Max - pembroke welsh corgi dog portrait oil painting

Max - Pembroke Welsh Corgi
5 X 7 Oil on canvas sheet $100
Includes shipping and insurance

While my friend Tessa was out of town for Christmas, we cared for one of her dogs - Max.
Max is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi and one of Georgia's good friends. I couldn't resist taking pictures of the two of them in the snow. Max is originally from California, so I doubt he's seen much of it - and neither has Georgia, for that matter. Both dogs enjoyed a romp after establishing that it wasn't dangerous.
I haven't painted much over the holidays, but Max's handsome face was an inspiration.
Now back to the book cover commission!
2 Samuel 14:25
In all Israel there was not a man so highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the top of his head to the sole of his foot there was no blemish in him

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Merry Christmas

The last White Christmas I remember was probably when we took the kids to Breckenridge, Christmas 1989. Merideth was 6 and Ben was almost 9. We got stuck in a blizzard in Colorado Springs on the way home and my mother ended up driving her Caravan into the ditch. She was simply following the tail lights of the car in front of her, and unfortunately THEY went into the ditch, too. We were in a new Suburban and made it to the last exit that was open before the Interstate was closed. This story has a happy ending. A tow truck pulled Mom out fairly quickly. We stayed in touch with a CB radio, and we all ended up spending the night in a tiny hotel, along with a number of other stranded travelers. The Denver Broncos were playing that night, and Mile High Stadium was almost empty. Every 3 downs, the officials had to sweep the yard markers, it was snowing so hard. Somehow we managed to get pizza delivered and a family memory was born....
Merry Christmas to you all and may you remember that the reason Christ was born was to bring love and generosity and forgiveness to us all EVERY day of the year!
John 1: 1-5
¹In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was with God in the beginning. ³Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴In him was life, and that life was the light of men. ⁵The light shines in the darkness

Asters - floral oil painting colorado flowers

Colorado Asters 5 X 15 Oil on canvas board $115
Includes shipping and insurance

The snow has been falling all day and the wind has blown like nobody's business. Yesterday it was 79 degrees. I got sunburned working in the garden, and I was inspired to paint flowers!
I awoke this morning to blustery winds, 32 degrees and fat snowflakes, desperately trying to stick on the warm ground.
Mike and I were scheduled to ring the bell for the Salvation Army in front of the local WalMart at noon, so we journeyed into town through the blizzard.
Until today I had been rather glum about this year's Christmas, but standing in the blowing snow and wishing friends and neighbors "Merry Christmas" totally changed my mood. By the time we finished our assigned hour, had shopped and visited a friend in the nursing home, the roads were becoming dangerous so we headed slowly for home. We passed 6 cars in the ditch in our 12 mile journey. (All were being helped.) A long, cold afternoon in front of the fire, listening to old time radio programs, reading and painting loomed. Life is good.
We all need to remember that the reason for Christmas is NOT to have a contest for who gets the biggest pile of goodies that hold our interest for 5 minutes. We need to remember that God only wants us to be more like him every day of the year - giving and FORgiving. And every time we do so, we get closer to him.
God bless ya'll this Christmas and remember to keep laughing at Al Gore - Global Warming hasn't hit Texas yet!
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

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Price: $115 USD
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Bevo - University of Texas mascot longhorn UT oil painting

3.75 X 5.75 Small oil on canvas $115
Includes shipping, insurance and
TEXAS MADE RED CEDAR FRAME

There's still time to get this for your favorite UT fan! Includes shipping, the cedar frame AND the frame stand. nodp

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Price: $115 USD
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Dandy Coming At Ya - sunset afternoon horse running oil painting

8 X 10 Oil on linen panel $125

SOLD to a Texas Collector

This one is similar to another I painted recently - this time with the horse running to the viewer.
Is dry and will arrive in time for Christmas.
Join me tonight in Dallas at the Dutch Art Gallery on NW Highway from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. I will be bringing some new paintings and sharing stories with my collectors!
Philemon 1:6
I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.

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Price: $125 USD
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Zenyatta Wins - thoroughbred racehorse breeders cup winner

8 X 10 Oil on Linen Panel $125
Includes shipping and insurance in US

This is an amazing mare. Fourteen races, fourteen wins - most of them from way behind. Breeders cup winner two years in a row.
Mike Smith is the only jockey to ride her and I'm sure he is sad over her retirement. I'm sad because she didn't win "horse of the year". But I'm happy, too, because she is still healthy, unlike Barbaro (or Ruffian - remember her?).
I don't follow thoroughbred racing all that much, but this one is worth researching. Winning stories are nice to read about. And winners are nice to know (and paint).
Isaiah 58:14
then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob." The mouth of the LORD has spoken.

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Price: $125 USD
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Kiss My Bevo .... - University of Texas UT mascot oil painting

6 X 8 Oil on linen panel -
SOLD to a Texas Collector

Immediately following the GREAT UT-Nebraska game, my blog had 7 viewers in a row searching for paintings of the University of Texas mascot, and this painting is a brazen result of those searches! Thank goodness I enjoy painting long horned cattle!
Since I mostly paint from my own photos or with permission from other photographers, AND I didn't have a personal photo of Bevo, this was a challenge. Since there are plenty of photos of Bevo on the internet, I used one of my neighbor's bull bodies and put Bevo's spots on him. They are far from perfect, but I think he's close enough.
This painting should be dry enough in time for Christmas - barely.
Psalm 37:11
But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.

Horse of a Different Color - bright colored abstract horse

8 X 8 Oil on Linen Panel $50
SOLD to a collector in Indiana

In between the "serious" paintings, I am compelled to just paint color - but it seems like I still have to paint horses....oh well, so shoot me.
It's another dark, wintry day in Texas. It even snowed briefly this morning. The good news is that winter rarely lasts for very long in Texas. In fact I can remember a number of Christmas days where it was 70 degrees or warmer. But today is miserable. Soooo to create warm fuzzies, I have fired up the wood stove in the studio and placed a pot of bubbling venison stew on it. The dog and kitty consider me their best friend right now.
Just 20 days until the Winter Solstice and the days will begin to lengthen again. I sympathize with my Norway friends!
Proverbs 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered.

Free Ride - butterfly on mule nose with cowboy illustrative art book cover

20 X 20 Oil on stretched linen

Contact Artist for Availability

I HATE wasting time on the computer!!! I spent most of this morning working on my WEBSITE and updating and networking and cleaning up files and and and...I feel like I've done nothing. I think I need a manager...
Anyway, I worked a while on this painting and I still need to do a bit more - mainly darken the background (and probably "yellow" the hat). But since I'll do it with a glaze, it'll have to dry first. The title, of course, is a lie - there is no such thing as a free ride...which the world will find out eventually when the huge house of cards we have built comes crashing down.
The state of the world is beginning to worry me some more - I go through stages of confidence, followed by stages of extreme fear - and not for myself, but for those less capable. Today was a rainy, dark, worrisome day, so I spent part of it ordering seeds for next year's garden. One things is for sure, as long as I have dirt and water, I'll never go hungry, because, like my mother, I can stick a board in the ground and something will grow.
Psalm 34:10
The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

Fractured - abstract horse oil painting

16 X 20 oil on stretched canvas $720
Includes Native Texas Mesquite frame and shipping
Will layaway

I have played around with a number of styles of horse images and this one emerged my favorite. It looks a little like a woodcut and has a lot of texture and action.
The frame was made of mesquite by a local craftsman. Many view mesquite trees as a nuisance, but they have the ability to survive all kinds of trauma and find water where there appears to be none. PLUS, mesquite smoked barbecue is Heaven sent. AND since the wood is so hard, it makes beautiful furniture, cutting boards and great firewood that burns hot and long.
Matthew 10:42
And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.

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Price: $720 USD
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Ft Hood Soldiers visit Morgan Mill, Texas

For the past 15 years, our little community school has sponsored a neighborhood-wide thanksgiving dinner the Friday before Thanksgiving. Anyone and everyone is invited, and it has grown every year. Turkeys and all the trimmings are donated and the 7th and 8th graders at the school get to do the serving. For the past 3 years we have invited soldiers from Ft. Hood to join us. Killeen, Texas is nearly 2 1/2 hours away, but we always have 70 or so soldiers who think the trip is worth their effort, and this year was no different.
The entire community turned out as well as a number of people from Stephenville, Huckabay, Lipan, etc. The soldiers were given a warm welcome and sent home with left-over cakes to share with their friends back on base. Mike and I made an effort to talk to and shake the hand of each and every one. A local celebrity, Tuff Hedeman, also came and answered questions about his rodeo career and the famous bull "Bodacious".
WFAA, channel 8 in Dallas, sent a camera crew again this year and we were grateful for the press coverage - but only to show the world that a little community like ours can make a difference.
View the news reel HERE.
nodp

Afternoon Dandy

not available

Lately I have been working on large canvases and have gotten away from the little 'uns. But Dandy was SO pretty in the afternoon sun today, that I just couldn't resist her. We have had a couple light frosts and the pasture grasses are all different, brilliant colors. Dandy has begun to put on her winter coat, and is a rich, dark purpley, brown, black color that is nearly impossible to describe (or paint).
She isn't as big as I would have expected at 18 months, but she is still growing. My best guess is 13 1/2 hands (about 54 inches at the withers, for you non-horsey people). Momma PJ is right at 15 hands (60") and had nearly reached that height by the time she was 18 months. BUT I figure, if she stays short, then that just puts the ground closer and offers less gravity influence on my old bones...
I have an old light barrel racing saddle that I plan to place on her back soon. I promise a video of that event. I really don't expect a rodeo, but with horses, you can always expect the unexpected, so she might surprise us. I really think that she will simply turn around, look at it and give me her "Oh, well, what next?" look.
Stay tuned....
Genesis 1:25
God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

Complimentary Tree

6 X 8 Oil on linen panel
SOLD

I used to use a color wheel - years ago - and I misplaced it. I forgot the challenge a color wheel can present. I bought a new one last week and decided to use it weekly just to make myself try something new.
This color combination is called a "split complement" and uses only three colors plus white: Phalo blue, violet and yellow orange. I didn't come close to using the myriad of combinations still available from just these three colors, but I still like what evolved - fall colors.
There's a lot of paint on this one, so you'll need to be patient while it dries...
Ezekiel 17:3
Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: A great eagle with powerful wings, long feathers and full plumage of varied colors came to Lebanon.

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Price: $25 USD
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Big Texas Welcome - illustration art book cover oil painting

16 X 20 Oil on canvas $720
includes choice of frame
shipping and insurance extra...ask for quote

I posted this painting a couple weeks ago and my friend Rick suggested I darken the area behind the Indian, and I agreed. I also changed the background color and warmed it up a bit.
I have a number of 16 X 20 frames that it looks pretty good in, too. and I'm showing 2 of those here. PRICE INCLUDES FRAME!!!
If you want a REALLY nice Christmas gift for that western art lover of yours, this may be it. It will need to dry at least 4 more weeks before I can varnish it. And then a couple more days after that before I can ship. AND I accept layaway (1/3, 1/3, 1/3)
Don't let this one get away! It goes to the gallery next month.
1 Corinthians 15:52
in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

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Price: $720 USD
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Guard Duty - American Indian and paint horse illustration art book cover oil painting

12 X 16 Oil on stretched linen
SOLD to a California Collector

It's early Autumn, and this Indian is guarding a pass along the Paluxy River. Somehow he has acquired a Confederate soldier's jacket to warm him on those cool November mornings. His horse patiently waits.

This is the first linen canvas I have stretched in years and I forgot how wonderful (and expensive) they are to paint on. But I am definitely hooked and suppose I will have to give away all these blank cotton canvas I have stashed!

Jeremiah 17:3
My mountain in the land and your wealth and all your treasures I will give away as plunder, together with your high places, because of sin throughout your country.

How to Purchase: This painting is SOLD

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Stand Off - almost complete

16 X 20 95% complete

I had a number of good suggestions for this painting's title. My two favorites were: Destiny - Choice or Chance and Friendly Texas Welcome.
I have been working on this all day and I really wanted to finish it tonight. Doesn't look like it will happen, though. I'm pooped.
I will re-post when it is truly complete. Meantime, if you are interested in it, contact me and I will send you a more accurate color representation shot in daylight.
I took photos of these individuals last year at Doug Prine's Shoot Out. They were separate images, and I combined them and added the background. This Saturday I am attending Doug's shin-dig again, this time accompanied by Dan Vanderburg, a novelist who has commissioned me to paint an image for his book cover. This is a big deal for me and something I have wanted to do for a long time - illustrations.
At the shoot out we hope to find enough individuals in early 1800's dress to assemble a vignette that will suit the scene that Dan has in mind. Doug has assured me that we will, and if the sun is shining as well, it should be a perfect place to get the images we need.
Stay tuned....
Ecclesiastes 9:11
I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.
nodp

Bevo - University of Texas Longhorn Mascot

3.75 X 5.75 Small oil on canvas $115
Includes shipping, insurance and
TEXAS MADE RED CEDAR FRAME

I have a service installed on my blog that shows the people that visit, what country they live in, how they arrived on my blog and what search words they use. A number of people search for paintings of Longhorns, and I sell nearly every one I paint. I guess there are a lot of UT fans out there!
So this little painting is a blatant admission that I could use a little cash added to my PayPal account! When it dries a bit, I will show the frame, as well. But you can trust that it fits this little painting to a "T" and makes it a nice gift to give that University of Texas fan OR to just keep for yourself!
Psalm 139:23
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts

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Price: $115 USD
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The Party Begins Now - illustration cowboy oil painting book cover

24 X 30 Oil on Canvas

Contact Artist for Availability

This is 95% completed - as usual, when I take the photo, small issues become more noticeable. I still need to change the hat color, but it needs to dry more. The grass needs a little more detail and I also noticed that one clump of flowers is too "perfect". Also, I want to add some little purple asters and a bit more detail to background shrubbery - but not much.
I really had fun with this painting and I'm proud of the fact that I did not rush through it and followed my "game plan". I also thought a lot about the title and all it's levels.
If you notice, the horse in the foreground is wearing a rope halter - not a bridle. While painting this, I imagined the story behind it. These guys are trappers and they have been to the rendezvous and traded in their furs for supplies and things they need for the next year. Part of the trade was for whiskey (that's obvious). But the guy in the foreground also traded his well broke horse for a young, unbroke animal - a green horse that needs a lot of riding and experience before he becomes a solid mount. The trapper takes a risk in giving up his dependable horse for the young one, but if he recognizes a "diamond in the rough" and can successfully bring the young horse along in his training, then he has made a wise decision.
But in the meantime, the party begins now and the two friends can celebrate their good fortune!
I will take a better photo (with no glare) when it is truly finished, but you can get an idea now, and I can start on the next one. I suspect this one will go to the Dutch Art Gallery in time for Christmas, if I don't sell it myself first. CONTACT ME if you want it first!!!
Isaiah 40:8
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.

Party Begins Now - WIP

nodp
One nice result of taking pictures of my work as I go, it makes the things I need to correct more obvious, especially if I reduce the image to black and white.
It immediately has become obvious that the foreground cowboy's left foot need to be a darker value and since his hat is nearly lost in the sky, I will probably turn it black. The distant mountain fades nicely - I like that. The rear cowboy doesn't though, so I may glaze him to make him retreat more into the background, tho not too much, because I still want to see some detail in him.
The fore-ground is next, and I plan tall grasses with high mountain flowers - some lupine and Mexican hat, perhaps. And a couple large rocks, maybe. This is the only part of the painting that I did not plan in detail before I began. I will sketch it out after I research my huge "library" of photos of mountain tops.
All the images I use in all my paintings are entirely my own. I may surf Internet images to clarify a question I have regarding a costume or era in history, but the backgrounds and people and animals I use are all mine, taken by me of either staged events with models or simply images I have come upon by chance. I take my camera with me everywhere!
These two characters were acquired at the Mountain Man Rendezvous in Pine Dale, Wyoming summer 2008. They weren't all wearing truly authentic costumes, but then I doubt I would know the difference anyway, although I AM learning a lot about period clothing.
Howard Terpning is the master of Americana period painting. I would be happy with 1% of his library of research material....

Jeremiah 49:16

The terror you inspire and the pride of your heart have deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks, who occupy the heights of the hill. Though you build your nest as high as the eagle's, from there I will bring you down," declares the LORD.

Learn to Paint in Dallas!

The Dutch Art gallery in Dallas where we (Daily Painters of Texas) held our recent show is sponsoring some workshops. If you live in the area, you might want to look into it! nodp

Psalm 63:4

I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.

Party Begins Now - WIP update

nodp
I literally worked all day on this painting. Eight hours with a break for lunch and to go to a church meeting this evening. I really like it, too, which is something I rarely say about ANY painting. I am following a procedure that has worked well for me in the past - with a careful consideration of composition, drawing, color and value. I recognize already that the blue, flowered shirt needs a little punch and I may attain that with a glaze.
So far, so good. I may hate it when I'm done, but today I still like it.
Tomorrow I work on the foreground horse's legs and the mountain man in the background (and maybe the distant mountain).
I have a commission waiting in the wings, but I need to get the models arranged first, so I can't start on it for a couple more weeks. The collector is wanting it completed Dec. 24 and I am making no promises. When I was in desk top publishing - years ago - and working out of my home, I had contract to produce a yearly magazine that was due at the printers Dec. 23, which meant Thanksgiving AND the weeks prior to Christmas was spent with me getting advertising and copy straight and approved and proofed. Back then, everything was cut and paste and a nightmare to rearrange and/or change - and there was ALWAYS last minute changes. For three years I dreaded the holidays - it was a relief when I quit that business and started changing oil for a living instead...but that is a another story...

Job 35:9

"Men cry out under a load of oppression; they plead for relief from the arm of the powerful.

Stand Off - 16 X 20 WIP

My other work in progress was too wet to work on yesterday, so I dug through my thousands of photos and composed this one. These characters were actually separate images and the water is from a third image. I have had this in my head for a number of months now, and I am still toying with the title. I rather like ""Republican or Democrat?" I am open to suggestions!
Just like the other work, this one will be entirely different when I finish it, and I promise to post as I go.

Georgia's BFF

They are NOT fighting - just playfully wrestling! nodp
Our friends and neighbors, John and Sandy, are on a Mediterranean cruise and we are caring for their dog-child, Joy. She is a 2 year old American Eskimo (Spitz) and is Georgia's best girl friend. (Her best boy friend is Walker, my daughter's Cocker/King Charles pooch).
Joy arrived Wednesday morning. That evening Georgia gathered ALL the toys around her (including Joy's) into the middle of the living room and snarled at Joy if she even looked in her direction. The following morning they were best buds and proceeded to wrestle and chase one another through the house and into the yard. The mayhem will continue for another 2 weeks until Sandy and John come home.
I actually feel honored that my friend trusts us with her pooch. Sandy and John have always had an American Eskimo - and even rescued their last one. And when she died, it was a couple years before they felt they could love another.
I know the heartache you feel when you lose a treasured pet. And the issues you can have when forced to leave it in a safe environment for a long period of time. Joy visits here regularly, though, so she feels quite at home and is, if fact, already a part of our routine. And I am enjoying her wonderfully happy nature and her smiling face! And so is Georgia!

New Neighbors - completed

12 X 16 Oil on Canvas
SOLD to a collector in North Carolina

nodp
Sometimes it's hard for me to stop painting on a piece - especially when it's one I really like, and I do really like this one. Often I "live" with them for a while - and I always notice a few more things that I can do - most of the changes quite tiny and probably unnoticed by anyone other than myself. Mike often has suggestions, too, and his are usually accurate and valid. He likes this one as is, though, so I'm declaring it finished.
I recently sold another painting that I have used as my signature piece on my business card. I may use this one next since it is so colorful and quite representative of the direction I have taken lately. AND it will fit the card!

Daniel 2:21

He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.

Party Begins Now - WIP

NODP
I have decided that quickly finishing small paintings just isn't the direction I need to continue in. I much more enjoy the thoughtful planning, construction and layering required for the more detailed work that I have been painting lately. I still like the little ones when they are employed as a color study/composition design orientaion - but I REALLY enjoy the final painting details - like the one I am working on here.
I lay in the darks and undercolors first - quickly, and then come back after this is dry and put in the "real" colors. I like placing a yellow underpainting under the skies, too, because they seem to glow when the blues and violets are placed over it.
I thought you might also enjoy the process of this one. This is "stage one" and it's 24 X 30 - pretty large. The characters were gathered at the Mountain Man Rendezvous in Pine Dale, Wyoming 2 summers ago. The foreground horse will be red - background one will be black. Long grass and wild mountain flowers with hazy mountains in the distance. Foregound man has a blue floral shirt, coyote fur on his saddle. Background guy is carrying a whiskey jug. Both look like they are about to fall off their horse!I promise you will be surprised at the final painting - it will look nothing like this!
The title has meaning on several levels...we'll go into that later, but part of it is because of the head gear on the forefront horse...think about it!
I'm having fun with this one - now it has to sit for at least a week before I can work on it again.
And Pam, YOUR painting will be up next - hopefully finished!

Proverbs 20:21

An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning will not be blessed at the end.