It’s been a while since I’ve updated my blog. I’ve been working on smaller, more time consuming paintings. I have not been painting as much as I would like, but I’ll get back to it some day.
Spring Time in the Desert
Just got back from working in Joshua Tree National Park. I had a decent time. Took some pictures, climbed on some rocks and worked way too hard.
Sunset Yoga
Update!
I haven't posted in a while. Here's some images from late 2016. I've been busy making new work. It's exciting.
I finished a 12'x 4' painting that was going to be in a show in San Diego. Life decided to throw me a curve ball and I never made it down to SanDiego. I'm hoping one day I will get to see this big painting together. It's on multiple panels and I haven't gotten the chance to see it all together. My studio is sort of small.
I'm making smaller work for the time being. It's a good way to work out new ideas.
Climbing in Bishop
Yosemite
Ok, ok. No more trips for a while. I have a new ambitious project I need to start. It's hopefully going to be in a show in San Diego in either December or January.
I'm glad the weather is on my side. It's hard to climb when it's raining.
October 20th? Already?
I had a great time working in Joshua Tree last week. I got to spend time with some pretty amazing people and even got some climbing in. Also, hopefully I will be showing some new paintings in San Diego in a few months. Stay tuned for more info.
Sunrise in J Tree
New painting in progress
J Tree
I ended up landing a job teaching 6th grade students in Idyllwild, CA last week. I instantly thought about how close to Joshua Tree I would be, and decided that the job would be worth taking if I turned it into a climbing trip. I spent one day alone bouldering and drawing. The second day, my friend Brynn made the 4 hour drive from her home to spend the day climbing moderates with me. She had never belayed someone on lead before and she had also never cleaned a trad route. Brynn is a quick learner and a pretty good climber as well. We climbed until the sun went down, got lost searching for our campsite, made pizza in the fire then played glow bocce ball. It was a good time.
Brynn Downing
What happened to September?
I've been working as an outdoor educator again. It's really fun for the most part. It is also really hard leaving my life behind for weeks at a time. I have been home for 11 days this month. I leave for another trip in a few hours and won't be back til October something. Anyway, my co instructor on this last trip was amazing. Her name is Brynn and she is a writer and poet. She Likes all the good music and is super fun to hang out with. I only want to do trips with Brynn from now on.
Heres a few pics of us having fun in the woods.
This coloring book is kind of amazing.
New Work!
Finished up this new painting yesterday. Just need to photograph it and let it dry. I'm excited to move on to the next panel..
Detail
Progress
Making progress on this new painting.
East Side Summits
Spent last week in the eastern Sierras. I made an attempt to summit Banner Peak and Mt. Ritter. Still had a really good time.
Back at it
Built some new panels. Feels good to work big again.
Climb On
I spent most of last week climbing in Tuolumne Meadows. Tuolumne is the high country in Yosemite National Park, in case you didn't know. Anyways, it was great. The weather was perfect and I did a bunch of leading. It's been so long since I've placed gear. I forgot how fun and terrifying trad climbing is.
Wyoming
Had a great time in Wyoming. We backpacked in the Wind River Range, visited the Absarokas in a sno storm, fell in love with Lander again and caught some fish in the Gros Ventre Wilderness. There are so many places to explore in Wyoming. I can't wait to go back.
Grand Junction
While driving to Denver today, we passed through Grand Junction Colorado and visited my grandfathers grave. He died 3 days before my eleventh birthday. I really think we could have had a great relationship if he would have lived longer. He was a hunter, fisherman and he brewed his own beer. I could have learned so much from him. I'm lucky for the eleven years he was a part of my life.
Blog App
Squarespace has a sweet blog ap that makes blogging super easy. I know this sounds like a shameless plug buy it is really cool.
Im on day one of a two week road trip to Colorado and Wyoming. We stopped for the night in Salt Lake City. Sunset over the great salt lake was impressive and so were the firework desplays all across the skyline.
Driving across the Bonneville Salt Flats
Outdoor Educator
I finally landed a job as an outdoor educator!
Last summer I took a course through the National Outdoor Leadership School or NOLS. It was a wilderness first responder and outdoor educator course. I took with the intention of becoming a backcountry guide. I spent months applying for jobs as a backpacking guide, climbing instructor and various other positions in the world of outdoor ed. I finally convinced a school in central California to give me a chance. It ended up being an amazing experience and I can't wait to do it again.
Finding A Groove
I have been so bad about updating my website and writing my blog. It's so simple to just walk away from your website once you launch it. Updating and maintenance becomes an afterthought. A few times a week I get a feeling of guilt in the back of my mind. I know I should at least look at the site and think about what I want to change. Anyways, it's June 10, 2016. This day is just as good as any other to make a change and use this blog.
New Look, New Work
I have finally decided to take the time to update and fix all the little things that have been bothering me about my website. Super excited to share it with everyone.