"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.

Best Buds

Best Buds 12 x 9" oil/linen panel

sold

Heres a tribute to all the little girls (and big ones) that grew up on the back of a horse.

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!

"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.

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!

"Wranglin' for a Wreck"

16 x 20" oil/linen panel

For purchase information click here.

I attended a rodeo awhile back and got some great photos of horses. This painting started to be about the horse roping a calf. I loved how he was rolling back to face the calf. But as you know, I'm not one for ordinary subjects. No offense to all you cowboy artists, but how many calf roping paintings do we need? So how about this big ol' grizzly instead?

I actually know someone who did this when he was a kid cowboying up near Dupuyer, Montana. And this painting is a tribute to that story. He got lucky and the bear climbed a tree. I put the landscape around Dupuyer in this painting for that reason.

Charlie Russell did a painting much like this called "Roping a Rustler."

"Golden Dreams"

12 x 16" oil/canvas mounted to wood panel

For purchase information click here.

This painting I started a few days ago. I need one for the National Oil Painter's of America deadline here in the next few days. This may be the one. Its of the same pose used in "Sleeping Beauty" below, which I did early this past year. I had meant to use the same colors, but well, when an artist's intuition takes over anything can happen! And as far as the outcome, I think the color and bold contrast add a more dramatic look.

"Walking Paint Horse"

6 x 8" oil/canvas panel - sold

Heres another sketch I did as practice for a larger painting I'm planning out.  I have several horses planned for this composition.  These won't all be included, but its nice to stay limber so I can fully understand the horses anatomy when the time comes.  Practice, practice!

  

"Cow Pony"

6 x 8"    oil/canvas panel - sold

Heres another little portrait of my husbands horse Harley, looking enthusiastic about his day, as usual.  Really I love his head, he has so much personality!

"Sleepy Chestnut"

6 x 8" oil/canvas panel - sold

The holidays have definitely been a priority this week as I've been hustling around trying to get some shopping done.  I've got to admit here, I'm not much into the whole shopping experience.  But I think I got things sewn up for the year, and just in time!

I was able to get this painting done this morning.  Its a study for a larger painting I'm planning on starting later next week.

A Portrait and Another Auction Painting

This is a detail of the portrait I'm working on.  I hope to finish it up tomorrow.

I'm doing it from an old black and white photo, with a faded bit of colorizing on it.

For those of you know her, don't spill the beans!  Its a surprise for Christmas!  Shhh!

 

"Little Bay Horse"     6 x 8"      oil/canvas panel - sold

This is another painting I did earlier this year.  Back to auction it goes.

"Cow Horse"

"Cow Horse"

8 x 8  oil/canvas mounted on masonite - sold

"Blue Tabby" and Art Auction News

6 x 8"  oil/canvas panel - sold

This one is going back on Ebay till its sold.  Poor cowgirl needs to bring in some cash!

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Ohmagosh!!!!  Big news!!!!

I checked my mail today and got a REALLY big surprise!  My painting "A Soft Place to Land" was accepted into the C.M. Russell Western Art Auction!!!  I almost fell over!  This is my first really BIG art auction.  I'm so excited I can hardly concentrate on anything I'm doing in the studio!  In case you missed it, this is the painting below.