Montana Artworking by Cindy Betka

Muse: the inspiration that motivates a poet, artist or thinker. Assuming you fall into one of those three; what is your muse? Mine changes when I see it. Right now it comes from the images in my head and camera where I just came back from a walk. Fall colors and the change of season is a big muse for me. It is this season that is depicted in my paintings often. The color change around here are the aspens and willows mostly. The smaller wild roses and ground cover has some really beautiful bright color changes. Let me share with you some of the images I am talking about. There is still some green that has not changed fully yet and some leaves are brown and falling.

You will notice when observing objects lit by candlelight the light on them falls off quickly receding from it. The ‘inverse square law’ comes into effect. This is where at twice the distance the light is only ¼ as bright. Or the same light rays must cover 4 times the area. I came across the National Gallery of Art exhibition on Remington’s works. This particular exhibition focuses on his nocturnes. Worth a perusal, here is the link:   http://www.nga.gov/feature/remington/remington01.shtm You should find it interesting. Painting by  Frederic Remington  (October 4, 1861 - December 26, 1909),  Shotgun Hospitality  from 1908, Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire Source: National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.

This is a painting I am currently working on. It is a section of our Jackleg fence we had put up to divide the pasture for the horses. In researching the history of the Jackleg fence I came across constructing fences that are 'healthy' and friendly for wildlife. There were some disturbing graphic depictions of wildlife that had gotten caught up in some nasty fencing. Along with that were some great set ups for fencing that aloud wildlife to pass safely while keeping cattle in or out, whatever the case might be. Did not find a 'history' on the Jackleg fence. Just that it is use were Lodge pole pine is prevalent and on rocky soil were driving posts are difficult. We kept our's easy for wildlife to pass through, crawl under or jump over.