Mountain High, Colorado

My Big Sister And I

“And the Colorado rocky mountain high, I’ve seen it rainin’ fire in the sky”. Growing up, this popular John Denver song was often played in my parents home. In fact, John Denver’s music came to play a role in my life like no other music.

It was his song, painting a picture of wondrous, glistening mountains, that inspired my big sister to attend college in Colorado, very far from our Connecticut home. It was a day I’ll never forget, standing beside my little sisters and parents at the airport and saying goodbye to my sister who was intent on experiencing those Rocky Mountains. I rained enough tears that day to fill the Colorado River.

In the ensuing years, my sister graduated from the University of Northern Colorado, married a nice gentleman from Salt Lake City, and most importantly missed us all enough to eventually move back east!

For the past ten years, My Big Sister has lived very near me, some twenty miles just across town!

High-spirited adventures from this past decade include watching her two amazing daughters grow up, serving as co-pilot as she piloted a two-seat Cessna high above Lake Lanier, and best of all, having her as my painting partner. This past year, we have enjoyed oil painting together, and have weathered workshops, painting outside and inside, easels side by side.

Looking ahead in 2021, I know there will be more painting sessions to share as well as new frontiers to explore. Especially, since once again, she is preparing for flight. The New Year has begun with my sister and her husband packing their belongings to relocate to the Sunshine State.

While I take comfort in knowing just one day’s drive will reunite us, I cannot help but look back and study those mountains that inspired her first adventurous departure. The Colorado Rocky Mountain High – I have enjoyed them too! Shared family adventures have taken us to the top of Pikes Peak, sightseeing through Breckenridge, and shopping the downtown streets of Denver.

My Big Sister and I, we share in wondrous mountain memories, moments flying high above the clouds, and high-spirited days painting together.

Thank you for visiting with me in my Artist’s Journal, On The Easel. I love sharing the inspiration for Mountain High, Colorado, currently On The Easel with you. (Article image, detail from the beginning of Mountain High, Colorado, 11 x 14 inches, oil on ampersand panel).