Impression Evergreen

"Sheep Lakes" Colored Pencil Set in a lush meadow, Sheep Lakes is another outstanding locale displaying the surreal beauty of Rocky Mountain National Park. Framed by a chain of purple peaks, the pastoral scene is a sight to behold. The thin, mountain air is infused with brilliant light that saturates a natural canvas already painted with pure colors. The small, reflecting pond is like a liquid mirror, reproducing the scene with remarkable precision. Even during summer, a current of cold air flows down through Fall River Canyon and seeps into the horseshoe-shaped park. The cool breeze permeates the pristine landscape and softens edges with a subtle motion-blur. As the region’s most recent glacier retreated, an outwash of braided streams deposited chunks of frozen debris across the valley floor. The ice-mass melted, creating cavities in the earth and when those depressions are filled with water, they’re called kettle lakes. Bighorn Sheep are attracted to this place...

Mills Lake, Colorado Dwarfed below Longs Peak, Mills Lake may be the prettiest place in Rocky Mountain National Park. Black like an inkwell, the reservoir is exhibited at the bottom of a breathtaking gorge that has been painted by an artistic creek. The beautiful landscape is littered with a muddle of giant boulders and dead snags that have sunk to the shallow bottom. The fearsome array of jagged, blue peaks is reflected faithfully by the water’s crystal clear surface. Enos Mills was a distinguished author, photographer and nature guide who tenaciously promoted Colorado's pristine wilderness. Inspired by the peaceful setting, I’ve discovered that his lake is the ideal place to ponder nature’s great mysteries.

"Lake Isabelle" Colored Pencil "If you could say it in words there would be no reason to paint." ~ Edward Hopper This range is distinguished by an indescribable beauty. Neither photos nor sentences can capture the scale and grandeur of such a special place. An exquisite legacy from the last ice age, Lake Isabelle is as elegant as her name would suggest. In the heart of the Indian Peaks Wilderness, it's calm before the storm. Bound by the purple sky, thunder rumbles in the background. Rising out of the summer's greenery, the ridge line appears violet while a cobblestone pathway is closed by cascades of sliding snow. A wonderland in the winter, the warm weather has transformed the entire area into a watery world teeming with flowers and wildlife. The lake is rippled by drops of rain, serrating the surface into a surreal reflection while the moist atmosphere has washed the landscape clean. Only the essential shapes and colors are allowed to stay. T...

"Canada Goose" Colored Pencil A Canada Goose bathes in the warm sunshine of an early spring day. Its reflection shimmers across the surface of chilly, Evergreen Lake. During the cold winter, the lake becomes literally an ice skating rink. When this happens the geese leave searching for a milder climate. They're not gone for long, though, because they are easily tempted back to even the smallest pool of open water. These elegant birds are delighted to swim about and graze on the local vegetation. A long, sleek, black neck and a black head with a white chinstrap distinguish the Canada Goose. The body plumage is colored with rosy beige and golden ochres. Because these large waterbirds are so common, I think their beauty sometimes goes unnoticed. The goose is loyal to family and will fiercely defend its territory. If threatened they are well equipped to handle the situation. The Canada's powerful wings are capable of delivering a blow of surprising force. Rarely ...