"Mosey"

Moesy 10 x 8" oil/canvas panel

For purchase information click here

Counting down to Russell week!!

"New Paint"

New Paint 9 x 12" oil/linen panel

This is a painting I finished up today - another from my imagination - of a little foal born to a Mustang mare, with a sort of Mini Me look - since many young horses take on the coloring of their dams. I wanted this mare to have a shaggier range look, but I had to work around the other objects in the painting so the overall effect was kind of lost. I'm still happy with the outcome though. With these smaller works I'm giving myself some creative room, since I plan to take a few of them to a larger size. By using them as reference, I'm able to do this without the exhaustive research required of paintings done from photos. Its already there in my minds eye, I don't necessarily have to "fix" anything, so taking it a step further doesn't seem so difficult.

A Break for Me & Golden Dreams for Amy

Golden Dreams - 12 x 16" - nfs

As some of you may have noticed, I've been absent these past few months. I needed to take a break for awhile and help out on the ranch. This means I got to drive around a big tractor, making the hay we'll need to feed our livestock this winter. With the amazing amount of moisture we've had this year, we were able to put up around 300 ton - about twice what we normally produce.

The decision to take a break also came after our little Arabian mare Amy died of complications from colic. This is the second equine death for us and yet another heartbreak to add to this year's mounting list of Unfortunate Events. Amy was my daughter's horse and was one of those Good Ones - so kind hearted and willing. To safely take any level of rider where they wanted to go. She was 27 years young and is the subject of the painting above.

They say people in the livestock industry become hardened to death and we've certainly had our share of that here on the ranch, but I've got to be honest, it never gets any easier. Often times I wish we raised apples. I'm sure no tears were ever shed over worm holes - well, with farmers - who's to say.

The good news is (and finally there is some!!) my husband and I will be taking a well deserved vacation in these next few weeks - the first in three years! So during that time, I'm hoping to clear my head, come back to the studio and get to work on some of these canvases.

Until next time...

J is for "Jenny"

I did this little painting for a show I have coming up this summer. I'll announce more on that later, but for now I'd like to add this one to my sadly neglected "Alphabet Series." Its a painting I've been wanting to do for some time. I've always loved how Clark Hulings interprets these little donkeys (and am awestruck by his work in general!) so I just had to give one a try!

Happy Holidays!!

"Callin it Quits" 24 x 30 oil/canvas

Happy Holidays everyone!!

Paris Gibson Square Museum - Benefit Auction 2010

"Dog Days" 8 x 10" oil/canvas panel

Another wonderful announcement!

I've been accepted into the Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art's - Benefit Auction for 2010, with this painting. This is their 13th Annual Art Auction and my first time being accepted.

I'm feel like I'm on a roll! The event starts January 14th and runs through February 3rd. And is in Great Falls, Montana at the PGSMA.

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As I post this painting, I am dreaming of warm summer days, which has NOT been the case here on the ranch. This week brought -30 below temperatures with wind speeds close to 40 mph!

On the prairie, this is NOT GOOD! Especially when it comes to keeping critters warm.

Talking with several of my horse buddies this week, our biggest issue has been preventing colic in older horses. It gets tricky trying to keep a water supply from freezing up, and many older horses don't care for even the slightest bit of ice in their water when its cold. I know I wouldn't! A tip I got from an old timer a few years back, is to mix warm water from the tap with molasses. This will usually get them to drink.

Stay warm everyone! It seems that winter is upon us and just a wee bit early.

C.M. Russell Museum's Master's in Miniature Auction

"Just a Thought" oil/canvas panel 10x8

"Tail Wind" oil/canvas panel 8x10

The Master's in Miniature Auction for the C.M. Russell Art Museum was held this past weekend, and I have great news! Both my paintings sold!

We had such a great time. So many artists from our region were there. And boy, does the Russell Museum know how to throw a party! I think my husband had more fun than I did, which is saying a lot, since he's sort of the quiet farmer type.

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Blog Update:

In case some of you are wondering where I've gone off to...my painting sizes have increased significantly this past year and are taking much longer to finish. How long does it take?

My only answer can be, "All my life."

Be back soon!

"Dog Days"

8 x 10" oil/canvas panel

For purchase information click here.

Geez, its sure been a busy summer. Our works starts around 5:00am, then we get just enough time to throw down a bowl of cereal or a pizza, before we collapse into bed at dark. Last night, with the windows opened wide to let the cool in, I smelled the first scent of fall. This usually means things will slow down on the ranch soon and I'll get back to cranking out more paintings.

I did this one last week and finally got a minute to photograph it. I like the way the ground has movement, leading into the subject. This is something I'm focusing on more and more in my work. Trying to make what could be a bland surface and using design features to make it more interesting.

Paint Horse-study

6 x 8" oil - canvas panel

SOLD

Another little study of my cow horse "Bones."

Master's in Miniature at the C.M. Russell Museum

I had meant to post this yesterday, but I kept getting lost in the eternal resurrection of my computer files since the Big Crash.  Printer drivers missing, no contact list loaded to my artists software, etc.  So I do apologize to everyone for not getting this in the mail BEFORE the actual opening.  Luckily the auction is not till September, so I'll send one to each of you before then.  If you are not on my mailing list and would like to be, please subscribe to this blog and you'll receive any postcard mailings I send out, about two or three a year, and also get an email of my most recent work posted to this blog. 

Anyway, the Master's in Miniature Member's & Artist's Reception is tomorrow night, Saturday May 20, at the C.M. Russell Museum and the show opens to the public on Sunday May 21st.

Hope to see you there everyone!

"Easy Keeper"

8 x 10' oil - canvas panel

For purchase information click here

Heres another painting of my husband's horse Harley. I've actually had him on a diet this year, but hes kind of a stocky guy, so I haven't seen much of a change. In Montana, thats what we call an easy keeper.

"H" for Horse? Yes, but how about a Haflinger!

8 x 10" oil - canvas panel
For purchase information click here

Of course I would do a horse for the "H" in my alphabet series, but the idea is to stretch myself creatively. Right? So heres a little Haflinger draft pony as a way to do that.
You know, this is actually the horse I wanted as a kid. I mean what little girl wouldn't love that pretty pony mane? I got a big, ugly 30 year old quarter horse instead. I loved her! Maybe someday.

"Tail Wind"

8 x 10" oil/linen panel

sold

Here is another "sketch to finished" painting of my horse Bones.

The sketch below I have hanging here in the studio and is really a nice painting in its own right.

6 x 8" oil canvas panel

For purchase information click here.

An update on the "Range Stallion's Final Hour"

It seems this painting has some controversy to it, so I would like to shed some light on why I think I chose such an unhappy subject.

All artists express themselves through their creations. I mean, its not always about painting pretty pictures. Art that evokes emotion is both therapeutic and healing. Here in Montana, our artist's community has experienced several tragic deaths in the past few months. As dreadful as the painting seems, I believe it could be my way of processing the grief associated with these events. Today, after receiving several negative reactions to it, I even considered altering the piece to reflect a more pleasant scene. But the therapy for me would then be lost, so I've decided to let stand.

Thanks everyone for your comments, heres to happier days!

The Range Stallion's Final Hour

8 x 10 oil/canvas panel

For purchase information click here

I started this painting 5 days ago, threw out the first 4 attempts, then did the portrait on my previous post, and then...well, FINALLY its finished!

Sometimes I want something out a painting thats hard to define. I had originally played it safe and placed this horse sleeping on some straw, like many of my previous snoozing equines. (yawn!) But as you know, sometimes I like to find ways to make a subject more interesting. Again, as in the previous post, below is the oil study I did last summer of this same horse.

Read more on the Range Stallion...

2009 - C.M. Russell Art Auction

"A Soft Place to Land"  -  SOLD!

Hi everyone!  We had a fantastic time at the auction this weekend and I'm so thrilled to announce that my painting sold!!  My husband took this photo from the balcony where we were seated.  It was all SO very exciting to watch, I could barely contain myself!!  Thanks to everyone at the Great Falls Ad Club and the C.M. Russell Museum for including me in this years auction.  I've worked really hard this year and it has definitely paid off.  I couldn't be more pleased with the positive response I've received from all of you.  Thanks everybody!!

Don't forget to keep painting!

2009 C.M. Russell Art Auction - opening

Lot #20 - A Soft Place to Land 36 x 30" oil/linen

This week was the opening of the 2009 C.M. Russell Art Auction - Public Exhibit.

The auction paintings will hang at the C.M. Russell Museum in Great Falls until March 20th, at which time they will be moved to the Western Heritage Inn for the start of the auction at 5:00pm.  I hope you can all make it down for the excitement, it really is something to see!  I just hope my nerves can hold out till then!

My painting is Lot #20 so don't forget to bid!  :O)

For tickets to the auction and more information on absentee bidding, click here

Getting organized...

"Dancer Study" 10 x 8" oil/canvas panel

For purchase information click here.

I hit a wall today. Trying to do the marketing thing.

Like most artists I'm horribly unorganized, but decided several months ago that I would clean up my act and make better use of my mailing list, etc.

So far so good, till today. After suffering through another morning of paperwork tedium, I threw everything in a box (sort of...) and got my paints out.

This painting I just wanted to play with. No pressure, just squish some paint around and relax.

Whew! I'm so glad I did, I feel much better now :O)

New Paint that Ain't

30 x 36" oil/linen

Whew!

I finally made it back!

Last week I was merrily painting away on my rocks when I was contacted by Montana Trails Gallery in Bozeman. (...OH BOY! A REAL gallery!!! - I actually had been waiting to hear from them since January.) They like my work and want to represent me, (...OH BOY!!!!) BUT could I do a painting like "A Soft Place to Land"? (oh boy...)

Of course I said YES! So we both agreed I would do this larger painting of Cow Pony (formerly "Paint that Ain't") Thank God - I actually think it came out nice. I put the cows in because the canvas seemed large enough to support that many critters. Not to stand on, I mean visually :O) I still have a few value adjustments to do and want to work on his tail some. I'll post the finish in a few days.

Have a great weekend everyone.

More Rocks...

Heres another detail of the large painting I'm working on.  Its 48 x 36" and my largest painting to date.  (Well, except for that ugly mural I did back in the 70s.)

These boulders have been loads of fun to paint!  I'm always amazed at how us artists can become obsessed over a subject.  As I start to paint, visualizing the characteristic of each one, I become lost in all those rocks, almost to the point of becoming a rock...I suppose thats why so many artists are a little odd.

Anyway, I had to take out the bushes for now, in order to focus on "boulder" form.  I'll add them later, to break things up a bit.  I don't want these horses to look as if they've just landed on the moon!