Sheila, last night as I walked to the ponds just before dusk, I saw your work everywhere – the last light of the sun causing the earth to come alive with color in that half hour before dark, the pink and green reflections in the ice of the pond juxtaposed with the bare branched trees above,  the soft pinks and grays of your landscape and the deer that move through it. So many of us are trying to reach you now. We feel you as we attempt to paint with more color, as we try to better understand the intricate design of a horse or a deer  – the things you knew so well. In your honor I attempt to learn and grow as an artist. I wish so much you were still with us.

This is Sheila’s painting below. It is called  ”Just Before Dark”  and is an oil, 24 x 48. It is a phenomenal piece.

It is all I can do to make this post, but I need to do so to honor a dear friend and a great artist. Sheila Rieman passed away on Thursday, Nov 17th, 2011. She was traveling (as she was always traveling) to an art show in Billings, MT. She was just outside of Billings when she had a car accident that took her life.

Sheila was a bright spot in so many people’s lives. She was always laughing and fun to be around, a true friend, always there to help, a hard worker, an amazing multi-talented person, a great teacher, a great artist. I can’t tell you how much she’ll be missed – by so many.

Just last week I tore the following poem out of the paper, meaning to file it away. In seeing it now I know that it was meant for Sheila. She has lived her life close to nature, with her own animals and the wild ones that frequent her space. Her great art has been a tribute to all of those things. Sheila, my friend, my family, I can’t tell you how much we will miss you. The world won’t be the same without you.

“The Song of the River” by W.R. Hearst

The snow melts on the mountain. And the water runs down to the spring.

And the spring in a turbulent fountain, with a song of youth to sing,

Runs down to the riotous river, and the river flows to the sea.

And the water again goes back to rain, to the hills where it used to be.

And I wonder if life’s deep mystery isn’t much like the rain and snow.

Returning through all eternity to the places it used to know.

For life was born on the lofty heights and flows in a laughing stream

To the river below who’s outward flow ends in a peaceful dream.

And so at last when our life has passed, and the river has run it’s course,

It again goes back o’er the selfsame track to the mountain which was it’s source.

So why prize life or why fear death, or dread what is to be?

The river ran it’s allotted span till it reached the silent sea.

Then the water harked back to the mountain top to begin it’s course once more.

So we shall run the course begun till we reach the silent shore.

Then revisit earth in a pure rebirth from the heart of the virgin snow.

So don’t ask why we live or die, or whither or when we go,

or wonder about the mysteries that only God may know.

I’m sitting in my friend Steve Seltzer’s studio and talking him into doing his own blog. I wish I could say I did this painting, but sadly, that’s not the case. I love Steve’s work, and we are lucky enough to own a few pieces. This painting is called “A Garden Stroll” and is 30 x 24. You may contact Steve about it, or go to his websie to see more of his work. www.seltzerart.com

It was a year ago today that our friend Joe Halko died. He was a very kind man, a good friend to many and a talented artist. Joe worked as a taxidermist for many years, which I’m sure led to his great talent as a wildlife sculptor. We are lucky that several of his large bronzes grace establishments here in Great Falls so that we may continue to see them. Joe’s wife Margaret and girls just donated a huge Mama Grizzy and cubs to the Russell Museum. It’s wonderful to know that it’s there.

Joe had a smile for everyone, and the sound of his laughter stays in my mind.  He left a hole in the community that can not be filled. We miss you Joe.

I share a display room at the Russell Show with Sheila Rieman, a good friend, great painter and teacher. Sheila has done primarily pastel paintings over the years, but she’s now doing some wonderful oils as well. I love this little piece of hers – Mike and Maybe Resting. It’s 9×12 and an oil. Knowing Sheila and her husband Pete, there’s a story there in the name Maybe! You may view more of Sheila’s work on her website.

Come see us at the Russell Show beginning March 17th in Great Falls, MT.

Today I can’t quit thinking about my artist and horse loving friend Deb Schmit. February is the month of ice in Montana, and yesterday one of Deb’s horses, Buddy, was running through the field – full of joy on a sunny winter day. He must have slipped on the ice, fell and broke a leg. If you don’t know about horses, that means he had to be put down. Buddy was young and full of energy and love of life. I’m so sorry for Buddy, and for Deb and her husband Nick. What a loss. What sadness.

I’m still painting away on my circle of paintings. I do think this is good. I really am seeing a lot of things I want to change or finish as they come around a second or third time. Not that I always have time to paint like that, but it’s a good thing.

Buddy, I hope you’re racing through green pastures now and kicking up your heels.

I thought I would do a blog entry – anything to put off going outside to feed. It has been nasty and COLD this week. I’ve spent a lot of time outdoors feeding, shoveling and fixing. That is so much easier here in the summer, as long as you’re watching for rattlesnakes!

My first image is testimony to why I’m still sitting at the computer…our bunkhouse in the cold this week. The next are pieces from the Gallery Russia in Scottsdale. I always try to get to the Main Street galleries when I’m there, as I was a few weeks ago. The nude is a painting by a Russian artist,  Laimodot Murnick from the 50′s. I am amazed by the color! The next piece is called “The Pickers” and is by Maija Eliase, also from the 50′s. The landscape is called “Snow in the Country”, by Valery Shmatko, 2002. These pieces impress me so, as do many of the classical Russian impressionist works. There is so much texture, vibrance and gutsy brushwork. These are, in my opinion, some great painters!

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.

We recently returned from a week in Jackson for the Fall Arts Festival. We were lucky enough to stay in someone’s beautiful guest house, and had family and friends visit. My husband Tom Gilleon was the Featured Artist for this year’s event – which is a big deal! I thought I might honor him here today. He had a one man show at Altamira Gallery, which went very well. His painting Yellow Leaves Moon sold well and was also on the festival poster and wine bottles! Of course we had to bring home two cases! I also was very happy to meet everyone at Mountain Trails Gallery, and look forward to my relationship with them.

We drove home through Teton and Yellowstone Parks. The leaves were turning and it was beautiful! All in all, we had a great week!

This is Tom’s painting, Yellow Leaves Moon. It is an oil, 50×50

Christine McKay and Debi Schmit will be showing with me in Big Sky on Saturday. These images are of their work. The porcelain sculpted piece by Christy is called “River Runners” and is wonderful! Debi’s painting “Farm Maid 11″ has such a beautiful old world style! You may see more of their work on their own websites.