In the High Sierra (My paintings)

My oil paintings of the local Sierra Nevada Mountains. Ever changing their colors, life, and form, giving me a reason to live. The paintings date from 1987-to present. Yosemite Valley is a favorite subject to me. The first painting I did from Tunnel View Overlook. Everything was great till hundreds of people asked me, "are you trying to paint a picture sir?"

Most of the paintings I do of the valley are above Tunnel View now. I hike up behind the overlook to stay clear of people. Sonora Pass is so close by my house, it makes great subject. I can be there in 70-minutes The last paintings are of Cape Horn Vista off hwy #4. This has got to be my favorite location. In the summer months I sometimes camp out near the overlook so i can catch it in the early morning light.

The song, "In the High Sierra", is on the Black irish Band 19th CD, California Story. This version is at the very end of the album. It is from a place deep inside myself. It's funny I think about it every Fall before the passes are closed.

I almost got caught at Sonora Pass on this October 30th, in a snow storm. I was lonely, so I took a drive up to the top of the pass. I left the car and started walking off into the snow storm above 9000 feet. I walked many miles on the Pacific Crest Trail, and before it was dark, I headed back. I just got to my car at dark, when a Cal-Trans Road man came by and told me that I was lucky, he said, "I was just about ready to close the pass when I saw your car!"

Winter had come again to the Sierra Nevada mountains and the evergreens were white! Moments in time, that won't fade away....

Category:

Music

Tags:

• black irish band
• blackirish
• sierranevada
• yosemite
• sierra mountains
• high sierra
• mountain songs
• mountain landscapes
• paintings of mountains
• god's mountains
• oil paintings
• patrick karnahan
• sierra club
• john muir
• forest service
• forestry
• yosemite national park
• sonora pass
• ebbitts pass
• bear valley

[mysterytrax]

Absolutely delightful and awesome.

There is so much negative trash on YouTube, yet you display all that is good and meaningful; in an ever changing mixed up world. BEAUTIFUL WORK.

[trainfire28]

Thank you so much Mysterytrax. I agree with you about a lot of trash out there on You Tube. My state of California & Oregon offer so much beauty, but so few people take the time to see it- Patrick

[MLynnB1996]

What kind of canvas do you use/like the most? What brand of paint do you use? What type of paintbrushes do you use? Sorry, but I want to know what kind of magic supplies make incredible paintings like this. lol jk, but you are really, REALLY good at that! I like art a lot. I'm only 14, but hopefully I'll be able to draw/paint half as well as this by the time I'm your age.

[mysterytrax]

I too, live now in some beautiful country Patrick; Northern Idaho. Your music and paintings would be most welcome up here too; where people appreciate the beauty of the land around us, the changing colors and splendor of the unique 4 seasons. I'm FROM California, but living in L.A. all those years, well lets just say that it's been TOO long; since I've checked out the majestic and breathtaking High Sierra "experience".

I'm due for a road trip.