Painting the Flatirons Through a Window: A Winter Studio Journey

There’s something magnetic about the Flatirons — those sharp, iconic slabs rising above Boulder, shifting personality with every season and every hour of light. This winter, I found myself returning to them again and again, not just as a landscape, but as a feeling: the sense of standing indoors on a cold morning, coffee in hand, looking out at a world that feels both wild and familiar.

This series grew from that moment.

Where It Begins: A Blank Canvas and a Quiet Idea

Every painting starts with a whisper. For this one, it was the simple outline of the Flatirons — the angles, the rhythm, the way the peaks lean into each other. I sketched lightly, letting the composition settle into place. Even at this stage, the “window” frame was already part of the story. I wanted viewers to feel like they were standing right there with me, looking out.

Building the Bones: Mapping the View

Once the structure felt right, I refined the lines and taped off the window frame. This is one of my favorite parts — the moment the painting becomes a space. The green tape creates boundaries, but it also opens a portal. Suddenly, the mountains aren’t just shapes on a canvas; they’re a view waiting to be stepped into.

Color, Depth, and the First Breath of Life

With the sketch locked in, the mountains began to take on their winter personality. Cool shadows, warm stone, pockets of snow tucked into crevices. The sky settled into a crisp Colorado blue. Even in this early stage, the Flatirons already felt alive — rugged, grounded, and unmistakably themselves.

Studio Companions: The Cat Who Supervises Everything

No creative journey is complete without a little chaos. My studio assistant (who believes all paper exists for lounging) made sure to “review” the work in progress. Art is serious business, but moments like this remind me that the process is also playful, unpredictable, and full of personality.

Bringing the View to Life

As the layers built up, the Flatirons shifted from outlines to atmosphere. Snowy trees emerged in the foreground. Clouds drifted across the sky. The window frame sharpened, anchoring the scene in a cozy interior space. Each version of the painting captured a slightly different mood — some crisp and bright, others soft and serene.

The Final Window: A Winter Morning in Boulder

The finished pieces feel like a breath of cold mountain air. They’re not just landscapes; they’re invitations. Stand here. Look out. Feel the quiet. Feel the vastness. Let the Flatirons remind you that even in winter, the world is full of texture, color, and presence.