(On the road to Crater Lake)
I heard that it has snowed in the Cascades overnight. That reminded me of my very first visit here. It was over a Christmas holiday and I was so very lucky to have a friend take me everywhere to see the beauty of the Pacific NW.
We traveled many snow covered roads exploring National Parks and Forests. Not exceptionally smart in the dead of winter.
This painting is actually based on an exciting ride to Crater Lake in a virtual blizzard. Why would I even expect to see that super blue lake in the midst of winter? Visibility was less than 1 foot. The lodge was open for skiers and snowmobilers so we were able to have hot chocolate. I was able to buy postcards, calendars and many other little souvenirs with the stock photo of that beautiful super blue lake.
We literally crawled back to the car for the trip back to town. The road was even more covered with snow and only occasionally could you see tire marks from the other fools out on that day. The snow banks were blue . Yes, blue. They were extremely high, too.
And the world was quiet and all the trees were Christmas Trees.
I had a blast adding touches of interference blue in the shadows on the snow and little bits everywhere representing the falling snow. You know, it looks just like I remember.
Too bad the glistening doesn't show in a photo.
