Risk Takers

20 X 24 Oil on 3/4" gallery wrapped canvas
Check with artist for availability

While in glacier park this past July, at the top of Logan's pass, we spotted mountain goats. They were in the parking lot at the top of the pass (licking the antifreeze spilled from overheated cars - rest assured they they weren't harmed from it), appearing unexpectedly over the edge of the road and on the sides of mountains that were so steep, it was amazing that there weren't constant rock slides. Their agility is only surpassed by the Big Horn Sheep, which we also spotted in precarious places.
This painting is a whimsical contrivance of my imagination and a tribute to those who take calculated risks - based upon their skills and abilities. What seems dangerous and risky to some folks, may actually be a walk in the park for others.....or a simple stroll down a rocky slope to reach a tasty bite.
Deuteronomy 8:18
But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.

Battle Scars

18 X 24 Oil on 3/4" gallery wrapped canvas
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This fellow was a part of a dude ranch riding string in Colorado. The horses were saddled and bridled and left to wander loose in a large corral until needed. Despite his kind, soft eye, it was evident that this horse just didn't have enough sense to keep his nose out of other horses' business! He was well fed, but all beat up from the other horses, and I felt so sorry for him. But some critters (and people) just take longer to learn their lessons!
Proverbs 30:33
For as churning the milk produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife.

Just Like a Man

24 X 30 on Gallery wrapped 3/4" canvas
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Here's my bison buddy again, with his tongue hanging out (he was chasing a cow - hence the title!). I believe the name of this painting is self-explanatory!
Warm umbers and browns with hints of ultramarine and violets make this painting a real popping eye catcher. Everyone who has seen it in the studio this week has loved it!
Exodus 4:10
Moses said to the LORD, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue."

I rarely comment on the Bible verses that come to me for my blog, but this one I have to. Those of you who know the story of Moses, know that Moses really didn't think he was worthy of the huge job the Lord had chosen him for. He was NOT a public speaker; neither glib or fast thinking at all (unlike so many of today's politicians.) But God knew what was in his heart and that he would rise to what was needed of him. The Bible is filled with less-than-perfect people that the Lord called upon to spread his word and do his work. Less than perfect people, just like you and me.

On a lighter note, I am delighted to announce that 12 year old PJ didn't forget all the training I put into her while she was gestating and raising Dandy. The weaning is going well without too much loud whinnying and frantic running, and today I saddled her up and worked a little bit in the round pen. I am pleased to report that she has remained supple and light, although she quickly worked up a sweat. But like most good trainers say, "The best training is a wet saddle pad," and I agree.
After our ride, I hosed her off, trimmed her face and bridle path so she'd be pretty again and I let her graze in the long grass in the front yard where she could really excel in what she does best: eating!
My Mom is probably having a fit finding out that I am riding again. I got hurt pretty bad 1 year and a half ago on PJ - but it wasn't her fault. We were having fun in the pasture chasing cows. I zigged when PJ zagged and flew out of the saddle, hit the ground and broke 2 ribs clean through. That took at least 6 months to heal and another 6 months to quit hurting. But I learned my lesson - I promise, Mom! No more wild stuff - just easy riding - and PJ will appreciate that, too...The main problem now is that riding will bite into my painting time. But my heart will be happier.

Bear Footing

24 X 30 Oil on 3/4" gallery wrapped canvas
Check with artist for availability

Four out of the 7 days we were at Bear Lake near Cuchara, Colorado we saws bears. And since I always have my camera handy, I got LOTS of bear pictures. This is from the first sighting and this bear cleared the lake quickly of all fishermen! He first showed up at the far side of the lake and lumbered around to the side where most of the fishermen were. Fortunately, he went slow - looking for fish - giving us all time to pack up our gear and move. He did run from rocks chunked at him, too - twice. But when he returned to the spot where the fishermen were who threw the rocks, they left and gave him the right-of-way. Smart move.
I took photos while hidden in trees about 100 feet from him. I and some other fellow campers stayed behind trees and shrubbery and kept quiet while we watched him fish. Believe me, we were ready to run if we had to!
Mark 1:16
As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.

Horse Update

No painting today - I have been horsing around!
Little Dandy got separated from her momma today, per vet's instructions. Easy is 16 hands tall, and as you can see, Dandy is pretty big by comparison - especially for a 4 1/2 month old foal. Vet says she's growing too fast and so we cut her off from Momma's milk and are giving her grass hay only and supplemental minerals. Don't worry - she won't starve! If she's anything like her momma (and she is EXACTLY like her momma), she'll stay fat on dirt. But maybe we can give her tendons a chance to catch up with the rest of her.
By the way, in case you can't tell, she has shed all her red baby fur and is the color of a chocolate hershey bar, so she'll be registered as a brown paint. By next spring her coat will glisten a seal brown and she'll be even prettier than she is now.
Genesis 4:4
But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,

Following the Heat

30 X 40 Oil on 1 1/2" gallery wrapped canvas
Contact me for availability

Here's the big painting I have been working on all week and it's even more striking in person.
This big ole bull was intent on following a bison cow and had no trouble keeping all the other bulls away from his lady love. He was the biggest and fastest animal in the herd and was totally focused on one thing - following nature's call!
I will keep this painting here for a couple weeks, then ship it off to a gallery where I'm certain it will sell quickly.

Dandy Update:
If you remember, my mare PJ had a foal 4 1/2 months ago. We named her Dandy and she is wonderful. I have been gone for nearly 2 months and when I returned I noticed Dandy standing with her right front foot extended and she walked with a limp. A closer examination showed her hoof angle to be quite vertical and she was also keeping her knee bent - pretty classic signs of contracted tendon.
I called my vet and then my farrier. Buster, the farrier, arrived first and did a spectacular job of trimming her feet, removing quite a bit from her heel, making her hoof angle more normal. This was only the 2nd time Dandy had been haltered, and after a short hissy fit, she did great. I had been picking her feet up regularly before we left on vacation, so Buster had very little trouble from her.
When the vet came out the next day, he declared her looking very well and prescribed regular hoof trimming and said we also need to go ahead and wean her. She is growing very fast (like her dam did) and we need to slow that down and supplement her with minerals. SO today I am going to move PJ to another pasture and leave Dandy and Uncle Easy together. That big gelding thinks she belongs to him anyway, so he'll comfort her few the next few days.
Stay tuned, weaning rarely goes smoothly - but this foal continues to surprise me and she may again here.

Psalm 5:11
But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Bison Run

5 X 7 Oil on Masonite $110
Includes shipping and insurance

I drew this fellow while we were in South Dakota and knew he'd be good for a number of different paintings - and all big. This is one of about 10 different images I plan to use of bison.
We came upon a herd of around 150 animals while visiting Custer State Park in southern South Dakota (which was a spectacular state, by the way) and I went nuts getting photos. There were several bulls and every one of them was chasing a cow. They weren't interested in me, so I didn't feel too threatened. I was, however, very threatened by one very large, angry, head-shaking cow who definitely didn't think I should be in her territory. She charged toward me twice and I got the message the second time. There was a fence between us, but I had no doubt that she could go through it if she wanted. We used to have a Simmental cow that behaved that way when she had a young calf. That cow nearly caught me several times and once chased me around and around the tractor bellowing and head-shaking the whole time. We called her "Spooky", because she was also hard to catch and pen and nearly impossible to get into a trailer. Obviously we finally DID catch her...and we vowed to never again coddle spooky cows. One cow that is difficult can "infect" the whole herd and make catching them impossible. What a rodeo that used to be!
Matthew 19:26
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Just a Little Skiddish

5 X 7 Oil on Masonite $110
SOLD to a Texas collector

This is from one of the multitude of images I saved at the Mountain Man Rendezvous Pageant in Pine Dale, Wyoming last month. This man was in full mountain man costume and he was showing off the spinning ability of his horse. This is one image that I will making into a larger painting - maybe placing a snake hiding in some cactus to the left of the horse - and retitling it "SURPRISE!".

I worked all day today on this little painting and another 40 X 30 canvas of a bison that has been in my head since I saw him a month ago. It is a total departure from my past work, and I hope you all will stay tuned while I go in new directions with my paintings.....I will reveal it Saturday.
Deuteronomy 8:18
But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.

Wild Rio Grande River

SOLD
6 X 8 Oil on Masonite $115
includes shipping and insurance

One of our first stops on our trip to Glacier was Creede, Colorado. That is where I experienced fly fishing for trout for the first time - and it was on a float trip down the Rio Grande River. Before the Rio Grande turns into a wide, muddy expanse in Texas, it starts in Colorado as a crystal clear river of cold, melted snow and ice. And it's fast flowing and exciting and home to rainbow and brown trout.
Mike and I hired a guide to both teach us correct fly fishing technique and to take us where the fish were. Both tasks were accomplished and it was the beginning of a 7 week adventure to make the fly rod my partner.
This little painting is from a part of the Rio Grande where we fished.
Philemon 1:17
So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.

Looking for Dinner

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

Well, we are finally back from our big summer trip. Except for rioting flower beds and grass tall enough to hide in, everything at home seems just fine. And to top it off, a cold front followed us home from Colorado and brought 20 degree cooler weather and rain to Texas - LOTS of rain, which our area sorely needed.
I painted this little painting while at our next-to-last campground - Bear Lake near Cuchara, Colorado. We were there 7 days and saw bears 4 of those days, and I got pictures of each sighting. I have many more bear pictures planned - both large and small.
This lake is stocked periodically with rainbow trout and is available for anyone to fish. Unfortunately many people throw back the trout they catch, without being very careful with the fragile fish and they die. Bad luck for the fish, good luck and easy pickings for the bears. They are quite aware that at any given time there are dead fish along the edge of the lake, waiting for them to scoop up and eat. And the bears come at all hours of the day - quickly clearing out the fishermen lining the edge of the lake! I kept my distance, but still stayed and snapped hundreds of photos. What fun! I will be painting from the 7 weeks' worth of photos for years, I think.
And this October I will be having a HUGE SALE of all paintings from last year that are not yet sold. So stay tuned and get ready. I haven't decided whethert to host the sale on Ebay or just cut everything unsold a certain percentage. BUT BE ASSURED, I want to clean out my storage and you, dear collectors, will benefit!
Job 8:14
What he trusts in is fragile ; what he relies on is a spider's web.