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 have painted our horse Cricket several times. He has such wonderful bone and character. Here he is, looking for the mare, as he always did. We sold Cricket a year or so ago to someone who really wanted him and talked us into the deal. I’ve always been sorry we did. He was a real “Frederick Remington horse” if you know what I mean!

When coming back from a paint out near Big Timber, MT., I rounded a curve in the road just as the last light of the day was teetering on the top of this rocky cliff wall. Nature never ceases to amaze me! This image stayed in my mind, eventually requiring that I paint it. This is a small painting, 8″x8″. I intend to do a large one of the same subject some day.

This tiny painting is one of the series of small paintings I have done recently. I have really enjoyed the freedom I find when painting these little guys. The subject here is the Madison Range, south of Ennis and on the way to west Yellowstone. It is truly beautiful country. Many of these small paintings are now on display at Creighton Block Gallery in Virginia City, MT.