Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Notes from the desert, photo edition

Here I am, looking sporty. You can see how nice I am.

I am just going to show some photos tonight and let you see the Big Bend national park where I have spent the last ten days painting. I have made a lot of work, far more than I have showed you. After I take it home and buff it up, it will return to Kornye gallery in Fort Worth Texas.

Here is another rough 24 by 36. I spent two afternoons on this one and it will go to the studio for finish as usual. I will post some of these from the trip when I get them finished.

Here is my traveling buddy, and old friend Scott Moore from Stockton Springs, Maine. This was taken the day it was 102 degrees.

This is a view looking up into the Chisos mountains. Big Bend contains an entire mountain range. It is enormous. Big Bend is also the least visited National Park in America. It is out in the sticks, very wild and often very hot. The park is on the northern most part of the great Chihuahuan Desert.

Above is a view up from near Panther Junction, where the visitor center is. As you can see this is very dry very unforgiving country. The sun and desert dryness will KILL you if you don't bring enough water and get lost.

Here is a long view across the desert to the Grapevine Hills. This is pretty typical of the plains part of the park. I find it very beautiful, although I suppose it might not be to everyone's taste.

This road leads out from Dagger Flats, named after the Spanish Dagger plants found here in profusion, not for a knifing event. Tommorow I will be back on the road, heading home, with a couple of stops on the way.

40 comments:

Roxanne Steed said...

just curious Stape, do you always pack weapons when you go out to paint?
;-)

Deborah Paris said...

You do look sporty and well armed. We are having tornados, rain and hail up here in my corner of TX. Look forward to seeing the work at Kornye!

Mary Byrom said...

Nice beebee gun!

barbara b. land of boz said...

this is the area that my youngest son went tru in a passport for adventure program. He said it was tough. Bear in mind he was only 10 years old at the time. I can give you the blessing the lord for this piece of land that that the good lord has given to us.......

jeff said...

Is that a beebee gun? Also looks a little like a Winchester.

It's not a bad idea being armed in that area. You never know...

Very cool boots, you all look like you're ready to go mount up a ride... I was waiting for the close up with some squinting eyes with the cigar sticking out of the side of your mouth with some harmonica and some echo guitar in the background.

Nice painting as well.

James Gunter said...

I'm looking forward to seeing some of your finished desert paintings when you post them. I've enjoyed reading about your desert trip, and seeing how you paint the desert. Thanks.

Wicked nice rifle, by the way! Is that a future post?!?

MCG said...

Really enjoyed this last series of posts and thank you for taking us on "the trip".
but..er...Stape..should you really be pointing the muzzle of that firearm directly at your dorsum pedis?

T Arthur Smith said...

What's the function of the weapon? Why's it needed?

Libby Fife said...

I couldn't quite get over a place called "Panther Junction." It does look beautiful though and I bet it is stunning in the AM/PM light. Hope you had a good trip.

Jim Polewchak said...

Is that an airsoft rifle? You don't want to hurt the nice rattlers!
I carried a Berreta on my painting trip there- lots of impolite hombres , with signs warning you of such.

Robert J. Simone said...

"You gonna draw them pistols or whistle Dixie?"

John D. Wooldridge said...

Hey Stape, if you're heading up I-30 and want to make a stop in the central part of the Natural State, let me know!

billspaintingmn said...

Both you guys look like the real deal. This has been an enjoyable ten days.
So do you campfire and eat beans at night? I heard that's the best way to keep the critters away.

Knitting Out Loud said...

Loved this! Thanks Stape, you snappy dresser you.

cedar-sky said...

I wouldn't mess with that guy if I saw him in the desert.

Aline said...

Did you notice any migrating birds there? It is supposed to be a good location to see them, or at least hear them.

willek said...

I notice that although your finger is inside the trigger guard while the muzzle is, in fact, pointed at an area that includes your orthotic, the hammer is thankfully down fo the rifle may not fire. This photo should be published as it would not hurt sales out there to cultivate the Wild Bill Cody side of your personna. You may also get a support role in a movie.

Barbara DuBois Hageman, Artist said...

Looking forward to your workshop in Old Lyme, where guns aren't a necessary part of the painting gear...no snakes except up in the rocky areas of Lyme...well, maybe do bring the heat. The Nature Conservancy area loaded with mountain laurel in bloom, rocky outcrops, and a view of the CT river will be refreshing after the Big Bend Desert days you've had.

Stapleton Kearns said...

Roxanne;
Only in places that qualify.
....................Stape

Stapleton Kearns said...

Deborah;
I am sporty.
...............Stape

Stapleton Kearns said...

Mary;
Thanks.
................Stape

Stapleton Kearns said...

barbara;
Thanks for the blessing. I am on my way home now!
................Stape

Stapleton Kearns said...

jeff;
Its a Winchester 30-30.
...............Stape

Stapleton Kearns said...

Jim;
No I don't think so. I don't do gun advice.
............Stape

Stapleton Kearns said...

MCG;
No, the rifle is pointed ahead of my foot, that is an octopus pollution.
................Stape

Stapleton Kearns said...

T. Arthur:
The function of the rifle is to propel bullets. It is needed, chucking them by hand is ineffectual and useless.
.............Stape

Stapleton Kearns said...

Libby;
It is beautiful beyond description. It's fierceness adds to that.
.............Stape

Stapleton Kearns said...

Jim;
I am useless with a handgun. But I learned to shoot a rifle in the military school. I am pretty good with that.
................Stape

Stapleton Kearns said...

Simone;
No pistols, Senor.
..............Stape

Stapleton Kearns said...

John;
Thanks but we are running for home. I miss my lovely wife.
................Stape

Stapleton Kearns said...

bill;
No there is a park run restaurant near the campsite with wireless. Worked out real well.
..................Stape

Stapleton Kearns said...

Knitting.
I am a regular Beu Brummel.
....................Stape

Stapleton Kearns said...

cedar;
No indeed you would not. That's the general idea.
................Stape

Stapleton Kearns said...

Aline;
The only bird I can recognize reliably is a fried chicken.
...................Staper

Stapleton Kearns said...

Willek;
In the photo it appears to be aimed at my foot, in reality it is not. My finger is through the trigger guard because that's how Chuck Conner wanted it.
....................Stape

Stapleton Kearns said...

Barbara;
Scout out some good locations for us. I don't know the area area well.
..............Stape

Robert J. Simone said...

Guess you never saw The Outlaw Josie Wales, with Clint Eastwood.

Most of it took place in Texas and the line about drawing them pistols or whistling Dixie was one of the best all time.

Deborah Paris said...

"The function of the rifle is to propel bullets. It is needed, chucking them by hand is ineffectual and useless."

Ah, Stape you are a funny funny man- I knew it was a rifle but it took my husband to identify it as a 30-30 (he has one, along with many other bullet propelling devices).

A Glock is my preferred plein air companion, but its always best to go with what you know.

jeff said...

Nice gun, I've always wanted one of those. They would make a good still life subject.

T Arthur Smith said...

"The function of the rifle is to propel bullets."

...at?