Teton Wildflowers I

Dawn Nelson © 2019

The border reflects the stone and metalwork in the lobby of the Jackson Lake Lodge, one of our favorite hangouts when we are in the Grand Teton National Park.

 

Bales of Barley

Dawn Nelson © 2019

I love the geometric shapes of the hay and barley bales, rolled up every which way, and the lines made by the leftover stalks. The golden yellow that pops out of these fields is magical, especially when the sunlight hits them just right.

 

Montana Wildflower, Beartooth Wilderness

Dawn Nelson © 2019

All of my senses were engaged when sketching this wildflower growing next to the West Fork of Rock Creek near the Beartooth Wilderness in MT. Sounds of the water rushing over rocks, the bees and hover flies vying for the best feeding spots, the breeze in the pine trees. The smells of the wilderness, fresh water, and wildflowers. The feel of the sun on my face and shoulders while I draw. The impossible green of the grasses and leaves, the bright splashes of magenta, yellow, and orange of the flowers, the cerulean blue sky that intermittently turns a Payne’s gray threatening to rain, but then the warm beams of the sun break through. What a glorious time field sketching!

 

Bald Eagle Sketch

Dawn Nelson © 2019

Another eagle sketch for my raptor series. The eagle’s top ecosystem requirements include a good food base, especially fish - eagles love fish; high-up perching areas so they can see with their “eagle” eye; and large trees for nesting.

Eagle Study 1

Dawn Nelson © 2019

I’m starting sketching studies of birds in preparation for creating multiple series of paintings on birds. I think I’ll start with raptors, then the swallows of Smith River (based on my rafting trip down said river), then the world’s crane species (31 of them!).

Salvia - Wild Sage

Dawn Nelson © 2018

The edible kind. In the spring and early summer it unfolds into beautiful purple flowers and graces our gardens and has naturalized in many parts of the world. Which is a good thing because pharmacological studies are showing that it has anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidementia, antimicrobial, anti-everything properties. Hmmm, I think I’ll go make some sage tea…