Local artist paints Yosemite

Watercolor artist Winnie Givot returned recently to Sisters after a sojourn to the majestic Yosemite National Park in California.

She headed south on March 27 with the intention of painting in the park for a total of 10 days, but Mother Nature had different ideas.

Givot began six different paintings in the first few days of her visit, but awoke on April 1 to find several inches of snow on the ground. The snow continued the following night and next morning, prompting her to pack up a little early and return to the relative comfort of her studio.

This trip was quite different from her last foray, which took her to Washington, D.C. last spring to present some of her work to 23 congressmen and Colin Powell.

"It is quite a contrast to be setting up my easel in front of the beauty and inspiration of Yosemite Falls instead of traipsing the halls of the House and Senate Office buildings to bring inspiration and beauty to VIPs," she said.

Givot found painting on location in the park to be both challenging and beneficial compared to working from photographs.

"Colors and perspectives are more accurate, not to mention experiencing the actual smells and sounds of the place and time," she said. Conditions can present their own difficulties, however.

"Snow, rain, sun, wind and temperature all have an impact," she said, "as do on-lookers and even animals."

One day a large coyote drew within five feet of Givot as she worked.

"He was a fearless one," she said.

Givot spent time painting inside the historic hotels after the snows came, moving outside when the conditions allowed it. She will use photographs to help complete the paintings she started.

Givot painted and photographed in a variety of locations including Badger Pass, Sentinel Beach and Sentinel Rock, along the Merced River near Yosemite Falls, Cathedral Rocks, Bridal Veil Falls and Inspiration Point.

Givot shows her paintings at her Barn Studio and Gallery, where she also teaches watercolor and what she calls "drawing from the heart." For information about classes call 548-5440.