RUSH HOUR

RUSH HOUR

Who among us hasn't been stuck in traffic, wishing we could mount up, race past the stagnant flow, and leave the jam behind?  This painting was inspired by the Prescott Rodeo cowgirl barrel racers. Moving in unison with her powerful appaloosa, this cowgirl is focused on speed and agility.  Put yourself in her saddle and feel the wind in your face as you run your race.

"RUSH HOUR"
$150 / Unframed

11" X 14" / Oil on Museum Quality Canvas Panel

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FAREWELL TO SPANKY

SPANKY

Yesterday I lost my devoted companion of the last 12 years, my Jack Russell Terrier, Spanky.  Though small in stature, he had the heart of a giant, the fortitude of a soldier and the courage of a lion.  When Spanky came to me as an 8-week old pup, he was a specific answer to prayer, and he always behaved as such.  Born and raised in Alaska, he thought his mission in life was disposing any critter who dared enter our 14 acres, be it moose, bear, porcupine, rodent, or the neighbor's pot bellied pig.  Whenever I left our house, he would stand guard by the door, anxiously awaiting my return.  When I came home he would receive me back again with a joy outrageously disproportionate to the occasion.  He strove to know my comings and goings like a diligent chaperon.  In our time together I often wondered who owned who.  He was my constant companion, my security blanket, my confidant and my guardian angel all rolled together into a stumpy-legged, short-tailed, brown-eyed, true-blue little dog.  I shall miss him terribly, for he loved me truly.  Twelve years was far too short a time to have with this exceptional little fellow.  Farewell to Spanky, my friend, my companion. . .my dog.

VINTAGE MT VERNON

VINTAGE MT VERNON

My friend, Alex, has a photographer's eye.  She let me use one of her photos for this painting.  It's a scene from a street in Prescott, AZ.  The neighborhood where she shot this picture looks like a vignette from a Norman Rockwell painting with its old-timey craftsman homes and tree-lined boulevard.  Prescott is such a pleasant place to live.  Sometimes I feel as if time stands still here.

"VINTAGE MT VERNON"
$75.00 / Unframed
10" x 8" / Oil on Canvas Board
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BIRD'S EYE VIEW

BIRD'S EYE VIEW

IT'S FINISHED!
I'm on my way to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to hang "BIRD'S EYE VIEW" in the office of the Director of Aircraft Maintenance (otherwise known as my husband).  I feel privileged and proud to live close enough to visit and paint such a special, wondrous place.  I'm sure I'll be revisiting the Grand Canyon in future paintings, as I have just booked an overnight mule trip down to Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the canyon this summer.
YEE-HAW!!!    

STAGECOACH

STAGECOACH

One of the things I love about living in Prescott, Arizona is its rich Western history.  This original Wells Fargo stagecoach was part of last summer's Frontier Days 4th of July parade around the famous courthouse square.  I can't imagine traveling miles and miles over bumpy dirt roads in this type of vehicle, but in it's day, it was considered the latest and greatest way to travel.  One rider described his journey as -
A through-ticket and 15 inches of seat, with a fat man on one side, a poor widow on the other, a baby in your lap, a bandbox over your head, and three or more persons immediately in front, leaning against your knees, making the picture, as well as your sleeping place, for the trip.
I think I would have preferred a horse.

"STAGECOACH"
$65 / Unframed

8 x 8" Oil on Canvas Board
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SIMPLY RUGGED T-SHIRT DESIGN

Front

ADDING BLUE TO" BIRD'S EYE VIEW"

BIRD'S EYE VIEW

My friend, Suzie Althens, a gifted and well-known Alaskan artist, suggested I practice glazing blue into the background of a copy of this painting before attempting it on the original.  Great advice!  (And that's what I love about networking with other artists...LOTS of free great advice!)   Using Photoshop and a better photo of the painting, I glazed in a translucent blue behind the mesas.  See for yourself - the top photo has no blue added.  The background definitely recedes in the bottom photo.  Thanks, Suzie, for your excellent advice.  I'm off to give it a go!

MY 1ST GRAND CANYON PAINTING

BIRD'S EYE VIEW

With great intrepidity I launched into my first Grand Canyon painting.  After all, I can't really call myself an Arizona artist unless I've actually painted the GC, right?  But now, at the almost-ready-to-varnish-stage, I find myself stuck in the artist frozen zone, unsure of what to do next. I am pondering glazing a light blue over the way-back to make it look more distant, but I'm not sure if it would improve it or kill it.  Scott Gellatly, the Product Manager over at Gamblin Artist Colors, has suggested a couple of products I should try for glazing. . . G-Gel or Neo Megilp.  So I'm getting ready to detach from this painting with the proverbial chain saw and glaze away!  I'll let you know the results.

MY NEW FAVORITE BRUSH CLEANER

Veggie Oil...Who knew?!!!

Here's a little tip that should save you some $$.  (And who doesn't like to save money, right?)  Use plain old VEGETABLE OIL to clean your oil brushes.  It works great and leaves your brushes soft and clean, not dried out and frazzled.  Your brushes will last longer and it's a lot cheaper than those swoopy art store solvents.  As you can see, I use the cheapo Wal-Mart brand which costs about $2.50 for 48 ounces.  Just dip your dirty brush into some veggie oil and wipe it with clean paper towels.  Repeat until no more paint comes off your brush.  BTW, Viva is the best towel to use because it's super-absorbent.  I'm actually thinking of buying stock in Viva because I and my oil painter friends use it so much for wiping our brushes between strokes.  I heard this idea at the Dreama Tolle Perry & Leslie Saeta Pasadena Workshop I attended last September, so feel free to pass it along to your painting friends, after you try it yourself first, of course.  

FOLLOW THE LEADER

FOLLOW THE LEADER

My 4th cowboy painting is done.  Originally this painting had no background.  It felt unfinished, so I added in the rocky dells behind the horses and rider.  I'm happy with the result.

Since I haven't posted in a week, you may think I've been slacking off.  NOT SO!  I'm secretly working on a larger painting of a slightly different subject matter.  It's my first attempt at painting that little crack in the ground Arizona is so famous for, also known as The Grand Canyon.  More to come on that later. 

"Follow the Leader"
6 x 6" Oil on Canvas Board
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