Michael Chesley Johnson Workshop

I just returned from a week long painting workshop with Michael Chesley Johnson in Sedona AZ. This is part of his mentoring series so there were only three of us in the class. Nice.

Michael is a great teacher and took us through a great week of painting. Oh, and there are just a few things to paint in Sedona!

After a prior week of rain and snow we arrived to near perfect weather with plenty of sun and temperatures in the 60’s and 70’s.

For the most part it was all about trying new things and producing little studies. Without the pressure of trying to complete a finished painting, the pace was concentrated but relaxed.

I painted mostly oils but I did sneak out one evening to try one pastel.

If you’re looking for something a step above the normal painting workshop experience, I highly recommend attending one of Michael’s workshops.

You can find more info at Michael’s website.

Here are a couple of studies from the week:

8 x 10 oil on canvas panel

8 x 10 pastel on Wallis paper

And here are a few snapshots from the week:

Desert Palm Oasis

One of the stops on our trip to the Anza Borrego desert was in the Eastern end of the park. Up above the Bow Willow campground are several rare palm groves. If you can find year-round water, you can usually fine these small groves of palm trees.

This was especially fun because as we stood in the sun, looking out over the desert - right behind us, in the mountains of San Diego, it was raining like crazy. Gotta love it!

9 x 12 oil on canvas panel

To purchase this painting please contact: Randall Smith

Another Ocotillo

I can tell I'm going to be on a desert kick for a while! Here's another blooming ocotillo from our trip last weekend.

This was done right in town – just behind the Visitors Center. A couple more weeks and the wildflowers should be in full force.

 

 
8 x 10 oil on canvas panel

To purchase this painting please contact: Randall Smith

Borrego Ocotillo

After several days of rain I headed out to the local deserts for some sun. It was a little cool but I found the sun I was looking for.

This year has brought the deserts a lot of rain and we're anticipating a banner wildflower year. Mid March usually marks the height of the flower blooms so it's still a little early. Fortunately, I found an ocotillo that didn't have a calendar and was in full bloom!

 

 
9 x 12 oil on board

To purchase this painting please contact: Randall Smith

More Red Rocks

Lots of rain the last two days and I needed to escape to some place warmer so, I did another study from my photos of Zion NP.

This time I'm still playing with the Holbein Duo water soluble oils. They're kind of growing on me. I just need to remember to keep them away from this rain!!!

9 x 12 oil on board

To purchase this painting please contact: Randall Smith