Put on by the High Dessert Art League, this was a free event for artists to come and paint the wondrous beauty of the popular state park. Word has it that about seventy artists showed up to paint...not bad for the first time!
Only two and a half hours from Portland, painting on the other sides of the Cascades offers such a different color palette to work from compared to our "green, green and more green" surroundings of the Willamette Valley.
Part of this event was a competition, where four paintings were awarded. This small 8" x 10" painting, which was my second piece done on that day, took 2nd place:
Smith Ravine, oil on panel, 2013
Of course, the real prize was simply the opportunity to spend half the day painting at an amazing location and having my wife and kids enthralled with the hiking trails throughout the park. All of our efforts were rewarded by huckleberry ice cream, so conveniently offered at the shop adjacent to the park. Well played, ice cream guy...
Additional info on this event can be found at http://www.smithrockpaintout.com/.
