With much thought on the purpose of modeling the role of art in times of socioeconomic transition I have started a new project to engage the purpose of the blog in greater depth and modeling the concept at a personal level.
The project basis is to paint a year of seasons beginning with the 2017 autumn and winter ski season and progressing towards 2018 spring, summer and autumn seasons. For the project I have chosen and committed to a chosen geographical area. An area both close to home and heart. The area I am working in is the Alta and Snowbird resort areas located in Little Cottonwood canyon with future work expanding to Big Cottonwood canyon. These canyons have been a close to home recreational area for over 55 years. Winter seasons in both canyons have ski resorts that serve downhill skiing, snowboarding, Nordic cross country skiing & snowshoeing as well as many lodges to accommodate. The summer season offers as much diversity in recreation as one might desire. Everything from fishing to mountain biking,hiking ,picnicking and endless possibilities for the artist to paint.
Over so many years I have seen the dramatic increase of recreational use of the canyons by an expanding Wasatch front population. These precious watershed canyons are seeing and feeling the environmental effects of this use and the delicate ecological balances will be a challenge to protect and maintain. It is my sincere hope that this project may serve as an example and perhaps encourage others to enjoy the canyons by painting, drawing and observing natural environments in a much deeper level than a fast passing casual look. It is my hope also that others may consider and take up plein air painting in the Wasatch. So much time and so many great experiences may be enjoyed by this activity that is so friendly to use of the canyon environments. I have experienced that you do not really see something until you paint it.
I initiated my project including the observational comments and paintings I post on this blog on Thanksgiving weekend 2017. I have made Snowbird ski resort my in the mountains home base. It is where I do a substantial portion of my writing and painting. Throughout the projects blog posts I will attempt to comment on and illustrate the subtle nuances I have observed each week throughout the seasons.
Thank you for taking a look at this project and please share with others. Please take a look at the gallery pages of paintings as I have created many illustrations and paintings and will post in my galleries.
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