Early spring in Idaho makes for cold plien air adventures, but since we acquired the bus, we have added a little luxury to our field trips. We’ve used it as a wind block, a shelter and a place to warm up our hands. The weather was overcast and cold on March 28 with a projection of snow flurries. Sounds like an adventure.
Our destination for this trip is one of those quirky areas that carries many names. Growing up I always called it Hog Holler, but many locals also refer to it as Monkey Rock, Cross Cut, Hog Hollow, or just the Hollow. I guess it has so many names because so much is packed into such a small area.
We arrived at the Hollow and I drove slowly along the shoulder of the road as we looked for a scenic view, and safe place to park the bus. We were looking at the way the cottonwoods and willows lined the bench of the Hollow, and how the creeks meander all along the bottoms. There was nice contrast of colors, the red stems of willows that have not budded, and the spring grasses which were just starting to green. However, this unusual behavior of driving slow and on the side of the road made it look like we were in distress and it attracted the attention of one of our neighbors, and local celebrity musician, Colt Angell and his friend Cody Wayne.
So, Colt came out to see if we needed any help or assistance. He was delighted to hear that we were just looking for a good place to paint, and offered that we come up to the Dirty Shame Ranch where his property is all along the Hollow. We followed him through the gate, and up past the barn into the pasture where the cattle were tending their newborn calves, and Colt stores his farming equipment. This was a subject matter jackpot!
Kara and Daina went for a walk-about with Colt and Cody and I started my sketch of an old Case tractor. I enjoy the beauty of the Hollow and doing landscapes, but I am a sucker for old farm equipment. When everyone returned, Colt and Cody had brought their guitars and asked if they could sit out the storm playing for us. We were all set up and painting from the bus, when the snow flurries started. The thermos had hot coffee, we had good music to listen to, and the paintings were going great. This is one of the reasons I love plein air painting so much. I never know exactly what to expect.
