U.S. Senator Bennet selects "Another White Combine Harvest"

I am honored to announce that U.S. Senator Michael Bennet from Colorado selected my painting "Another White Combine Harvest"  to be on display in his Washington, D.C. office for the next two years.

"Another White Combine Harvest"  (60" x 40")
(two - 30 x 40 panels)

"Another White Combine Harvest" (60" x 40")

This past month I've been working on a large piece I'm calling "Another White Combine Harvest".  I'm using two 30 x 40 gallery wrapped canvases for this one.  It's almost finished  ... working on tweaking clouds and started working on the wheat field in the foreground.

 "Another White Combine Harvest"  (60" x 40")

Background Information About this Piece:

As wheat farmers living on the high plains of Eastern Colorado, we are at the mercy of the weather.  Large super-storms like the one in this painting can wipe out an entire crop in the matter of minutes.  Hail storms such as this are often called "The White Combine"  and so, the title of this painting.

Your comments are always welcome!

Thanks for looking.............. 

The Red Sundress (36 x 24)

Finished "The Red Sundress" today.

 "The Red Sundress"  (36 x 24)

Insights to this painting: 
The red sundress is more than a focal point of interest to bring a bit of color to the painting.

We are so small yet with confidence ~the red sundress~ we can face challenges as deep as the ocean and as high as the sky; therefore the title, "The Red Sundress".  As you walk on the shores of life, face  challenges head on with confidence - but still hold onto your hat.  Another little insight to this painting.  Notice that she is walking along an empty shore away from the grassy dune.  It's OK to get out of your comfort zone.

Let me know what your thoughts are.................  Thanks!

What's on my easel?

Finally had some quality studio time.  I've been practicing painting skies.  I'm nearly finished with my latest painting tentatively called "The Red Sundress".  I still have some final details to work on - not sure what to think of the rock outcropping above the dune grass - think I'll just take it out and extend the wave.  Also, the dune grass needs a bit, the reflection of the girl in the wet sand, and the ocean waves need some final details.  I have to remember not to overwork.

"The Red Sundress"  (36" x 24")

Let me know what you think - Thanks!!!

(My daughter thinks it's reminiscent of the painting I did a while back of the little girl with the red bucket looking wistfully at a stormy ocean, "There's Always Tomorrow" - now, all grown up)

BTW - I'm still working on Superman, but not ready to post the update...........................SOON!!!!
 

"Will you still call me Superman?"

Made a few changes, and started working on Edna.  Making some progress.  I think the hands are going to be the most challenging.  Let me know what you think!

Idea for next painting: "Will You Still Call Me Superman..."

I'm a fan of 3 Doors Down.  In 2000 they came out with Kryptonite and the inspiration for this painting.  I don't know why, but felt the need to paint this..........

If I go crazy then will you still call me Superman?
If I'm alive and well, will you be there holding my hand?
I'll keep you by my side with my superhuman might
Kryptonite.  

My idea is a couple that have been together for a lifetime.  He has been her Superman all these years and knows the answer to his question...................but asks it anyway.  I don't really have an actual model for this couple, but I call them John and Edna.

It's still in the rough stage and a lot to do, but it's a start

"Untitled" (48" x 24")

Finishing this farm scene commission piece.  Just a few tweaks, dry time, varnish, and done.  I had a lot of fun doing this one - especially the sky.  I'm always in awe when one of these super cell storms build up.  My husband and I are also wheat farmers, and can relate to the possibility of loosing a whole years income in just 5 minutes.
 

 (Untitled - 48" x 24")

Comments and critiques are always appreciated. 

"The Good Life" (18 x 24)

Almost finished.  Just a few tweeks..............

 

Comments and critiques are always welcome and much appreciated!!!

What's on my easel????

"The Good Life"  (18 x 24)
Commission piece - almost finished.  Still have to work on detailing the camper, fiddle a bit more with the sky, fire, and sign.  Should be done in a couple of days.

Thanks for stopping by - All comments and critiques are VERY WELCOME!!!

Oil Painting available at Grace Gallery - Denver, CO

"The Banjo Player" (24 x 36)

unframed, gallery wrap

 

"Red Bucket"  (24 x 18)

framed 

"The Fiddler"  (24 x 30)

framed

 

"Lightening the Load"  (36 x 24)

framed

If you're in Denver, check out the Santa Fe Art District.  The Grace Gallery is only one of many galleries in the art district on Santa Fe.  I'll be showing through the month og August.

Grace Gallery Fine Art and Urban Patio  877 Santa Fe Drive (corner of 9th Ave.) 303-623-207

Store Hours Tuesday-Saturday 12pm-6pm 1st  Friday Art Walk 12pm to 10:30pm                                                        3rd Friday 12pm to 8pm 2nd and 4th Friday 12pm to 6pm 3rd Friday (Featured Artist Of The Month) Reception and Open House from 5pm-8pm Email:  denver@gracegallerydenver.com    Website:  www.gracegallerydenver.com Santa Fe Art District website:   www.artdistrictonsantafe.com

Back in the "Studio"

Garden is in full swing!!!  Picked 120 + pounds of asparagus, radishes are ready to eat, peas are blossoming, tomatoes are starting to set on, potatoes should be ready to start digging in a couple of weeks, and of course, the weeds are growing.   But that will not stop me from getting into the studio on a hot afternoon (love air conditioning).

What I'm working on:
Started illustrations for a book.  The author talked about having 10 or so by the end of July.  Hope he likes them.  I'll post finished pieces as I get them done.  Would love to hear thoughts and critiques.  Hopefully I'll have a couple finished sometime today or tomorrow.

Also working on a commission piece of a camper near a lake with relaxing man and wife.  Starting to really take shape.

Thanks for stopping in!

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Grace Gallery and Urban Patio on Sante Fe

It's official!!!  Have my art in the Grace Gallery on Santa Fe in Denver, CO!!!!  So excited to have my art in a fabulous gallery.  I have four paintings on display.  Lightening the Load, The Banjo Player, Red Bucket, and The Fiddler (not shown in this picture)

Hanging my paintings in the front window

I will be showing at Grace Gallery through August.  (Might consider longer???)

Stop by - three levels of amazing artwork!!!  Also check out their website:  Grace Gallery on Santa Fe

Life is Good!!!

Whew!!!

What a crazy five months!!!  House remodel (phase one) - check.  Daughter wedding (after this week) - check.  Accompany for wedding at our church last week (lots of practice) - check.  School out for summer (no subbing) - check.  House remodel phase two plans submitted to contractor (start construction this fall) - check.

Time to get back to painting - CHECK!!!

Interesting how life happens.  Where does time go?  For the next several months, however, I see my time able to be focused on my art.  My studio had to be temporarily relocated to the laundry room until phase two of our house remodel is finished.  It's a bit tight, but I'll make it work.  I have several commission pieces on my easel, and an opportunity to rent a space to display my art for sale in Denver, CO.

Check back again to see what's going on in "My little corner of the universe."

Finished: "The Guardian Angel"

I actually finished this a couple of months ago, but didn't post....????  Anyway, here is my completed version of  "The Guardian Angel". 

May he keep our children safe from all harm and danger. 

"Yucca" (18 x 24)

The yucca were in full bloom a couple of weeks ago.  Saw these beauties while driving through Western Nebraska on our way up to the Black Hills.  Think they are one of the most beautiful prairie wild flowers.  Finished this painting this morning.

Think I'll have Gary build a floating frame for this out of weathered barn wood. 

CCAG Spring Art Show

I was very happy to have a 1st place in oils for "Lightening the Load"

Also a 2nd place ribbon for "Red Bucket Construction Company"

 

And Honorable Mention for "The Guardian Angel"

(photo to come soon...............)

 

 

Blah............

Have you ever found yourself in a "slump"?   Ideas floating around, but nothing really sparks?  That's how I'm feeling - kind of a "blah" kind of day.  I have several ideas for paintings, but not finding the motivation get into the studio and put brush to canvas.  Think it has something to do with the winter doldrums - that time between winter and not yet spring.  Maybe a brisk walk???  Kinda muddy - so maybe not .......... UGH ......... Maybe take a nap and see about studio time later .............  or not????

The Guardian Angel (18 x 24)

Almost there.  Here is progress from this afternoon.  I think the little girl's face is still in need of some work.  Also have to work on the hands of the children and angel.  Other than a couple other tweeks, think I'm just about finished with this. 

 

 In the original painting, the sky is quite dark. The sky I chose for this painting is of a clear, fall day. Unfortunately, the wings of the angel really don't show up very well against the light blue sky. Wonder if I should darken it up and make it a cloudy day???  What do you think???

"Guardian Angel" update

Still have quite a bit of work left on "The Guardian Angel"  Think I've captured the apprehensiveness of the little sister and the confidence of the older brother.  Still need to work on his hands, her clothes and hair and finish the wings and hands of the angel.  Coming together I think.....

Any comments/critiques/suggestions are very much appreciated!!!
Thanks for looking -

What's on My Easel

This 18" x 24" oil on panel is based on the painting of the Guardian Angel watching over children crossing a precarious bridge.  I did some research on the original painting and could only find that it was German - titled "Heilige Schutzengel" translated "Holy Guardian Angel".  I couldn't find much else out about it other than there are several variations and many people have a print of it hanging in their home.  I wanted to do a modern version of children getting off the school bus on their way to school.  The little girl is not quite sure about the whole idea, but her brother has a reassuring hand on her shoulder.  Behind them is a Guardian Angel to protect them from harm and danger.  Think this is starting out OK. 

If you have any information about the original painting, please let me know.  Also - all comments and critics of my work are always very much appreciated!!!

Thanks for looking