I was going to save this image for a blog closer to the 4th of July, but I wanted to put something besides a landscape up today. This is very Montana – and appropriate as it’s now Rodeo season. The brand on the horse is ours – TL. “Stars & Stripes” is 18 x 12 and for sale at the Beartooth Gallery in Red Lodge, MT.

Many of us in the art community are marathoning for the Russell Shows that begin on Wednesday, March 17th. That is enough to think about, but also on our minds are the events of a year ago at this time, when Tara Bowman was killed in the Montana Trails Gallery explosion. Just a few days later, another good friend, artist Joe Halko died as well. Such a sad time it was, and now it comes to mind again. I had posted a blog then with a sketch I’d done for a painting to be done in Tara’s memory. I have recently finished the painting. It was time. I will be giving it to Tara’s family.

The Bridger Range of mountains lies just to the north east of Bozeman, MT. I understand that Tara once lived where her view was this one of the Bridger’s. Tara, may you rest in peace.

I seem to be doing double consonants this week… Remember the second of my two little paintings didn’t work out. This is the third, and is of a Cactus Wren, the Arizona State bird, perched on a prickly pear cactus fruit. I haven’t thought about cactus wrens for a long time, but now am remembering watching them when I lived in Phoenix. They’re a scrappy little territorial bird. Fun to watch! This painting is called “Desert Delicacies”, is 12 x 9 and will also be for sale at the Settlers West “American Miniatures Show” on February 13th in Tucson.

This is one of the little paintings I was working on this last week. I had fun with it as I was glad to have an excuse to do some southwestern subject matter. I love the Arizona desert and it’s wildlife. The Sonoran Desert is really so beautiful, and more lush than some deserts as it has two rainy seasons, winter and the summer monsoon season. I like this silly title, and feel it does reflect the way the crazy hare takes cover – sort of like an ostrich sticking it’s head in the sand! Harebrained Hideout is 12 x 9 and will be part of the Settlers West “American Miniatures” Show on February 13th in Tucson, AZ.

Oh, I had mentioned how one of these little paintings (this one) went so smoothly and the other not? The other didn’t make it… I painted it out and did a third painting I’ll try to remember to put up tomorrow.

It is with some emotion that I post this painting. It is one that I finished just before Thanksgiving. This is the second time I have painted this piece, something I never do. But, the first one I did for Tara Bowman at Montana Trails Gallery, and it went there not long before the explosion. It was one of so many things lost that day. Afterward, it kept coming to mind again, and I felt I needed to do it once more. For the longest time, it wouldn’t paint, and then suddenly, this woman appeared. Her face is more serene than the first one. I think Tara may have had a hand in it. I would like to think so.

Under a Painted Sky ll is 30 x 30 and is dedicated to Tara Bowman.

I’m still working on two larger paintings that aren’t finished enough to show, so I thought I’d put this one out there, a little painting done on location near Ennis, MT. one autumn. Is that Ennis Creek south of town? I painted from the bridge as the sun was going down.

On the larger paintings I’m working on now I’m playing with a palette knife which I haven’t done much, trying to develop a more textured surface. It’s been fun to experiment a little. The surface is quite different than that painted with just a brush.

Good news in that the Creighton Block Gallery web page is soon to be launched, and it sounds like it will be wonderful with a virtual gallery tour, professional photography of the art, and a link to the artists’ blogs. I’m looking forward to seeing it. Colin sent me this image which shows the beautifully restored Virginia City building that is now the gallery. Those are my pieces on the white wall. David Lemon’s bronzes are in the foreground and Russell Chatham’s pieces are on the stone wall. Stay tuned. I’ll let you know when their site is up.

I’ve been meaning to mention the wonderful feedback I’ve had during the Coeur d’Alene Galleries “Miniatures by the Lake” Show. Before the event someone contacted me about one of my pieces. Later they told me that during the Silent Auction, all their family members put a bid in my box, hoping to increase their odds as the box was overflowing with bids! I was thrilled to hear that, and so glad that those people did end up with the painting! Thanks you Thams!

One can only imagine that the Statehood Ceremonies as they came to be in the territories were very exciting – full of promise and hope – for most. This Sioux boy stands under an American Parade Flag, the kind that was used during Wyoming’s Statehood Celebration. His perspective, even as a young boy may have been a little different than those celebrating in the streets.

This painting is an oil, 18″ x 12″ and is available at Mountain Trails Gallery in Jackson.

I’ve done a few more lily pad paintings lately. I have to space them out as they’re so involved and intricate. They tend to make me a little crazy!

Anyway, I’m glad – after the fact – that I’ve done the lily pad paintings. They remind me of the times some of my lady friends and I took all the kids camping at the lake. The lily pad cove there was in a secluded place across the lake, ten minutes by kayak. I loved to go there by myself to reflect, and take pictures.

This painting, “Daydream Cove” is 20″ x 20″ and is at Mountain Trails Gallery in Jackson, WY. I am excited about my new relationship with them! I’m not on their web site yet, but will be.