It’s snowing today here in Colorado Springs, CO. and seems like an appropriate time to update. Back in June 2020, the pandemic had hit, the Torpedo Factory shut down in Alexandria Virginia, Robert’s CT scan came back showing positive results and it felt like the right time to move. It was a four day drive, Robert had all the plants in his car and I had Katja riding shotgun in mine. We arrived at our extended stay motel and having never been to Colorado before I was stunned by the beauty of nature, the grandeur of the mountains and the interesting integration of humanity.

One night while walking Katja we looked out at the silhouetted foothills and the buildings nestled in among the desert shrubs. The iconic McD sign shone like a beacon of civilization. Without judgement, it was quite beautiful!

‘Mc Icon to Guide Me’ by Susan Krieg 12″ x 12″ oil on birch panel

After six weeks in a motel we finally were able to move into the house we purchased. We live very close to Garden of the Gods and Katja and I are falling in love with our trail walks through the Garden. Stopping at the pond at Rock Ledge Ranch I realized that the colors of nature are very different here compared to the very acidic, but luscious, greens of Virginia. My first painting of the trees and pond are shockingly brilliant, not really true Colorado colors, but it reminds me of a 70s poster of Krishna on a half-shell rising from the ocean. Could be I’m influenced by a hippie culture that still exist here in Colorado Springs.

‘Vibrant Pond’ by Susan Krieg 12″ x 12″ oil on birch panel

One beautiful day we drove the 22 mile, 4000 foot elevation gain up Rampart Range Road to the reservoir near Pike’s Peak. I was excited that I would get to see some groves of aspen trees. What I didn’t expect was to see the remains of the Rampart Range fire that devastated much of the forest and groves of aspen trees that now look like burnt toothpicks. The fire was several years ago and baby aspens are replenishing the groves.

Painting of Pikes peak and burnt aspen trees
‘Waiting for Rebirth’ by Susan Krieg 12″ x 12″ oil on birch panel

So here we are making Colorado Springs our forever home and so much to paint. I’ll be heading over to Manitou Springs on Saturday, Sept 12, 2020 to participate in ‘Manitou Paints’. If I don’t see you there, check back in for my Manitou experience update.