Lofty Ideas

I am sitting here trying not to fall asleep……………I have been working on my taxes…late for me this year. But I kept putting it off. Other things got in the way…like working on a painting that I was really excited about! I can’t get excited about taxes.

My artwork going to two invitational shows…one in California [‘The Grand National’ at the Cow Palace] and the second in Missouri [‘The Horse In Fine Art’ at the Columbia Art League] has been picked up my by carrier and CD music plays, easy listening elevator type music that is helping to put me to sleep…I think I need to change it!! There! Now Corinne Bailey Rae is wafting her blues through the studio! Much better!

I have been working on two paintings and am working in both casein and acrylic. It is a new mix for me…but I think I like it! The work above is a 20 x 16 piece and is another of my ‘from the loft’ works that are becoming a series. This is one of our black horses as seen from the loft in winter. It is not done…but will be soon. I will repost it when done.

The second painting is a 12 x 12” racing piece…same method, casein and acrylics, but on canvas board this time. I like the way my glazes work with this mix…but for now I NEED to finish my taxes.

ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzz

Sitting Pretty

I have always been surrounded by horses throughout my life. I have ridden hunt seat, forward seat [in Italy], saddle seat and western. I even have done a bit of dressage with our horses over the years. But I have never ridden side-saddle and have always wanted to learn. It doesn't look very comfortable, but it does look so traditional and lady-like.

If I can't ride it.......I CAN paint it.

This small 10 x 8" casein work "Sitting Pretty" was finished today. This painting and a 'bunch ' of other new work need to get onto my website. [When I get a -round-to-it]. The days seem to whiz by lately and with a large part of each day being taken up with shoveling snow around this winter....it seems I have less and less time to spend in the studio! Maybe I am not shoveling as fast as I used to?

But I do have several new "Shade of Black" paintings in the works, and a papercutting............so all is not lost!

So ...back to work........................

We love our life on this little farm in Morrill, in Downeast Maine. Part of our love affair with this part of Maine is due to the lovely views we have when we look out our windows from this little cottage in the woods. On a morning last week, this is the sunrise I saw out my studio window. How great is that? Shots like this make me want to do more landscape work. How could I pass up the chance to depict this glorious God given morning?

News for the New Year:

I was juried into the Richeson’s 75: Artist’s Choice Exhibit 2008. My casein painting “She Rode a Purple Horse” will be hanging in this exhibit at the Richeson School and Gallery in Kimberly WI. From January 15th thru Feb. 22nd. This show will be available for viewing on-line after it's opening. There will be an artbook offered for purchase by the Richeson Gallery depicting all artworks in the art show.

I also have been invited to take part in The Grand National Celebration of Western Art Show & Sale 2008" in Pinion Hills, California. This is an invitational show where 5 of my new equine paintings will be exhibited, April 4th - April 12th, 2008.