The colors of challenges

"Ice cave 1," 5 x 7 300 lb d'Arches cold press papaer

"Ice Cave 2," 5 x 7 140 lb Fabriano Artistico cold press aper

"Can you get these colors," Terry, essentially asked my cousin Rosaleen Salvo in Florida this week. 
She sent a photo of an ice cave beneath a glacier. I've tried painting ice bergs before, with no luck, but...
I had been stuck, but the chance to play with color helped me get started. The first day I just played with some Peacock Blue, some turquoise, some green and a touch or two more of other blues. I also Googled a lot of photos of ice caves, looking for ideas for a composition.
Finally today, I just went for it, painting quickly, blending colors, hoping for transparency and light to catch the magic luminosity of those caves.
The first one was a little too uptight, and the second one much quicker.
I'm not sure I've captured them yet, but I'm close, and I got to have fun with my favorite colors...blues. Which do you prefer?
Thanks for the challenge, cousin. I'll try again.

A year ago...Alaskan wonder land

Arriving at Juneau Airport

One of the  glaciers  at Tracy Arm Fjord

Exactly a year ago today, we landed in Juneau, and stayed at the Capitol Inn Bed and Breakfast, across the street from the Capitol. In the morning, we departed for a most of the day tour to see Tracy Arm fjord and glaciers. I know we only touched the hem of this great wilderness, but still, it was a trip of a lifetime. If I was younger, I'd be trying to move there. So few people, such vastness. I'm hooked.
Mankind is so small, Alaska so huge, and the earth so magnificent. Even after a year, I think of the wonder that we met every day, every minute. It is part of  the earth not yet dominated or controlled by man, the way it was before we "civilized" and overpopulated the place. The lessons of Alaska are astounding, and free the spirit from the everyday world. It makes you so aware that you won't pass this way again, so enjoy every moment, every scene, every meal, all the people.
You can check my multiple blog posts from last year with lots of photos by searching "Alaska" in the sidebar at right. Here's the link to the itinerary:
clarkcoffee.blogspot.com/2012/05/alaska-itinerary.html

May 16, 2012...Sue and I at the glacier, listening to the groaning of the ice, and ice scraping against the hull.

Reflections of Alaska, part one

Just south of Skagway

            The scenery stuns your senses in southeast Alaska, and to travel you have to have a plane or a boat, except for a few miles of road and highway in the towns, not between them. That pace gives you time to spend more time looking, and the watery world multiplies the beauty in reflections.

Tug hauling freight north of Juneau

Glacial ice in Tracy Arm Fjord

South Sawyer Glacier

Beautiful blue bergs

An infinity of shapes

Remote cabin..."This is the forest primeval...."

You never run out of wonder

Alaska itinerary

At Seatac

May 14--Spend night at Four Points Sheraton, OKC airport. Leave car.
May 15, 2012, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, OKC-DFW 6 am; DFW-SEATAC, 7:50 am; SEATAC-JNU, 1 pm-2:25. Capital Inn Bed and Breakfast, Juneau

At Juneau

May 16--Adventure bound, 40 passenger boat, Tracy Arm Fjord Glacier tour, 7:30 am. Only five people aboard. Return 3 pm.

At Sawyer Glacier, Tracy Arm Fjord

May 17--FV Fairweather, catamaran Alaska Marine Ferry. Depart Juneau  8 am; arrive Sitka, 2:15 pm. Rent car, Otter's Cove Bed and Breakfast.
May 18--Explore Sitka

At Skagway "International" airport, with pilot of Piper Cherokee

May 19, Alaska Airlines 6 am, 21 minute flight to Juneau. Catch Air Excursions 7 am flight in four seat Piper Cherokee. Land at Skagway airpot 8 am.  White House Bed & Breakfast. Catch 12:25 White Pass and Yukon narrow gauge rail to White Pass summit, Yukon-Klondike Canadian border. Return, 4 pm. Watch OKC Thunder beat LA downtown Skagway.

Heading for White Pass, on the Klondike trail

May 20--Dawdle in Skagway.

View from M/V Malaspina, south out of Skagway

May 21--Depart on MV Malaspina, Alaska Maritime Ferry, 7 am. Arrive Juneau, 1:45. Back to Capital Inn Bed 7 Breakfast. Watch Thunder beat LA.

Juneau from Mount Roberts

May 22--Mount Roberts Tram. Shop Juneau.

May 23--Depart Juneau, Alaska Airlines, 8 am. Arrive Seatac, 11:18. Depart 12:30, arrive DFW, 6:22. Depart DFW, American Airlines, 9 pm, arrive OKC 9:45. Pick up car at Four Points, arrive home to Max the lonesome cat, 10:30 pm.