Marshland

Here is another water scene. This one is done in pastel. I started this painting for a bird art show. My intention was to place some ducks in the painting, however, when I added a duck in the foreground it just took away the calming serenity of the scene. I took the bird out and decided I liked the painting a lot better without the birds. I ended up painting a Chickadee in oil for the art show and I promise to post that one at a later date. Pastel 11" x 14".

Steamboat Mountain

This painting of Steamboat Mountain on the Green River started as a watercolor sketch done in camp the evening after we past this scene. Roger and I rafted the Green River through the Gates of Lodore National Monument summer before last. As we rounded the bend in the river this massive towering sandstone cliff came into view. We agreed it was the most impressive of all the rock formations on that river. The canyon narrowed just past this bend and we met rapids that wanted to shove us against the cliff face which was a shear drop from mountain top to the river. For some reason I could not get a good photo reproduction of the colors in this painting but I was pretty happy with the results of my work. Moving water is for me a challenging aspect of painting. I have decided to paint as much water as I can for the next couple of months in order to prepare for our Grand Canyon painting and rafting trip in May. This is an oil 8" x 10". Hope you enjoy it.

Morning Coffee, Dessert and Coffee, Snowman

Wow what happened to December. Not much painting took place this month especially later on. We spent a week in Sedona, AZ in early December and I painted a couple of oils from the patio at the place we were staying. Sedona is a haven for artists and there is a new painting every direction you look. The first painting is of Coffee Pot Rock early in the morning. I guess one could call this "Morning Coffee" 5"x 7". I was very enthusiastic about this beautiful scene until I saw what it looked like in the evening. I had to repaint the same rock formation with the fading winter light. The colors were astounding. This one I'll call "Dessert and Coffee" 8" x 10". The rest of the month has been spent in Alaska with family and even though I had great intentions of doing a Christmas Card painting, I didn't quite make it happen until it was too late to get it printed. I'm adding that painting to my blog as well since it is really a winter painting. I'll try harder next year to get one finished in time to send out for Christmas. The final painting I did this December is called "Snowman" 8" x 10"and is from a collage of several photos of our children when they were young and their dog Sparky.

Rampart of Stone

I learned this morning that I received a second place award for my pastel painting Rampart of Stone in a local art show. I completed this painting for a show at the St. George Art Museum called Visions of Zion. The show was judged by a local well known artist and it always makes an artist feel good to have their work judged to be worthy of an award by another artist. The painting depicts the Great White Throne, which is possibly the best known land mark in Zion National Park. Zion and is one of my favorite places to paint, draw and take photographs. We live only 45 minutes from the park entrance so it makes it easy to access the park at all times of the year. If you visit us Zion will most likely be the place we want to show you. Thanks for viewing my artist blog and I hope you have a wonderful holiday season. 9 x 12 pastel

Canvas A-LA-Carte at Blue Raven Studio

The owners of Blue Raven Studio and Gallery in Kayenta are starting a new and fun program for anyone who wants to paint whether or not they have ever held a paint brush in their hands. They have ask me to create a couple of easy paintings that anyone could enjoy and have a positive experience creating their own art. This is what I came up with. Either painting can be completed in under two hours and hopefully will be a fun time for all who participate. Hope to see you in the studio to paint along with me as we recreate these and other fun art canvases. 16" x 20" acrylic.

Old Work Horse

What is it about old vehicles that make artists want to paint them? I always have a great time when I paint old trucks, cars and now this tractor. I’m not too sure what vintage this “oldie but goodie” is but I’m sure it goes back a ways. I photographed this tractor while heading for a hike near Zion National Park called the Eagles Crag. It’s a beautiful place to hike if you are looking for great vistas of Zion’s temples. To get there cross the Virgin River at Rockville and head toward Grafton but stay to the left and head up a very steep hill. High clearance vehicles are advised and don’t attempt the road if it has recently rained. I’m sure this "Old Work Horse" hasn’t moved in years and is waiting for you to take a photo of your own.

Canvas and Cocktails

I’m back from my trip to Denver and boy did I have a great time. The first couple of days I spent with my sister and brother. My sister, Sally and I attended a canvas and cocktail class and had so much fun I’m hoping I’ll have time to do the class again the next time I’m in Denver. This is not serious art but is for anyone who wants to explore their inner creativity. The instructor was very up beat and helpful with anyone who desired additional instruction. This was a step by step procedure that lasted two hours and I’m posting our results on the blog. The rest of my stay was to have a reunion with sorority sisters I hadn’t seen since graduation from college. What a great bonding experience that turned out to be. All in all it was a great trip to Denver. I’m going to the Zion art show this evening and hopefully will get a chance to meet some of the really great Southwest artists who have been painting Zion Canyon this past week.