Creatively titled “Medicine Man” (yes, I was tired at that point!) this painting depicts the Apache Medicine Man, known by his adorned hide cap. It is interesting how similar customs and traditions vary according to tribe and region of the country, or the world for that matter.

Settlers West American Miniature Show is Saturday, February 11th, and it promises to be a great event! The Reception begins at 5:30 and the Drawing is at 7:00. This painting hangs with my other there, “Vantage Point”. If you’ll be in the Tucson area, don’t miss the show!

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″

I should have posted this earlier. The Trailside Galleries Masters in Miniature Show began on July 4th and will run through July 24th in Jackson, WY.  I heard that they sold 87 pieces the first night, which is fantastic! My piece, “Sail with the Clouds” has sold. Remaining is “Emerge”. If you’re near Jackson this month be sure to get to the Trailside Galleries!

“Sail With the Clouds”  12×12  oil

“Emerge’” 11 x 14  oil

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.

The Beartooth Gallery asked me to do some wolf paintings. Humm….there’s a controversial subject! I decided to give it a try and really had fun doing a few pieces. I felt I had to portray this wolf as the sort of scary fellow I believe he can be. Having a ranch in Montana, I can tell you that I wouldn’t be happy to see wolves here. (We did hear one once.) Regardless, I enjoyed doing this painting and hope I imparted the feeling of vulnerability one might have if you were to run into this guy at dusk in the mountains.

I also enjoyed doing this in a fairly black and white color scheme, something I don’t do often as I’m sure you may have noticed! In fact, I did a B&W study a few weeks ago, and failed miserably in that attempt. Now, another shot at it, and as with everything, there is so much to learn when trying something different. That’s what makes it fun!

“Night Stalker” is 20×20, and an oil.

I’m now getting back into the studio. Lots going on here in the summer, kids home, cows, a remodeling project, and some sadness – several family members with cancer. Please let someone find a cure for that disease.

I did participate in the Montana Land Reliance Show last month, selling several pieces there. It was a lot of fun – and for one of my favorite causes. Tonight is the C.M. Russell Museum Masters in Miniature Show. I had intended to display my pieces here, but can’t find images of them! You may see them on page 49 in the online catalog. The event tonight is from 6 to 9 at the museum, and will be fun as always! Please come, support the museum and buy some art!

Also, I am posting a 12×12 lily pad painting I especially like, Tres Soeurs as it is a little more colorful than some of the tonal ones I’ve been doing. This piece is for the Coeur d’ Alene Miniatures by the Lake Show – now hanging at the Coeur d’ Alene Galleries. The auction itself is September 24th.

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.