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Greetings!
While riding my bike in the expanse of BLM land behind my house last week, I saw how the rolling waves of pinion and sage leading to the Pine Nut Mountains revealed their subtle beauty and grace. After three years of living in the high desert, cradled between two mountain ranges, I am again reminded how direct interaction with my environment permeates my art. I find myself marveling at an eastern Sierra sunset after a day's painting or taking in the immensity and force of a summer thundercloud building in the distance. While living in Markleeville, surrounded by tall pines, my subject often featured a high horizon, or a view down to a ravine or creek, or along the small streets of town. Now, I find myself fascinated by the expanse of land and sky. As I write in my book,
Markleeville Memories- Paintings of a Sierra Town,
"To truly understand the subject of your art, you must immerse yourself fully in that which most inspires you."
For me, this is the only way to develop the themes of my art. In this age of digital photos and limited time, the habit of "drive by painting" can become too easy a shortcut. Technical facility is no substitute for taking the time to explore and understand your subject, to dig into it deeply and look for the essential elements- that first spark of insight, which will grow into the fire of your inspiration.
I have a feature article coming up in the April issue of Southwest Art Magazine. In it, I discuss this theme of taking the time to listen to Nature and how all aspects of my time outdoors influence my paintings.
Thank you for your continued interest in my art!
Charles | 
