The Oil Painters of America hosted plein air painting events all over the country.  In Texas we met at MarktPlatz in Fredericksburg and drove out to the Willow City Loop, where a very friendly rancher allowed us to tromp all over his beautiful property.  Painting outdoors in the wind and sun is a very challenging feat. The sky was so blue.  I mixed it like I thought it was and then had to lighten it twice. The granite is really very pink.  

   At least there weren't any bugs or snakes.  After painting up a storm, my friend Jean Green and I went over to the WhistlePik Gallery... a great gallery. 

Guess!

I did this with an underpainting first. I have been using a new basecoat by Gamblin instead of gesso on the panel.  It doesn't soak up the oil in the pigments.  It doesn't have any tooth.  I like it, though.  

Guess what river this is!!!!

The Double Mountain Fork of the Brazos AGAIN?  Well, yes.  This is called Bluffs at Hart Camp.  This photo doesn't quite catch the atmosphere of the sky.  It is 24 by 30.