Crossing the Sonora Pass in autumn always feels like stepping into another world. As Highway 108 climbs through granite peaks and mountain meadows my stomach churns with excitement especially when the views open wide.

The soft autumn light makes everything already look like a perfect painting. I took this solo trip to paint the fall colors of Mono County, the high desert, and the eastern view of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Along the way, I stopped often to take photos. The trees had just started turning, bright yellow against the evergreens. I followed 108 down through Leavitt Meadow and Bridgeport to the Owens Valley.

That evening I set up my easel for the first painting of the trip, just as dusk settled over the valley. The last light behind Mount Morrison, the tall peak above Convict Lake. The world felt completely still, and I tried to capture that soft color before it disappeared.

Mount Morrison Dusk 6x8

The next morning I woke before sunrise and headed to Mono Lake. The air was crisp and cold, and my hands were freezing. I painted as the first light came over the mountains and peaked through the clouds. Painting early in the morning always comes more naturally as I’m fresh to make decisions and the light is beautiful.

Mono Lake 10x8

Later that morning I drove north on Highway 395 to another spot, a grove of aspens before the town of Lee Vining. They were at their peak, glowing orange and yellow against the blue ridges and I had made a note to go back to paint in that location. The wind and cars zooming past were inconvenient but I got into a flow and didn’t notice once I started painting.

Lee Vining Aspens 9x12 

I drove south to the county line between Mono and Inyo County and found a spot for the third painting of the day.

There was a wide open meadow with dramatic peaks rising above irrigated cattle pastures.

I found some bright yellow blooms in the grass and decided to add them into the foreground. The color brought warmth and life to the scene, a contrast to the atmospheric shadows of the mountains in the distance.

The East Side 6x8

Before the light faded, I traveled back to the Owens River for one more painting. This spot has become a kind of muse for me. The way the sunlight moves across the tall grass, the glistening reflections on the water, and the ever changing clouds kept drawing me back.

The Owen’s River 9x7

On my way home, I circled back toward Parker Peak. The distant aspen trees wound up the mountain in soft gold ribbons. I found a spot along the dirt road to set up my pochade box and painted as clouds drifted across the peak. 

Parker Peak 12x9

I couldn’t help taking more photos on the drive home. One of my favorite shots was near Strawberry, where the distant mountains faded into a violet blue behind the straggly oak trees. I’ve wanted to paint this location for a while but will have to add it to the list of places to paint in the future.

After being alone while painting, I’m so excited to share these new pieces in person. Each painting holds a memory of the Eastern Sierras, and the feeling of standing in that vast landscape with my easel and paints.

See the entire East Side Collection here.

Than you so much for reading to the end! See you at the gallery soon.

Sally Anne