Smoky Mountain Trip

This past March, I was going to be going to Smoky Mountain National park for my husband and I's wedding anniversary. So I knew I had to bring my painting stuff with me. My husband doesn't mind and knows that I will always bring my painting stuff with me, even on vacations!

So we set out to the Smoky Mountains! The car trip was about nine hours or so. We listened to music, took turns driving, got fast food, and sung badly in the car together. It was great! I couldn't wait to get to painting. 

The first sights of the park were beautiful. Huge mountain ranges with naked trees since it was early March (with the exception to the evergreens). There was even snow on the top of the highest peaks. Driving around the park was very entertaining. The roads in the park were up and down mountain ranges with switchbacks all along the main road. The speed limit was usually between twenty-five and thirty-five. 

The first scene I captured was along a wide, winding river. After about 30 minutes, I was able to find somewhere I wanted to paint. It's so difficult choosing what I want to paint sometimes. Especially when there are so many good painting spots to choose from. This little bank spot on the river caught my eye. The rocks were so interesting with all the lichen and moss growing right by the base of this wild rooted tree. There was also a nice subtle reflection on the water.

Trees and Rocks Along The River - 5x7 inches - gouache on paper

We were able to get out the door a little earlier the second morning we were there. So we set off around 8AM. The next painting I was able to paint was on a trail with these magnificent waterfalls. The snow melt was well into it's heavy flow in the rivers coming down the mountains. The river was very cold with a swift current. The greens and violets peaked my interest within the fall. At the end of the fall, it jetted into a small pool of water and turned a very light green from all the tiny bubbles in the water. After I was finished up for the day, we hiked back to the car and drove back to the airbnb. The hot tub was waiting to soothe our sore legs. 

River Waterfall - 5x7 inches - gouache on paper

The third day, we went on a few different hikes. We mostly drove that day besides the 2 mile trails we had been on. Then we came to our last stop of the day. A short hike, but with an incredible elevation gain. As we got to the top, the sunlight was already starting to become limited, which meant I was going to have fast moving light. I tried my best to capture what I could in the time I had. 

I wasn't too happy with the finished result, overall, but sometimes paintings just don't turn out the way we think they will. I also had to wear a hat, gloves and jacket during this whole painting too. I remember how frozen my fingers were by the end! I was especially thankful for the hot tub that day.

The Tall Waterfall - 5x7 inches - gouache on paper

The 4th day was our last full day of being there. We hiked a very long hike in the early morning, starting at about 8AM. It was a moderately difficult hike. I always hate that they use "moderate" for something that feels pretty strenuous! But the hike was so worth what was waiting for us at the destination. I think this was, by far, the best waterfall we had seen the whole trip. The fall itself was rushing over the side of a cliff, splashing into a pool of water below. Lots of plants around, swaying gently in the wind. 

The Day at Grotto Falls - 8x8 inches - gouache on panel

The trip was overall a huge success for painting and a greater success for relaxation. All of these paintings were painted with gouache. I use various colors from Windsor & Newton, M. Graham, and Holbein.