The Sharing Path

The Sharing Path 6x8 oil on panel
The title of this comes from time spent at a Paint Away with a small art group that we take each year,  four days of sharing, painting walking and one afternoon at a nearby gallery. This birch  appeared at the side of the path as we went on a walk one afternoon. Very Pristine bark among all the decaying leaves and waining foliage of late fall made it look like someone all dressed up and nowhere to go. These outings are always inspiring and reviewing sketches and photos lets me enjoy it in the middle of winter.

The Cottage

The Cottage 10x10 in. oil on linen panel
My first trip to Washington state to visit my son, in spite of rain all but one day I found all the greenery  almost overwhelming. Since we have nearly 9 months of cold or winter on the prairie. Most of all I couldn't believe that all the vines you see in the foreground are wild blackberries. They are considered nothing short of a plague as they grow everywhere. Needless to say in our climate we would be lucky to get them to grow even if we pampered them. So what is one persons poison is anothers good fortune, go figure.

Are You Listening?

Are You Listening?  6x6 oil on panel
All of us struggle when we paint and this was one of my challenges . Years ago I bought these two porcelain ducks and have tried to paint them several times. I found the heads and necks difficult and this is a second try. I loved their subtle colors and I have a feeling that one of them isn't listening to the other.
These challenges are what make us grow and stay in the pursuit of the next great painting.

By the Light of the Moon

By the Light of the Moon 12x20 oil on canvas  panel
These two trees stand in our front yard and I look at them daily in all the seasons. It is as though in spite of their years( they have been here long before I was) they remain proud. They have had trunks and branches amputated over the years but as the wind blows they seem to comfort one another as old friends do. They were so delicate and beautiful in the moonlight I thought it was fitting to give them a dignified presentation.

Permanent Parking

Permanent Parking 6 x8 Oil on panel
These days so many city dwellers always want to know if there is parking for their condo or rental, well it seems these two have found permanent parking and it appears no one has bothered them for quite awhile.

Prairie Racing......1-2-3 Go?

Prairie Racing......................1-2-3- Go 8x16 oil on panel
On a recent train trip out west I caught these two wonderful old pickups in the middle of the praire looking as though they were ready for a race to see who would be the winner. Unfortunately as you can see from their aged condition an impossibility! What fun to think of them in their prime and the years of hard work put in on a farm or ranch being good and faithful transportation. Perhaps in Pickup Heaven they will run this race.

The Lady in Red

The Lady in Red oil on panel 8x12
On an annual Paint-away with my art group we passed an area of dead trees except for this beautiful lady . We passed the area several days in a row and finally got to stop and snap some photos. This painting seemed to paint itself. Mother Nature just can't help but be arrayed in spectacular fashion.