Keeping a Watchful Eye

Wolves are respected and persecuted by humans, hence the watchful eye.

More people watching

This scene was in a coffee shop in Red Lodge, Montana. This biker, wearing a bandana on his head, was leaning on the counter waiting for his coffee. I really liked the pose, it reminds me of a cowboy leaning against the bar at an old time saloon.

Lunch at Allegro

I was having lunch at this great little restaurant in Livingston, Montana. I had a window seat so I thought I would sketch what I saw. There was this pigeon who liked the view as well.

Absarokas over the Yellowstone

This is a morning painting of the Absarokas with the Yellowstone River in the foreground. This was another hour to hour and a half painting. These are just quick studies, not finished pieces. There are several things that need to be fixed, but I do like the color of the mountains backlit. There were fires in the area so everything was slightly hazy.  This place has a special place in my heart since I woke to those mountains every morning for five years, I still consider it home.

The Draft Horse

I had taken a sculpture class with Veryl Goodnight earlier this year and this handsome devil was one of our models. I'm sorry I can't remember his name right now.

I am having trouble getting this copied after drawing it in graphite. My scanner isn't doing a good job and neither is my camera. To add to the frustration my printer is refusing to print! Guess I'll avoid electronics the rest of the day.

Lancaster House - Mesa Verde

Veryl got us another chance to go back up and work on the Lancaster house in Mesa Verde. Ranger Tom Wolf, "the only wolf in the park" as he says, was gracious enough to escort us on his day off! He is a great treasure trove of knowledge and really enhances a visit to the park. Karen Kristen and Marilyn Kroeker joined in on the adventure as well. Adding to our fun was a small fire that started in the park, helicopters flying overhead to get water and a big gust of wind from a threatening cloud. Fun and excitement was had by all.

We are all hoping to have some nice paintings for the show at Veryl's gallery, The Goodnight Trail Gallery in Mancos, CO, this September. Part of the proceeds go to funding the new visitor center near the gate, so please come and support a good cause, we'd love to see you!

Afternoon Clouds

I really love clouds, backlit especially so. These remind me of the proverbial "clouds having a silver lining". Since I feel challenged on my landscape paintings, maybe there is hope for me yet.

It's all fun and games until...

Since it is cherry season and I need to practice, I figured I'd have a little fun doing these.

Taking the Plunge

Sorry I've been out for the last two and a half weeks attending my nephew and great nephews weddings so not much chance to paint. This was a big road trip to California with my Mom and Aunts Una and Donna. We had a great time but I think we are all bushed. Lots of great scenery that distracted me all the way there and back. Hopefully I will be able to post more often now that that most obligations are behind me.

Since I am way out of practice I decided to start with something simple. Right, sounded good until I had to deal with that white gravy boat! This is something I definitely need to practice more. I wanted to play with the idea of creating tension and action so I placed it going over the edge, just for fun.