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 have wrestled some with whether I have “the right” to paint Native Americans, much as I love the subject. The interplay of historical subject, sacred story, beautiful design and artistic treatment of clothing and everyday things are too much to resist as an artist. But – I am thinking that I may try to tell those stories in a way that may give me a little more ownership of the subject. This painting is the first of those. I believe there had to have been some some positive encounters between the Native American and the white man during the terrible years of the early reservation period. This is my version of one of those presumed encounters. “Like Kind” is an oil, 30″ x 30″.

A friend of mine who lives on the Cheyenne Reservation told me a beautiful story about lying in the field near the Rosebud River watching the clouds roll by. He was so still that a magpie came and sat on his knee!

Magpies are one of my favorite birds, and in the Native American cultures they are seen as beings that can travel between the dark and the light. They also are known to be the bearers of news from other events and places. While I didn’t recreate my friend’s story exactly here, it is my own version of that great story. This piece is 18 x 12, and will be in my showroom – 176 at the Western Masters Art Show & Sale beginning tomorrow in Great Falls, MT. at the Heritage Inn.

I’ve found it interesting that when on paint outs with other artist friends, men tend to paint the cars in a street setting into their paintings, while women often leave them out, myself included. Still, as an artist I find I am drawn to the rusty old hulks of vehicular history. The first painting I am showing you here is a new one – “Going Nowhere Fast”. It is 14 x 18, and will be among those I will be showing at the Western Masters Art Show, March 16-19 in Great Falls, MT. I love the combination of the vehicle that implies (or once implied) movement, and the tree that says, “No there won’t be any of that!”

I had done a similar painting a year or so ago, the second one shown here. It is called “Opportunitree” and was inspired by an actual car and tree combo I spotted when driving through the countryside. That painting was chosen as one of the Top 100 in the Paint America Top 100 Competition for the year 2009.

I do have a lot of fun painting these old vehicles! I have a couple more in mind, both involving old trucks I have come across. I had hoped to get then done for this show, but don’t think it’s going to happen as I’m out of time!

Going Nowhere Fast 14 x 18

Opportunitree 16 x 20

I’ve been painting madly for the upcoming Western Masters Art Show, previously the C.M. Russell Art Show at the Heritage Inn in Great Falls, MT. The show begins on Wednesday, March 16th, not far enough away! I have a piece in the The Russell Wall Sale, and share display room 176 at the WMAS Show with Sheila Rieman, a great pastel and oil painter.

I have many pieces in the works, but not many are really finished. I’ll show you this one. It’s another lily pad piece, one of my favorite subjects. I like the fact that much of the painting is in shadow, and the dappled light finds just a section of this lily pad garden. I’m not sure of the title yet. This is an oil, 16×16.

Yahoo! I see that TWO of my paintings were chosen for the Paint America Top 100 competition for 2010! I am excited! Those paintings will go to Kansas and then travel with the National Show. I have been lucky and made the cut a few other years as well. I am wondering though, does having two paintings in the Top 100 move me into the Top 50? Ha! Just kidding!

These are the paintings that were chosen. “The Home Place” is 16×16 and is of a ranch homestead near my home. Much as I don’t like getting up early, I was driving down the road early one morning, and was lucky enough to catch this view of the sun coming up on Mt. Cecelia, or “Pooh Bear”, as my girls used to call it.

“The Season’s Last Lilies” is 24×24 and one of the series of lily pad paintings I have done. This particular scene is on the north end of Yellowstone Park.

Both of these pieces will be for sale through Paint America.

The Home Place 16×16

The Season’s Last Lilies 24×24

You really can’t beat the Montana “big sky”. This is a view looking east from our house. The summer cloud formations can be incredible at sunset! This is the other painting I sent to the Settlers West American Miniatures Show, to be sold the night of February 12th. It is 9×12, and an oil. If you’re in the Tucson area, I hope you’ll get there to see the show.

I did this painting for the Settlers West Miniature Show in Tucson on February 12th, although it opens for previewing before that I believe. Settlers West is a beautiful gallery! I called this man Cowboy, as he is a  Native American cowboy from the late 1800′s. I enjoy upsetting the stereotypes when I can. Someday I want to do a large painting called (creatively) Cowboys – that depicts the many men that did shape that part of our history – white men, but also blacks, Mexicans, Native Americans…

This is a small painting, 12 x 9. I didn’t get my images in to the gallery on time, so as yet, my paintings don’t appear on the web page. My fault and loss. It looks to be a wonderful show! I hope some of you will get there to see it!

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!

This area is dear to my heart. It’s out of Augusta, MT. and along the Dearborn River – my old stomping grounds. This is also my favorite time of year, autumn, when the quaking aspens turn to gold and contrast with the dark green pines as if they’re lit from within.

This painting is 12×16 and will be in my room – 176, at the Heritage Inn in Great Falls for the week of the Russell Art Shows. March 17-20th.