Mount Peter
January 21, 2012
To look up the face of Mount Peter– (the sibling of the larger Mount Paul), the signature mountains overlooking our city of Kamloops, B. C.–is to look upon the core of a mountain. These are mountains so ancient, all that remains are the inner cores–their souls. Time and erosion have scarred and left them displaying a beauty it takes the eye a while to appreciate.
The roads about their base feature yellow diamond warning signs cautioning drivers to watch for Big Horn Sheep.
Big Horn Sheep (courtesy Wikimedia)
As a watercolourist, it took me a good two years before I attempted the challenge. They are unusual subjects, and not easily rendered. It was wise for me to wait, simply because I was so accustomed to the forested peaks of the Coastal Mountains that I regarded these as ugly. Until they finally become beautiful to the newly-arrived, these ancient and weather worn heights are probably best not attempted at all by art enthusiasts like me.
'Peter's Face'
weisserwatercolours 
Hugs to you too!
All the best to us, Jenny
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thank you hugs!
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No problem..Your art has that peacefulness in it..Very inspiring..You are an amazing artist. Best, Jen
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hahaha! true, it’s like a stripped-down natural monument to something when seen from below. Thank you for scouting it out, and adding your voice, Jen.
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Very solemn!
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I’ve often envied painters their ability to change reality to make a more pleasing work of art. Photographers can do that to some extent, especially with modern software, but you painters still have much more freedom. On the other hand, you have to start with a blank canvas or piece of paper, and we photographers don’t have to confront the void in that way.
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Thank you very much for noticing all these things, Steve–below the trees flows the Thompson River, making for alot of alders, willows and aspens and trees which normally seem to grow along riverbanks (riparian?). I had to leave the branches a bit whiter than they actually are in order to give a certain amount of contrast.
As to your other comment–yes! There’s nothing quite like a charcoal grey sky with a burst of sun illuminating some landmark below.
And now I’ll be waiting (along with many others) for your next wildflower, as your entries are always so edifying
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I’m intrigued by the white-barked trees that, especially on the right, seem to be reaching upward. And I’ve always had a fondness for darker areas of sky above lighter colors below.
Steve Schwartzman
http://portraitsofwildflowers.wordpress.com
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I’m very glad you stopped by and made it possible for me to view your blog. You are not only giving the viewer something to ponder visually, but to consider in larger ways. Your work with cancer professionals and survivors is heartening.
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I really like your painting. Great textures and good sky.
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I’m very happy you have a remembrance of this region, sheep included! wonderful. these sheep actually race trains, diving across the nose of the engine as though ‘playing chicken’. my friend Max has seen this many times. thank you for your recollections.
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Wow! My eldest sister lived in Kamloops and I recall at about the age of 15, seeing these mountains..and the Big Horn Sheep as well. As always you’ve done just a beautiful job of bringing the mountains alive! Lovely, thank you for sharing.
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oh thank you–and I would love to meet your kitties and tour your studio and see all that’s going on. it seems like a very energetic and yet relaxed atmosphere.
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again, just beautiful. wish I could see your art in person.
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I am very appreciative of your having re-blogged this on your interesting site. Thank you very much for your kindness.
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Thank you for your kind and detailed comment, AGIAD! Your posts are always very thoughtful, and I enjoy your perceptions. You deal with subjects in your blog that others don’t usually get into.
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Thank you again! Our city is at an elevation of 345 meters (1132 ft) to begin with, so the cloudscapes are really quite amazing. However, there is very little precipitation. The storm clouds roll, but they don’t deliver the goods.
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thank you for your many comments–and this one in particular. Right now the face of Peter is flocked with fresh snow, which adds another dimension entirely. This peak is so barren that whatever weather beats down on it changes its quality instantaneously. I love your photo(s) of the Gaspe, btw.
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I am very taken with your many fascinating photos of places I’ve only dreamed of going to. You have the eyes of many looking through your lens!
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It’s a lovely rendering. I love it.
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Fantastic and so spiritual!
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Hi,
I rather like “Peter’s Face” was there originally storm clouds rolling in over the mountain? Either way they look fantastic in the painting.
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Jebus Weisser, you update almost every day, or every other day.
My favourite painting that you uploaded from this past week is Third Beach.
I love the work you did with the water, the motion of the waves. The rocks are beautifully done too, and the depth perception is nicely done. I also appreciate the faded mountain in the back.
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Reblogged this on Ann Novek–With the Sky as the Ceiling and the Heart Outdoors.
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