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.

Beyond the Field

                                                         Beyond the Field  5x11 pastel
This field is near our farm planted in native grasses in the season of change. We have sold the land and now it is black field that next year will have crops seeded on it. I will miss the blooming grasses and their fragile colors that seems to only disappear when I close my eyes.

Favorite Little Hen

Favorite Little Hen 6x8 canvas on panel
This little lady is one of my friend's flock, her husband seemed to favor her over the other ladies of the group. This was done for them for a Christmas gift, a small thank you for the generous photography she does for our little paint group.

Pouff!

                                                                Pouff!  12x6  oil on linen panel
A walk through the woods and around the pond on a recent PaintAway brought these in view and I just couldn't get them out of my mind. Among the reeds and grasses as fall progressed these once dull brown sausage shaped spears known as cattails had burst their seams to spread seeds for the following year. Natures way of constantly presenting us with new beauty the following year.

Out My Window

Out My Window 9x12 oil on linen panel
This tree fascinates me and I see it every day out of my kitchen window, it has different light each time of the day and each season of the year. The birds find it a great retreat to hide in and when the wind blows it bends and bows like a ballerina. This is a do-over which now makes me happy with the mood I was trying to capture

Nature's Memorial 20x24 oil on linen panel
Commission
Here on the prairie trees this size are in the minority. This beauty sits in what is now a large field where crops are planted but as an infant it was on the homestead of a local family's ancestors. It is all that remains of the hardwork, hardships and life of one of the many pioneers that settled this praire, flat and at the time of homesteader , sparsely poplulated. The shade and beauty of trees was honored. Thanks to the owner of this property the tree stands as a memorial to the family that homesteaded it and to the many pioneers who came to this area for a better life.