![Artist with “Reaching Beyond,” oil, 22 x 33 in., 2023. My goal was to convey the atmosphere and depth of this breathtaking view at Canyonlands photo of artist with her painting](https://www.outdoorpainter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/1_Turner_WP-696x386.jpg)
What is the most interesting thing you have painted/sculpted and why?
Cecy Turner: The most interesting thing I’ve painted is usually the last challenging thing I’ve painted, in this case, “Reaching Beyond.” Every time I made a stroke on it and stood back, I felt like I was there again (Canyonlands National Park). I added the little road at the bottom of the canyon that we found and took a harrowing trip down the canyon in our jeep – an unforgettable memory that I think of every time I look at the painting.
How do you find inspiration?
Cecy Turner: I find inspiration in the diverse areas I’ve been fortunate enough to visit. Each place has different subjects as well as light, atmosphere, inspiring sounds (including quietness), and seasons. Sometimes when I return from a trip and I’m ready to do larger paintings of what I’ve seen, I have obligations and must put that off. Then when I’m looking for a reference photo and run across those pictures again, I get excited and can’t stop painting the aha moments I had on that trip. I’m fortunate to have a second home in Colorado and paint mountains, snow, aspens, rivers, different things from my Texas landscape.
To see more of Cecy’s work, visit:
![winter scene with snow covered grounds; evergreen tree covered in snow; creek flowing through; glowing sunlight in the distance](https://www.outdoorpainter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2_Turner_WP.jpg)
![oil painting of texas landscape with plateau cliffs in the distance; greenery in front of the cliff; sun setting off the cliffs](https://www.outdoorpainter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/3_Turner_WP.jpg)