where we were greeted by the spectacular colors of Lake Pend Orielle. We spent the day soaking up the sunshine and capturing the beautiful views.
Mistaya River
September 18, 2024
A week of adventuring and painting our way through Canada’s Banff National Park offered endless inspiration both out on the trails as well as once back in the studio. With mostly sunny days, the colors were vibrant and the landscape was holding on to it’s last bit of summer. On this particular day towards the end of the trip, the clouds had finally found us. A softness took over the landscape and we caught some of our first glimpses of fall.
Icefields Parkway
September 17, 2024
Nothing quite compares to the combination of the towering peaks of the Canadian Rockies and the spectacular turquoise glacial fed waters of the surrounding rivers and lakes. To say I could spend a lifetime painting this part of the world would be an understatement. What a perfect day of sunshine and mountains.
Wasatch Mountains
August 1, 2024
It was an all out mosquito frenzy as I tried to work on this painting - they were absolutely relentless! Nonetheless, it was a beautiful spot to pull out the painting kit for a mid-hike session.
Sawtooth Lake
July 17, 2024
The wind got the best of me on this one, but the view was an absolute paradise none the less. I’ll never cease to be amazed by the stunning tropical looking waters that can be found high up in the mountains. While painting time was limited, it was capturing the colors of the water that felt like the priority.
As my first backpacking trip of the season, I could not have been more thrilled with the views. The Sawtooth Mountains are nothing short of majestic.
Skykomish River
June 11, 2023
Would you believe me if I said this was the “backyard” of my campsite? Just steps away from camp was this private little piece of shoreline that was calling to be painted! The thing that grabbed me most when painting this scene was how pronounced the shadows of the trees were on the river offering two very contrasting color stories in the water.
When possible with my plein air watercolor paintings, I love to use water from the source featured in the painting… this one was no different! I love the added layer that is created by having the actual water of the river bring the scene to life.
Leslie Gulch
April 10, 2023
Oregon’s beauty has had my heart for a long while now. One of things about moving to Idaho that excited me the most was just how close I was going to be to the Oregon border. My most recent exploration took me to the stunning canyons of Leslie Gulch in Eastern Oregon. Tucked away in the Owyhee Canyon Lands, one could drive by and never know it was there. Once in the canyon, you are surrounded by some of the most stunning rock formations shooting up towards the sky. The colors are the vibrant, the canyon is quiet except for the joyful noises of the wildlife, and the light as it dances across the rocks is nothing short of spectacular.
I hit the road early that morning and was able to catch the sunrise in the canyon lands and enjoy the morning light as it lit up the canyon. With some hiking and a bit of bouldering, I found a perfect little perch to set up and paint for a bit.
Snake River
February 1, 2023
Freezing hands, a windburned face, and my first plein air outing of 2023. At the beginning of the year, I decided to start taking my oil paints out on site a bit more as I’ve always leaned more towards plein air in watercolor in the past. With high winds and bitter temperatures, this experience was definitely a challenge but it certainly made for a memorable day.
Once the afternoon light set in, I curled up in the back of my Subaru with a book and watched as the light changed and the sun set on the canyon. A day of peace and quiet, painting and a sunset... what more could I ask for?
Firehole River
September 23, 2022
What a spot to catch first light! A few days prior, I had the chance to fish the Firehole River. Almost immediately after my first cast, I knew this river was calling to be painted. Being in Yellowstone National Park, you are surrounded by scenes that transport you to another time. Lava flows make up many of the river beds, bison roam freely through the plains as the steam rises off of thermal spots off in the distance, and geysers reach record breaking heights.
It was a chilly morning, mid 30’s with a wind chill taking it in to the 20’s. I bundled up, hiked around and found a little ledge with a beautiful and private view of the river gorge. With hand warmers in each of my gloves, I got to work quickly trying to capture the light before sunlight filled the gorge. Moments like these stay with you … a patch of dirt so few feet will find and the chance to witness what is just a routine morning in Yellowstone, but a spectacular show of nature’s beauty to the rest of us in complete solitude.I hit the road early that morning and was able to catch the sunrise in the canyon lands and enjoy the morning light as it lit up the canyon. With some hiking and a bit of bouldering, I found a perfect little perch to set up and paint for a bit.
Payette River
July 18, 2022
Some days it’s both about relaxing and painting. With the warm summer temps, a river day was necessary. I packed up my car and with my mom as my co-pilot, we head up the road to one of my favorite spots I’ve found so far in my Idaho exploration. With a small gravel island, it’s a beautiful and isolated spot to enjoy the sunshine. It was a day of painting, floating, a picnic and an unexpected adventure.
Boise River
July 13, 2022
… And this my friends, is why I moved to Idaho. After my morning run along the river, I pulled out my watercolor set and chair and found myself a spot to paint. Just five minutes from home, these views are endless and my desire for solitude is easily satiated. With my feet in the cold waters of the Boise River and the sunshine on my shoulders, I could not have found a more peaceful way to cool down after a nice, long run.
With a morning off from the studio, I took my time painting and just enjoyed a perfect moment in nature. Days like this are always a reminder to slow down, breath and be grateful. Life is good.
Duck Pass
July 4, 2022
Freedom applies to so many things, but the feeling of freedom in the wilderness is where I feel it most profoundly. I could not think of a better way to start off my 4th of July than with a solo hike in my favorite mountain range. I got an early start before the swarms of people found their way into nature for their holiday festivities. I flew up the trail as fast as my legs would carry me, breathing in the fresh mountain air as deeply as I could and excitedly getting closer and closer to where I would be painting that day.
At just under 11,000 feet, I completed my highest elevation plein air painting to date. While the skies were blue and the sun was out, the wind was brutal. With ice cold and wind burnt hands, I painted quickly and embraced the adventurous conditions that would forever be a part of this painting’s story.
Emerald Bay
June 23, 2022
It was a race against the storm clouds for this one. An afternoon that started with sunshine and sparkling waters, ended with stormy skies and wild winds. After floating in the brisk waters of Lake Tahoe for part of the afternoon I retreated to the shoreline to paint. In a matter of minutes, the vibrant colors of the water faded under gray skies and I was left to my imagination to bring the painting to life.
While the conditions for painting were not exactly ideal, that is more often than not the true fun of the plein air painting process; it is in the challenge of painting quickly and attempting to capture all the details as the light of the day is ever changing.
Elk City
June 5, 2022
Ant infestation, no wifi, no hot water… 5 Stars - Welcome to Elk City, Idaho. With spring showers hitting the area with full force, camping was out of the question on this adventure. Tucked away in the South Clearwater Mountains, it was the perfect spot for both exploration and relaxation. As one of my first adventures as an Idaho resident, it was the perfect introduction to the endless open wilderness of this incredible state.
Big Pine Creek
January 28, 2022
A quiet morning amongst the trees with nothing but the soothing tones of the babbling creek filling the air. Some days it’s less about how far and how fast you hike, and more about just breathing in the peaceful perfection that surrounds you. After meandering about for a few hours, I happened upon a rock with a view worth painting. There is a certain calm to winter in the mountains; everything feels so still but once you slow down and listen, it’s as if the snow is alive. Painting in this spot for hours, I was fortunate enough to hear it all. Always such a treat to be amongst such majesty.
Lake George
January 26, 2022
This photograph says it all, winter beauty as far as the eye could see and not another soul in sight - a hiker’s paradise. After a handful of miles of snowshoeing, this was by far my favorite plein air location to date. What started with chilling temps, ended with the most perfect blue skies and warm sunshine. I could not have asked for better conditions or a more beautiful backdrop.
I truly believe you could spend a lifetime exploring the trails and lakes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and they would never lose their luster. Whether deep in the backcountry or among the gems hugging Highway 395, there is an abundance of beauty to be found in the Eastern Sierra.
Sea Ranch
December 10, 2021
The gems along the California coastline are endless. For me, it’s where the pines meet the sea that it is truly breathtaking. Sea Ranch, an idyllic little community scattered across the Northern California coastline has become a personal favorite of mine. It beckons only those who find fulfillment in the simple life; a life filled with the peaceful sounds of nature rather than traffic, nights spent at home enjoying the sunset rather than a night out on the town… it is made for a life filled with gratitude of God’s beauty.
I enjoyed a quiet painting session out on the bluffs just off our back deck. Much like the tone of our getaway, I created a painting that captured the feelings of peace and relaxation. It was simple in nature, but commemorated a beautiful place and the memories that now accompany it.
Thousand Island Lake
August 12, 2021
There is so much I could write about my journey, this painting, and all the memories wrapped up in it. I celebrated my 28th birthday on the banks of Thousand Island Lake. It was not a backpacking trip without its’ ups and downs, but what adventure isn’t? It was easily the most perfect birthday weekend of my life. Exploring new trails, floating in chilly alpine lakes, painting in the High Sierra, enjoying a meteor shower in the pitch black from my sleeping bag… what more could a gal ask for?
The quick painting created on this trip added such a beautiful memory to the adventure itself. With so much more inspiration lingering, there will certainly be more paintings to come. The overwhelming beauty of the Sierra Nevada Mountains is undeniable.
Hot Creek
May 14, 2021
I've been lucky enough to visit Hot Creek on a number of occasions. It holds a special place in my heart because it is where I caught my first fish on a fly rod... quite the thrill if you've never experienced it! However, on this particular day my visit was purely for painting!
To sit back and enjoy this stunning view with my paint brush in hand was unforgettable... until the wind picked up! Plein air painting in itself is quite the adventure, you just never know what you are going to get out there. Even if the day ends with a sand filled paint palette and a wind burnt face, it's all worth it.
Sierra Nevada Mountains
May 13, 2021
From a frozen lake just over 12,000' at Mono Pass, to the untouched beauty of Ruby lake, my hike at Rock Creek was one for the books. With endless lakes lining the valley, the entire area is alpine magic at it's finest. After a 1am wake up, a 5 hour drive, and a stunning 10 mile hike with plenty of elevation gain, I could not have found a more perfect spot to stop and paint in the valley. The quick painting created on this trip added such a beautiful memory to the adventure itself. With so much more inspiration lingering, there will certainly be more paintings to come. The overwhelming beauty of the Sierra Nevada Mountains is undeniable.
Surrounded by the awe inspiring snowy peaks and a stunning frozen lake, it was as if the cool spring breeze was breathing life back into my tired body. It always amazes me all the beauty a bit of hiking can get you.
Maui
April 22, 2021
A warm breeze, sunshine and endless turquoise waters... just like that, another new and inspiring color palette. After snorkeling through the crystal clear waters, a quick and colorful sketch of this beautiful place was a perfect way to embrace this stunning landscape. While plein air may still be fairly new to me, sitting back basking in the beauty of such an incredible place certainly deepened my love for this new painting venture.
MacKerricher State Beach
April 16, 2021
Northern California was the birthplace of my adventure painting soul. I taught myself to paint in my dorm room at Cal State Monterey Bay, I began exploring the coastline on solo trips, sold my first paintings, and fell in love with a lifestyle that was about seeing the world and capturing all its' beauty through my own lens. Through the years since relocating to Southern California, I have made numerous trips back up the coast exploring it's beauty.
With the fog hanging on tightly to the bluffs of Fort Bragg and the waves crashing along its' rugged coastline on this most recent visit, the only word running through my mind was "peace". There is something so soothing about the soft colors of a cool day at the beach.
Joshua Tree
February 5-6, 2021
The best adventures begin with a painting, and end with one. With a big hike lingering the following morning, I sat down in the infamous Joshua Tree National Park for a quick painting infused with pre-adventure jitters.
The next day, after 6 hours and just over 19 miles of trekking through Joshua Tree taking in a quiet sunrise and the endless cacti, I once again sat down for a painting. Every landscape has its' own color palette, the desert is no different; neutral and soft, but harmonious and full of life.
Owens River
January 15, 2021
On a quick jaunt up highway 395, I ventured off to the Owens River for an afternoon of painting. Sunshine, snow capped mountains and the soft rumble of the river flowing by; how could I not feel inspired? I could not have picked a more perfect location to dabble my toes in the plein air world.
After hiking in the mountains off in the distance the day before, and camping in the hills that night, having the opportunity to take a quiet moment to appreciate and capture all the goodness of my weekend was an experience I'd never had before. I must admit, I fell in love. By simply adding one more layer to my adventures, my gratitude for the weekend, its’ beauty and painting soared.