More quick studies...

"Wind walking through a wheat field"

8x6" oil/canvas panel

Heres a little study I did this morning to loosen things up. I'm kind of stuck in "research mode" right now, reading up on costuming of the mid 19th century - in this case, calvary uniforms. Fairly interesting to be sure, but a bit dry and tedious. I get fidgety when I don't paint everyday and lately its become a bad habit. So, unless I'm going full tilt on a larger painting, to clear out the fidgets, I plan on getting back into the practice of these daily studies.

New Years Sprite

"The Sprite" 8 x 6" oil/canvas panel - sold

This past week has been a blur for me.  Sometime on Christmas Eve I picked up a flu virus from somewhere and ended up flat on my back for about 6 days.  Not Good.  I mean, I never get sick!  Probably because I'm too ornery.  Anyway, I feel as though I missed Christmas altogether and here it is already New Years Eve!  Geez!

Anyway,  I really have a bunch to be thankful for this year...

I got this blog and my website up and running, I made it into some pretty nice and important shows, and now it looks as though I may have picked up a nice gallery to boot.  I'm also very thankful for all the new friends I've made along the way and for everyone who visited this blog throughout the year.   It really inspires me to know there are folks out there enjoying the work!

Most importantly though, I'm thankful for all the wonderful time I've spent with my family and friends and how they've supported me through this big transistion year.   I love you guys!! 

Happy New Year!!

"Cow Horse"

"Cow Horse"

8 x 8  oil/canvas mounted on masonite - sold

"Woman Sweeping the Floor"

8 x 6     oil/canvas panel - sold

This is the fourth piece in this small series of paintings I'm doing just from my imagination.  The theme behind these seems to have an underlying Depression era feel.  Sort of, Thomas Hart Benton meets Tom Joad.  Perhaps my subconscious making comment on our current national crisis?  I plan on doing at least one more.  They look so wonderful next to each other!  I'm hoping some generous soul will find a way to keep them together!

Wrestling Match continued...

As I had mentioned my "Soft Place to Land" is getting a real workout.  But after several days of just staring at it, thinking the solution would come to me, I decided to get busy and really find out what went wrong.

It seems that the dominant color palette of Burnt Umber which I mixed for this painting, is probably not well suited to a snow scene.  I figured it would go more to the purple side, but it didn't.  Oops!

Anyway, here are a few things I did today to see more clearly how Burnt Umber behaves.  I use a lot of Burnt Umber in my paintings so thought I already knew.  This just goes to show, not all of us are as smart as we think we are   : )!

Anyway,

Heres the palette.  Pretty huh?

Today I made a chart out of it, you know like the ones I've been harping on everyone about?

It went much redder than I thought it would.

So I did this little painting to see what it might look like if I pushed it to the lighter side.

Ooo!  Very pink!

So, whats the lesson?

#1 - I should never assume that I know what I'm doing...  : )

#2 - I need to go back and finish one chart for each of my colors, (I have about 3/4 of them done) so I can choose one when I have my heart set on a certain mood to come through in a painting.

This palette I think, would be better suited for a late evening or early morning snow scene.  You know, when you have those lovely pink hues falling across the snow.  Also, I thought it might work really well for an interior like one of Rembrandt's, with figures or a portrait.

...now what did I do with that olive branch painting?

A Beautiful Diversion...

"White Rose - Pink Carnation"

10 x 8  oil/canvas 

sold

So my large painting "A Soft Place to Land" is giving me fits.  Lets face it, some paintings fall off the brush, while others need to be wrestled to the ground.  So as a diversion, while I work out some issues, here is a painting I did a few years back.  One of my rare floral pieces.

  

Painting progress...

Heres one of the larger paintings I'm working on for entry in the upcoming C.M. Russell Western Art Auction.  Its a take on "A Soft Place to Land", a painting I did this past April.  This one will be a bit less stylistic then that last one, a bit truer to my style and much LARGER.  30 x 36" Well, bigger than what I've been doing for a while now.  Its so nice to get back to these larger supports.  I love to stand while I'm painting, and also just the physical act of being able to step back to see how its progressing helps me stay alert and focused.   I hope to finish it here in the next few days.  Below is the start which took about an hour to draw and lay in the basic color values.

Another Umber Cowgirl

8 x 6" Cowgirl in Umber - Study II

For purchase information click here.

 I did this little sketch with Burnt Umber and Titanium White.  I like it better than the one from yesterday, especially her pose.

Cowgirl in Umber

16 x 12 oil/canvas panel

I did this sketch today with just some Burnt Umber and Ultra Marine Blue.  The white is the gesso showing through.  I like to do these now and then, just for something different.  Its like doing a charcoal drawing, only in oil.  To be honest I'm not sure I like it that well.  I wish it were warmer. Usually I do these in just the umber, but I love black shapes so couldn't resist adding some blue.  Also the arms have that foreshortening thing going on.  I wanted her to look as if she were leaning forward, but to me she looks a little stiff. 

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Finally got most of these big canvases stretched.  It's a job if you've never tried before.  I have a few deadlines coming up and am hoping to do something a bit larger.

Oil Painters of America Show, Detail and Color Charts

12 x 16" oil/canvas panel

For purchase information click here.

I'm off tomorrow for Idaho to attend the Western Regional Oil Painter's of America show in Coeur d'Alene.  The opening reception is Friday September 12th, at Devin Galleries and will run through October 11th.  If you are in the area I hope you'll make it down to see my painting "Highland Dreams" in real time.  (I'm SO excited and nervous all at the same time!!)

Anyway, I won't be back until Monday, so here are a few things I wanted to squeeze in before I go...

 

This is a detail of a painting I've been working on this week.  I have a few deadlines coming up this month so I'm trying out a few ideas.

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Below are two of the color charts I promised Edgar I'd show.  The top one is a Yellow Ochre Palette and the bottom Cad Red.  Click on the image and it'll show a larger view of the colors mixed with each.  I only hope you can read my scribbling!  I love how you can see the effects of blues, whites and compliments and how they make grays.  Is this bad?  Well...only you can decide.

Have a great week everyone and wish me luck!

"The Gold Band"

8 x 6" oil/canvas panel

sold

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Have a great Labor Day weekend everyone!

Just one more day?

10 x 8" oil/gessoed hardboard panel

NFS

So again, just to buy me time while I wrap up this brewery painting, here is a painting from my website.  This is "Kit" my husbands first wife.  (posthumous)

A few changes...

...before

...after

8 x 8" oil/canvas panel

sold

Hi everyone! I'm back from Minnesota and after a few days of playing catching up, I'm finally back to the quiet and comfort, of my studio.  Whew!  I must say that whenever I travel outside Montana, I just can't wait to get back!  It was an adventure though, since we traveled by train and I've got lots of material for future paintings.

Anyway...

This painting had been bugging me, with all those busy shadows, etc.  So I decided to remove all that stuff and get down to some basic shapes and values.  Often times its what you leave out that can make a painting better.

Oh and Happy 4th of July everyone!