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.

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.

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