Pursuing my passion

We had just entered Big Bend National Park and had pulled over to wait for all the other artists to get their passes. I got out to take some photos of the morning sun breaking over the landscape. Even though this was our first day and my first time to see Big Bend, in less than a minute of our arrival, I was wanting to paint at this location.

We had already planned to head further down the road to Santa Elena to paint so with regret I had to leave the first place that entranced me in the park. I loved how the golden light grazed the top of the brush and lit up the mountains in the distance. I knew when I got back from the trip I wanted to try and capture the scene on canvas while it was still fresh in my mind.

I didn't know what the unusual twisted looking plants were that were scattered throughout the park. I later learned they were ocotillos. The pole like branches can be used for fencing, canes and walking sticks. We just missed seeing the crimson flowers bloom on the ocotillos - who knew they can be dried and used for herbal tea or eaten fresh in salads.