THE SOURCE 22" x 28" OIL

January 11, 2010 -- SEARCH FOR THE SOURCE. A mirror of time. Raindrops, gathered in the Ogallala Aquifer deep under the Caprock Escarpment, surface now among reeds and cattails yellow and brown from winter frost. Under the gaze of a great horned owl hidden in the shadows of twilight, the Colorado River has a simple birth, bare of all fanfare. Its unassuming presence exudes a quite strength. As the winter sunset escapes into a cold night sky, the river's source offers a promise of hope and renewal. NOTE: Five years ago in the middle of January, I set off to find the source of the Colorado River. From GPS maps I finally found it in Dawson County just east of Lamesa on the Don Stewart Ranch. I made several trips here hiking the riverbed and visiting with the ranchers. This month I'll share some of that experience.

LAST LIGHT 30" X 30" OIL

December 31, 2009 -- LAST LIGHT. Every day a new picture is painted and framed, held up for half an hour, in such lights as the Great Artist chooses, and then withdrawn, and the curtain falls. And then the sun goes down, and long the afterglow gives light, and then the damask curtains glow along the western window, and now the first star is lit, and I go home...Henry David Thoreau

BREAKING THROUGH THE FOG 14" x 11" OIL

December 31, 2009 - 8 am -- BREAKING THROUGH THE FOG. Fog rises above the water only along the river as if it is nestled under its own blanket and won't share with the rest of the city. Sometimes the river creates its own weather due to the differences in water and air temperature. Now the sun is starting to break through and reflects off the water in a blinding light. Clear skies are already appearing to the north, hopefully a good sign for the New Year.

GREAT EGRET 12" x 8" Watercolor

December 17, 2009 -- GREAT EGRET. In the early morning a group of egrets were sleeping along the shore north of Red Bud Isle, heads tucked inside their wings. They looked so cozy and warm, perched on the low limbs. One woke up, then another and soon all were in different stages of alertness. They must like this spot as I have seen them here often. Suddenly one lifts off into the air in the most graceful of movements and soars in a circle around the cove. The silhouette against the reds and golds of the fall colors is stunning. Then another joins him and they head off around the bend in search of breakfast.

AUTUMN GLOW Oil 40" X 32"

December 8, 2009 -- AUTUMN GLOW. A chill in the air. The warm glow of an autumn evening. The scent of fallen leaves and cypress needles along the shore. The lake provides the pefect stage for December's fall display of color. Trees along the bank had a plentiful supply of water during the summer drought. When the season changed they still had leaves to turn. Now they celebrate the end of the year with their display of red, purple and orange, just before the cold wind of January carries it all away.

AUTUMN REFLECTIONS Oil 22" X 28"

November 6, 2009 -- AUTUMN REFLECTIONS. The river has become a reflection of golds, oranges and reds. The season has changed. Leaves are falling. They begin their journey on the river beside me, little boats gliding along with the current to unknown destinations. I'm enjoying their company. Beginnings and endings. The line between them is oftentimes hard to see.

BREAK IN THE CLOUDS Oil 28" X 22"

October 28, 2009 -- BREAK IN THE CLOUDS. The lake reflects the sun's bright light as it breaks through, turning it into a river of white. Rain has now washed away all memory (almost) of the long hot summer. Wildflowers are blooming. A mother raccoon leads her three babies on an early morning walk along the shore. At least nine great white egrets are sunning on the limbs on the lake's edge. Joy abounds.