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.

Moose Creek

This is a little quickie during Christensen's class.  We were challenged to do quick one hour studies.  Friend and painting partner, Mary, pointed out a bull moose passing though the foreground area of this scene.  Too quick to paint but a nice treat to see.

Cold Raven

This was a raven hanging out at the wolf and grizzly center in West Yellowstone.  He was fluffed up against the cold.

Quiet Time

This is an older drawing of mine.  It had been hanging in an office with bright, indirect sunlight, which faded it a bit.  I am attempting to photograph and make a print to hang in it's place.

Fall Shadows

I haven't posted in a while because we have been moving into a new home and studio.  My studio, of course, being the last thing to get done.  I thought I would post some old and new things to look at.

This is a small practice I did during Scott Christensen's workshop.

Pumpkin Mutant

I bought this at the farmers market in Dolores. It seems like one of those small pumpkins you see in stores but the farmer said it was off of the squash vine. She theorized that it must have cross pollinated somehow with the pumpkins to create this charming product.

Up Bear Creek

Went up river to Bear Creek to practice landscape.  Dealing with all the green is a real challenge for me.

Katrina

I had been wanting to draw this model for some time.  She happened to have some free time to sit for me.  Unfortunately I was working the gallery and didn't have my favorite paper, so I used a shopping bag as my toned paper. This was done live in about 45 minutes.

Slice of Sunshine - SOLD

This is another study during Carol Marine's class.  I was having a time with the shaded parts of the orange, it kept looking dirty to me.  I worked on it when I got home, darkening it.  I found it very tricky since the orange is now long gone.  Lots to learn.  Thanks Carol for a great class!

Tomato and Pepper

Another composition.  I am still struggling with the free brushstrokes that Carol is such a master of. 

Ravishing Radish - SOLD

This is another study in Carol's class.

Hot Tea Please - SOLD

This was my first study in Carol Marine's class,  I fought with the ellipse quite a bit.  Carol was a great help and eventually this painting came around. 

McElmo Shadows

This is place a few miles down McElmo Canyon.  I love the compliment of red rocks, sagebrush and long blue shadows.

Bottled Rose

Approaching Winter Storm

I love the look of a winter storm approaching.  The colors are muted close up slowly fading out to phantoms.

Heather

High Rocky Creek

My friend and I were back to back on this one. She was doing the upstream view and I was doing the down stream view. We liked the idea that nothing could sneak up on us this way, namely bears or mountain lions!

Morning at Dolores Beach - SOLD

Early in the morning you can go down to the river and catch this view. The light is funneled through Lost Canyon and spotlights this little island on the Dolores River. 

Dolores Beach is a locals term for this spot where people fish and swim. I wouldn't recommend swimming here though because during the Kokanee run many people loose large snagging hooks in there. Not a pleasant thought.

Lara

Reflections on the Dolores River

I have been lucky enough to join up with Veryl Goodnight to do plein aire with this fall. We have been hitting the fall scenes as much as possible and I am learning a lot being out there with her. Her energy, excellent work, comments and encouragement are invaluable. I enjoyed studying the reflections in the river and water through the river rock.

Susan