"Two Pitchers and a Jar"

8 x 8"  oil/canvas mounted to masonite.

For purchase information click here.

Sometimes when I get stuck in the studio and I need to paint from life, I will go to painting still-lifes. I must confess, this is not my favorite way to paint. I do love white objects though, and I am drawn to the subtle colors that are so challenging to capture in oils. An artist needs to know what to do with all those grays and painting white objects is the best way to learn this. If you are not careful, all turns to mud!
I am big on composition, and this one falls short. I really want to see the bottom of that bottle. The painting seems cut off here. I may try and do this subject again, just to get it right.

"Montana Magpie"

7 x 8"  oil/canvas panel

For purchase information click here.

On this morning I had first planned on painting my cat, but after chasing her around and trying to get her to sit still, I gave up and went back to the studio. While I was sitting there this magpie flew over and sat in the pine just outside my window. I just LOVE magpies. We had them as pets when we were kids. So this one kind of fell off the brush.

"Sleeping Beauty"

7 x 9  oil/canvas panel

sold

This is a painting of our daughter's horse "Amy." She has got to be the sweetest horse ever. She came to us years ago, from a friend when we were looking for a "kid safe horse." I must say she has been all of that and much, MUCH, more!

I almost kept this painting. I guess because it looks exactly like this horse. Plus it came out so pretty, unlike some of my other cow horse paintings.

"Bannack Study"

7 x 9" oil/canvas mounted to hardwood panel

For purchase information click here.

This little painting is a study of the ghost town, Bannack. It was the first territorial capital of Montana and fortunately for us, is largely intact. There are so many interesting old buildings and cabins. It is one of my favorite places to visit. Every year there is a rendevous called Bannack Days, where many people come to reenact the pioneer days.

This painting was mostly about the composition. The values are strong, although a little unbalanced. Those dark shapes of the buildings remind me of an Edward Hopper painting.
Toward the end I decided to focus on the sage brush. As I said before, foliage is not my strong suit and I need to practice.