Pintura Fresca

I love that I live in the Texas Hill Country, and even more so, that I am in Boerne, and one only has to drive a short distance to have a decent place to paint. My favorite place by far is the Cibolo Nature Center. It's always quiet and peaceful, and gives me a great place to go paint. Mornings are especially nice, because even in the summer, one can find a cool, shady place.

I went out to one of my favorite spots, where two branches of the Cibolo Creek converge. There is a steady stream of water over the rocks, and the banks are lined with some very old, very tall cypress trees. Few people make it out there, but occasionally, a wandering couple will come by and spend a moment watching or talking to me. I can spend a few hours out there, and create some pretty nice art.

I just completed this in the studio this morning - the paint is still fresh and wet. I'll have it framed as soon as it's ready.

"Twin Sentinels on the Cibolo" Oil on Canvas Panel, 8" x 10"

"Morning on the Cibolo Creek"

Painted en plein aire. That's French for "I painted outside."
The Cibolo Creek runs through Boerne, and a private foundation has set up an area of land called the Cibolo Nature Center. (www.cibolo.org/) It is pretty much untouched, and with a short hike from the parking area, there are several places along the creek where one can sit for hours and enjoy the peace and quiet, and paint, write, reflect, or just be still. I was out there yesterday for about 2 1/2 hours and saw a total of 2 couples that walked by to see what I was doing. My dog, Nigel, had a great time romping through the shallow creek and greeting those that came by.
The morning lights create some interesting shadows and reflections on the water. This is at the end of one of the trails where 2 branches of the creek converge.

"Morning on the Cibolo Creek" Boerne, TX. Oil on panel, 9" x 12"