Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Yosemite Rocks

Rocks near the "Devil's Elbow" on the Merced River 8x8 O/P


A broken boulder on the Merced heading out of the Valley 8x10 O/P


A USGS marker? This was hammered into a big slab where I painted the above picture, way too close to the road.


Had a great birthday weekend in Yosemite. Perfect weather, did four paintings, and I even scored the very last camping permit in the Valley. Can't believe I haven't painted in two months, and it showed in my first attempt (which I've since burned). On Saturday I decided to hike up to Upper Yosemite Falls with my not-so lightweight paint gear in search of Germans, Brazilians, the French, and some great views, and I found them all in great abundance. The painting was no success, but it's hard to feel bad in such a beautiful spot. However I did curse myself for carrying all that gear for a "warm-up" panel. I've REALLY got to get my Thumb Box in order. After descending from my 7 mile stroll, there was still light left, so I was able to knock out a quickie of the Cathedral Rocks from near the base of El Capitan.

Sunday I kept to the river and walked down the Merced from the El Cap Bridge to a bend called the "Devil's Elbow". I was in deep concentration when I saw a little movement out of the corner of my eye, and looked up to see a little Black bear right behind the rocks I was painting. My reverie was broken by an ugly stream of tourists stopping their cars (in the middle of the road) and chasing down the poor bugger for a photo (into the middle of the road). Wildlife paparazzi. I didn't get the satisfaction of seeing the fuzzy little guy's mother chasing the tourist's though, too bad.

Cathedral Rocks 6x8 O/P

8 comments:

Mike Dutton said...

DUDE.... I'm gona risk offending you with this question, but any way we can talk about a trade on one of those top boulder paintings??

Loyd said...

Pretty sure that's a surveyors mark. You were near where the new construction was just before the Big Oak Flat Road? USGS bench marks have to have the date, elevation and USGS BM stamped on them to be official.

JimmyG said...

~Hey Mike, a trade sounds like a great idea! Let's talk.

~Loyd, that makes sense. Yup I was on that part of 120 that got washed away in what was that '97? Thanks for shedding a little light on the mystery?

Jack said...

I like the number 3 picture...Its simple but also super...

___________________
Jack
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JimmyG said...

Hi Jack. Thanks for all your positive comments, glad you like these little sketches!

marg said...

Is this the same Jimmy Gutierrez that I worked with in Envirographics in the early 90's? Margaret

JimmyG said...

That would be me! Haven't heard "Envirographics" in awhile : ) How are you Margaret?

marg said...

Hi Jimmy. I'm great. Glad to see you're doing some wonderful work. I really like what you're doing, wish I was as intrepid, but you'll never see me on an early morning hike! Your paintings really make me miss California, particularly Yosemite. Been back in Ireland now for 10 years, 3 children and same husband. I do childrens portraits on and off, I happen to be quite good at them. All the best, Jimmy, I'll be catching your blog.