On the Easel

Here are a few fresh paintings from the studio today - they're getting pretty close to completion ... I think ... maybe not.

But then again is a painting ever really finished? 

I mean when a person looking at a piece of art connects with it they tend bring themselves and their sum of experiences to fill in the gaps so-to-speak. If a painting was entirely finished there would be nothing really to experience from it - it would say it all - nothing to interact with. So I think it is within those gaps lies the magic when appreciating art. Somewhere in between what the artist is saying and what the viewer is hearing lies that special connection. Clear as mud? - its just a thought.

Summer sky with part of the Highwoods  15" x 30" oil/canvas

Winter creek in the evening   30" x 30" oil/canvas

Late summer evening clouds and the Highwood Mountains just after a thunderstorm     30" x 30" oil/canvas

"Not Gonna Do It Wouldn't Be Prudent at this Juncture"

Normally at this time of the year I would be insanely and I do mean "insane" - frantically painting away for the art show for western art week which is just around the corner - not this year.

Although I am painting and will have a number of brand new pieces which I will post here and on my website, I just won't be rapidly knocking years off my life with mega doses of caffeine and self-imposed sleep deprivation.

Its been ten years of doing that now and you would think it would get easier with each year but I have not found it so - the stress level seems to be rising for me and maybe because I'm in my fifties now, who knows? And isn't that the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over, year after year expecting different/better results with each time? Stop the madness already!

So I'm stepping away from the Western Week of Madness for this year at least - and in the meantime I do wish all those brave artists who are participating in it much success - lots of sales, gobs of exposure and as little art gossip as they can tolerate - you deserve it!

By the way if you are out and about during Western Art Week be sure to check out the auction pieces at the C.M. Russell Museum at 400 13th Street North in Great Falls, Montana. Quite the impressive show there and I feel rather honored to have had a piece juried into their Silent Auction - which will be on Thursday March 20th between 6pm and 9pm. So I'll see you there - if you're there!

Noelle     30" x 30" oil on canvas 2013
lot #6 minimum bid $2400.

Way Too Cold!

Minus 15 below right now and minus 36 below wind chill - thank God one car out of two started for us today because its pretty darn cold out there! Not nearly as cold as this place near Roger's Pass was back in 1954 - which was not too far away - maybe 60 or so miles from here. That's one claim to fame I wouldn't want to have - so they can keep that record to themselves. 

The Highwoods have been looking rather cold of late as well - they are my favorite mountains, I guess I have known them the longest and the familiarity with them has made me rather fond of them. I have painted them a number of times but want to paint a whole series sometime - maybe 20 to 30. They just have a lot of character - every day they are ever-changing yet still so much the same. They are a comfort to have - a nice strong presence to have nearby.

I think Squall in the Highwoods is an appropriate title for this photo - 

look at all that thick atmosphere - now that's what I like to paint!

Here's some more atmosphere swirling around the highest peaks of the Highwood Mountains.

Lots of atmosphere here looking east over the partly frozen/open waters of the Missouri River to the 10th Street Bridge - in progress winter painting 16 "x 20" oil on panel(after first session).

Juniper Painting Series

Here is a set of juniper paintings I'm working on and pretty happy with. They are 10" x10" and I'm thinking they could make a great daily log series like a Day 1 to Day 365 thing. Kind of like Monet did with his haystacks series where he chronicled the light and seasons and atmosphere - could be really cool - I'm inspired!