Bristlecone Pines in the White Mountains

are very old trees living in an extreme environment. This tree I recently found anchored on a ridge at 11,300’ in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in the White Mountains. What commenced is a series: A small pencil sketch was followed by a 16 x 20 charcoal on rag interpretation, then 8 x 10 and 16 x 20 oil explorations, followed by a full monotone detailed 24 x 30 painting en brunaille, and the final colored oil on canvas rendition also over a second detailed monotone sketch.