Late Afternoon Cottonwoods, 6x8, oil, $95

Another quick plein air of the neighbor's cottonwoods. It was the evening before last and I was just sitting out on the deck admiring the scene - I always like this big tree in particular. So I decided to do a quick study. 

I have a busy time coming up - 3 shows in 3 weekends. I have a lot of framing to do - something I had intended to have done a while ago, of course. There is a local one, an invitational regional one and then the Wyoming Plein Air event. So, it will be a whirlwind for a few weeks.

Rider, 8x6, oil, $95

Here's a very quick study for a future painting. I think the hat is too big, but . . . it was a very quick sketch.

Horses, in the works, 16x20, oil

Here's a painting I began yesterday. Hopefully, I'll finish it today. Its good to be back to oils!

I enjoyed the small watercolor kit because it was so handy. So, I've been working on making a SMALL oil kit. So far I have everything except a way to attach a tiny solvent container to the outside edge while painting. When its done, I'll post pictures of it. It is definitely small and light enough to hold in my hand while painting.

Well, I finally got my camera back . . . I found it under my bed when I was getting dressed this morning! The strap from the case was poking out under the edge of the bed and caught my eye and lo and behold it was my camera!! I guess I am a bit scatterbrained. So, as soon as the battery is charged I'll photograph what I've been working on. How silly I feel!

Well, even though I don't have any photos to post yet, I did want to pass on the value of that little watercolor kit. I won't become a watercolorist I'm sure, but in the past I've had interruptions in the painting routine and found it hard to get back to it. Mostly mentally. Today I realized that using that handy little kit kept me engaged mentally in the painting process even if its a different medium. So, that, I believe, is the value of that kit. Keeping engaged. I highly recommend it to anyone who has experienced this same problem. Its very easy to just take that out of your purse or wherever and paint a little. I'm keeping it in my car from now on.

Well, I would have something in the way of a picture to post, except that I left my camera in Lodi! I had a great time and thought I had managed to make it home intact until I unpacked this morning. So, until I get it back I'll just keep painting! Take pictures later.

Farmer's Market, 4x6, watercolor, $45

Here's another attempt. There was a lot of activity later, but this was done before things had really gotten going, during the setting up time. Still very hard to get what I'm after. I only have one more day here. Hopefully it won't be as hot. Maybe only in the 90's. Yesterday it was 106 when we checked!

Downtown Lodi, 4x6, watercolor, $45

This is a little bright, but I painted it the other evening while waiting for my son's band to play at the Farmer's Market. It was very hot - about 100 degrees. The building was not nearly this yellow and orange, but this is what I came up with. Oh, for oils!

Backyard Bushes, 4x6 Watercolor, $45

More of the back yard by the pool. Watercolor is definitely different! I have been told you start with the lightest colors first and move to the darks, which is pretty opposite of the way I use pastel or oil. Its a challenge to work "backwards".

Color, 4x6, watercolor, $45

Wow! Its going to take more than a week to get the hang of plein air watercolor! But its fun. This was done in the backyard of my son's friend. We went swimming there and I painted this while they stayed in the water. I don't know if I'll make it to a vineyard - maybe tomorrow I'll venture out. Its much hotter here than Wyoming has been. 

Well, I made it to Lodi without any mishaps. Today or tomorrow I am going to do some painting. I got this cool little watercolor kit to use. I decided not to bring oils because of the weight and not having a car when I'm out here. I plan to bike to some vineyards to paint - or just old downtown places. Anyway, this watercolor kit fits in a fanny pack and has everything I need. So, it will be a sketching experience. Should be fun. Hopefully, I will have a picture to post tomorrow!

Well, the work on the house and preparations for California are taking a toll on my painting. I bought a little travel watercolor kit to take with me hoping to do some sketching and painting with that in California. I think I'd better practice with it before I leave. I'm not going to expect too much and maybe I won't be disappointed. Today I will stain the concrete floor downstairs in the bath. The walls are textured and "antiqued" and the vanity which was a typical new wood type from Home Depot now looks like an ancient artifact from the Southwest. I may change it to dark wood. Its a bit much, but maybe after everything else is in there it will be okay. 

Lynn, 6x8, oil, $95

After painting the cottonwood by the bridge I turned about 90 degrees to the left and decided to do a quick sketch of Lynn painting by the river. Just a few strokes to describe her position and it seemed to capture the image well enough to leave it alone. The temptation is always to refine more and that usually destroys the accuracy of the initial strokes. So, leave it alone.

By The Bridge, 6x8, oil, $95

This was just down the road from us, close to the North Platter River. There's lots of great views on this road. I'll probably be back there for more paintings.

Work is progressing on the B&B downstairs and I'm getting excited to go to Lodi next week. I love remodeling and interior design, so its been really busy working between that and painting. But lots of fun!

A Little Horse Study 2, 6x8, oil, $95

Another one. I like the color in this one and the smaller horse in the other one. Next is doing a larger one.

A Little Horse Study, 6x8, oil, $95

Just what it says - a little horse study for getting ready to make a larger painting. Next week I'm going to Lodi, CA to see my son and his wife. I'm bringing my painting stuff, so we'll see if I manage to do any painting. I'm hoping to!

In the Mountains, 6x8, oil, $95

This little painting was done in the mountains about 50 miles away. My husband fished and I painted. Its just off a dirt road that leads to Laramie Peak. As I was painting a car went by slowly, backed up and pulled over. Two folks from up the road got out and came over to see what I was painting. Turns out they were on their way home from an artists guild meeting in Wheatland and they also do plein air painting here and in Arizona in the winter. We had a good conversation about the joy of painting outside. You just never know who you'll run into when outside painting.

Lathrop's Barn, 6x8, oil, $95

This is a little plein air study from the same place as some of the others. This is a view I see when driving to town. Its a great barn and very picturesque. Just a splash of red amidst all the green, which is still very green. Maybe we are truly out of the drought. I hope so! Its beautiful and lush this year. I had forgotten Wyoming could look this way.

Hillside Rocks, 6x8, oil, $95

These rocks are really cool. I love the way the rocks curve around and sit on top of each other as though they would topple over in a high wind. Perfectly balanced. The Larkspur blooming and sending their spires straight up make a nice vertical in this otherwise horizontal painting.

We have begun our work on the B&B. I might take before and afters . . . or just afters.

Hmmm . . .

Well, its time for a new adventure. My husband and I have decided to start a bed and breakfast here at our home. We have two bedrooms downstairs that share a bath and one upstairs with a private bath. I think it will be fun! We love having people stay and enjoy what we have here. Duane has done some beautiful landscaping all around the house and back yard and we have way more room than we use. So what could be better than a bed and breakfast? We're still trying to come up with a suitable name. Or I am trying to come up with it. Some contenders are Golden Willows B&B, Red Willows B&B, Wyoming Wind B&B, Wyoming Skies B&B, Muddy Creek B&B, Meadowlark B&B. Any suggestions? Also, we are making the great room downstairs into a combination gallery and sitting room. I can hardly wait to get started!! I hope you can come stay with us some time.

Overcast, 6x8, oil

This is the view from my studio window. It used to be my son's room until I took it over after he moved out. The ranch that surrounds us moves groups of cows onto this pasture before heading them up to the mountain. I think they've all been moved through by now.

Lathrop's 2, 6x8, oil on paper

This painting is from the other direction. I just turned my tripod and here it was. I love painting in places where there's a painting in every direction! I'm returning to this area today for more.

Lathrop's 1, 6x8, oil on paper

Another on paper. I think I'm sticking with paper for these little plein air studies. Its very easy to work on. I'll mount them on masonite or foam core for framing. This is an old place a few miles from home. There's a great red barn I'm going to paint also. Its a classic.

Poppies, 6x8, oil on paper

These poppies were growing outside the backyard fence of one of my friends. Just this little bunch. I was caught by the contrast of the colors, especially the sunlit red against the shady greens.

Cole Creek Road 2, 6x8, oil on paper

This is a painting done looking at the other side of the road. I liked the hills casting shadows in the background. That was really the reason I painted this - so I could get those in there.