The Merrill Ranch

I attended a field day with my husband near Sun City, Ks. The Merrill Ranch covers 17,000 acres. It was beautiful due to 19 " of rain since June. I painted a 6x6" oil of my impression of those large vistas with deep ravines. 

A Good Day

One of those clear sky, windless days in Kansas where you can see for miles. Love the way the cheat grass takes on a pinkish tint as it drys. These trees survived the drought, I have seen many that didn't. This summer has been very mild in comparison to the last 3. 

Show at Bethany Home

Spent the afternoon hanging paintings in the hall of Bethany Home in Lindsborg. Nice that they have allowed a hall for rotating artwork for the residents, staff aand family. Lindsborg, Kansas is an art community. They have the Birger Sandzen Gallery and the Lester Raymer Red Barn Studio and numerous artists living and working in the area. Bethany College has always had a strong art program.

Cow 68 Where Are You

Me and my steer are headed to the Hutchinson Art Center. It's time for the members show. This was painted in oil with a palette knife from a photo I took in the flint hills. They had just turn all these steers out to graze and they were so curios about the painters in there pasture they just couldn't stay away. This guy had an ear tag with 68 on it thus the cornie title. 

Wild rivers

The river is up in the canyon with all the rain. I spent some time painting and photographing. Was not successful but think I know how I would approach this subject next time. 

Summer time

Summer is a crazy time for me. We travel more and I

am not consistant with posting. I have taken two workshops. One with Lisa Grossman and one with Jean Cook. I find that both have added new direction to my painting. If it wasn't for photographing my work I would post more often. I find that to be the hardest part. 

I have also taken in many galleries this year. Most recently we went to the Sandzen to see Kim Casebeers' paintings. Amazing and wonderful Kansas landscapes. 

Simply Prairie

I have been painting larger lately. I still am working on the steer. His nose is giving me some trouble. But in the mean time I want to post this very simple prairie painting. I actually like it and have not had the urge to keep changing it.

What's on the Easel

I had a friend tell me not to quit painting animals. I have been doing mostly landscapes so took her advise and started a palette knife steer. This guy was along the road when we were in the flint hills. They had just stocked the pastures with steers to feed out this summer. They are sure curious when you stop to photograph them. 

Workshop

Just returned from a wonderful workshop at Pioneer Bluffs near Matfield Green, Ks. This small town is becoming an artist colony in the flint hills. The Gallery at Pioneer Bluffs is in the old farmhouse on the property. We met in the big white barn outback before we headed for the hills to paint. Lisa Grossman lead the workshop, check out her wonderful paintings on line. She loves the horizon and the distant view the prairie vistas offer. Had a wonderful two days on the prairie painting in the wind and cold. I'm much more comfortable painting plein air, like we are always told, practice, practice, practice. 

The Hutchinson Art Fair

The art fair has come and gone. I wonder how many artist do those shows on a regular basis. It's hard work and long hours standing on hard concrete. It is a good way to make new friends and sell some art work. Its hard to know when to stay out of the way or when to discusss the painting. I sold one of my 12x24" paintings and realize I don't have a good picture of it but it is in the upper right hand corner of my booth. 

Hutchinson Art Fair

My dinning room table is piled with paintings, unframed and sealed in bags. I hope to try these at the art fair May 10, 9-4. I thought keeping the price point low might let customers purchase an original oil painting. They can be put on a small easel or framed to fit their own decor. 

I also need to frame some larger 12x24" paintings for the show. This size is nice because they fit over a mantel or sofa for a big statement. 

I have really had fun painting lately because I'm trying to stop when I am happy with a piece and not fuss at it and wonder if it fits all the painterly rules. 

Prairie Sunset

Had so much fun painting on Monday. Just left all the rules behind and painted till I was happy then stopped. I have ruined so many paintings by over thinking and reworking. I actually like the bush shapes maybe because as George Cole says less is more with trees. 

I watched a tutorial by Carol Marine on photographing art work and will try working outside in indirect light. Never like the photo as well as the painting. Of course the last several days have been windy and cloudy so that makes it fun. NOT. 

My third place winner

Here is the painting that won third place in Sterling Ks. It will be for sale at the May 10th Hutchinson Art Fair. Or just email me for information. 

Blue Cup

I have a friend who wants some coffee cups for her new condo. I like to paint several and let my customers pick. She chose one in red tones so have this one for sale . It is a 6x6' oil.

Spring Tulips

The tulips are in full bloom. Thought I would paint some I saw in the neighbors yard. Trying to stay loose.

Headed for Water

This poor painting has had so many revisions but I just can't let it go. The sky is so nice and will see what you think of this. I just can't seem to get it to go green it wants to be an early spring painting. 

Greening Up

I am really trying to take advantage of this nice weather by doing as all painting out doors. The temperature is mild and the wind not to extreme. I am also now photographing my paintings on the front porch with better light. I think the colors are more true to the painting. 

The tree rows are barely green but the wheat is really green. Soon it will be just shades of bright green everywhere my least favorite time to paint. I really like more earthy tones. But I'll try. 

Redbuds in Rice Park

The weather is finally warming up here. Decided I needed to head out for some plein air painting. Took my 97 Miata because I get paint on everything. I used my new Open L box which is simple to use and light weight. I have debated on what to get and this seemed to fit our windy Kansas weather best. I painted redbuds in the park. Had fun just being outside and painting. 

Blue and Brown

Today was my day to work in the McPherson gallery. I brought my new thumb box by Guerilla Painter. I bought this to take when we travel. I thought it would be easy to get out of the truck for quick plein aire painting. Very easy to hold on my lap or set on a table. Hold just a few colors which might also simplify painting. I used it today at the gallery and painted this cow with shadows. 

Leftovers

Well the title came from the fact that the grass is leftover from summer and the the paint was leftover from my painting today. These small pieces are so fun and if they don't turn out I can wipe them off and start over. They also make good value studies for future paintings. When I first started painting they talked about the value of the color being more important that the color. I understood the term but did not understand the mechanics. The more I paint the more I know when the value is right. 

I love the work of Ramona Youngquist. She considers her paintings a war zone and she battles with them till she feels they are done. She uses sandpaper, palette knife and anything that achieves her goal and adds texture. I used a wooden stick to scratch in the grass, I like the effect and I think Ramona would approve. 

Prairie Clouds

It was fun to paint this small study. I've been working on large pieces and took a break to do this 5x7" oil. Clouds are something I am really learning to study. They are not just white but full of greys and blues. They change as they approach the horizon line and become smaller and have less color. Never boring since everyday the sky and clouds are different and changing even as I paint.  

Salt Cedar on th Rio Grande SOLD

I guess it helpsto rework a painting when you feel you can improve it. This painting sold today. I felt the palette knife work was detracting from the overall feel so just toned it down and it really helped the feel. . 

Snow and Stubble

This 12x24 inch painting was awarded third prize at the 40th Annual Prairie Art Exhibit in Sterling Ks. I was just hoping to get a piece accepted into the show. I am still in shock, so many wonderful artist are represented in this exhibit. Thank you to the judge Elaine Lierly Jones.

Flamingos By the Sea

This was a commissioned piece. Had fun painting these unusual birds. 

Treaster Creek

This is the finished painting. The buyer picked it up so feel it's ok to post now. It was the largest canvas I have ever painted, 2x3 feet. I used ever tool and brush I could find to cover that space. 

The Purple Prairie is SOLD

Paintings for the Sterling Kansas Prairie Art Show

Our daughter was home with our 7 month old grandson. So my painting came to an abrupt halt. We spent several fun days and some short nights being grandparents. So preparing for this juried art show was a little difficult. These are the three paintings I took to Sterling with friend Ande Hall another daily painter. 

Shipped Sundown Creek

It is always so nice to have someone appreciate and purchase a painting. There are so many amazing artists that to have some one pick one of my paintings just amazes me. I am my worst critic but hope that will drive me to keep painting and improving. 

I shipped that painting to Atlanta Georgia today. It was my painting of the creek that I am doing the large painting of. I called it Sundown Creek because we took photos at sundown on this little creek by Pretty Prairie Kansas. Looks nothing like the big painting but was a nice study for the big canvas. Until the owner sees the large painting I will not post pictures. But hope to soon. 

Spring is slowly coming to Kansas hope the same for everyone else. 

large painting in process

i am working on a large canvas and I am trying to stick with it till it's done. I am learning to paint with a really large brush. Just getting that canvas covered with paint is a chore. I like working wet into wet so I need to stay with it. Trees are very hard for me and this creek is covered with trees and branches. I will be as surprised as everyone to see how it turns out. I dive in and see where the paint takes me. Never have been a good planner. 

Wine and Brie

My sister wants some small paintings for her  bar area. I did a wine glass last week using my new brisiton brushes. Loving these brushes on the gesso boards. They have a nice sharp edge. Overworking the strikes just pulls paint off the surface some trying to be more deliberate with my colors and stroke. 

Sundown Creek SOLD

The title just describes the time of day, don't know it the creek has a name. I am doing studies of this creek for a large painting for a friend. It will be the biggest ever for me 24x36". Doesn't sound big but when you stand before that much canvas it looks overwhelming.

Artists Helping Artists: Understanding Oil Paints with Robert Gamblin

Artists Helping Artists: Understanding Oil Paints with Robert Gamblin: Painting by Leslie Saeta "Understanding Oil Paints with Robert Gamblin" Scheduled Air Date: Thursday, February 27, 9:00 am PS...

The Cup

The website I belong to has painting Challenges. I have only done a few but it is good practice and you don't have to come up with something to paint. This one involved mixing the paint colors before painting then put it on one stroke at a time. Here is my attempt.

The Orchard Keeper

This little house sat on the edge of an orchard in Palisade, Co. The worker were out pruning the vines and trees. I loved the red branches and the mountains in the background.

Cleaning Day

Yesterday was cleaning day in my basement studio. It had gotten so bad I mixed up my liqiuin with linseed oil. Couldn't figure out why my painting was drying so slow. I went to Lowes and found these heavy shelves that ate 24" deep. There were easy to put together and two of them hold all my painting panels and finished paintings. I took down and old L shaped desk which gve me room to walk around. I keep hearing that I need to put up a mirror to view my paintings in. They say it really helps you to find mistakes. I think I can do that now. 

Paintings at the VAAM gallery in McPherson

Spent the day getting some paintings ready to take to McPherson. The coop gallery there changes their exhibits monthly. I photographed today but it was very dreary out which actually made the paintings lighter than they are. Here are the two larger pieces that I am exhibiting. 

Below the Bluffs

This field had such great lines from the implement that was used to drill the wheat. The shadows on the bluffs behind made a nice backdrop. I shot a lot of photos out the car window while we were driving. We would have never made it home if we stopped every time I saw a photo op. Some instructors actually use blurry photos to paint from. It keep the painter from getting wrapped up in the details. Glad to get to paint today.

Home and ready to PAINT

We are home from our trip to Grand Junction, Co. My camera is full of images I want to paint. I visited every art gallery I could find and met some great artists. Bought a painting and a nice ceramic bowl. Like I need more paintings but really like supporting artists. Downtown Grand Junction had several large sculptures, but my favorite was from Hotchkiss, Co. at the Creamery Art Center. Hard to photograph well because of the surroundings

Fruita, Colorado

Wow this area has grown from our time here in the mid 70's. I spent a year at Mesa College studying art.

The campus was small at that time and was just becoming a 4 year college. I would have finished my dregree here if we hadn't moved to Cortez the next year. I explored downtown Grand Junction then drove to Fruita. Found a nice gallery called the Rose Hue. Then had a great lunch at the Hot Tomatoe. 

Gathering painting photos

We are in the Colorado area without my paints so I am gathering photos and visiting galleries. This is from Blue Mesa lake. 

Flamingo at new home

What's on the easel

I am working on some larger paintings. Here is one, not sure if it is done. This is a 12 x24".

Erosion

I love the way the light hits the erosion cuts across the land. These are small compared to places like the Royal Gorge. The shallow soils are prone to erode especially if over grazed. With nothing to stop the water it cuts thru the land. 

Near Alamagordo

The White Sands National Monument is amazing. Hill after hill of pure white sand or gypsum. Our dog loved it both times we were there. She ran till she blended into the sand. She is also white, but would eventually come back. You could sled down the hills on saucer sleds. This is a scene from the area at dusk.