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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Lake Tahoe Paintings

 Three Weeks of Mild Weather.

That's it for Northern California and the Lake Tahoe area. Mild.  That is not what we are all seeing for the remainder of the country.  Brrrr...it looks cold out there.  But here, at Tahoe it has been unusually clear and warm.  This is not a situation that is good for the lake level or the local businesses, but one that must be accepted since there is nothing any of us can do about it, but live with it and enjoy it.

Lots of people are out on bikes, hiking, and using the water.  It's pretty amazing to see paddle boarders skimming across the lake in January.  I choose my kayak because I can load it up with my sketch book, camera and other art related items. Posted here are a a couple little paintings created using the inspiration from these kayak trips.  Yes, back to my passion, painting.  And back to painting Lake Tahoe Boulders from the water instead of winter inspired work, but that's how it is when the weather is mild day after day.  

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More Holiday Art

It's A Holly Jolly Christmas

As promised, the second inspiration.  It's a long story, but I will attempt to shorten.  For years, since I was a very young girl, I have drawn and painted holly.  In fact, for my very first commission ever I created baker's dough, clay wreaths with holly leaves and berries (I was 13, and that is a completely different and long story).  Almost always I used three leaves and three berries which would show up on homemade gift tags, note cards, decoration on stationery.  It was just a way to add a little holiday color to what ever I was doing, not art, just decoration.  Doodles, almost.  I never thought of painting this subject.

A couple weeks ago while listening to Holiday music the notes and words to Holly Jolly Christmas filled the air.  The snow wasn't falling, in fact it was very dry outside, not much snow on the ground, and the thought of painting more snowmen just wasn't going anywhere.  While the music played I was standing at the kitchen sink looking out through the window at a large, lush holly bush which is covered with brilliant red berries.  Hmmmm......

The palette from my most recent Desert Plant painting was filled with simple, basic, primary colors...perfect for Holly.  I ran into the studio, picked up the brush, grabbed a small canvas and started painting.  

Inspired by a song, a bush, and previous doodles.  It's a great time of year, and though there might not be snow, we can still have a Holly Jolly Christmas.  

Have a holly, jolly Christmas;

It's the best time of the year

I don't know if there'll be snow

but have a cup of cheer

Have a holly, jolly Christmas;

And when you walk down the street

Say Hello to friends you know

and everyone you meet.

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Thankful For Art

The essence of all beautiful art, all great art, is gratitude.
Friedrich Nietzsche 

We have passed through Thanksgiving in the U.S. when we spend time thinking about situations and people surrounding us that bring us joy, happiness, and thoughtfulness.  We then give thanks and express our gratitude.  Those of us who create acknowledge our passion, desire, and ability to make something where there was nothing before.  As artists we also realize and honor the torment under which we live, well, maybe.  Personally I am comfortable, sometimes, and greatful for the torment.  If it weren't for this torment I might not take the time to create.

The constant torment of what to create, how to create, when to spend the time, questioning the result, desiring acceptance of the work.  The questions go on and on, endless in fact.  Everyone who is successful conquering the torment has embraced it, used it to push their work forward and knows it will return over and over again.  It's the plight of the artist, but one for which we should all be thankful for it is a tool and part of who we are and part of our ability to create.  

beginning the background on my newest painting

the background painted in with high and low lights and a great deal of movement

the prickly pear paddles begin to appear

close up brushing the pigment onto the canvas

the painting as of today....loads more to do

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Inspiration.

My Favorite Inspiration

Actually I just wanted some exercise, I wasn't looking for inspiration, so I lowered my Alden Quest rowing shell from the davit on the pier into the crystal clear water of Lake Tahoe.  There is a process, a ceremony, to get the boat into the water, the oars in place, gloves on and myself into the boat.  Once settled, the oars skim over the glassy smooth water, as I propel the shell and my body, in a fluid, rhythmic cadence away from the shore, out towards my favorite rock formations.  This is almost meditative, it is so quiet and peaceful.  The rhythm is like a chant.   And certainly  this activity is inspirational for my painting because my mind can wander and the things I see, Oh My!

I think I see the rocks and water differently each time I am out there.  And certainly the conditions vary each time I am out there making the visuals unique.

But from these photos you can see why I am driven to paint my vision of these rocks and water.  The rocks are massive and powerful.  The colors are intensely clear and clean.  I wish you could feel the air.

Whether it is looking at the sky, the boulders, the surface of the water or down through the depths, it all become fascinating.  Captivating.  

I am smiling, at peace and energized at the same time.  I see the next painting and the one after that, and the one to follow.  All of a sudden I want to be in front of my easel, holding my palette, applying pigment to the canvas.  

Reversing the process, I glide back to the pier, go through the ceremony of replacing the boat in the davit, putting the oars away, taking a last look at the beauty of the lake and get myself inside to my sketch book.  The morning row didn't start out as a way to gather inspiration, but it certainly became that.

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Inspiring Art.

What Inspires An Artist?

Several paintings by Pamela Hunt Lee

Inspired by Lake Tahoe Rock Formations

Shown at Spirit Gallery in Truckee, CA

Inspiration comes from many many sources.  Walking through an art gallery, reading the lines in a poem, listening to music, taking a walk or a run or a ride or a row or a kayak.

Original Painting by Pamela Hunt Lee

Inspired by White Tank Granite Rock Formations in Joshua Tree National Park

 Now that's my type of inspiration.  The outdoor type.  

Aspen Colors

16 ,x 20

Original Painting by Pamela Hunt Lee

Inspired by Fall Leaves

We look at things every day, from the moment we get up in the morning until we put our head on the pillow at night.  Our surroundings are filled with dramatic landscapes, lakescapes, seascapes, clear blue or cloudy skies, colorful sunsets, boulders, pebbles, trees, sticks, leaves, dainty small to spectacularly large flowers.  There are unusual and amazing things to see and inspire, everywhere around us.

Barrels And Fenceposts

Original Painting by Pamela Hunt Lee

Inspired by Desert Cacti

It's the detail in nature that inspires my work, therefore I create a composition that provides the viewer an intimate moment with the subject.  I want you to see and ponder the detail as well.

Three Birds

36 x 36

Original Painting by Pamela Hunt Lee

Inspired by Bird of Paradise and Hibiscus Flowers

Continuous inspiration fuels my desire to spend time outdoors.

Slabs

48 x 48

Original Painting by Pamela Hunt Lee

Inspired by Lake Tahoe Rock Formations

So while there are many varied sources to inspire an artist, mine is nature.

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