I just noticed that it’s been a month since I made a Blog entry. This title, “In Blows Summer” bespeaks both the painting and my life as summer rolls around! So many projects in so many directions have kept me from thinking about my Blog, among other things! This larger painting is one that I finished for the MPA Show, “Russell’s Haunts” now showing at the C.M. Russell Museum, and is the piece I picked that is representative of the Judith Basin, SE of Great Falls, MT. I thought I might include both the sketch here, “Spring Storm”(9×12) and the final painting (24×30). Sometimes my final painting is quite different from the sketch. That isn’t true this time, although I changed the format some. I do like the fresh, rougher quality of the sketch, which may have had something to do with the time issue as that storm was rolling in! I will never quit being impressed by the drama and incredible power evidenced when our storms descend. Nor will I ever quit loving the big expanse of sky we are privileged to see here in Montana! Those are, of course, the subject in these paintings.

“Spring Storm” 9×12                  “In Blows Summer” 24×30 is below

I guess I’ve been gone from my blog for awhile…  I’ve been working on a few larger pieces, delivering others, and also have been lured out to again experience spring in Montana! It’s easy to find excuses to be working outside now!

I love Glacier Park and all the wild places I’ve been lucky enough to experience over the years. This painting was inspired by a sketch I had done at Lake McDonald near West Glacier, looking out toward Mount Stanton. It’s hard to beat the subject matter! The painting and the original sketch are included in the Montana Painters Alliance show at the C. M. Russell Museum, opening this month. The show is called “Russell’s Haunts” and includes sketches and paintings we did at two of Charlie Russell’s favorite places, the Judith Basin and Glacier Park. “Mountain’s Majesty” is an oil, 24 x 24.

Tomorrow begins Art Week in Great Falls, MT. I will be involved with two of the five different art shows in town. I am showing in room 176 at the Heritage Inn (part of the Ad Club’s Russell Art Show) and also have a piece in “The Russell” – the show to benefit the C.M. Russell Museum. I chose to do the wall sale this year instead of the auction. That sale is this Thursday night, March 18 from 5:00 – 8:00pm. You may view the catalog online.

I’ve shown you this painting before but since this is the big week, I thought I would show it to you again. It’s called “The Season’s Last Lilies” and is an oil, 24″ x 24″. Hope to see you there!

The last few weeks, I’ve been working on some larger paintings, now to submit for the Russell Museum Art Show in the spring. Nothing to show you yet, but I should have one done in a few days.

I’m posting two pictures I took a few weeks back during the autumn Montana Painters Alliance (supposed) paint out in Glacier Park. I pulled into Duck Lake just as the snow clouds were descending. The storm lifted for a few hours the next day, so I did get  some pictures at least, at Many Glacier. It’s so beautiful there, but painting in the snow is something I was not prepared for! This hawk was nice enough to pose for me and was very patient. I believe it was a Swainson’s Hawk by the markings.

MPA is going to have a show at the C.M. Russell Museum next summer with paintings we’ve done, inspired by Charlie Russell’s haunts in the Judith Basin and Glacier Park. That will be fun!