"After the commitment to begin a series is made, it begins to take on a life of its own. With each additional painting in a series, the original thought grows into something more refined and bigger than a singular painting could ever be. Every addition allows the artist’s voice to get louder and clearer, demonstrating that they are on a path, know what they’re doing, where they’re going, and what they have to do to get there." ~ Lynette Ubel
"A series is a collection of paintings that, when viewed, leaves no doubt that the same artist created them all. The theme running through the work is stated and restated in different yet interconnected ways, and the viewer can look at the collection and understand more easily what the artist is trying to convey." ~ Lynette Ubel As a warm-up, I decided to do a smaller oil painting of several of the designs I'm using in my 2026 Calendars. This is a photo of my painting setup with the image sketched on my canvas board.
Day 84 ~ SE-84-25
“First protected in 1864, Yosemite National Park is best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and much more. Yosemite Valley, known for ‘El Capitãn and ’Half Dome is world famous for its impressive waterfalls, meadows, cliffs, and unusual rock formations, which are accessible by car year-round.” ~ NPS
“The purpose of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is to protect a dynamic tidewater glacial landscape and associated natural successional processes for science and accessible discovery in a wilderness setting. Covering 3.3 million acres of rugged mountains, dynamic glaciers, a temperate rainforest, wild coastlines, and deep sheltered fjords. Glacier Bay National Park is known as Homeland to several Native American tribes, and is a highlight of Alaska's Inside Passage. From sea to summit, Glacier Bay offers limitless opportunities for adventure and inspiration.” ~ NPS I didn't have an original line drawing grid copy of this park, so I redrew it today. I colored in my first two master copies, lol. I've become more organized and efficient as I've added pieces to this series.
"People traveling in the Shenandoah Valley in the early 1700s reported an abundance of various animals. As European settlers cleared land, hunted, and introduced domestic animals, wild animal populations decreased. Hunting eliminated American bison around 1798 and elk followed in 1855. Beaver and river otter disappeared in the late 1800s. The eastern timber wolf, eastern cougar, white-tailed deer, turkey, black bear, and bobcats were either extirpated or declined drastically. The exact number of native species lost is unknown. In the past century, most of these species have returned either through reintroductions on lands elsewhere in Virginia or through natural population recovery. The designation and management of the area as a National Park provides refuge to resident and migrating animals." ~ NPS
Day 81 ~ SE-81-25
“Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over 200,000 acres of protected lands that are a haven to deer, songbirds, and black bears, there's so much to explore. Today, Shenandoah is a refuge for many animals otherwise pressured by human activities. The Park is home to over 190 resident and transient bird species, over 50 mammal species, over 20 reptile and amphibian species, and over 40 fish species.” ~ NPS
“If we can teach people about wildlife, they will be touched. And humans want to save the things they love.” ~ Steve Irwin
“Big Bend National Park goes from an elevation of less than 1,800 feet along the Rio Grande, to nearly 8,000 feet in the Chisos Mountains. The park includes massive canyons, vast desert expanses, forested mountains, and an ever-changing river. Winters in Big Bend are generally mild, with the occasional short cold snap. Usually, the skies are clear, and daytime highs can run into the 70’s or higher. Under clear skies, however, it gets colder at night, sometimes freezing. With diverse wildlife across its many ecosystems, the park supports over 450 bird species, large mammals such as black bears, mountain lions, and javelinas, desert-bighorn sheep, elk, and even wild horses. Here you can explore one of the last remaining wild corners of the United States.” ~ NPS
"Big Bend National Park is located in Southwest Texas, a considerable distance from cities and transportation hubs. The park's varied habitats support an amazing variety of wildlife, including 11 species of amphibians, 56 species of reptiles, 40 species of fish, 75 species of mammals, more than 450 species of birds, and about 3,600 species of insects.” ~ NPS
Day 78 ~ SE-78-25
“Who told you adulthood couldn’t feel like childhood? Long days of forgetting what day it is. Wanting to be wherever your wings or the wind dropped you. Filled with secrets and chances and whimsy.” ~ Darnell Lamont Walker. These are the two paintings I demonstrated for my brilliant Sandarosa Studio Students.
Day 77 ~ SE-77-25
Although small in relation to some of our other national
parks, Grand Teton National Park encompasses about 484 square miles of
striking vistas and historic
settings. The earliest archeological findings reveal that indigenous
tribes inhabited the area 11,000 years ago. The rich history of the
area, now known as Jackson Hole, Wyoming, includes many native tribes,
trappers, explorers, homesteaders, and an entirely female town council
in the town of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, by 1920. This unique area inspires
the imagination and uplifts the spirit of
outdoor enthusiasts and
history buffs alike.
Grand Teton National Park is located within the Jackson Hole valley in northwestern Wyoming. Ten miles south of Yellowstone, it is much smaller, about one-seventh the size of Yellowstone Park. A diverse variety of mountain terrain and captivating wildlife can be observed and enjoyed here, on foot or in a car. There is a 42-mile scenic loop of its breathtaking scenery which can be completed in about two hours.
“The Bass Harbor Head Light Station is located in Tremont, Maine, marking the entrance to Bass Harbor and Blue Hill Bay on the southwest corner of Mount Desert Island. Among about 80 lighthouses across Maine, it is one of three lights managed by Acadia National Park, including two others on Baker Island and Bear Island. It appeared on the America the Beautiful quarter in 2012, the NPS centennial postage stamp in 2016, and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.”~ NPS Acadia National Park protects more than 47,000 acres and is known for its large moose populations and suitable habitats."
