I visited Sandy Shore on the morning of January 18th. I walked along the snow covered beach with only occasional glimpses of the frozen lake below the windswept snow. The far shore and faint golden glow on the horizon giving the only color that wasn’t a shade of icy blue.
If you are interested in seeing the painting from Sandy Shore Recreation Area or any of the other Parks and Recreation Areas before they are released to the public please reach out to me via the contact page!
I visited Lake Cochrane in January and arrived at the park at just about sunrise. My goal with some of the parks I visited in winter were to catch great sunrises to see the way the sunlight played with the snow. I traipsed around on the frozen crust of windswept snow making sure to catch the sunrise in just the right way. I wasn’t the only one out though, the earliest fishermen were headed out to their shacks to try their luck.
If you are interested in seeing the painting from Lake Cochrane Recreation Area or any of the other Parks and Recreation Areas before they are released to the public please reach out to me via the contact page!
It wasn’t a very long path that I took but I took my time really enjoying the quiet morning sounds and colors
I made the 40 minute drive from Mobridge up to Pollock before sun-up because I love to catch these parks at sunrise and have them mostly to myself. I wasn’t disappointed. The frosty morning, a light dusting of snow that only clung to patches of grass, geese and the pastel sky were so beautifully serene together. I am excited to paint the subtlety of those elements.
If you are interested in seeing the painting from West Pollock Recreation Area or any of the other Parks and Recreation Areas before they are released to the public please reach out to me via the contact page!
Geese flying were just the faintest dots in the sky.
The trail I took was mostly dirt path but I did explore away from the trail some.
Lake Hiddenwood is a real hidden gem of a park. The valley was carved by melting glaciers and then an earthen dam was used to create the lake in 1927. I took a trail that circled the lake and was just over 2 miles. Unfortunately heavy rains this spring washed out the bridge and dam on the road to the park, which is the only way to access the area. The park will be closed indefinitely as officials assess the situation and future options. I hope they are able to come to a good solution as this park even in November had multiple people camping and enjoying its quiet beauty.
If you are interested in seeing the painting from Lake Hiddenwood Recreation Area or any of the other Parks and Recreation Areas before they are released to the public please reach out to me via the contact page!
There were such interesting patterns and bubbles frozen into the ice.
Revheim Bay Recreation Area
These two state recreation areas just outside of Mobridge are such treats, with lots of activities for families and of course with lots of water activities available on the river. I visited in November and was fortunate to have very mild weather. The paths and trails I took at each park were around a mile but both parks have about two miles of mapped trails. During my hikes at each place I remember specifically enjoying listening to the sounds of wind and water and trying to differentiate between the two.
Indian Creek Recreation Area
If you are interested in seeing the paintings from either Revheim Bay or Indian Creek Recreation Areas or any of the other Parks and Recreation Areas before they are released to the public please reach out to me via the contact page!
I really enjoyed this park that is just outside of Aberdeen. The trail was diverse in its wooded and lakeside views available and if you take the trail as I followed it, the distance is just over a mile. I startled several deer while walking through the quiet woods. If you are interested in seeing the painting from Mina Lake Recreation Area or any of the other Parks and Recreation Areas before they are released to the public please reach out to me via the contact page!
I loved the gradation of color in the late fall sky and reflected in the lake.
Richmond Lake was my first stop on a little weekend trip on November 12th. It was beautiful weather for November with ice on the edges of the lake, freezing the mossy rocks until spring. It was a quiet day other than the chatter of geese out in the middle of the 1,000+ acre lake, and I seemingly had the Quaking Aspen Trail part of the park to myself.
If you are interested in seeing the painting from Richmond Lake State Recreation Area or any of the other Parks and Recreation Areas before they are released to the public please reach out to me via the contact page!
This nice little trail is about 3/4 of a mile.
I took the Ponderosa Trail at the West Pickeral Lake Recrestion Area. I was struck by the lovely little campground and abundance of water related activity options. I had a quiet hike and visit to the park since it was a weekday in October. Also, because it was relatively empty of campers I checked out the cabin views which were right on the water! My pup Rye also approved of the park!
The trail I took pictured above includes a loop around the camping area and the Poderosa Trail
If you are interested in seeing the painting from Pickerel Lake State Park or any of the other Parks and Recreation Areas before they are released to the public please reach out to me via the contact page! If you perhaps are interested in learning more about how you may be able to help me with this project please visit my Patreon Page. Thanks for taking the time to stop by my blog!
The Fort Sisseton Historic State Park was a very interesting place working hard to retain and teach its part of South Dakota history. Originally a frontier army outpost called Fort Wadsworth from 1864. The site was chosen nearby resources including lake water for drinking and a thick stand of trees for timber and fuel. I think it would be really interesting to have a tour or to visit on a weekend when they have some of the buildings open. However, I truly enjoyed the quiet of the park on this October day.
If you are interested in seeing the painting from Fort Sisseton Historic State Park or any of the other Parks and Recreation Areas before they are released to the public please reach out to me via the contact page! If you perhaps are interested in learning more about how you may be able to help me with this project please visit my Patreon Page. Thanks for taking the time to stop by my blog!
My visit to Roy Lake was so energizing. The clear day and sunshine really highlighted the changing leaves. I walked along the beach for a time then followed the Roy Island Trail. The trail was nice and easy and would be great for anyone to enjoy!
If you are interested in seeing the painting from Roy Lake State Park or any of the other Parks and Recreation Areas before they are released to the public please reach out to me via the contact page! If you perhaps are interested in learning more about how you may be able to help me with this project please visit my Patreon Page. Thanks for taking the time to stop by my blog!
I found parts of this place rugged and empowering, and I didn’t want to leave. The dawn light made this place even more magical.
Though I didn’t explore much of this park, I took my time here and when I would find an especially great view I would find a seat on a rock and enjoy it.
If you are interested in seeing the painting from Sheps Canyon or any of the other Parks and Recreation Areas before they are released to the public please reach out to me via the contact page! If you perhaps are interested in learning more about how you may be able to help me with this project please visit my Patreon Page. Thanks for taking the time to stop by my blog!
On August 23rd I visited Lake Alvin. Kicking off the series of paintings that will be inspired by all of the State Parks in South Dakota. Learn more about my visit and see a bit of my process for this series.
Read More2017 Midwest Barn Series Sketch by artist Laura Jewell
Sharing progress on the 2017 Midwest Barns Series by artist Laura Jewell. Sketched ideas from photo references gathered throughout the artist's travels across the Midwest. The paintings range in size from 6"x12" up to 36"x48" and will include some pieces featuring moons which relate back to the Rural Superstitions and Astrology Series. The entire collection will be released together near the end of March.
Read MoreA few days spent in Arizona resulted in an infusion of inspiration provided from the landscape. I am still referencing back to photos, sketching and roughing out ideas, but I will likely be adding new artworks to the Musings and Outlooks Series that was also inspired by the landscape and nature found in the American West.
Read MoreNear Sabetha, KS
A new series of Laura Jewell landscapes depicting barns from around the Midwest. The collection will be released in March with exact date and details to be determined.
Read MoreLaura Jewell's new series of small works inspired by Aerial photography is complete and now available in the online gallery at www.laurajewellartwork.com.
Read MoreI recently had the inspiration/felt the need to paint a sort of aerial view series of landscapes. I chose to work small this time around and the panels that I am painting on range in size from 5"x5" to 10"x20". Currently I have two finished and the rest in varying stages of completion. The photo to the left is a page out of my sketch book. I don't always share my sketchbook pages because often pieces change for me once the paint touches the panel but it is always interesting to see changes take place and I decided to let you all in on the process this time.
I've been working on a new series that will debut at Gallery 110 on the campus of the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD on March 28th.
Read MoreUpcoming exhibition titled "Built Environments: Landscapes Reinvented" at the Washington Pavilion. I will be joining Molly Wicks and Cassie Marie Edwards in a collaborative exhibition focusing on the various elements artists use to construct landscapes not necessarily from reality but from imagination or memory.
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