Yes, I used the words extreme and dude, two words that should not enter the lexicon of a serious artist, but stick with me here.  I just spent a day painting in Yellowstone National Park, not really an extreme activity, but check out the rig we took into Indian Creek to our painting location:

Yes, this is a snowcoach, the vehicle of choice for the discerning winter traveler.  On the right is George Bumann, my painting accomplice on this trip.  On the left is our driver, who is nuts.  I mean that as a compliment: she’s great company,  and a fine driver, but deep down she is wondering if she can get this machine airborne.  I can see that in her smile.

George and I were the only passengers to head up to Indian Creek on this very windy day.  To have a corner of Yellowstone to yourself for a day is a rare and wonderful thing.  Here’s George setting up to paint:

He’s still happy because though it’s windy the blizzard has not yet hit.

At lunch we skied back to the warming hut.  It started to snow, but I was determined to get another study in before the snow coach returned.  This is where the “extreme plein air” comes into it.  In order to paint, I had to quickly premix colors before the snow covered them.  After a little while there was too much snow mixed into the paint, so it separated and wouldn’t stick to the brush.  I had to work turpentine into the mixes to melt the ice and get down to the paint.  Sick and wrong!  But it was so beautiful!!!  There is nothing so inspiring as the landscape dissolved into muted greys by snow.  I’d be jumping for joy if my pack boots weren’t so heavy. 

George retreated to the warming hut and painted while looking out the window, but I promised not to tell, (it doesn’t reflect well on his tough-man-raised-by-wolves image,) so I’m trusting you to keep quiet.  By the end I had trouble even seeing the painting because the snow was accumulating on the canvas.  But I’m convinced that this is the best painting I’ve ever done…in a blizzard.  Stay tuned for the studio piece!  Oh, and our fearless Snowcoach driver did return right on schedule, saving us the ignominy of burning the furniture to stay warm before resorting to cannibalism to stay alive.  Did I mention that I have the best job in the world!!?

Posted by Aaron: January 11th, 2009 and filled under: Field Notes .
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