Introduction and Brief Overview

I am on a journey to paint on the summits from all of the 14,000 foot mountains in Colorado. This summer I hope to be tackling a large portion of the 14ers! In preparation for summer, I am starting a blog so people can follow my progress. You can also check my website at www.lisadiannemartin.com for updates. 

Picture Credit: Raquel Villanueva, 9 news

Here is an overview of the mountains I completed in 2014 and some fun facts about the project I am working on! 

• I fell in love with 14ers because of an art history class at the University of Denver where I learned about Albert Bierstadt and Thomas Moran. Although I've always loved mountains, the grand 18th century paintings gave me the desire to paint them, particularly Mount of the Holy Cross.

Mt Evans 

• This was the first 14er I tried to paint from the summit. Since Mount Evans is the highest paved road in the US, I drove to the top with all of my paints, as a trial run. I plan on taking this painting to the summit a few more times to get a really detailed painting. I also hope to do a second painting from this summit, after climbing it. 

Mt Lincoln

• I pre-mix my paints to save time- So I take 10 premixed little containers of paint along with the primary colors on the summit. I like to use GOLDEN acrylic paints. 

Mt Sneffels 

Quandary Peak 

• Raquel Villanueva from 9 news hiked up this mountain with me! 

Democrat

Huron 

• My paint froze!! I am currently experimenting with painting in cold weather to learn how to paint on the summits in the colder months. 

Pyramid Peak

• Pyramid Peak is a class 4 climb and the view is of the Maroon Bells. 

Grays 

• I would like to paint the view from Grays every year. This is my third painting of it! 

Sherman 

Pikes Peak 

• This was a really fun hike. AND there is hot chocolate at the summit. 

Elbert 

• Stephanie Wolf from Colorado Public Radio followed me up this mountain! It is Colorado's highest point.

Bierstadt 

One common question I get is, "Why paint when you can take a picture?"

Well... that's a long story, but I'm an artist who loves to paint in nature (plein air painting).  One reason is painting helps me appreciate and enjoy what I am seeing. It is a great opportunity to challenge myself as an artist and learn a thing or two about paint, while getting to experience Colorado's 14ers.

Thank you for reading my blog!!! I'd love to hear from you about your favorite 14er.
~lisa