Leslie Landers

For divers like me who love colorful reefs replete with soft coral, there are few places that offer up more beauty than the Namena Marine Reserve in Fiji. Diving amongst these reefs is a little like swimming a produce market just above intensely purple broccoli with hot pink and orange fish as companions. Pretty magical.

While there were multiple dives each day, I was able to fit in some painting too.

As it turned out, my long-time friend and dive buddy, Judy, was training for an upcoming Ironman Triathlon so while she swam / ran / biked and exercised, I painted.

I brought water mixable oils on this trip. They are not as yummy to work with as more traditional oils but I am starting to feel a bit more comfortable with them. And … it’s great to avoid sharing a room with solvents even if they are ‘odorless’.

My mom and I were so fortunate in the timing of our recent visit to Yosemite arriving between closures for spring flood risks and early summer overcrowding. The weather was perfect too. Mostly the visit was a chance to enjoy the beauty that is Yosemite with mom, but I did have a chance for a little painting.

The painting on the left was painted near the Big Oak Flat entrance to Yosemite Park in the early morning. I was struck by the variations between rust and olive tones in the dark water as it flowed over granite slabs. The middle piece was painted mid-day at the point where Teneya Creek leaves Mirror Lake. There was considerably more flow than I’ve seen in previous spring visits yet the water is shallow in this spot passing over a sandy bottom. This is what gives rise to the pronounced chartreuse colors. My final plein air painting for the trip was alongside the South Fork of the Merced river near the Wawona Lodge. These willow bushes usually line the shore. Here they find themselves stranded in the midst of the rushing water.