FALL 2020, Alaska and Beyond

This is the second wave watercolor I painted. It measures 15" x 22" (38cm x 56cm). I like the abstract quality of the wave I discovered while painting it. I wanted to portray the motion and power of the wave. It has already sold.

The painting above is of a winter sunset here in Alaska. The days are short as the sun travels along the southern horizon. The trees are dormant and the air is crisp and cold. The size of this water color is 11" x 15" (28cm x 38cm). Click photo to view a larger size.

Fall surprised us with natural beauty. The beauty of Alaska changes almost every day into a new event of wonder. Below is a painting based on a lake I go fishing at.

This tapestry of color was growing in front of our house. Our front yard transition from a lush free forest spotted with wild flowers to a kaleidoscope of fall fauna.

Alaska Farm was inspired by one bright, crisp fall morning in Alaska. The color had almost faded, but the lighting on the landscape was beautiful.

Snow came at the beginning of November this year. I completed this watercolor sketch of the front of our property from inside the house looking out the window. It was painted on an old piece of Fabriano, Italian watercolor paper. I liked the texture on the paper. 

The above watercolor is a sketch I made this fall from a photo I took when I was in Aix-en-Provence in 2010. I like the old buildings. I wonder if Cézanne's sense of geometric shapes was influenced by his home town. See his painting below.

The flowers below, were a quick sketch I did while visiting relatives. I painted them quickly in an impressionistic style for fun.

  

Summer in Alaska 2020

This watercolor is of Iris setosa. It is a rhizomatous perennial from a wide range across the Arctic sea, including Alaska, Maine, Canada, Russia, northeastern Asia, China, Korea and southwards to Japan. My watercolor painting, shown here, is part of an eight card note set of Alaskan Wildflowers available at my ETSY shop, Ken Harris watercolors. https://www.etsy.com/listing/851756451/alaska-wildflowers-note-cards-set-of-8?ref=shop_home_active_1&frs=1

This next watercolor, Pioneer Peak, I painted on location then I finished it at my studio. The Sky and Mountain were fu to do. I did a pencil sketch of the mountain to study the form of the peak. The rest was thoughtful composition, try a few different directions.

The watercolor below is the first watercolor I did of the summer. I went out at 8:00pm at night to paint it. In Alaska during the summer I can paint till probably 11:00pm. I stopped working on it at 9:30pm and finished it a few weeks later in my studio. The lighting in Alaska even at 11:00pm is amazing.

The flowers below, are of Wild Roses that grow all over the Matanuska Valley in the spring. I have never seen so many roses, just growing wild. Alaska has a large variety of unique wild flowers that grow in the fields in the summer. They are growing all around our house.

Two renditions of the same subject, the Palmer, Alaska water tower. These were studies in different color and value treatment based on the "California Style".

This watercolor I started on location is of a water tower in the town of Palmer, Alaska. It maybe the tallest structure in the town, so it is the local landmark that the residents are proud of in this eclectic town. I like the lighting.

Spring 2020

Welcome to Spring. This season is much anticipated for us living in a much colder climate than we did before. Below are quick watercolors that I have done. Hope you enjoy.

I changed my painting up a bit by doing a Paris Painting. This watercolor and a Sharpie fine tip permanent marker. It was done loose on purpose.

Below is watercolor of California P{poppies fro a photo I took at A winery In central California Last spring 2019.

Another painting (below) of the Lazy Mountain a center piece of the Matanuska Valley. This painting was completed in Mid spring of 2020. The snow has melted for the year. Summer is on its way.

The is water tower is in the town of Palmer, AK. I plan to do another version of the water tower which is iconic to the town.

This painting called Moose Lake was actually a small pond left by the melting snow in the front of our house. The pond and the trees are actually part of our yard, The rocks and foreground grass I added for interest.

The view outside my studio window. The time is early spring. the snow has not quite melted yet.

The view is a hiking trail in early spring. The snow has retreated from the trees, but still occupies the trail. It is a great place to walk.

A month ago these "Alaskan" trees were surrounded and at times covered with snow. The two white shapes at the bottom of the painting are supposed to be snow. Another clue to spring is that I actually started this painting, ABOVE, on location in 36F degree weather. My water didn't have a chance to melt.

This is a watercolor of sunrise in the Matanuska Valley of Alaska. The sun is starting to come up over the Lazy Mountain and brighten the valley of an early spring.

Winter 2020

Spending the winter in Alaska this year has provided new fascinating subjects to paint. Below is a watercolor entitled Old Trunk Road. This painting was inspired by a winter walk I took a few weeks ago in my new neighborhood. I hope you enjoy it.

Another winter snow scene here in the Matanuska Valley. This one with a small stream. We seem to have a lot of snow. it is even piling up, like we are collecting it. I hope you enjoy this quite winter scene. The art featured in this posting is available for purchase on my Etsy shop. www.etsy.com/shop/KenHarrisWatercolors

This painting is the view I see outside my studio window here in Alaska. It is more of a study of the local nature.  Paul Cézanne was right when he said that nature was the greatest teacher.

Below is another version of the view outside my window.

Below is a quick sketch of a coastal lagoon north of Carlsbad, California.

Fall 2019

2019 has come to an end, but we now have 2020 to look forward to. I hope it will be an adventurous year for all. My first fall painting is of an area of Sonoma county, California that has good memories for me. It is of the road that skirts the north end of San Francisco bay from Petaluma, California to the Napa valley.

Below is a small watercolor of the Lazy mountain in the Matanuska Valley of Alaska. This depicts an early sunset at 3:00 pm (1500hr) in the Fall.

This is a painting of Birch trees that I can see out my window. The sunset glow was beautiful shining through the trees.

Another view of the Lazy mountain. it is from a photo I took on Christmas Eve 2019. I feel like Céezanne who painted Sainte-Victroire at least 40 times. But the mountains in the  Matanuska valley always have something new to offer.