Tracy Haines Ken Caryl Valley Colorado Mountains trees oil painting

Ken Caryl Valley Hike( EB 132) is an 8x10 oil on 1/4" masonite prepared with PVA sizing followed by 3 applications of gesso.

This scene has been on my mind a long time. The composition from the photograph wasn't quite right, but still, I continued to love the photo every time I saw it.   Finally, a thumbnail sketch, moving the elements around until I was satisfied, helped transition it into a painting.

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Tracy Haines Colorado fall aspen mountains

Fall in the Mountains

8x10 oil on masonite

$55 ( or best bid on eBay- bidding starts July 7 at 6 pm mountain time)

One of my favorite things to do in the fall is ride my little motorcycle along the barren dirt roads near our cabin.  Often, campers have fires going. The crisp fall air combined with the smell of burning logs and pine tree is simply intoxicating. I break out in song as I ride. Can't help it.

Tracy Haines Colorful colorado landscapes fall aspen mountains

Towards Steamboat Springs ( EB 130) is an 8x10 oil on 1/4" masonite prepared with PVA sizing followed by 3 applications of gesso.

Painting pal Holly and I drove towards Cataract Lake to plein air paint. Took us forever to arrive though, because we wanted to stop to photograph the breathtaking scenes all along the way.  Have I mentioned what a blessing upon blessing it is to live in the great state of Colorado?

Painters Paradise.

Tracy Haines original art fine art Colorado landscape Ken Caryl Ranch mountains

Ken Caryl Sprinklers

8x10 Oil on masonite

Walking my dog along the Ken Caryl Ranch greenbelt around 7 pm I was struck by the beauty and simplicity of the scene before me.  I liked the night sky and loved the look when the sprinklers came on;  just the perfect element needed to make the scene an original  painting!

Buildings, along with obnoxious tall, bright lights are starting to pop up all over the area, ruining my lovely sky line.   This peaceful walk along the belt towards the mountains is not what it used to be 18 years ago.

Tracy Haines fine art original oil paintings California impressionist painting coastline ocean cypress

California Coastline ( EB 127) is an 8x10 oil on 1/4" masonite prepared with PVA sizing followed by 3 applications of gesso.

This is just one of the many scenes I happened upon on my recent plein air painting trip to Carmel, California.  A little slice of heaven is the entire region around Carmel, isn't it?  Loved the calm and quiet against the active and noisy parts of the sea, the lone cypress taking it all in, and the warm greens of the surrounding land.  

Tracy Haines fine art landscapes oil paintings impressionistic, barns, ranches, farms

Rustic Barn Blue roof ( EB 126) is an 8x10 oil on 1/4" masonite prepared with PVA sizing followed by 3 applications of gesso.

The blue roof on this rustic barn caught my attention. The shapes of the trees, branches and shadows set the scene off beautifully. The time of the day added to the nicety of the scene.  Wouldn't you love to plop yourself down on a nearby hammock , take in the warmth of the sun, the sounds of the birds and read a good book?  Whatever happened to the so- called lazy summer day?  

Tracy Haines original fine art colorado landscape daily paintings aspen mountains

Late Aspen ( EB 125) is an 8x10 oil on 1/4" masonite prepared with PVA sizing followed by 3 applications of gesso.

Typical yellow-orange fall foliage in Colorado is gorgeous, but there is something spectacular -looking to the post-peak appearance of bands of aspen in the late fall.  The grayish, pastel-like, soft, almost billowy cloud of tree top against distant mountain line pleaded to be painted.

Tracy Haines original oil paintings art artist colorful Colorado landscapes Santa Fe New Mexico art plain air

Santa Fe ( EB 124) is an 8x10 oil on masonite prepared with PVA sizing to render the board archival, followed by 3 applications of gesso.

This painting was inspired by my painting trip with friends to Santa Fe, New Mexico. The light is so lovely in this part of our great country.  Especially, I was drawn to the light turquoise foliage against the distant salmon cliffs and gorgeous sky color. I thought the composition of the scene made for a nice painting.

Tracy Haines landscape art original impressionistic impressionists oil paintings colorful Colorado art

Tangles( EB123) is an 8x10 oil painting on masonite. 

I was shooting photos of my son, his date, and friends at a local park for homecoming pictures.  The light was great; I got distracted and started thinking as an artist, not a mom, to the consternation of son! ;) Got great pics and a nice painting though!

Tracy Haines Original fine art colorful landscape paintings oil pastel acrylic

Tired Cow( EB 121) is an 8x10 oil painting on masonite. 

Painting outside with a plein air artists group,  I happened upon this hefty, old and tired cow.  He didn't budge for a long time; he was content watching me.

I used thick and painterly strokes of oil on large and small brushes for this depiction. I was interested in the beautiful gray colors behind the sunlit orange-brown cow, which was the center of interest.