Smoky Sunrise 10x20

A pleasant memory of mine is of a time when a painting buddy and I rose in the wee hours, traveled to a overlook, and painted a mountain sunrise. Memories such as these are the reason I love to paint, especially out of doors. There is no substitute. Heaven for me will be painting on location. Smokey Sunrise, alas, was not painted on location. While painting this piece, however, I remembered the sensations present on that cool June morning: surreal quiet, soft conversation, faint sounds of distant work traffic, and the rattle of paint tubes in my easel and paint box as I frantically prepared. The sunrise is a transitory moment; time is crucial in painting.  The final product of that morning's work, my painting, was not my best. However, the process is far more important than the final product.  I would like to think that I'm better for it.