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. 

no camera

We took a short trip to Kansas City to see our kids and Zeke the newest grandson. While we were there I lost my new camera. Its black with paint on it. So I will be getting another one and resume my posting soon.

Awaiting Spring

This photo reference was taken last spring in the flint hill near the Flying W Ranch. Spring was late arriving so the trees were bare and just a little green was appearing in the grassy area. I am really trying different techniques on these smaller paintings. Worked with a flat brush and used a  wooden skewer to carve back into the trees.

Out To Sea

I'm going to post this because it is just too strange. Yesterday I set out to paint a snowy pasture. Had a photo reference and was painting from it I thought -but this is where I ended up. It looks like I am standing on the deck of a cruise ship looking out over the ocean. When the painting started to head out to sea I just went with it. That is the thrill of painting, seeing what will end up on the canvas. 

Open Water

Kansas has many rivers and wetlands. Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge are migratory bird sanctuaries. Like most tourists they are just passing thru Kansas. This is a river scene. Tired od snow decided to paint water.  This is a 6x6" oil, these are great unframed and set on an easel.

In The Thick of It

These cows have found the thickest grass to hang out in. Nice fluffy clouds are floating over head. Longing for weather like that about now.

Checking In SOLD

As you lookout over the prairie there are trails through the grass. They might be game trails made by wildlife or cattle. They could also be tracks made by ranchers checking on cattle or making sure  there is water.  We know ranchers who are custom grazers who take in cattle and graze them thru the summer. They are paid on the weight gain from the cattle, a concept that is fascinating to me. Anyway some of these ranchers will not allow any vehicles on their grass. They use horses because it's better for the land. 

This painting involves that concept. A trail leading out across a pasture, the rest of the story is for you to decide. 

The Kansas Smoky Hills SOLD

Working with my husbands old Mac last night and forgot to post to my blog. I have used my IPad for so many years I kept tapping the screen on the Mac and nothing would happen. 

This painting is another from some photos of the Smoky Hill area of Kansas. 

The Ring Neck Ranch SOLD

I have been looking through my husbands photos for some references. He work with a ranching group called KGLC. So he is always out and about planning school or burns or what ever. I found several photos from the Smokey Hill Area near Tipton, Ks. Thought I would do some 6x6" paintings as studies for larger paintings. This is hot off the easel, actually the basement is cold and another front is headed our way. 

Cocktail paintings

My sister wants a series of painting to hang over her bar. I took her two today while I was in McPherson working at the VAAM gallery. these are the ones she has bought so far.