Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Grass Fire

nodp
California doesn't hold the patent on scary fires - we have 'em in Texas, too. Last Friday, a vehicle was unknowingly driven while on fire down Hwy 281 and it set off a series of grass fires between Morgan Mill and Stephenville. The inferno quickly became out of hand and threatened a number of homes, barns and hay fields. The only way to put out fires in the country is to physically haul the water in a tanker/pumper truck to the site of the fire. We do not enjoy the luxury of hydrants. And if the fire is in an out-of -the-way place, like this one was - across gullies, dense cedar growths and through fences, it becomes even harder to extinguish. Often the best thing to be done is bulldoze a fire break. All the local volunteer fire departments were called in (Huckabay, Morgan Mill, Bluff Dale and Oak Dale, to mention a few) and the forest service helped the next day by bulldozing a fire break.
No structures were lost nor were any animals injured (a number of ranchers loaded up and moved their horses, though). Several of our church members are volunteer fire fighters and I thank God every day for them and the nasty job they do. Several of them went with very little sleep for a couple days. I hate hearing their pagers go off....
I also hate seeing on the horizon the tell-tale white plumes of smoke that mean another fire has started - something all too common this time of year in Texas.
Psalm 68:2
As smoke is blown away by the wind, may you blow them away; as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God

Monday, June 29, 2009

Louisiana Cattle 2

9 X 12 Oil on canvas
SOLD to a collector in Louisiana


Louisiana landscapes are so different from Texas. Moss replaces cactus and water replaces blowing sand. White face cattle in the north, Brahman crosses in the south. Live oaks thrive both places and so do the cypress trees.

Sometimes I miss the lush greenness of my home state of Louisiana. Much of the state is like a greenhouse - warm and humid. We lived in Illinois in the early 70's and while there I literally longed for the radiant, blazing heat of the south - both the dry heat of Texas and the sweat-inducing humid coastal heat that you can only get on a beach (or central Louisiana).

My husband loves the mountains, and so do I. But my tendency is to hibernate in the cool mountains - the heat seems to stimulate life! Why are we never happy where we are?????

Ecclesiastes 5:19
Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God.

Media: oil
Size: 12 in X 9 in (30.5 cm X 22.9 cm)

How to Purchase:
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Thursday, June 25, 2009

Behind the Wire

SOLD

Title says it all. I am feeling locked in, locked up, locked down. The people in charge aren't paying attention. I am healthy and fed, but I am still behind the wire. What is my fate? I actually know it, but it saddens me that so many do not. Or are mistaken.

Ecclesiastes 3:19
Man's fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath ; man has no advantage over the animal. Everything is meaningless.


THIS PAINTING IS SOLD

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Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Race to the Flames

8 X 10 Oil on Gessoed Masonite $125
Includes Shipping and Insurance
Facing the flaming future fearlessly. I love alliteration - especially in art! Talk radio has been ominous lately. I don't know what to believe, but I refuse to run and hide. My art will reflect this for a while, I think.

I have been having a number of conversations with God lately and most of these talks have centered around death. Not just my own, but people close to me. I lost my father 25 years ago, and I still miss him, but I have no doubt where he is and that I'll see him again. I still have my adorable mother and both my incredible in-laws in my life - and they, too, are going where I'm going. Hopefully, not soon, but every one's path terminates eventually and the older you get, the more you think about it.

I had a revelation the other day as I was drying my hair over the air conditioning unit outside (this has been my practice for a number of years). After we die (if we believe in God, that is) so MANY questions are answered. I have always been a questioner, and I always want to know how stuff works, and why we do something a certain way, etc. I cannot WAIT to have all my questions answered. That ALONE makes the future less ominous. I'm still gonna paint flames for a while, though, because I like them.

Ecclesiastes 7:10
Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these?" For it is not wise to ask such questions.

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Price: $125 US includes shipping and insurance
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Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Face the Flames



A topic on the radio today forecast the end of the world in 2012. Scary stuff and late-night food for thought, to be sure. I prefer not to think about it, but I DO try to live my life today as if there was no tomorrow - here in THIS world, at any rate.

Regardless of the future, we need to face it, head on, without fear. This painting is purely from my imagination - rare for me. I may need to paint the image in a large format - if you are interested, please contact me for a commission. I am leaning toward the most colorful, semi-abstract images right now, and I would really enjoy doing some BIG canvases!

Zephaniah 1:18
Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the LORD's wrath. In the fire of his jealousy the whole world will be consumed, for he will make a sudden end of all who live in the earth.

Media: oil
Size: 14 in X 11 in (35.6 cm X 27.9 cm)
Price: $200 US includes shipping and insurance

How to Purchase:

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Price: $200 USD
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Saturday, June 20, 2009

HURRY!



This horse is a lovely mare belonging to friend Marie (owner of that gorgeous black and white arab/paint foal). This mare has a cute foal, too and I'll probably paint her eventually.

That reminds me: I haven't had a "Dandy update" lately. She's still growing with no problems. She's not yet as big as her dam, but she could be close by next spring. I honestly won't mind if she stays under 15 hands, either. Plans are for her to be the grandkids' horse so smallish is good. Next spring we will begin some groundwork with her - and put a saddle on her for the first time. Given her size, we may wait until next fall, or even the following spring to do any kind of "hard" training. It has been common practice for horse breeders to start training their animals at two years of age - and in many cases for thoroughbreds, before that age. Quite often the body appears ready, but the mind is not. And quite often, neither are ready. Since I intend to keep Dandy forever and want the best health from her, I will give her bones ever chance to fully mature. And since competition is not an issue, there is no need to rush training....

2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

Media: oil
Size: 8 in X 5.25 in (20.3 cm X 13.3 cm)
Price: $100 US includes shipping and insurance

How to Purchase:

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Price: $100 USD
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Friday, June 19, 2009

Palo Duro Inspiration

The colors in Palo Duro Canyon change dramatically with the time of day and the seasons of the year. We spent a crisp November week camping there several years ago and I cannot wait to go again.
I have a potential collector who has sent me photos from the canyon along with a commission request. At this point I am experimenting with color and composition. I have already painted this site several times, and each time the resulting image changes - much like the canyon itself.
I still have several other ideas in my head - so keep watching!
Luke 12:37
It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.


Media: oil
Size: 19 in X 18 in (48.3 cm X 45.7 cm)
Price: $250 US plus shipping and insurance

How to Purchase:

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Price: $250 USD plus $15 USD s/h
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Thursday, June 18, 2009

Texas Sunset



Yes, the sky really looked like this from my front door about 3 weeks ago. Our house faces N/W and I am privileged to view some exciting storms rolling in AND some equally magnificent sunsets. It appears as if the rainy season is over, though. Some parts of the state have received FEET of rain (Dallas), but we have had only bare minimum. Enough to grow hay, but not enough to fill stock tanks or replenish the water table. The wild flowers did put on quite a show, too and a prettier than I can remember in many years. I guess I'll need to buy hay from the first cut, like I did last year. Can't count on another one later this summer....

Speaking of flowers, my favorites for a long time have been day lilies. My grandfather in Louisiana grew them and even cross pollinated some varieties to develop some new ones. Dependable bloomers for all of July - in shade or full sun.

Isaiah 40:8
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.
Media: oil
Size: 7 in X 5 in (17.8 cm X 12.7 cm)
Price: $115 USD

How to Purchase:

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Price: $115 US includes shipping and insurance
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Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Windy Day

It's looking like the spring rains are over and summer is in full swing here in Texas - hot, drying winds and hot cloudless skies. This is Easy last Fall at the end of a very hot summer.

I have been extremely busy for the past several weeks and have been unable to find a block of time to paint. So far I have canned over 48 quarts of green beans and dug bushels of onions and potatoes. This afternoon we begin to harvest the sweet corn. I couldn't wait and picked 6 ears last night - a little early - but they were so good! Today I expect to get at least 50 ears and they'll be off the cobb before I go to bed tonight. Tomatoes are beginning to turn pink, too, so my time to paint may again be limited. This is all in a effort to prove that we CAN really live off our farm. Now if I can only entice the deer and turkies to hang around WITHOUT eating the garden!

Proverbs 1:10
My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them.

Media: oil
Size: 7 in X 5 in (17.8 cm X 12.7 cm)
Price: $115 US includes shipping and insurance

How to Purchase:

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Price: $115 USD
Or, send me an email

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Louisiana Cattle

5 X 7 Oil on Masonite $115
Includes Shipping and Insurance
I had a request from a collector to paint something similar to another painting I had already completed - only in Louisiana, with water. This led to a lovely "conversation" getting to know her and her connection to Louisiana - my home state. She asserted that she liked one of my paintings with cows in a pasture, only she would like to see the tree with moss (like Louisiana) and some water close by. She also wants me to use the "faces" of cattle that are owned by her family.
So I am playing with colors and composition now - morning light here (more pink) and the next one may be afternoon (more orange). The main consideration is composition and light color. The rest I can wing.
If you see 3 momma cows and their calves, your eyes are working correctly. But don't get too close - this is IMPRESSIONISM!
Psalm 18:28
You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Palo Duro Canyon, Texas

8 X 6 Oil on Masonite $115
Includes shipping and insurance


I am still experimenting with color and technique. Palo Duro Canyon, near Amarillo is a colorful treat for the eyes in every season, and as the day progresses, the colors continue to change as well.

We camped there several years ago in November and the weather was fabulous. Crisp, clear air greeted us every morning. Our campsite was in the bottom of the canyon, so the overall feeling was of being in the mountains. When the sun finally rose over the canyon walls and hit us on the canyon floor, it was nearly like being in Colorado. And the hiking trails were varied enough to please not only the strollers, but also the serious hikers who enjoy challenges.

Acts 21:19
Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry
Media: oil
Size: 8 in X 6 in (20.3 cm X 15.2 cm)
Price: $115 USD

How to Purchase:

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Price: $115 USD
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Thursday, June 11, 2009

Losing Edges

SOLD to a California collector
8 X 6 Oil on Masonite $115

Includes shipping and insurance


Color and action SHOULD be easy to capture in a running red horse - you would think! I am playing around with paint and trying out some new techniques and colors. I am also about to try some new painting grounds that were suggested to me by fellow artist, Kathy Tate of Stephenville. So I'm trying to use up all the masonite and canvas boards I already have prepared. I probably won't like everything I attempt, but to do nothing teaches me nothing. I will post it all, good and not-so-good.

Isaiah 48:17
This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.


Media: oil
Size: 8 in X 6 in (20.3 cm X 15.2 cm)
Price: $115 USD

How to Purchase:

Buy this painting on PayPal
Price: $115 USD
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Monday, June 1, 2009

Lookin' For Love in All the Wrong Places

18 X 24 Oil on Canvas
Contact Artist for Availability
I started this painting several weeks ago and just couldn't get into it. Originally it had only the cow images - no horse. And I knew it was missing something. Then I remembered when neighbor, Ron, kept his roping horse in the pasture adjacent to ours. One single horse. All alone. Sometimes my horses would hang out with him, separated by the fence. But if I moved them to another pasture, he'd be all alone and looking so sad. Georgia, the Border-Collie-Wanna-Be would go visit him in the morning when she'd do her rounds, and he'd welcome her company, but it wasn't the same as having his horsey neighbors visit.
Horses, like dogs are extremely social animals. They need another warm body nearby, and preferably their own kind. Every now and then you'll run into one who is perfectly happy all alone, but it's rare. They will follow cows around while they graze if they have no other choice. It's their nature to be part of a herd. And many race horses are stabled with companion ponies or goats for that very reason. It keeps them happy, proving that there is a match out there for everyone and every animal.
Psalm 55:13
But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend,