Many nights we wake up to the sound of the coyotes howling in the field near the house – or sometimes much closer than that, just outside the backyard fence. The dogs go racing out the dog door to the safety of the backyard, but absolutely showing them who’s boss. I have respect for the coyote as he is a survivor and very ingenious when he’s hungry. This painting is 10 x 12 and will be in the Settlers West “American Miniature Show” in Tucson on February 11th. The show is really great. Don’t miss it!

Sheila, last night as I walked to the ponds just before dusk, I saw your work everywhere – the last light of the sun causing the earth to come alive with color in that half hour before dark, the pink and green reflections in the ice of the pond juxtaposed with the bare branched trees above,  the soft pinks and grays of your landscape and the deer that move through it. So many of us are trying to reach you now. We feel you as we attempt to paint with more color, as we try to better understand the intricate design of a horse or a deer  – the things you knew so well. In your honor I attempt to learn and grow as an artist. I wish so much you were still with us.

This is Sheila’s painting below. It is called  ”Just Before Dark”  and is an oil, 24 x 48. It is a phenomenal piece.

After doing the barn chores this morning, I headed out as usual on the 4 wheeler to give the dogs a run. This time of year I often have on a heavy coat, neck warmer, an earband and a hat with ear flaps. Today, at 30 degrees with the wind blowing I can tell you that that was not enough cover! I came back the last 2 miles with the neck warmer covering everything but one eye as I maneuvered home without getting frostbite. The line for comfortable 4 wheeling is abut 35 degrees I’ve decided! My dog Boone is running so fast, he doesn’t know the difference, but I sure do!

On to arty things, consider this your invitation to the Lodestone Gallery Miniature Show in Great Falls. The show opens tomorrow, Dec. 3, but the Artists’ Reception will be on December 9th from 5-ish I’m guessing. I am showing these two pieces.

The Prize  8″ x 8″

Silver Ribbon  9″ x 12″

It is all I can do to make this post, but I need to do so to honor a dear friend and a great artist. Sheila Rieman passed away on Thursday, Nov 17th, 2011. She was traveling (as she was always traveling) to an art show in Billings, MT. She was just outside of Billings when she had a car accident that took her life.

Sheila was a bright spot in so many people’s lives. She was always laughing and fun to be around, a true friend, always there to help, a hard worker, an amazing multi-talented person, a great teacher, a great artist. I can’t tell you how much she’ll be missed – by so many.

Just last week I tore the following poem out of the paper, meaning to file it away. In seeing it now I know that it was meant for Sheila. She has lived her life close to nature, with her own animals and the wild ones that frequent her space. Her great art has been a tribute to all of those things. Sheila, my friend, my family, I can’t tell you how much we will miss you. The world won’t be the same without you.

“The Song of the River” by W.R. Hearst

The snow melts on the mountain. And the water runs down to the spring.

And the spring in a turbulent fountain, with a song of youth to sing,

Runs down to the riotous river, and the river flows to the sea.

And the water again goes back to rain, to the hills where it used to be.

And I wonder if life’s deep mystery isn’t much like the rain and snow.

Returning through all eternity to the places it used to know.

For life was born on the lofty heights and flows in a laughing stream

To the river below who’s outward flow ends in a peaceful dream.

And so at last when our life has passed, and the river has run it’s course,

It again goes back o’er the selfsame track to the mountain which was it’s source.

So why prize life or why fear death, or dread what is to be?

The river ran it’s allotted span till it reached the silent sea.

Then the water harked back to the mountain top to begin it’s course once more.

So we shall run the course begun till we reach the silent shore.

Then revisit earth in a pure rebirth from the heart of the virgin snow.

So don’t ask why we live or die, or whither or when we go,

or wonder about the mysteries that only God may know.

I did this painting a little while ago, but thought I’d post it now. This is of my dog Boone, a Border Collie. Boone loves to run, and gets into trouble when he’s “herding” the cows or horses without human involvement! He’s found that this is ok though and he can run like the wind in the process! Oh, my good dog Boone. “A Reason to Fly” is an oil 24 x 30.

I posted an image of this painting in March but was never quite happy with the piece. I redid it recently and do like it better. I thought you might be interested in seeing the redo. It is still called “Story Teller”, and is an oil, 18″ x 12″.

This is the original painting.

And below is the redo.

Another in my series of lily pad paintings is this one. I hope it took you a minute to notice the star of the show, the little frog. I find that in nature that is often the case. Some of the most amazing things happen right before your eyes, but still  we humans can be unaware – not tuned in to the bigger picture, you know?  Noticing this frog in a sea of lily pads would be quite serendipitous! “A Shady Spot in Paradise” is an oil, 24 x 24. It will be showing at Creighton Block Gallery in Big Sky Montana, as soon as I can get it there!

I thought the timing was appropriate to post this painting. Some ranch humor, you know? Around here, some of the ranchers put the bulls in with the cows on Mothers Day and take them out on Fathers Day. I love that theory! So, one more go round for the Big Daddy here! “Fathers Day is an oil, 36×24. It will be showing in the “Western Icons Show” at the Dana Gallery in Missoula, MT. The show opens June 16, I believe.

I just received word that this painting won the People’s Choice Award at the Clymer Museum of Art Exhibit and Auction, May 20 & 21. Of course I was thrilled! “She Loves Their Stories” is an oil, 24″ x 24″.

In many cultures, the willful Magpie is seen as a messenger, a harbinger, a being that can travel between the dark and the light, the good and the bad. The wily magpie is also seen as one that stands in the doorway of new realms, bringing word of other events and places. This wise woman is thrilled by a visit from her magpie friends, enjoying the stories they have to tell of their forays into other worlds and realms. They bring good news.

Her dress speaks of a past raid on another tribe and the procurement of new horses for the People. This particular dress does exist and is on display in the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. It is attributed to be Sihasapa Lakota (Blackfoot Sioux) circa 1890.

I am happy to announce that this dear girl, Clementine has been picked as a poster girl for the Montana Land Reliance. You will see her pretty face in advertising – promoting “Cows, not Condos.”

In their own words, the Montana Land Reliance is an organization that “provides permanent protection for private lands that are significant for agricultural production, fish and wildlife habitat, and open space.

The immediate accomplishments of MLR’s conservation work are measured in miles of stream banks and acres of land and habitat protected from unchecked development. The lasting benefits of MLR’s work are the perpetuation of a lifestyle and economy that rely on responsibly managed private land and increasingly valuable Montana open spaces that will continue to nourish the spirit of future generations.”

I am proud to say that we have Conservation Easements on our ranch through the Land Reliance. I can’t say enough good things about this group and the job they do in helping others protect some of Montana’s agricultural land, open space and wildlife habitat in perpetuity.

“Clementine” is an oil, 12″ x 12″.