The Influence of Lake Tahoe

Painted Again and Again.

Unaffected Balance

48 x 36

3500.

How and where we get our inspiration can be a mystery, but there is no doubt there are places that influence an artist's work.  Spending hours on Lake Tahoe in the summer paddling and rowing past and through massive boulders that decorate the shore and shallow water areas is inspirational. One of my favorite areas is directly off the Crystal Bay Point on the north end of the lake where there are stacks, groupings, and piles of huge granite boulders that have been portrayed in my compositions over and over again.  

Other artists, such as Georgia O'Keeffe painted the same subjects again and again. In her case, a view of the Pedernal, from her home in Abiquiu, NM inspired her to paint and repaint this mountain. There must be over 100 paintings created by O'Keeffe of this subject.  She is quoted as saying, "It's my private mountain", and I understand her feeling.  I have a similar connection to Crystal Bay and the boulders there.  

 

Pedernal with Red Hills (Red Hills with the Pedernal), 1936. Georgia O'Keeffe (American, 1887 - 1986) oil on linen, 19 3/4 x 29 3/4 in. (50.2 x 75.6 cm)

Last week when it was time to begin a new painting I found myself drawn to painting, what I call, Balanced Rock. Though it won't be for the hundredth time, it will be the seventh or eighth composition influenced by this formation.  

Photo of Balanced Rock with high water levels.

Acrylic Study for Balanced Rock with high water levels

Pamela Hunt Lee

Balancing Rock III

48 x 30

sold

Photo of Balanced Rock 2013

Notice the water levels are lower than in the photo above.

Balance Maintained

48 x 48

sold

Photo of Balanced Rock with low water levels 2015

Notice all the exposed rocks that were under water in the photos above.

Not only the influence of the rock formation itself but the changing environment with the lowering water levels inspired the desire to paint this composition again.

Unaffected Balance

48 x 36

3500.

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It's a new web site, so come take a look and tell me what you think.

Say YES!!!!

The Summer of YES.

Back Side of Caught Rock

48 x 48

sold

It is the summer of YES, saying 'yes' to everything. At least almost everything. When visiting with a friend the other day while we drove home from the Nevada Museum of Art after visiting the current exhibition Lake Tahoe, A Visual History (more about this in another blog post), she mentioned a musical soiree taking place the next evening which would feature Elizabeth Pitcairn playing her Stradivarius violin and the fact there might be an opportunity to attend.  Oh my. Yes, yes, yes.  YES!!!!

soi·rée

swäˈrā/

noun

1. an evening party or gathering, typically in a private house, for conversation or music.
2. 
   

About 30 of us were invited into a private home to listen to three sopranos perform prior to the introduction of Elizabeth Pitcairn and her Stradivarius. The music was powerful, engaging, melodically beautiful.  The Red Mendelssohn was a feast for the eyes and the tones that Elizabeth was able to bring forth from the instrument were deep, rich, high, and sweet.  Can you imagine that as a 16 year old girl, she was gifted this 1720 Stradivarius, at that time valued at 1.5 million? Now of course it is worth far more, perhaps 15 million, and Elizabeth travels not only with the violin but with a bodyguard. It may be more fitting to say Stradiguard.   

Delicate Balance

48 x 30

2000.

Currently exhibited at Big Water Grille, Incline Village, NV

This soiree was put together by Toccata - Lake Tahoe Symphony which will be presenting four concerts during the next two weeks.  Click HERE for the schedule and locations. Elizabeth will perform at each of the four concerts and you don't want to miss this opportunity.

Perfect Lake Day

48 x 48

5000.

Opening yourself to the word, 'YES' can and will bring opportunities you may not have expected. Opportunities that will enrich your life.  Having the opportunity to meet and hear the music of Elizabeth Pitcairn and hear her play a revered instrument was indescribable, though I have given that a shot.

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September 2015

It's September And Fall Is In The Air

Summer Mementos 2015

Acrylic on Canvas

48 x 60

6,000.

Though it is blowing a gale outside and the temps have dropped, this painting is all about Summer. Summer at Lake Tahoe, or more precisely, on Lake Tahoe.

From the kayak, SUP and rowing shell the lowering water level is visually apparent as horizontal marks leave behind the history of where the lake surface has been.  

This summer, during numerous trips out onto the lake I was surprised by stacks of rocks created by unknown artists. Coming across cairns in open locations as well as hidden, secret areas, happened over and over again.

Summer Mementos 2015

Acrylic on Canvas

48 x 60

6,000.

The influence of both the lowering water levels and the rock cairns worked their way into this painting. Just off the easel, Summer Mementos 2015, is a statement about Lake Tahoe during the summer of 2015.  

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