Stoic, 15x30, Oil on Canvas, NFS  It's been a while since I've done a figure or portrait. But sometimes something comes along that inspires me to jump out of my comfort zone. This man was one of those somethings.  The setting: last March at the Wester Art Week in Great Falls, MT. I had my booth set up in the Four Seasons Arena with the Legends West Art Show and all was going well. I look up, and from down the aisle came from a man dressed in full minuteman costume (which was my best guess). I couldn't NOT look at him. It wasn't like a Halloween costume. It didn't look like make up ..read more

  Silence, 24x36, oil on canvas I hung this piece at a show in August.  It seemed to get a lot of attention.  People were often mesmerized and would stand in front of it just looking for several minutes.  At that point, I SHOULD have asked some key questions such as "What does it make you feel?" or "How does this resonate with you?".  I like those questions because it helps me understand how my art touches my "fans".  Completely authentic questions.  Not salesy because I actually want to know the answers.  WHAT DO PEOPLE THINK/FEEL WHEN THEY CONNECT WI ..read more

Curiously Strong  Every year.  Off goes the landscape, up goes the candy canes.  Down goes the family photo, up goes the Christmas tree quilt wall hanging.  And then the chaos and (dare I say) mess of tree, ornaments, fake snow, gingerbread house, lights, yada, yada, yada.  Dont forget the baking. My gosh, the baking.   Actually, that's mostly in the past.  And it was fun until it wasnt.  That's when I started thinning out the decor opting for a more... "grown up" version of Christmas.  After all, the kids are adults now with their own kids ..read more

 Festive Roses My Grandma was a woman of many talents.  Even as a youngster I was aware of that.  Besides growing her own fruit and veggies, canning and preserving, home cooking from scratch, she also quilted, crocheted and tatted.  And I'm sure there were many other things she did, and did well. My mother did none of those things and had no interest, ergo, I was intrigued.   Like most families in my grandparents community they had a modest home with modest décor. It was kept clean and orderly and felt exceedingly welcoming.  I was always amazed by their ..read more

  Christmas Balls I've done a few shows.  I know the ropes.  At least I know it kinda sorta.  Things happen from time to time so it's important to be flexible or have a plan B or be able to fake a plan B.  Especially when you have to travel out of state for a show and cant just jaunt home for whatever.  But my shows have always been in a populated area, near a grocery store and or box store so I don't spend a lot of time worrying about what COULD happen (anymore).   That said, I have a show coming in November that I haven't exhibited in bef ..read more

  Season Finale, 12x24, Oil on Canvas, See it HERE Indeed, once I've shaken all the spiders off and given them a long drink of water, these expressive blooms create a sanctuary space.  I love my butterfly bush.  Fast growing, full of long, massive blooms all summer.  And it makes for long lasting bouquets. But shake those spiders off.  ALL the spiders.   Oh my gosh.  How many times have I been painting and out of the corner of my eye I see a tiny, light, almost translucent spider slowly drop from the bouquet to the table top.  Gaaah!  Arach ..read more

Curiously Strong, Oil on Canvas, 14x18 Are you racing to finish your gift list and wrap and bake and watch all those classic shows? I cant bake for you or watch your favorite Christmas specials but I may have an idea for your last minute gifts. IF you have a local gallery you will fine MANY one of a kinds and unique items for your special someones - in stock and ready to wrap. (So much fun!!) My local gallery has items such as: Handmade Crocheted Items Pottery Quilted items Applique Glass Art Fused Glass Stained Glass Paintings of course.. Jewelry Photography Carved Wood Mosaic ORIGINAL ..read more

Red Storm, 18x24, Oil on Canvas, Auction Item (retail $1830) It's that time of year again!  The (Fred) Oldfield Show  is happening this weekend at the Puyallup Fairgrounds.   The red tulip at the top of this post (Red Storm) is slotted for the Major Piece Auction.  You may have seen me working on it during last years show as my "demo".  That was me starting a painting, showing a "bit" of the process at a pubic event.   What you didnt see was the work that followed in the privacy of my studio.  Since I started this piece from a photo (rarely done except for public demos where a live se ..read more

Spice, 16x20. Oil On Canvas, Cole Gallery November brings a slew of interruptions to my already sketchy daily schedule.  Thanksgiving is pretty much just the icing on the cake but November is more than just TG.  It's the real onset of the "Holidays".  Or maybe it's actually October these days but I'm too caught up in the Oldfield Show to deal with it until November.  So about November first, I'm already on that slippery slope where so many other things start to take "priority" over my artwork - and my horse. December, of course, is the crux of it all - but then we find ourselves thinking about ..read more