FIRE IN THE SKY (a new series)

 

 

GARRAPATA SUNSET

FIRE IN THE SKY a new series.  Many of the places I have lived have particularly dramatic sunsets and sunrises. When I lived in Key West in the early 70's the entire island would meet down at Old Mallory Square to watch the sunset, play music, and watch the dolphins who came to watch us. The sunsets there were unforgettable.  New Mexico and Arizona are also famous, rightly so, for the spectacular pyrotechnic lightshows that mark the end of the day there. I've spent many years in both places and been awed by hundreds of such nightly displays. Whenever I travel through Tucson, I camp out in the hills outside of town. I often spend those evenings watching a glorious sunset as a backdrop to the saguaro cactus and the lights of Tucson below. Hawaii is another place I called home for many years, where rainbow filled days transform into gorgeous sunsets and sometimes, Moonbows.                                      Big Sur,  is another locale with impossibly beautiful sunsets. During the last supermoon eclipse, my neighbors who live on Clear Ridge, gathered at the top of the ridge to drink wine and watch the eclipse. The top of the ridge is just up behind my microhouse, so it was just a short hike up the hill to join the festivities. From the top, one has a 360 degree panoramic view of the Big Sur coast. It was absolutely ablaze on that night. The color changes and special effects seemed to go on for hours. It isn't really possible to set up an easel and paint it, it changes constantly anyway. Photos don't really quite capture the hugeness of it either...so I just turn on the "record" button in my head and watch...hoping to retain some of what I'm watching. When I get back to the easel I call back some of those impressions and attempt to bring them to life. It's a lot to work with and the challenge of capturing some of that magic on my easel is a never-ending journey. These 8"x10" paintings on canvas are the first of a new series which are my impressions of some of the dramatic skies I have witnessed.  These original paintings are available for $60 each plus shipping.  Please message me at barryhowardstudio@yahoo.com or on my Facebook page if you are interested. Thank you for following my work.

INTO THE DESERT

DESERT HIGHWAY 5"x7" oil on panel. SOLD

Driving east on highway 10, I was still basking in the afterglow of my camp out in the chuckwalla mountains.  I relaxed, played some guitar, soaked up the sun and got quite a bit of painting done as well.  I worked on some of my miniatures, inspired by the rock formations, the desert vistas and the warm earth colors...

EVENING LIGHT 5"x7" oil on panel $30 plus shipping

My next stop; El Dorado Hot Springs,  a regular stop off of mine whenever I am traveling highway 10.  I discovered the place by pure serendipity several years ago.  I had been traveling through the heat of the desert summer and I was hot and dry and a cold beer sounded really good. I took an exit that advertised a gas station and a country style cafe.  It seemed promising.  The cafe wasn't open but I noticed a small wooden sign that said "Hot Springs" with an arrow so I decided a shower and a warm soak sounded like a decent substitute for a cold beer...a short way down the road I found a cool and funky place that featured a variety of tubs and pools, rooms and microhouses that could be rented as well as campsites.  It is a great place to relax and refresh after a long drive through the desert. 

RED EARTH 5"x7" oil on panel $30 plus shipping

While I was camping in the chuckwalla mountains I got in touch with a long-time friend who, as it happened, was heading west on highway 10 as I was heading east, so we agreed to meet at the hot springs and share a campsite.  We had a great visit, shared some food and beers and next morning, fully refreshed, I went continued east and he went west.  My next destination was Tucson to visit my sister.  She had just bought a house there and I arrived in time to help move boxes and furniture.  We had a great time catching up, and I was able to get some more painting done.

DRIFTING AWAY 5"x7" oil on panel $30 plus shipping

From Tucson I headed south toward the quirky little copper mining town of Bisbee.  I lived in Bisbee briefly, several years ago, loved the place and have wanted to return ever since.  So Bisbee here I come...

(The little paintings pictured were done on my trip from the coast to the desert.  They are painted on artist grade gessoed Masonite.  They come with a miniature display easel.  They are available unless marked sold.)