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.