Geoffrey Holdsworth - Recent Work

2001
SHOT CANYON MAZE
Canyonlands N.P., Utah
watercolor
10x14in.

Climbing up boulder fields, and narrow pathways was dangerous, hot, and exhausting with full pack, water and paints. Yes, I got lost in the Maze, but eventually found an agreeable site on a high pass and spent some pleasant days alone with the wind shaped juniper and red rock.

2001
BIGHORN MESA
Canyonlands N.P., Utah
watercolor
10x14in.

Rising five feet in five days the Green River was not hard paddling. It was a comfortable bottomland site so I settled in and took my time painting this new canoe and magical landscape. Strong evening winds could easily have gusted away the light kevlar vessel had it not been secured.

2001
OLD BALDY
Organ Mountains, New Mexico
watercolor
10x14in.

Weakened by heat stroke and altitude sickness at a site where in the 1800s a sanatorium existed, I shared their view and posture as it was necessary to recline on my back to paint the imposing Old Baldy, An old stone foundation, magnesium stained rocks and a dripping spring kept me company.

2001
HERMIT'S CAVE
Organ Mountains, New Mexico
watercolor
10x14in.

An old and famous hermit and before him Native Peoples lived in the slender cave at the base of this sandstone formation. A distant thunderstorm approached, threatening to rain, but instead, the water evaporated in the heat and windy downcurrents under anvil clouds agitated the desert dust.

2001
LIVE OAK
Lake Griffin Rec. Area, Florida
watercolor
10x14in.

This is one of the largest oaks in Florida. Pleased by this inviting tree, I painted its ample boughs strung with tresses of spanish moss over a partially lighted understory of palmetto, where a little bench provides a sense of scale. Voracious no-see-ums ensured this ancient hummock all to myself.

2000
MAHOGANY HUMMOCK
Everglades N.P., Florida
watercolor
10x14in.

Reputedly the most northerly mahogany hummock in America, this island of trees in a sea of grass displayed air plants, a wide array of vines and underbrush, and two resident Great Horned Owls who remained reclusive. Remaining unidentified in the painting is one little feathered friend.

2000
SNAKE BITE COVE
Everglades N.P., Florida
watercolor
10x14in.
·SOLD·

This was my first American watercolor. By the time the finishing touches were brushed I watched with surprise as the mud flats and channel dissappeared in the rising tide. This is a popular area for bird watchers and some wading species can be seen and beyond them some island keys.