In May 2019, my wife and I traveled to Colorado to visit our son, who was working there at the time. We made the most of it by exploring the state in his beloved convertible BMW E36 M3, which he generously let us borrow for our adventures.
On one of our scenic drives, this view stopped us in our tracks—a perfect photo moment. The sun was shining brilliantly on a cluster of trees at the base of a steep, very dark gray rocky mountainside, with evergreens dotting the higher elevations. Those bright yellow-green trees (likely aspens in spring/early growth) stood out vividly, surrounded by lighter-colored flora or brush, while a lush green field anchored the foreground.
Back in the studio, I recreated the scene in acrylic on gesso board, emphasizing the dramatic contrast of light and shadow, the glow of the sunlit foliage, and the rugged texture of the rocks. This 16″ × 12″ painting from 2023 captures the joy of that spontaneous discovery and the breathtaking beauty of Colorado’s mountains.