Protecting the Environment…

“Damp Spring Road”, 12×16 oil on canvas, by Rog Lyngaas, 21apr09, Choate7 palette.

As the snow melts, the erosion increases.  Keep in mind, actual snow melt does not damage the environment.  But, man’s roads have the potential to erode during snow melt.  This increases the silt that ends up in our Salmon streams and rivers.  Salmon, to some, is the symbol of life eternal.  It is integral to the culture of central Idaho, for sure.  So could you do your part and not spin you tires out on the various dirt roads this spring.  Idaho does not need any more silt in our rivers.  We are dirty sinners enough without your help.  Oh yeah, and happy Earth Day!

Enlivening the Virgin Valley…

“Pacification of Virginia (aft Ray Roberts)”, 12×16 oil on canvas, by Rog Lyngaas, x8 palette, 18apr09.

The title of this post is intended to clue you into the fact that this painting is not of a place in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  It is intended to give peace in your mind by viewing a virgin valley that is being enlivened by the moist cool waters of fresh snow melt.  But the scene reminds me of someplace in Virginia.  A place I have only seen whilst asleep on a bus.

X8 Palette…

cool blue = French Ultramarine Blue
warm blue = Viridian Hue
cool yellow = Cad Yellow Pale Hue
warm yellow = Yellow Ochre
warm red = Burnt Sienna
cool red = Alizarin Crimson

Plein Aire Season is Here…

“Mount Heyburn & Friend”, 11×14 PA Oil on Canvas, by Rog Lyngaas, 30Aug07, Choate7 Palette.

Plein Air painting season in Idaho is now ramping up.  Let me start by providing a dusted off early plein air piece I did at sunset on Redfish Lake, from the lodge.  Redfish lake lodge is in the heart of the Sawtooths.  This piece is one of twenty five I hope to be showing at the Basement Gallery.  This has historical significance as it is the first “successful” plein air piece I did alone.   Although I do not do a lot of plein air, I hope to do more now that I have refined my style a little more.

Red Hair…

“Lucid Dream”, 8×10 oil on canvaboard, by Rog Lyngaas, 7apr09, x7 palette.

OK the lady here is similiarly modeled to the previous painting.  But here the evidence is more clear as to what race she is.  Or is it..  She has red hair.  The dream is in the luscious greens, the dichotomy to the red hair upon her head.  The real trip in this painting for me is that I cannot ever recall dreaming of a beautiful black [african-american] woman, either clothed or unclothed, as I have slept.  However, I can on several occasions recall dreaming of red haired women.

Figure it Out…

“Odalisque”, 8×10 oil on canvaboard, by Rog Lyngaas, 7apr09, x7 palette.

OK, some of you have been waiting with baited breath to when I will break out with the non-landscape paintings again.  Well this is my first nude figure ever done in oil.  I probably will have to retake this photo so you can see the colors for what they are.

Stranded…

“Following His Trail [aft Fred Choate]”, 12×16 oil on canvas, by Rog Lyngaas, 7apr09, x7 palette.

Once, years ago near Pocatello Idaho,  I was stranded on top of a mountain backcountry skiing.  The snow was 10 feet deep and the escape route was around 9 to 10 miles.  My cross country ski binding was broken along with the boot.  My friends tied my ski to my boot with some rope.  I hop-skied for those miles out of there.  I did not get to the vehicle until around 9:30 at night, after hours of hop-skiing in the dark, along a trail I could barely see.  They concluded that I had the most stamina that had ever seen in any person ever.  I concluded that I got home safe, even though I had no food and water.   I got there by following His trail.  This painting reminds me of this.   Sure the modeling is based off of mountains in Oregon, but the scene is reminiscent of that event in my life.

X7 Palette, Winton Brand paint unless noted

cool blue = French Ultramarine Blue [PB28, M.Graham]
warm blue = Viridian Hue [PG7, M.Graham]
cool yellow = Cadmium Lemon [PY35]
warm yellow = Cadmium Yellow Medium [PY35]
warm red =  Cadmium Red Medium [PR108]
cool red = Alizarin Crimson [PR83, M.Graham]
white =  Titanium White [PW6,PW4, Rembrandt]