Golden Rabbit Brush — The Beginning of an Idea
Hello friends!
This month I’m in the very first stages of new painting ideas. The golden rabbit brush is at a peak here in the Treasure Valley and I’m on a mission to capture it! I spent time wandering the foothills photographing, observing, and soaking in its beauty.
Now that I’ve gathered reference photos from various years and locations, I printed them out to study how each composition and color relationship might inspire a new piece.
Golden rabbit brush - it’s a beautiful time of year!
One of the things that continues to impress me is how essential cool tones are — those brilliant blues and subtle greens that make the warmth of the golden rabbit brush truly glow. Through observation, time outdoors and back in the studio, I’m learning how harmony between warm and cool colors gives life and balance to the landscape.
For instance, I pulled up my photo references after a few hours of photographing and realized the “white balance” on my camera was off. My photos immediately read too warm from what I remembered just 30 minutes prior. I quickly began to edit the photos, restoring the subtle cool tones necessary for the golden rabbit brush to really glow. This careful observation will pay dividends when it comes time to put brush to canvas.
For me, this is where every painting begins — with curiosity, observation, possible correction and the spark of an idea! I’m excited to begin sketching and composing the golden rabbit brush in its peak fall color!
PleinAir Magazine Feature!
Thanks for the feature in the October/November digital issue, PleinAir Magazine! In this showcase, 13 contemporary plein air painters bring new life to the enduring narrative of the heartland, offering fresh interpretations of the middle-American landscape.
AVAILABLE Fall Painting!
“Garden Valley Fall”
6x8 Oil
Study of the Youren Homestead
Online Gouache Course Update
I’ve been busy recording videos for my Online Gouache Course that will be coming in 2026 - I’m so excited to share more with you soon!
If you’re interested in the course and learning more about gouache, please sign up for the waitlist to be the first to know all the details, and/or to be part of my Beta Testing group.
I hope you’re enjoying a beautiful fall season!
Cheers!
Allie
The richness of painting from life, whether in the studio or outdoors, is where I find myself as an artist.