Watercolor Prints are Here!

I’m doing a trial run of selling watercolor prints. I ordered a few and I’ll list them for sale. If there is enough interest and I can get them shipped with little-to-no hiccups, then I will order more and in some larger sizes.

Right now I have these available to order as giclée prints. Giclée is a printing method that ensures vibrant color and fantastic detail using archival inks. These are printed on acid-free, archival paper that has a matte finish and a subtle watercolor texture. I’m really happy with the print quality.

There are only a few available for each of the 5x7 and 8x8 prints. You can order them here or click on any photo and it’ll take you to the link to purchase.

Sundial Peak and Lake Blanche - Brighton, UT

Lower Calf Creek Falls - Boulder, UT

Babylon Arch - Hurricane, UT

Coyote Gulch - Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Corona Arch - Moab, UT

I have decided that Corona Arch here won’t be available in any print larger than 8x8. The original painting is about 5x5 inches and when enlarged, the stars will start to look weird as they are enlarged too. Someday, I’ll repaint this on larger paper so it can make for a prettier print in bigger sizes.

What should I paint next?? I have a few pretty places on my list from the Uinta Mountains in Utah AND also a few spots in California. Stay tuned.

Kula Cloth Design Contest - 2021

I entered a new painting into the Kula Cloth Design Contest this week. They are running their second annual contest and the grand prize winner gets $1250 and their artwork on a Kula Cloth to be sold for the whole world to purchase. The 15 designs with the most votes will get 2 Kulas with their artwork on them. I would honestly be stoked to make the top 15. Click HERE to vote!

What is a Kula Cloth? It’s one of the best inventions for people who squat or use a funnel to pee. It’s a washable, reusable, antimicrobial pee cloth for when nature calls when you’re camping, on a the trail, or out where there isn’t a toilet. Heck, even if there IS a toilet, there isn’t always toilet paper, is there? Use your Kula as a pee cloth and you don’t have to worry about packing toilet paper in and out. Clip it to your pack to dry and it’s good to be used again or washed. The fabric dries quickly too.

Image by Zion Adventure Photo - Me hiking with my Kula Cloth

I have had Colonnade Arch, aka Five Hole Arch, on my radar and I just hadn’t painted it yet. It lies close to the Green River kinda near Moab, UT on BLM land. I thought the layout and composition would work great for a diamond shape, so off I went.

Such a beautiful spot to watch a sunrise; which is the vibe I was going for here. I call this one “Windows.”

This is an approximation on what my Kula might look like. I think the corners will be more rounded.

Everyone can only vote one time, but you can vote for as many designs as you’d like. There is some really beautiful artwork on there, Click HERE to vote!

Laura's Holiday Card - 2020

I have had the privilege of creating some of the most creative holiday cards with Laura over the years. She comes up with some of the most fun ideas. Sometimes they are simple, and she does most of the work from a photography or Photoshop standpoint and all I’m doing is adding text. Sometimes it’s more elaborate and we have fun with Photoshop together. It’s an adventure each and every time.

2020 was quite a year, and her card reflected that sentiment exactly.

Laura did most of the Photoshop on this gem with the gremlins. How about a zoomed in look at those photos!

Click here and you can see every holiday card I’ve done for Laura. It turned out awesome. Thanks, Laura!!

Buckskin Gulch Watercolor

Yesterday I finished a watercolor painting from Buckskin Gulch in southern Utah. It’s close to the Utah/Arizona border and is one of the longest slot canyons in the world. It’s definitely a place I’d love to visit someday. I would LOVE to paint there in person rather than rely on photo reference. Heck, I’d even be happy with photo reference I took myself!

Isn’t it cool how the canyon seems to be glowing?? I will be ordering this one as a small sticker and I’ll make my whole Public Lands Sticker series available at an 8-sticker set for a discounted price. My stickers are available here.

I plan to keep painting, but I won’t restrict myself with public lands only. I recently made a painting of Sundial Peak which is part of National Forest land up here in the northern part of Utah and I have a painting of Delicate Arch from Arches National Park that I’ll make available eventually too. And I do want to paint spots that are outside of Utah too. I’ll get there!

Product of the Month - March 2021 - Ring Light & Phone Clip

I use so many different products with my work, I decided to start featuring a product each month and see how long I can keep it up. This post contains affiliate links. Shopping through them earns me a few cents and it is very much appreciated.

Last March, when my kids convinced me to start making time lapse videos of my watercolor paintings, I ordered this ring light and phone clip thingie from Amazon. I’m fairly certain my iPhone was listening in on my conversation with my kids because one popped up as a sponsored ad on Instagram later that day…. because that’s not at all creepy.

This thing has turned out to be really, really useful. The clip is decently strong to grip the edge of a table or a shelf and hold my iPhone 11 with very little sagging.

The ring light can be adjusted to be super bright or a couple of steps dimmer and I can even adjust the color of the light if I need a warmer or cooler light. I often use just the light when joining conference calls or job interviews via Zoom. The ring itself isn’t large enough to get that neat reflection in people’s eyes, but it does a great job lighting my desk for when I’m painting.

This device came with a little remote control that can link to an iPhone or Android phone. I’m sure it would come in handy if I ever plan to use my clip to make videos where I’m physically in the shots.

For a tool that was only $20, this has been perfect for my current needs. But I know that someday, if I want to continue making videos of my paintings, I will want something sturdier that can get a true, overhead view. For now though, this clip works great for what I need.