As many of our friends know, about twice a year we escape to somewhere. It’s not an escape from work; just the opposite, and this time it was in a beautiful mountain retreat in Park City, Utah.

The valley below. A view back behind reveals winter ski runs everywhere.

The house, lent to us for two weeks by friends . . . three stories, six bedrooms, way more than enough, but highly appreciated.

The prime living space.

The entry area where I set up my studio, lit from far above.

A little rearranging of the furniture, the use of kitchen counter space and the bringing of our own table and press; it’s all Anne needs.

Anne brings a lot of pieces not yet complete to contemplate what each one still needs.

Meticulous in her art, here she works on some detail.

Here’s a partial array of drying and completed work, or in some instances, not yet completed.

Meanwhile. across the room from Anne’s studio, is mine. With drop cloth everywhere, all paints and brushes ready. The large plywood, prepared for a coming event following this one, nearby, served as an easel for both small pieces and large.

The materials, acrylics on one side, oils on the other, brushes and palette knives and whatever else.

Here’s most of what I worked on and completed during the two weeks, a couple of commissions, figuarative work, landscapes, abstract, floral, ethnic, even a doggie.

My last painting. Almost all, this time, were painting on unstretched canvas, cut from a large roll I brought. So much easier to transport. They’ll be stretched later. Though sometimes they’re shipped just like this, the buyer then having it stretched during the framing process. Works fine.

One more painting before leaving the Park City (Deer Valley) home. Anne thought to buy flowers to leave for our hostess/owner as she’d be coming with friends just hours after our leaving. I thought to make a painting of the flowers to have forever after. Each seemed a nice expression of our gratitude.

All done with palette knife, the paint so thick it won’t be dry for a week, maybe three. Couldn’t do that on the other pieces worked on during the stay as they needed to be dry for transporting.

PS  Just got a note from our hostess saying she loves it, the flowers and the painting . . . has even found a place where it will hang. Everybody grateful.

And over all, a great escape.

Thanks for coming along.