Peruvian Mountain Atmosphere

At Machu Picchu you may be sitting on a stone wall or on the grass and a llama or two might wander by you. Between the magically appearance of the llamas and the occasional flute music drifting through the air, being in the Peruvian mountain atmosphere is awesome.

I tried to capture this feeling in these paintings done from images my retreat sisters shared online.

More Oil Paintings From Peru

Yes, I am glowing in the feeling of accomplishment having completed the 30 Day Art Challenge.

Since I am on a painting frenzy, I decided to do a couple of paintings for the Cannon Beach Gallery's Annual Miniature Art Show. I love this beautiful spot on the Oregon Coast. The size of my paints are going from 8" by 10" to 4" by 5." Believe it or not they still take several hours to paint! I think I will continue with the Peru subject matter. I need to have them finished by Saturday to mail in time for the jury process next week.

Here are more of the paintings for the 30 Day Art Challenge which will be displayed in Seattle at the Tashiro Kapalan Art Lofts in December.

This painting is of Gabbie who was our fabulous guide. Having ground up in Peru and the Sacred Valley, she knew all the lore and history as well as great adventures tourists do not know about. In this painting she is showing us how to do the coca leaf ceremony to Pachamama (Mother Earth).


I loved seeing the llamas freely roaming around Machu Picchu. Besides, they are fun to paint!

Pace Continues

Today I worked late into the evening to complete painting number two for today.

But I did also get a great four mile plus walk at Tomie State Park (Olympia, Washington) before the rains, and an hour's worth of weeding between painting sessions. Needless to say, a full day!

I took a diversion from people painting.

A couple of llamas roaming free at Machu Picchu.

Here are a few more oil paintings


Machu Picchu

Back to Mother and Child motif with colorful textiles.

Peru Adventures

I did it!

Yes, I spend time at Machu Picchu, traveled the Amazon River and explored the rain forest, as well as many other Peruvian adventures.

The first two days I was in Cuzco getting acclimated with the help of altitude medication and coca leaves. The colors and people were amazing. Gabriella, our guide, was a delight with her knowledge of the area and sense of spirituality and sacred space. Along with several other like-minded women, I spent a week at Willka T'ika in the Sacred Valley near the Urubamba River. The gardens and food were fabulous! We took day trips to sacred grounds, Inca ruins, and a local school which was at an elevation of 14,000 feet.

Along with a reverence for Pachamama (mother earth), Peruvians live the word, ayni where all beings are recognized and appreciated for the good of all. Peru is a joyous place filled with love and colors.

I did find a little time to sketch and paint, but will rely on photos from friends to share. This month I am participating in an art challenge where I will create 30 paintings which will become a part of an art show in Seattle. I have decided to paint images from Peru and at the present time have finished four paintings.

Stay tuned.......

Title Page for Sketchbook Project 2012

Challenges accepted and proceed ahead!

Here is the title page:



Now to figure out what direction to go and how to cover up the bleed through from this page to the next.

I will have time to think about it as I am off on another adventure. This time to Peru.....Machu Picchu and the Amazon rain forest.

Until next time.......