I share the love Karl had for humble subject matter. He painted grand things as well, but he could look at the shadow and lightplay on a dancing bunch of weeds and be inspired. I think about that every single time I am outside. I was blown away by the tender attention he would give to painting the smaller plants in some larger scene. So respectful. He had reverence for the important part they played in his paintings.
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My plein air study above -- Two young Junipers. Late afternoon, and it is monsoon season up here in the mountains. There is a saying mountain dwellers like to use: "If you don't like the weather, wait fifteen minutes". Sure enough, I could feel the shift. I slapped that paint on and it looks like it :) I had my table easel on the hood of my little truck ( He likes to participate, sweet rusty old thing.)
I don't know what the purple flowerweeds are called -- but the horses won't eat them. They are probably a scourge invader of some sort, but they are actually quite pretty. And the bees like them. The young trees are growing in a special sentimental area of the acreage. they grew up together. Anyway, I did have fun with this painting. Normally I would not just paint two trees side by side, it's not that artistic, but I can use this as reference for a bigger painting someday, especially when the Rabbit brush blooms and other wildflowers abound. Most people around here have Dallas the tractor guy come and mow, including cutting down the Rabbit Brush, but I think it is gorgeous and I like to paint it. It is so blatantly indigenous, like silver Sage is.
