Where the brush meets the adventure.
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
Sawtooth Lake
July 17, 2023
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 a 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.
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.
Box Lake
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.
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.
Kahana, 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 19 mile day hike lingering, 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.
My completed plein air paintings can be viewed in my Watercolor Landscapes Collection.