"Searching for a Quiet Place"

8 x 8" oil/canvas panel

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I photographed this deer last summer sometime in June. She was acting rather strangely I thought, gently searching through the tall grass, swishing her tail.When I looked at the photo later on and saw the swell of her belly, I realized that she may have actually been in labor.

I love the purple and yellow/green complimentaries on this one. I lucked out because it came packaged that way in the photo. There really was nothing to improve on.

"Smiling"

8 x 8" oil/canvas panel

$300 - For purchase information  click here.

I do a fair amount of plein air painting, mostly of poorly rendered bushes and trees. Good practice for me, but also something I like to do while my husband is fly fishing. Anyway, this is a painting of a fellow I met on one such outing. He was making his way down the Smith River from hunting camp last fall. He is one of the locals in an area that has about two people living every 150 square miles or so. Luckily I had my camera and with his very enthusiastic consent, I took several shots. What a character! This is one of the reasons I love living in Montana. The people here are so genuine.

"The First Try"

8 x 8" oil/canvas panel

NFS

This is a painting of a brand new calf, umbilical cord still attached!

I loved doing this one because I could sure visualize that process where the cow and calf try to make that first connection.

My husband likes this painting so much, that I've decided to keep it for him.

"Russian Girl"

8 x 8"   oil/canvas panel

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The title of this painting should probably be "The Rancher's Wife" since it goes so extremely well with my earlier painting of "The Rancher."
But, she is actually a cultural exchange student from Russia that visited Cascade several years ago. I did this painting from one of several reference photos taken when she modeled for our artists group. I really like how this one came out, she looks so sleepy and introspective. Something which I think gives a timeless quality to a portrait.

"Little Deer"

8 x 8" oil/canvas panel

For purchase information click here.

This past week Great Falls, Montana, hosted its one claim to fame, the CM Russell Western Art Auction. Seriously, artists and collectors alike just come swarming into town! Its is so exciting! Anyway, part of it is like old home week for me, as I get to see lots of artist friends that I don't get to see otherwise.

While visiting with some of them the subject of wildlife painting and deer in particular, came up. I have always sort of held the notion that the world may not need another deer painting. (I suppose the same could be said for horses, cows, elk, etc.) But two artists in particular, that I have always held in high regard for being able to put a fresh spin on a common subject, inspired me to give it a try. Sheila Rieman, with her amazing use of color. And also Greg Beecham, who puts an edgy spin on all his wildlife paintings.

This painting didn't take me long, really. About 40 minutes. I left it sort of washy, like a watercolor with lots of transparent areas. I had fun and I realized that some subjects, especially if they are well done, are really timeless.

Black Labs

8 x 8" oil/canvas panel

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Many people have commented on my paintings of "Bill" our Border Collie. And recently someone asked if I would do one of a Black Lab. So I did two!
This first one is a generic version that I did from several reference photos. I love how the eyes came out square and slightly out of proportion. I think it gives him the sincerity that Labs have.

8 x 8"   oil/canvas panel

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This second Black Lab is "Rosie Girl." Who happens to live in New York City! I tried to give her some rosie qualities like the pink highlights to match her collar. Thanks so much Ronny, for letting me capture your Rosie on canvas!

"Blue Collar Man"

8 x 8" oil/canvas mounted on masonite.

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Although the dominant hue for this painting is obviously orange, I named it "Blue Collar Man" because Bill is as blue as it gets. Cerulean, Ultramarine and touches of Diox Purple and Sap Green. This painting was lots of fun to do. It literally fell off the brush. The best kind.

I was going to keep this painting for a future exhibition, but a very nice lady from Virginia talked me into selling it to her. Thank you Liz!

"Border Collie Portrait"

8 x 8"  oil/canvas mounted on masonite.

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For those of you who missed him last time, I just had to list this painting again. "Sweet William."
The fun part about painting images with strong contrasting shapes is finding the "in between" colors that run along the edges of these shapes, especially between complimentary colors. I tried to get that in this painting.

"Girl with a Braid"

8 x 8"  oil/canvas mounted on masonite.

For purchase information click here.

This is a little painting sketch of my daughter Rachel, done from a reference photo taken many years ago. Its an idea for a painting that I've been wanting to do for some time. This same pose will no doubt appear here again, as I work out some concepts for a larger painting.

Here again, we have the strong contrasts that I love. I also like the colors. Red, Black and Yellow. Almost primary, really, without being so obvious.

"All Business"

8 x 8" oil/canvas panel

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Here he is again. I would, at this point probably have to call Bill my muse.
He is such a perfect subject and I am so attached to this guy.

I tried to get that quirky look that dogs sometimes give you, always so eager to please. You can also see I am still in my crimson palette, where I have worked in lighter values to pull out the edges of his fur.

"The Wallflower"

8 x 8"  oil/canvas mounted to masonite.

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Sometimes, if I meet a person who could use a little self esteem boost, I will ask them to model for me. Especially teens. They really get into it and love when you send them home with a painting. This is Rosie. She grew up with my daughter during High School. Unfortunately she dropped out during her Junior year and moved away. I think about her often and wonder whatever became of her.

Here I am trying to use up the rest of my alizerine crimson palette that I mixed up yesterday.
At the cost of fine art supplies, I hate to waste paint!
Anyway, I think I was a little more successful in holding on to the a. crimson, as dominant hue.

"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.

"What are we doing now?"

8 x 8" oil/canvas mounted to masonite.

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This little portrait is of our dog Bill. He’s actually a working cow dog and like most border collies, he's very smart and is always waiting for instructions. This painting seems to capture that.

Bay Horse Portrait

8 x 8" oil/canvas mounted to masonite.

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This is a painting I did of my husbands horse "Harley." He is very gentle, but is what we here in Montana call a "short mouthed horse" which means he can also be very stubborn. He makes a great model!