I am happy with this painting. Some paint easily and this was one of them. I especially liked the hat. It’s funny how that happens but paintings often have a life of their own. Robert is fast becoming one of my favorite models. I am working on another piece now that is of him on horseback. He’s a great western character model!

I finished this piece at a Quick Finish in Jackson, but it will be available at the Clymer Museum Art Auction & Sale in Ellensburg, WA. on May 18th and 19th. “Red Scarf” is an oil, and is 18″ x 14″.

We did a tribute in my show room for Sheila Rieman, my dear friend. We shared the room for some time, and she has been a close friend for 22 years. The tribute was rewarding; so much of her art to see again, and so many came by to share their love and condolences for her family and many friends. We all miss her so.

On a happier note, I was invited to do the Friday Western Masters Quick Finish which was lots of fun, and thought I’d post a picture – stolen from Whitney Hall’s site, thanks to Terry Hall! In the Quick Finish, we were given 90 minutes to finish a painting we had begun (or in this case, nearly finished) earlier. I like that much better than a Quick Draw in which you have to do the whole painting in a given time. A Quick Finish allows for a much more relaxed event, more time to socialize with the crowd, and in the end, much better paintings to auction off as well.

The picture includes all twelve Quick Finish artists. Left to right: (top) Paul Dykman, Ott Jones, Kenneth Yarus, Whitney Hall, Harry Koyama, Jeff Ham, (bottom) Sarah Webber, Laurie Stevens, Dg House, Kelsey Schmidt-Sommer, Julie T. Chapman, and Bonnie Griffith.

This woman is a Plains Indian in a fairly simple buckskin dress, decorated with many elk ivories. “A Good Omen” is an oil, 36 x 24, and will be in my room, 176 at the Western Masters Art Show & Sale this coming week, Wednesday, March 14 through Saturday, March 17. I hope to see you there!  I will also be participating as a Quick Finish artist there on Friday, and I have a piece in the Off the Wall Auction too.

As I understand it, there are now many wolf sitings in the area, and in fact, a black wolf was just recently seen in the driveway of the home where we stayed!

We were lucky enough to stay with a friend who has a beautiful Frank Lloyd Wright style house high up on the hill NW of Jackson. This beautiful and organic home is nestled into the hillside and looks as though it belongs there. The living room boasts huge windows on three sides, overlooking the valley below for miles. On Saturday, an intense, blizzarding storm descended on the area. Sitting in that living room drinking hot coffee was almost surreal. The blizzard was blowing much snow all around us. It was a white out at times and yet we sat untouched, warm and cozy in the eye of the storm.

I was honored that “Full Moon” was purchased by someone we think a lot of! The money went to a very good cause!

As we are fast approaching the Western Masters Art Show & Sale in Great Falls, MT., I will mention that this painting will be in my room there – 176, March 14-17th. “Night Rider” is an oil, 48×36.

As the Western Masters Art Show and Sale and Art Week in Great Falls, MT.  is now less than a month away, I will mention that I will be there in Room 176, as will this painting. Oxbow is an oil, 36×36.

Settlers West American Miniature Show is Saturday, February 11th, and it promises to be a great event! The Reception begins at 5:30 and the Drawing is at 7:00. This painting hangs with my other there, “Vantage Point”. If you’ll be in the Tucson area, don’t miss the show!

“Shades” is based on research gained from an artist’s rendezvous I attended last summer. My model is Jay Red Hawk, a Lakota Sioux from South Dakota. Jay is quite knowledgeable about the history of the plains Indians and their encounters with the white man over time.
He has been playing & making Siyotanka ( Northern Plains Courting Flutes) for 22 years that are traditionally hand carved. He has performed with those flutes in many venues, including the ’92 “Good Red Road / Sacred Hoop Concert; as a soloist with the MN Orchestra in ’95; and has recorded music for 20 documentaries, including “Dakota Exile” (PBS) which won a Grammy for sound.” He has also been in movies and documentaries, as has his horse Lady who is now 25 and just officially retired. Jay also is the Founder/Director of the Plains Horse Archery Association.  He can be found on Facebook.