Lost Gloves

Most likely, I was removing layers. I was a little too hot and had to pull off my waterproof shell, take off my fleece inner jacket, roll it up, cinch the stuff sack and stow it in the backpack, and then put the shell back on before I got cold again. I think I got that right. I just missed one detail.

Oxygen scarcity is deceptive. We think we're managing just fine. But sometimes, in the altitude, little things get missed.

Somewhere out there, I lost a well-worn, well-loved pair of gloves. They weren't even gloves, really, just glove liners--black, lightweight, just warm enough to ward off the chill. It's hard to explain how much they meant to me. They smelled of deep woods, rock and snow, and I was happy every time I wore them.

I'd had this particular pair for over 15 years. That's a lot of miles, a lot of elevation, a lot of effort, and a lot of exploring: the Cascades, the Wallowas, the Sawtooths, the Rockies, the Sierra Nevada...

So if I had to lose these gloves, it was only fitting that they end up beside a rocky trail, at about 15,000' in the Tibetan Autonomous Region. Back when I bought them, I had only dreamed of such places.

I'll be back--if not to this trail, then to another one. As usual, I'll bring a spare pair of gloves. That old pair is probably buried under heavy snow by now.

"Nanya Seaside"

"Nanya Seaside" - Taiwan
- Ink and Ballpoint Pen - 4.25x5.6"/10.8x14cm
Some friends of our took us around to the northwestern tip of Taiwan where we stood out on the rocks on a blustery day. This was the sight below us as the sea continued to erode the stones.

Finally! #30 of 30 paintings in 30 days: "Conversation With The Sages"

"Conversation With the Sages" - Smith Rock, OR, USA
- Oil Pastel on Paper, approx. 8.2x7.4"/ 207x184mm

When we lived in Portland, OR, we would often take the 4.5 hour drive to Bend. One of our favorite stops along the way was Smith Rock State Park. On this particular occasion, we worked our way to the edge of the crumbling basalt cliff that lined the less traveled side of the Crooked River, near the bivouac area. This was one of the views through the sage and junipers as we walked quietly, our boots leaving no trace of our passage across the moss and grass covered rocks. I figured that since I started the "30 paintings in 30 days" challenge with oil pastels, I'd finish with one, too--sort of coming full circle, I guess. This was done on gray Canson MiTeintes paper. I've learned that a neutral tone in a mid-range value seems to work best for me when doing oil pastels.

#29 of 30 - "Waiting for Runoff"

"Waiting for Runoff" - Liangshan Creek, Taiwan 
- Ink and Ballpoint Pen - 9.9x6.9"/250x176mm

This was one of our first views on the way to the three levels of Liangshan Falls. Since we're in the middle of winter here, it was dry as a bone. I wonder what it looks like with the water carving away at layer after layer of stone. We'll just have to come back in a few months and see it again. I've been painting with these Inktense ink blocks for a couple of years now, and I never really noticed this wonderful Payne's Gray! It came in very handy on this painting.

#28 of 30 - "As the Sun Smiled"

"As the Sun Smiled" - GuanYin Shan from Danshui, plein air
- Ink and Ballpoint Pen - 9.9x6.9"/250x176mm

We rode the tandem bike down to the river and then pedaled to what's become our favorite stretch of rock-covered riverbank, just before the fishermen's wharf. From here, on a perfect, sunny Taiwanese winter afternoon, we could see GuanYin Shan's many peaks rising from the far bank. So good to be out when the sun is smiling.

#27 of 30 - "One of Many Turns"

"One of Many Turns" - Taiwan - Ink and Ballpoint Pen, - 9.9x6.9"/250x176mm

One of the wonderful things about hiking in a new area is that you never know what you'll come to next. We often have some expectation, or some idea of what is there, but we have to round the bend to find out what is really there. This was an early turn in a hike that eventually had us gasping at a sheer dropoff. Taiwan's Taroko Gorge is truly spectacular. This little painting is just a teaser, really. (And yes, this picture was taken with my phone, and that's my lap.)

#26 of 30 "Shall We Go Up?" - Guizekeng, Beitou, Taiwan

"Shall We Go Up?" - Guizekeng, Taiwan
- Acrylic on Canvas
- approx. 16.1x12.4"/41x 31.5cm

From our front door to the trail head to Guizekeng takes about 13 minutes on foot. About half an hour and a steep climb later, you traverse a long ridge, then drop into a steep drainage and come back out. Just beyond a little temple to the mountain god, you come to this bend in the trail where you have a choice: you can head on down again and loop back home, or you can take the stone steps and check out another view before you go.

#25 of 30 - "Where the Mountain Breathes" - Yangmingshan

"Where the Mountain Breathes" - Yangmingshan
- Acrylic on Canvas, approx. 16x21"/41x53cm

On January 1 of 2014, we had perfect weather, so Ping and I got on the motorcycle and wound our way up to Yangmingshan National Park, not far from our house. A couple of hours later, we topped out on Qixingshan, a.k.a. "7 Star Mountain." It was such a nice day that everyone was out hiking. It was a zoo at the summit. However, the hike was well worth it. This is my view of Ping hiking through XiaoYouKung, climbing up between the fumaroles. I love these volcanic areas where you can see the mountain breathing. This painting was another "go for speed" experiment. I used only two brushes and limited my palette to 6 colors plus white. I'll do some tweaks, but it's "signed and being stared at" now.

#24 of 30 - "Commander's Platform Prayer Flags"

"Commander's Platform Prayer Flags" - Beijiang, China 
- Acrylic on Canvas, approx. 16.1x12.4"/410x315mm

We had just been standing in the sun by the side of the largest alpine lake in China. Halfway around the lake, we climbed the hill to the famed "Commander's Platform." Tattered prayer flags still clinging to the posts thrashed and snapped in the wind. Not long after we climbed back down, the storm unleashed its full force. This painting was done alla prima. We'll see if it's "done" or if it's just at that "signed it and staring at it" phase.

#23 of 30 - "Beijiang Grove Last Light"

"Beijiang Grove Last Light" - Xinjiang, China
- Soft Pastel on Paper, approx. 5.3x7"/135x180mm

Ping and I had the chance to travel through the northern part of China's Xinjiang province a couple of years ago. One night, after dinner, we had the chance to walk along the river and came to this lovely little grove of trees which were shimmering in the last light of the evening. So often we find that the things that enchant us are delightfully ordinary, even far from home.

#21 of 30 "Number 26 Is Available" - Mexico

"Number 26 Is Available" - Mexico
- Ink and Ballpoint Pen - 9.9x6.9"/250x176mm
When Ping and I visited Mexico some years ago, we set out on our own and explored the little hills and back alleys whenever we could. This little residence had been long since taken over by tenants of a botanical nature. I thought the title was fitting.

#20 of 30 - "Oak, Pine, Granite"

"Oak, Pine, Granite" - Yosemite Valley, CA
- Soft Pastel on Paper, approx. 4x6.3"/10.1x16cm

Back in 2010, Ping and I spent a cold March day in Yosemite with no plan, no goal, and no destination. We just wanted to be there for the day. As we reluctantly started to drive out late that afternoon, we pulled over and made one last foray into the woods. Somewhere near the massive wall of El Capitan, we found this old oak among its evergreen and granite fellows. My goal with this painting was to get as loose as I possibly could and still get that sense of space.

#19 of 30 - "Keyes Point Sunset II"

"Keyes Point Sunset II" - California, USA
- Acrylic on Canvas, approx. 12.5x16"/315x410mm

When we lived in California, we took advantage of our proximity to several national parks. This was the sunset on the first day we spent at Joshua Tree. The ranger had highly recommended Keyes Point for the sunset. We were so glad we went! I feel the stillness every time I look at these images.

This particular painting was a real challenge in acrylic, at least at this stage

#18 of 30 "Stalwart Sandstone" - Monument Valley

"Stalwart Sandstone" - Monument Valley, USA
- Soft Pastel on Paper, approx 4x6"/102x152mm
We got the chance to spend some time in Monument Valley. No matter how many pictures I'd seen of it, nothing compared to the real thing.  Here's a small look at something huge.

#17 of 30 - "Liangshan Creek 2"

I got started late today, but I still stayed with the "30 paintings in 30 days" challenge. Here's #17.
"Liangshan Creek 2" - Taiwan
- Acrylic on Canvas, approx. 22x27cm/10.6x8.7"

This was one of the first views of Liangshan Creek. Actually, it's more like what the first view would have looked like before people arrived and built stuff along the creek. My goal with this painting was to simplify shapes as much as possible and get the feel of it, more than the details of it.

#16 of 30 - "Berkeley Hills Tree"

I've been meaning to paint this tree for years. Tonight, as part of my 30 paintings in 30 days, I finally got around to doing it! Somewhere back in the hills behind UC Berkeley, you'll find these massive trees. This is only one of them. Ping and I loved wandering around the trails back there when we lived in California. It's a great place for hiking.
"Berkeley Hills Tree 1" - Berkeley, CA, USA
- Soft Pastel on Paper, approx. 4x6"/101x152mm

#15 of 30 paintings "Stone Path"

"Stone Path" - LiuDui Cultural Park, Taiwan
- Ink and Ballpoint Pen - 5.6x4.25"/140x108mm

This painting was done plein air on the same day that we hiked to the upper fall at Liangshan. Roaming through a seemingly abandoned cultural park was an odd experience. Rather than continue, I found a stone path that wound through a wooded area and sat on one of the stone blocks which were set at intervals. A number of intrepid ants explored the landscape of my pants and shirt as I painted this. I don't know how many I transported when I moved on. They all seemed to have disembarked when I stopped again later.

#13 of 30: "Into the Deep"

"Into the Deep" - Ninh Binh Cave, Vietnam
- Acrylic on Canvas, approx. 10.6x8.7"/27x22cm
Still working on the 30 paintings in 30 days. Here's #13: Ninh Binh Cave.

This was the first cavern I've been in where I still wanted to stay when it came time to leave! If I could have spent the whole day there, I would have. I felt like I was in some "Lord of the Rings" environment. The most amazing thing--and I still hope to capture this--was looking out toward the massive opening. The natural light coming into the cavern gave it more mystery than any garishly colored glow cast up on the walls. Just as we were reluctantly heading out, I turned and took this picture, looking back in.

#12 of 30 - "Liangshan Creek Bed 1" - UPDATED 1/26

"Liangshan Creek Bed 1" - Taiwan
- Acrylic on Canvas - approx. 90x65cm/36x25"
This one is hot off the easel, so I have only an informal picture at this point. This painting is at the "signed it and staring at it" phase. (UPDATE: See the finished painting, below.) My goal was to do this relatively large painting in a single day. Success! I went for speed the whole way. This is one of a series of paintings of this creek and its three waterfalls. You can just see the uppermost fall in the background. I had a blast painting this, and remembering climbing around on the rocks on the way in to the upper fall.

Here's the finished, "formal portrait" of the painting--I added just a few details to the painting and got the lighting right for the final photo. By the way, my apologies for misspelling "Liangshan" with a "J" in an earlier version of this post!

#11 of 30 "Liangshan Hills 1"

"Liangshan Hills 1" - Taiwan 
- Soft Pastel on Paper - 5.9x8.2"/15x21cm
We hiked a couple of kilometers in to see the three falls that make up Liangshan Waterfall. This view was somewhere between the first and second fall, as I recall. The mid-morning mist filled the steep-sided rift cut by the creek. As always in Taiwan, a few kilometers feels more like a few miles. After painting so much ink and oil pastel recently, it was nice to play with soft pastels again on this one! I'm actually still using the first set Ping ever gave me.