Jansen Daily Paintings

This is MacDonald Creek in Glacier National Park. It may have seemed like a gloomy day to some, but I thought it was just magical. Like all the rivers we crossed on our trip, MacDonald Creek was running very high. A park ranger told us that it gets it's whitish color from the glaciers grinding away at the native stone.

"Just Below the Falls"

2011-07-01T16:51:00.000-07:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

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I just returned from a trip up north with my parents and my son. It was heaven. We passed through five National Parks in the US and Canada, and they all had something that took my breath away.

This is the view From the Saint Mary Falls - just above Saint Mary Lake in Glacier National Park. The first couple of days we were there, the clouds were low and it rained a lot. This day started cloudy, but by the time we got to St. Mary Lake, the sun was pouring through.

"Morning on the Wind River"

2011-06-30T16:08:00.000-07:00

5" x 7"

Oil on panel

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This is from the last leg of our trip up north. It was the Wind River Valley southeast of Dubois, Wyoming. I can't remember ever seeing central Wyoming so green.

"Lake Shadows"

2011-06-07T11:35:00.000-07:00

5" x 7"

Oil on panel

Purchase info

"Heil Ranch Trail"

2011-06-06T16:53:00.001-07:00

5" x 7"

Oil on panel

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Dang, it's hot! Better enjoy those deep Spring greens while we've got em.

"Steamboat Mountain Study"

2011-06-01T10:50:00.000-07:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

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Another little plein air study from the Lyons, Colorado area.

"Forest's Edge"

2011-05-30T21:05:00.000-07:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

"After a Spring Storm"

2011-05-28T21:36:00.000-07:00

5" x 7"

Oil on panel

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"Foothills Road Study"

2011-05-27T19:46:00.000-07:00

7" x 5"

Oil on Panel

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This was at the Heil Ranch near Lyons. I've been trying to do some plein air studies in the area in preparation for a larger painting, but every time I get over there, it rains. I've had a bit of luck just recently though.

"River Running High"

2011-05-26T20:10:00.000-07:00

5" x 7"

Oil on Panel

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"Blue Spruce Study"

2011-05-13T22:23:00.000-07:00

7" x 5"

Oil on Panel

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"High Country Thaw"

2011-05-11T19:12:00.000-07:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

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"Horseshoe Park - Early Spring"

2011-05-10T10:26:00.000-07:00

11" x 14"

Framed

$525

This painting from February is available at Brushstrokes Gallery, 1059 South Gaylord Street in Denver. It is a part of a show entitled: "First Bloom" - the Daily Painters of Colorado's inaugural juried show. I was really impressed with the Studio/Gallery when I dropped off the painting. It's run by three very talented Denver artists, and it's in a really cool area just east of Washington Park that I didn't even know existed. There is a one block stretch of Gaylord street that is just full of really interesting galleries and restaurants surround by that cool old Wash Park neighborhood - if you've never been there, it is certainly worth the trip.

You can get more info on the show and the Gallery at http://www.brushstrokesstudio.com/

"Valley Stroll"

2011-05-05T11:01:00.000-07:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

"Spring Runoff"

2011-05-04T16:45:00.000-07:00

8" x 10"

Oil on panel

Click here for purchase info

This is Coal Creek that runs through Louisville and Lafayette, Colorado. It's only started to rise, but with the snow-pack we have this year, it's gauranteed to get a lot higher. Our prayers go out to everyone elsewhere around the country who are having to deal with too much runoff already.

"Late Afternoon Lake Study"

2011-05-02T21:14:00.000-07:00

5" x 7"

Oil on panel

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"Gray Day at Lily Lake"

2011-04-22T16:05:00.000-07:00

5" x 7"

Oil on panel

You can't always wait around for a sunny day for plein air painting.

"Rabbit Mountain Trail"

2011-04-13T15:27:00.000-07:00

5" x 7"

Oil on panel

"Rocky Trail"

2011-04-12T12:37:00.000-07:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

This was painted on the Rabbit Mountain Trail near Lyons, Colorado.

"Autumn Afternoon"

2011-04-07T10:23:00.000-07:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

sold

"Chautauqua Park Morning"

2011-04-06T21:28:00.000-07:00

5" x 7"

Oil on panel

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A little plein air painting from Chautauqua Park in Boulder.

"Big Thompson Afternoon"

2011-03-24T18:50:00.000-07:00

5" x 7"

Oil on panel

This is the Big Thompson River in Rocky Mountain National Park

"Through the Trees"

2011-03-22T17:45:00.000-07:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

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"Waneka Lake Shoreline"

2011-03-16T19:06:00.000-07:00

5" x 7"

Oil on panel

Still alot of snow in the high country, but it was another warm one down here. This is a like near my house.

"March Thaw"

2011-03-11T19:49:00.000-08:00

7" x 5"

Oil on panel

This was painted a few days ago near Lyons - now I'm sure that snow is all gone.

It felt more like summer today than late winter. The down-side is that the wind is blowing, and the foothills are on fire (again!). I'll be saying an extra prayer for my friends who live up near Jamestown and up Lefthand Canyon.

"Frosty Delight"

2011-03-10T18:04:00.000-08:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

"Winter Cloud Study"

2011-03-07T20:11:00.000-08:00

5" x 7"

Oil on panel

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Here's another little plein air study done close to home - gas prices and aging vehicles are once again conspiring to limit the range of my daily wanderings - but that's ok - it just reminds me there's plenty to paint just outside my backdoor.

"September Meadow"

2011-03-01T15:40:00.000-08:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

"Sunrise Sketch"

2011-02-23T14:13:00.000-08:00

5" x 7"

Oil on canvas

This quick little sketch was done shortly after sunrise on Boulder Creek, north of Lafayette.

"Lakeshore Trail, Lake Louise"

2011-02-12T15:18:00.000-08:00

9" x 12"

Oil on panel

This is the second piece I did on commission from a client's photos of Lake Louise in Canada.

"Lake Louise"

2011-02-10T16:30:00.000-08:00

9" x 12"

Oil on panel

This is one of two recent paintings I did that were done on commission from a very wonderful client's photographs of Lake Louise up in Alberta. I was particularly excited about doing these paintings because the photos were just beautiful, and also I am going to take a trip up north to this region in June with my parents and my son.

"Aspen Morning Glow"

2011-01-22T14:14:00.000-08:00

7" x 5"

Oil on panel

"September Morning"

2011-01-21T16:07:00.000-08:00

8" x 10"

Oil on Panel

"Shadow Study"

2011-01-18T19:06:00.000-08:00

5" x 7"

Oil on panel

This was my last painting of the day. I started this one with the knowledge that it was getting late and I probably wouldn't finish it, so I worked fast, trying to get as much on the panel as I could before everything was lost in shadows. When I got home, I was pretty pleased with it and I decided to call it finished. Sometimes trying to get to a more "finished" state, it's easy to cover up what made the painting fresh and bold in the first place.

"Winter Sun"

2011-01-17T12:03:00.000-08:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

From another fine day in Rocky Mountain National Park. It was ok sitting and painting in the shadows, but I forgot my prescription sunglasses and thought I was going to go snow-blind while I was snow-shoeing around.

"Indian Peaks Thaw"

2011-01-12T16:04:00.000-08:00

5" x 7"

Oil on panel

This is from a photo I took on the trail up to Lake Isabel a couple of years ago on the first day of July.

"Twin Peaks"

2011-01-10T16:50:00.000-08:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

Longs Peak an Mount Meeker - iconic backdrop to life along the Front Range.

"December Shadows"

2011-01-08T18:48:00.000-08:00

5" x 7"

Oil on panel

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"New Years Day"

2011-01-06T15:37:00.000-08:00

8" x 10"

Oil on panel

I love this time of year! In the high country, the wind sculpts the snow into wonderous waves and hills and hollows, cliffs and ripples - and the low angle of the sun accentuates everything with long, blue shadows. Many days are overcast of stormy, but every so often, a perfect day comes along - warm and still and clear - those are the days I live for.

"Late Afternoon Near Glacier Creek"

2011-01-03T15:05:00.000-08:00

5" x7"

Oil on panel

Well, I really enjoyed my time off with my son, but I'm looking forward to painting and posting in the new year.

This first painting for the new year was painted in Rocky Mountain National Park, near Glacier Creek. It had been cloudy and stormy for a couple of weeks and this was the first clear day. I snow-shoed off the trail a ways and started this one when the shadows were getting long. By the time I finished, I had lost the sunlight, (because of the high peaks just to the west, this happens about 3:30pm this time of year) and it made me think how easy it would be to head back too late and not be able to find the trail again. Thankfully, the times when I have headed back too late, nothing has ever happened to me - still - it made me think I should pay a little more attention sometimes.

"View from the Pass"

2010-12-11T17:55:00.000-08:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

"Aspen Shadows"

2010-12-08T17:53:00.000-08:00

7" x 5"

Oil on panel

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"Long Winter Shadows"

2010-12-04T20:24:00.000-08:00

5" x 7"

Oil on panel

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"Sunny November Day"

2010-12-03T20:57:00.000-08:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

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"Aspen and Red Willows"

2010-11-29T12:27:00.000-08:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

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"Winter Willows"

2010-11-26T14:41:00.000-08:00

5" x 7"

Oil on panel.

This little painting of red willows is from a plein air study I did late last winter in Rocky Mountain National Park.

"Late-day Aspen"

2010-11-22T20:41:00.000-08:00

7" x 5"

Oil on panel

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"November Aspens"

2010-11-20T19:00:00.000-08:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

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"Cool Autumn Day"

2010-11-18T17:15:00.000-08:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

"Approaching Storm"

2010-11-16T16:02:00.000-08:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

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Up till now, we've had such a warm autumn that this winter weather seems a little harsh. I'm loving it anyway. I like every season here in Colorado, but I particularly love the changes.

"Mid-Morning Sunlight"

2010-11-15T17:09:00.000-08:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

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"Mid-November"

2010-11-12T18:05:00.000-08:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

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"Cliffs at the Hall Ranch"

2010-11-10T17:55:00.000-08:00

6" x 6"

Oil on Panel

Another one from the So. St Vrain Valley. Looks like we're in for some nasty weather - glad I could get a few of these in while it was sunny and seventy degrees.

"Shoreline Rocks"

2010-11-09T18:00:00.000-08:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

This little rock study is from a reference photo from the Red Feather Lakes area of northern Colorado. I used it for a much larger painting a few years ago.

"November Creek Study"

2010-11-04T20:03:00.000-07:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

Plein air study from the banks of South St. Vrain Creek, near Lyons. Whenever the weather is this unseasonally nice for so long, I always get this sneaking feeling like we're going to pay for it later - it's best to enjoy it while it's here I guess.

"Forest Reflections"

2010-11-02T16:09:00.000-07:00

6" x 12"

Oil on fiberboard panel

"Foothills Cottonwoods"

2010-10-31T13:42:00.000-07:00

5" x 7"

Oil on panel

Another beautiful day to paint in the foothills of Colorado. This one's from a little south of Lyons.

"Forest Glow"

2010-10-27T15:40:00.000-07:00

5" x 7"

Oil on panel

"Reflections on the Big Thompson"

2010-10-25T19:01:00.000-07:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

This is the Big Thompson River just west of Moraine Park.

"Bitterbrush Trail"

2010-10-22T17:52:00.000-07:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

A little overcast at the Hall Ranch in the foothills near Lyons, but still a nice day for painting outdoors.

"October Meadow"

2010-10-18T17:08:00.000-07:00

5" x 7"

Oil on panel

"October Sunlight"

2010-10-15T16:38:00.000-07:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

"Horseshoe Park Study"

2010-10-12T15:54:00.000-07:00

5" x 7"

Oil on panel

Here's a little plein air study from a recent outing in Rocky Mountain National Park.

"North Boundary Aspens"

2010-10-10T16:08:00.000-07:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

These beauties were in the Comanche Peak Wilderness Area, just a short hike up the North Boundary Trail from the McGraw Ranch trailhead.

"Foothills Cloud Study"

2010-10-08T16:36:00.000-07:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

"High Country Reflections"

2010-10-06T16:30:00.000-07:00

7" x 5"

Oil on panel

This is from a hike to Loch Vale in Rocky Mountain National Park. It was still early morning when I arrived at the lake and it was still and smooth as glass - truly a priceless moment. About half-way through this little painting, the wind picked up, but by then I had enough of the water area done to capture the moment. After that, I hiked on to Sky Pond, and it was anything but calm up there.

"October Aspens"

2010-10-04T16:37:00.001-07:00

8" x 10"

Oil on panel

Another beautiful weekend up in Rocky Mountain National Park. This one's from Horseshoe Park.

"Wild Basin Afternoon"

2010-09-29T15:59:00.000-07:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

The weather has been perfect for painting and shooting pictures in the high country for the past week... and I can't remember a better year for viewing the changing aspen... gotta enjoy it while we can. This is from a bridge over the North St. Vrain Creek on the east edge of Wild Basin.

"Hillside Splendor"

2010-09-26T17:13:00.000-07:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

More aspens from Rocky Mountain National Park.

"Fall Comes to Horseshoe Park"

2010-09-24T17:27:00.000-07:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

"South St. Vrain Canyon"

2010-09-22T15:50:00.000-07:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

A lovely day in the canyon just above Lyons - not today - a couple of days ago... today's lovely but also cold and rainy.

"September Afternoon at Lily Lake"

2010-09-20T17:29:00.000-07:00

5" x 7"

Oil on panel

I spent yesterday afternoon up on the Peak to Peak Highway and ended up a Lily Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park just in time for this glorious back-lit effect on the west end of the lake - I just love September!

"Twin Sisters Road"

2010-09-17T16:44:00.000-07:00

7" x 5"

Oil on panel

The road up to the Twin Sisters Peak Trailhead near Estes park.

"High Country Afternoon"

2010-09-16T16:33:00.000-07:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

These little aspens were just up the valley from the Cow Creek Trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park. I did this one from a plein air study I did up there last fall.

"Passing Storm"

2010-09-13T15:47:00.000-07:00

5" x 7"

Oil on panel

I've painted at this location near Berthoud several times over the years. I did this one when storm clouds were gathering, and it got a little dark. When I got it home, I wasn't too thrilled with it, so I re-worked a little in the studio. So it goes when you paint outside...

"Shallow Pond"

2010-09-12T15:46:00.000-07:00

6" x6"

Oil on panel

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This pond is on the trail up to Lake Isabelle in the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area - beautiful country!

"Meadow's Edge"

2010-09-10T17:38:00.000-07:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

This one's from the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area in northern Colorado.

"Cottonwood Sunset"

2010-09-06T12:03:00.000-07:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

Changing light and weather conditions can make plein air painting challenging, to say the least. I started this one down by the creek near my house last night just as the sun set. I managed to get the basic composition down as fast as I could, but mixing colors in the dwindling light proved to be a lesson in futility - this came as no surprise because I do this all the time. I looked at it this morning and wasn't totally repulsed by what I had achieved, so I adjusted the color a little and added a few highlights and called it good.

"Autumn Glow"

2010-09-05T15:23:00.000-07:00

6" x 6"
Oil on panel
Click here to bid on this painting.

I know I've been painting alot of aspens lately - and I'm going to keep painting them - they're alot of fun. I'm running out of autumn related title ideas though...

"Alpine Study"

2010-09-04T16:10:00.000-07:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

"Autumn Light"

2010-09-03T20:04:00.000-07:00

5" x 7"

Oil on panel

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"Ranch Road"

2010-09-02T16:44:00.000-07:00

7" x 5"

Oil on panel

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This is a road on the old McGraw Ranch which is now a part of Rocky Mountain National Park.

"Morning Trail"

2010-08-31T19:33:00.000-07:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

I made it up to Rocky Mountain National Park to paint at dawn the other morning. This is the first of two paintings I did - it's from the trail that goes along Lily Lake. I took a few liberties with the color of the aspens - they aren't really changing just yet.

"Ponderosa and Aspens"

2010-08-30T20:28:00.000-07:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

"Down by the Creek"

2010-08-22T16:51:00.000-07:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

Available

South St.Vrain Creek. I've done a lot of plein air paintings near here recently. This one was in the studio - it was a little hot today.

"Aspen Study"

2010-08-21T17:45:00.000-07:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

Here's another little aspen study for some larger aspen paintings I'm working on. As a painter I look up to told me - these are great "push-ups and sit-ups" for larger, more detailed works. In that capacity, they're great - but I also think they stand well on their own - often capturing a fresher, more vibrant glimpse of the subject matter. Either way - they're fun and a good source of instant gratification for me.

"Valley Floor"

2010-08-17T19:02:00.000-07:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

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"September Color"

2010-08-16T14:45:00.000-07:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

Not quite September yet... I'm just warming up.

"Rocky Mountain Sunshine"

2010-08-15T09:10:00.000-07:00

7" x 5"

Oil on panel

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A view from the Comanche Peak Wilderness Area.

"Cedars, Sage and Sky"

2010-08-12T21:01:00.000-07:00

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

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"Cache la Poudre"

2010-08-11T20:08:00.000-07:00

5" x 7"

Oil on panel

SOLD

This is the Cache la Poudre River in Northern Colorado. It's from a recent visit with my friend Rick... we spent a lot of time there in our younger days - now I can't seem to get up there often enough.

"Along the Foothills"

2010-08-05T19:18:00.000-07:00

5" x 7"

Oil on panel