"Border Patrol in Paradise"

As usual in September and October, I was loaded down with my painting gear, hiking along the Gallatin River trying to find just the right view point, when I came upon this spot! I immediately set up and began painting. I had been looking for a place where I could get the Spanish Peaks in the background, and this was perfect! I ended up painting until almost dark, as the light just kept getting better and better… I was so into the painting that I didn’t think about what it was going to be like trying to get myself and my painting gear back up the river bottom, through all the brush, and water holes etc. in the very dusky light! I did not make it back to my vehicle without getting very scratched and wet, but I was thrilled to get such a good little field study! It was such a big help when it came time to paint this rather large painting in my studio, to have the accurate colors, and values and even the feel of the place recorded in that little field study!