Mules Mules Mules - from Thirty Mile Campground in Colorado

5 X 7 Oil on Canvas mounted on Board $125

Includes Shipping and Insurance

We are back from our yearly trek to Colorado. We escaped the blazing Texas heat for 3 glorious weeks where the temperature was never over 78 and often down in the 30's at night. DEEEE-lightful! Many many thanks to my friends and neighbors for taking care of the cows and horses, etc. And, MOM...thanks for encouraging us to go - I am so grateful you are feeling so well!

At our first stop, near Road Canyon Reservoir on the way to Thirty Mile Campground near Creede, we passed a corral full of mules and horses. I LOVE mules and took many photos of them.
This first little painting is a composite of my 3 favorite, and I have included here the process of the painting's composition.

I would love to paint this in a large format using a different color palette...any takers?

Above are three original photo images that I took.

A quick sketch on notebook paper (I forgot my sketchbook) established the composition.

I decided to make the format slightly wider than square, re-drew the sketch onto the canvas and began painting.

Unlike many painters, I prefer to work "front to back", painting the negative space to make corrections in the outline, if needed.

This painting was completed in about 3 hours (not counting the photography, planning and final drawing). Painting on the "kitchen table" in the RV is not the best of circumstances - lighting is very bad and the space is cramped. I used to take boxes of supplies and canvases, but I have learned to take the barest minimum and make-do.

My fellow artist friend, Niki Gulley leads ART TREKS to Europe (France and Italy), and I marvel how artists can travel overseas and bring along enough of their stuff.  But I have learned to do the same when we set off in the RV.  Less really is more!

Exodus 13:21

By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.

If you are interested in this painting, click here to send me an email. I accept checks and Paypal. I can also arrange LAYAWAY. To view my latest paintings on Daily Painters go HERE. To view larger paintings, go to my Website HERE. To view a wealth of OTHER Texas Artists, enjoy THIS site!

# 10 There's More Than One Way to Reach an Itch

6X6 Oil on mounted canvas $100

Includes shipping and insurance US

Renate lives in Kentucky and has a farm full of critters - including Jersey and Dexter milk cows as well as a herd of Scottish Highland cattle.  She also shares her farm with potbellied pigs, goats, chickens, dogs, cats, bunnies and assorted reptiles. The equines are well represented by a couple mini donkeys and this handsome mule with an itchy belly. Thanks, Renate, for allowing me to use your photo!

We have found new homes for both of Aunt Abbey's 5 month old calves, and since I am a lazy cow owner and don't want to milk every day, we needed another calf for Abbey to raise (and to help me with the milking). I had every intention of coming home with ONE black bull calf (they seem to sell the best), but you know the story about "the best laid plans..." Mike was with me, so it's not all my fault! It turned out to be a good decision to get 2 small, very lively and aggressive calves. Abbey is not a willing foster mom at first, but she cannot kick both calves at once!
This morning's feeding went well. While one dodged a hoof, the other went to town sucking. And Abbey did finally settle down eating her own breakfast after a few minutes.  I have high expectations for the future....
Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

If you are interested in this painting, click here to send me an email. I accept checks and Paypal. I can also arrange LAYAWAY. To view my latest paintings on Daily Painters go HERE. To view larger paintings, go to my Website HERE. To view a wealth of OTHER Texas Artists, enjoy THIS site!

Nice Ass - mule and horse painting

6 X 8 Oil on Canvas Panel $125

Includes shipping and insurance

I spotted this mule and horse pair on the side of the road near Creede, Colorado and shouted "Pull over, Mike!" I HAD to take their picture! Later that afternoon, during the afternoon rain up in Thirty Mile Campground, I painted them. I am learning to KISS - "Keep It Simple, Stupid".
Psalm 19:7
The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

Buy this painting on PayPal
Price: $125 USD
Or, send me an email

 I accept checks and Paypal. I can also arrange LAYAWAY. To view my latest paintings on Daily Painters go HERE. To view larger paintings, go to my Website HERE. To view a wealth of OTHER Texas Artists, enjoy THIS site!

He Ain't Heavy, I'm a Mule

 

5X7 Oil on Canvas Panel $110

Includes shipping and insurance in US

Buy this painting on PayPal
Price: $110 USD
Or, send me an email

Friends and family close to me know that I am planning a trip to Haiti this October to help a teeny bit with the monumental clean-up tasks. I am struggling with this decision, believe me. It's expensive to go there and part of me says "just send money - they can use it better than my meager body." Some folks have even suggested that we need to keep our money closer to home and take care of "our own" first. Whew. Heavy thoughts.
Today I was painting this mule, thinking about the trip, talking to God, as I often do while painting - and listening to to XM radio 60's music, which I don't normally listen to. It gets my feet moving, making it hard to paint!
Suddenly, I found myself singing along with the Hollies to the song "He Ain't Heavy, He's My brother".  God speaks to us in many ways, and it may be strange to admit that rock and roll from the 60's is his method of choice to speak to ME, but I believe it. Plans continue for the Haiti trip.
Oh, and this painting is actually lighter than this image - I will post a better one when it dries. And the color wheel was "Analogous complements": yellow, violet, red-violet, and red. Next one I'll go in the other direction, same description: yellow, violet, blue violet, blue - should impart a cold feeling, so I may have to play in the snow with it!

"The road is long with many a winding turn that lead us to who knows where, who knows where,
But I'm strong, strong enough to carry him
He ain't heavy, he's my brother.

So on we go. His welfare is my concern. No burden is he to bear, we'll get there.

For I know he would not encumber me
He ain't heavy, he's my brother."

Matthew 11:29-30 (New International Version)

²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

If you are interested in this painting, click here to send me an email. I accept checks and Paypal. I can also arrange LAYAWAY. To view my latest paintings on Daily Painters go HERE. To view larger paintings, go to my Website HERE. To view a wealth of OTHER Texas Artists, enjoy THIS site!

BIG HALF PRICE SALE!!!

6 X 8 Oil on Masonite $150

This is one of several nice paintings that can be purchased at half price during the BIG SALE!
I saw this fellow at Blanco's (Texas) sesquicentennial celebration last Spring. We caught the end of a parade featuring wagons pulled by both horses and mules and some cowboys on mules. This painting is one particularly handsome fellow (the mule!) My friend Janet Vance raises mules and donkeys and still is promising to get me on one...stayed tuned!
Isaiah 3:9
The look on their faces testifies against them; they parade their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! They have brought disaster upon themselves.

Hurry Up, Mule!

20 X 24 Oil on canvas
Check with Artist for availability

As you know, we spent a lot of time this summer traveling and gathering reference material for my paintings. One of the events we attended was the Pinedale Mountain Man Rendezvous Pageant in Wyoming. They re-enact the settling of the county with a totally fabulous show held at their rodeo grounds.
I took pictures of mules, horses, teams of horses, native Americans, cowboys and settlers, and MORE. My husband declared my photo library complete. I say, NO WAY! But I have to admit that it's pretty close.
This mule was being towed by a scruffy looking guy, and the fellow in the background was actually part of another scene. I put them together and will let YOUR imagination react to the image. (Who's towing the mule and why are they in a hurry? Is the man chasing them or warning them?) All I know for sure is that the mule needs to go faster!
Psalm 55:8
I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm.

What a Cute Ass

9 X 12 Oil on Stretched canvas $145 includes shipping and insurance
SOLD to a collector in Irvine, California

OK, I may be old but I'm not dead. I spotted this character recently in Blanco - readying his mule after a parade celebrating Blanco's Sequicentenniel. The mule caught my attention first, but the rider was kinda cute, too! Janet Vance has PROMISED me that I will ride a mule next time I visit her...I'm not letting her forget it.
Hebrews 13:2
Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

Kiss My ... 5

This big-eared mule actually gave me a hard time when I tried to photograph her from the rear. She definitely didn't want me in her space, since she didn't know me yet, but she also preferred facing me while keeping her distance. I have been told that mules are less likely to kick than horses - and that they rarely buck. I've never ridden one, but I have a friend who trains and competes with them - and she promises that once you ride a mule you'll be hooked! I'll stick with my quarter horses, though I will ride a mule first chance I get....but then I'm pretty stubborn, too, about my preferences.

Mark 16:14 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

Molly Mule

SOLD

I have a friend who swears that mules are the best to ride, and she has been trying to get me to come ride one at her place. She also owns a phenomenal stallion who happens to be a paint horse and I have bred my mare, PJ, to him. But she really loves her donkeys and mules. Mules have a reputation for being sure footed and well balanced - and most don't buck - which is a good thing at my age! They also have a reputation for being stubborn, but I think that is more along the line of being cautious and practical.

This molly mule was at her place last time I visited. She didn't want to make friends with me a first - being a practical mule, she waited to see what my intentions were before she let me approach her.

Psalm 32:9 Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.