Christmas Tree Past

Feeling a little better today.  I was going to paint inside but blue shadows were calling to me. Although I am now a bit "snow blind" I felt is was a good practice.

The Longhorn

My cold is in full bloom and I thought I would have to give up in defeat.  I decided to try drawing and that wasn't going well.  This was my last one and although I feel I can do better, it was the best I could do today.

Sun through the snow and clouds

This is one of those times where it is snowing below but the sun is just barely peaking in from above the clouds.

Cloud Study

Back at it!  I got this one done late yesterday and didn't get a chance to post it until today.  I was wanting to work on painting clouds and sky composition.  I still feel it is not quite hitting the mark, maybe after my cold lifts I will be able to think more clearly about what it needs.

Hunter's Holiday

I am having trouble this week getting any more acceptable paintings done, along with the holiday obligations and still moving in, it is neigh on impossible.

I thought I would post this older piece I had done back in 1990. This was a holiday design done for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

This is my holiday card to those who may be looking in. I wish you all a wonderful holiday season and hope all your wishes come true.

Across the valley

This is a view from my house looking across the valley toward Mesa Verde.  It will probably get some adjusting tomorrow.

Spike on duty

This is Spike the cat, he hangs at the coffee shop where I go in the mornings.  He likes to guard the porch from other cat interlopers and gives them a stern warning when they trespass.

These sketches are done completely freehand with pen and ink, there is no preliminary pencil layout.  No guts no glory!

Buffalo Sketch

I missed a couple of days because of snow shoveling and a painting that I am not happy with yet. I sketched a little yesterday and decided to post these instead.

I usually like to work from life but since the temperature is about 15 degrees above zero with a 15 mph wind so I thought I'd work inside.  I snapped a picture of this bull in Yellowstone bellowing and scratching, a sure sign he wants to fight.  I thought he was talking to me at first but soon noticed there was another bull coming up behind me!  I never saw them fight but there was a long "sizing up" session punctuated by bellowing, scratching, dirt slinging to show off.

First Snow

We are in the midst of a blizzard/snow storm.  I love subtle shades so I decided to take advantage of the situation.  Luckily, I could paint this looking out my living room window.

FLW figure study

This is a study from a  Frank Lloyd Wright replica called "The Boulder" from his Oak Park Studio.  Since this model was available and easy to set up I thought I'd give it a try.  This view is looking down on it.

The Party Hat

A friend and painting partner had some wonderful heirloom tomatoes.  I couldn't resist this one with its voluptuous body and wild, kinky stem still in place.