Elk Lake Escape

Elk Lake Escape is my third painting in Acrylics.

I started playing with Acrylics just before Christmas,
and I fell in love with how easy and versital they are to use!
As I painted, I was reminded that great visions in the head and
on canvas are two different animals. Seeing the animal and taming
it are two sets of skills! I was pleased that I already had the
asset of a trained artistic eye, but am very vividly aware that
using a new medium requires time and a learning curve -
and a lot of playing in paint, hehe!! - and I have a deeper
respect for those accomplished artisans who master the
brush so delicately and accurately.

The Finished Trio

In progress. A lot of foreground to be filled in. But what
a difference in depth and interest that foreground makes!!

My absolute favorite side of this painting. Aspen trees and mountain forests
are heaven to me. I think I need to move!

I was so scared to paint this elk in - being in the foreground
I did NOT want to mess up and redo previous work!!
To my complete joy, all those years of drawing horses
paid off again as he was my quickest success in
perhaps the entire painting!

I loved rendering those mountains, and how gorgeously
they tower in the distance. The fisherman is actually my
father-in-law, and the elk is one of his favorite hunting animals.

This corner looked a little quiet, and lacked interest, so
I shadowed in a small school of trout - so much more fun and life!

This series was a gift for our parents, who where so delighted and pleased.
They also had the PERFECT home for it's display, proudly accenting
their cabin-themed family room!! I think it is my favorite room in their house,
and no, not because my painting is there! If I were to build my dream house,
it would be a lodge with huge windows nestled in a mountain forest of
aspen, birch and pine, on the edge of a peaceful meadow wherein my
horses happily graze. Yep. Oh, can't forget the gazebo art studio tucked away
out in nature. Ahh, happy thoughts!!!