Art Journal Day 23 - Vincent Van Gogh

Misty Mawn prompted us to do a journal entry inspired by a favorite artist. There was little hesitation for me. I went straight to Vincent Van Gogh. In 2003, Hubby & I were invited to a wedding in Germany, but Hubby said we should go somewhere else, too. I didn't think twice when he asked where to go. We spent a few days in the Netherlands so we could go to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. It was amazing to be surrounded by his work. I highly recommend this museum if you are ever in Amsterdam.
As moving as that experience was, the painting that stands out in my mind is found at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. When we first visited the museum our time was limited and my only goal was to see the Impressionist galleries. I didn't know there was a Van Gogh until the shimmering colors of "Olive Trees" drew me in.
My interpretation drew on my landscape and Van Gogh's style. I used acrylic paint on heavy paper. It was a thrilling experience to do this exercise. Thank you, Misty, for your prompt!

Just for Fun!

Hubby and I did a double take when we stopped for refreshments during our Memorial Day travels. Click on the picture to enlarge it. I hope this makes you smile.

January Thaw: Is it too early for Spring Fever?

Here's my first posting of 2008 and I'm thinking about Spring! We've had a couple days of thawing temps and I'm longing for a stroll out in nature - no snow, no mud, no jacket. Warm sun on my BARE arms.

But it IS January, so a trip down memory lane will have to suffice for now.

I hiked with friends at Effigy Mounds National Monument in the Spring a couple years ago, which is when I took these shots.

Glenwood Canyon Colorado and I-70

Hubby left for Glenwood Springs, Colorado today for another biz trip. It's hard to believe we were there just 2 weeks ago... and I was reminded that I have more pics to post.

I loved the colors and stratification of the different stones and soils we saw on our trip. Even though most of the vegetation was dormant, I appreciated its forms and colors. They are different from what I see daily in the midwest.

I decided to show you one of the shots I took along I-70 while we were still in eastern Utah. The sun reflecting off the distant peaks was stunning. There were red rock formations that literally glowed. I doubt I could have captured that even if I wasn't taking the shot thru the truck window going 80 mph!

We stayed at the Rodeway Inn in Glenwood Springs. On the right side of that shot, you can see a small shelter. That's where we enjoyed the outdoor hottub the night we stayed. It was so steamy that we almost couldn't see across the canyon where a lighted cross was on the top of the mountain. Christmas lights decorated the aspen tree by the shelter. It was beautiful and very refreshing.

Glenwood Springs is a very interesting town that I would love to return to. Amtrak has a stop there, but I think my next trip there will be by car.

Scenic Travel through Utah on US 6

We arrived in Salt Lake City and got off Amtrak near 2 a.m. After a short taxi ride to an unfriendly motel, we got a few hours of much needed sleep having spent nearly 27 hours on the train. Hubby took possession of a 1 ton Dodge truck that he would drive home to Iowa via Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The drive was beautiful with the vistas changing at every turn.

I'll let these pictures of part of our Utah route do the talking. Be sure to click on the pictures if you want a closer view.

Colorado from Amtrak's California Zephyr

We traveled from Osceola, Iowa to Salt Lake City via Amtrak's California Zephyr early last week. Here are a few shots I took from the lounge car. There are some reflections on 2 of the pictures, but I really like the scenery. I hope to use some of my images for future paintings.

It's beautiful country and I would recommend the trip - even with the bumpy stretches that left my body aching.

Coming next - driving thru Utah.

Travel - A time to refresh, renew & be inspired.

Hubby & I will travel by Amtrack from Iowa to Salt Lake City to pick up a vehicle for his job, so technically it's a business trip. But I know this will be a great time for us. We love traveling together, being on the road away from everything in our everyday lives, time to talk, time to spend in companionable silence as we take in our surroundings.

What's difficult for me is I MUST have something to keep my hands busy, and I have a hard time limiting myself when I pack. But the reality of having arthritis is I can't overload myself. I'll be loading a backpack with a sketchbook, drawing supplies & watercolor pencils. I'm also taking some knitting along. Last, I need to select a book in addition to my Bible.

Last year we flew to Phoenix and drove a vehicle back to Iowa. The first picture is from that road trip somewhere north of Phoenix.

The second shot is from a trip I was on to Colorado with family last January. We stayed north of Winter Park. I took this shot from the condo. Our travels will take us very near this spot on Monday. I'll post from the road if I can. TTFN