Wyoming Colors

Wyoming Colors

Original Oil

6" X 9.25"

On my drive through Wyoming in March, I spotted this herd of pronghorn just as the sun was setting. The orange of their coats, the purple/blue of the last snow remnants, and the yellow sky really struck me. Such a wonderful color combination begged to be painted.

Heralds of Spring

Heralds of Spring

Original Oil

5.25" X 9.25"

Continuing with small paintings, this is my second one in the group. I watched these Canada geese in Nebraska on my drive home to Spokane from Tulsa. It was the warmest day of the trip and the sun was a welcome change from the blustery conditions I had just left in Oklahoma.

I said DRAW!

Yes, today I am doing a Quick Draw at the Big Horn Show in Spokane.

For those of you who haven't witnessed this sort of thing, an artist has a set amount of time (in this case a little less than 2 hours) to produce artwork which then goes up for auction, immediately.

Some artists do a drawing and others paint. I'll be painting a 14" X 10.75" oil painting inspired by the herd of elk I saw a number of years ago in a field with Mt. Spokane in the background. I have wanted to paint it ever since. My drawing is already on my gessoed board (and no, that is not cheating), and I will need to cover the entire piece with my oils. And, make it look good. It has been a number of years since I have done one of these, the last in Seattle, but then we only had 45 minutes and a camera on us.

I will be the only one doing a Quick Draw so there will undoubtably be questions for me while I paint. I'm ready!........ I think. I guess that is the fun of a Quick Draw.

As a good sign, I saw the herd of elk 2 days ago about 10 minutes from my house. Late afternoon light. I usually see them only once, maybe twice a year. What a treat.

So, Ready, Set, ..................Paint!

Going Smaller

The Vantage Point

Original Oil

6.5" X 9.25"

I have an upcoming Miniature Fine Art show at the Artistic Designs Gallery in Brownsburg, Indiana. Each piece must not exceed 80 square inches. OK, an 8" X 10" painting. Small, but not unduly so. However, there is an additional requirement that the frame may not exceed 12" X 14".

This required some planning. Each custom frame I hand select to enhance the painting. In order to stay under the 14" maximum length, I had to plan the long direction of the painting at 9.25". That would give me a frame width a little less than 2.5".

I am painting 3 pieces for the show. The Vantage Point is the largest of the three.

Wind Walkers

Wind Walkers

Original Oil

7.75" X 12.5"

The Platte River comes alive each spring with one of North America’s most dramatic bird migrations. Ninety percent of all sand hill cranes (approximately 600,000 birds) stop over on this braided river. From here they will move north to Canada, Alaska, and Siberia.

The Platte is the perfect spot for a stopover. Standing in the shallow braided river at night affords the cranes protection from predators. During the day, the spent corn fields edging the river provide sustenance for the upcoming journey north.

Last week I was there listening to the sand hill cranes. Once you hear them, you will never forget their haunting calls. What a treat.

Oil Painters of America

Oil Painters of America
19th Annual National Juried Exhibition

My painting Flamingo Dance was chosen from over 2500 submissions to be included in this year's National Oil Painters of America show. The Exhibition and sale will be held at the Legacy Gallery in Scottsdale, AZ from April 30th - May 31st, 2010.

According to Oil Painters of America, "Entries are narrowed down to the top 200 paintings resulting in an exhibition that reflects the exceptional art and beauty being created by today’s finest representational artists."

I feel honored to have my painting included. This is also the 2nd time I have applied for the National show and the 2nd time a painting of mine has been accepted.

Ursus Maritimus

Ursus Maritimus

Original Oil

9.5" x 17.75"

After painting grass..... and more grass......, it was time for a water piece. I almost enjoy painting water as much as whatever subject I place in it. There are so many moods to water from streams, to waterfalls, ponds, lakes, and oceans. The slighest variation in atmosphere can drastically change the color and feel of water.

And the title? The scientific name for the polar bear, the Sea Bear.