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.

Hi everyone, I’ve not been blogging, obviously! I have two cameras, both of which are on the fritz. So, you’ll have to take my word for what I’m doing. I’ve been painting a lot of small paintings to take to the Big Sky Art Festival on August 1st. They’ve been fun to do as they’re looser and fast – something I’ve been needing to do for myself. I’ll be showing with two friends, Deb Schmit who’s wonderful, pink cat piece you saw earlier on my blog, and Christine McKay, who’s great porcelain sculpted piece I am showing you now.

I’ve also decided to show with a newer gallery in Virgina City, MT., called the Creighton Block Gallery. I’m excited about this prospect! While they don’t have a web site up yet, you may go to David Lemon’s video tour of the gallery – maybe the best way to see it at this point. (Count on David for a video tour!!)

I’ve been intending to get pictures of the paintings I’m working on this week, but am not “there yet”. I’m fighting the crummy boards I’ve been painting on. (The lesson is “Use Good Materials!”) So, I thought I would post a cat painting a friend of mine did, as my last post was a painting I did of my cat Possum. It’s always fun for me to see how different people approach a similar subject.

This painting was done by my friend Debi Schmit. We have a long history. She’s one of my horse friends, my camping friend and my artist friend. We’ve raised kids together and shared many adventures! I love this painting of Debi’s and thought you would too.

You can see more of Debi’s work at www.debschmitart.com

This was Saturday night at the Russell Show. A little fraternizing. I won’t go into details about what we were doing here, but it had something to do with commiserating, enumerating, extrapolating…

From left to right, Sara Walsh of Latigo and Lace, and artists Todd Conner, Frank Hagel, Sheila Rieman and Laurie Stevens. ( I know that Sara is currently working on her new website. Keep checking.)