Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Hamilton Pool

Hamilton Pool, 12 x 16

Hamilton Pool is a bit of a drive out to the countryside. It requires a steep hike "in" and an equally steep hike back "out"... but the trip is SO worth the effort. This pool and collapsed grotto was formed by thousands of years of water erosion; and when we are not in a drought, a 50 foot waterfall spills over the top of this canyon. Before the 1800's, Native Americans lived in this natural shelter because its water and lush plantlife; and its beauty no doubt.

While I was painting today, another visitor played his wooden flute from inside the grotto. The melody bounced off the canyon walls in a gorgeously haunting way. It was magical!

6 comments:

Marian Fortunati said...

I think that is one of the real joys of plein air painting... going out and seeing the beauty that surrounds us in our world.

I loved your description of the day as well as your painting!

Jill Berry said...

This one is spectacular!
You have a skill of saying what you want to say about a place, with your interesting and various size peices to the puzzle, then moving on down the road.

Catherine Jeffrey said...

I have the sense when looking at your painting that this is a beautiful gentle place where many souls have been.

Sandra Galda said...

This is so beautiful, it must have been hard to pack up and leave the site. Your landscapes are so gorgeous...the way you approach the genre makes me less fearful of trying it out sometime. I have always found still life less frightening, but studying your work is a lesson in itself. This is terrific! Great story with the post too.

julie davis said...

Laurel, this is lovely. You really have a knack for the neutrals in the limestone. Just FYI, I've left a Kreative Blogger award for you on my site.....I'm not clever enough to be able to leave it on yours, and that's how I received it, so get to it only if you want to. You know I think the world of you!

Debbi Smith Rourke said...

Absolutely gorgeous. Love the dark green and light teal in the water - a subtle change from the other colors but so refreshing! Enjoyed seeing you at 5x7!!!