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Showing posts from 2014

Start A New

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When I look back over 2014 I see that I completed 60 oil paintings. About 53 of these were more or less 'successful'. Of those, 20 will be in the 'Spacious Skies' Series and exhibiting in Deer Lodge starting the end of April, more on that as it gets nearer. This painting below is my official last painting of 2014. 'Sky Bridge' 20" X 20" Oil on Cradled board His compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Lamentations 3:22-23

Merry Christmas

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Merry Christmas Close up of  'The Sleeping Christ Child' by  Bernardino Luini

Blue Sky - Snowy Photos

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There is something to be said for blue sky and sunshine. Especially when you go without it for days on end. The dark grey, heavy laden clouds fill every space in the lower atmosphere in winter. Those days are fantastic at sunset and rise when there is a splash of warm orange and reds peaking through in the line of clouds on the horizon. That ephemeral golden moment is captured in many a painting. But this day God gave us plenty of vitamin D to lift the spirits. Enjoy these snowy shots as I walk knee deep in snow breathing in the stillness. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born. Psalm 33:6

On Art Collecting

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Why do people collect art? The sociologist, Sarah Thornton wrote in her book, 'Seven Days in the Art World', for a collector to ask some questions. After first looking at a lot of art ask; Is it intriguing? Do you find the piece deeply amusing? Do you want to spend time with it and display it in your space? Does it become more compelling the more you think about it and study it? These same questions I ask myself when I think I am done with a painting. 'Close with Pink Curtain' 20" X 20" Oil on cradled board

Anders Zorn

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From the book on Anders Zorn, I thought I would share some plates of his paintings. These are a bit festive looking along with the photo of him on his horse. 'Mona and Karin'  'Herdsmaid'  'Dance in the Gopsmor Cottage'

Art Center Gallery-Online Featured

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My group of paintings titled 'Clouds Near Abstraction' was featured on Art Center College of Design on line gallery. Here is the screen capture of the site. This painting 'The Source' is the cover painting. It is 24" X 30", oil on board.

Snowy Thanksgiving

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The weasel dropped by looking for food perhaps. It is a 'Long Tailed Weasel' which is distinguishable by the black tip on the tail. In the winter their coat turns white; light brown in the warm months. It was moving around so fast that I did not have time to put the zoom lens on to get a good closeup. Cute little fella! Happy Thanksgiving!

On the Easel - 'May Snow'

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The beginning of winter is a bit like the end of winter. The beginning is really in the fall. The end is actually in the spring. This painting I am working on is from a snow blast at the beginning of May. The difference here is there are bits of green starting to appear. Whereas, if this were in the fall; the green has turned to brown. The scene was while traveling west along the high-line towards Glacier Park.

The Oval Rabbit

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'The Oval Rabbit" is really about the antique oval frame I have had for so long. It was about time that I painted something for it. Yes, a bit backwards to paint to fit the frame rather than the other way around.

In the Works

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'Last Run' is completed and will be donated to the "Ski Ball" for the local cross country ski club fundraiser. This might need a few last brush strokes down the line.  Although I have hung this on the wall, it is hiding in the upstairs bathroom. What tactics I take to discover what this painting requires before completion.  

Slow Progressive Steps

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This painting has been progressing slowly. Here it is in 3 progressions. I will leave it for a few more weeks to see if it needs anymore tweaking. More likely I have finished with it.

Trick or Treat?

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Treats! Gourmet treats. These cookies are to die for. I just had to take a break from painting to bake some. Yummmmmmm

The Lewistown Art Center - new paintings

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These 4 small oil paintings (8" X 8") will be shipped off Oct. 27 to the Lewistown Art Center. They are available with a few other paintings in their shop. Lewistown Art Center 406-535-8278 Seeing Red Cloud Barn Twilight Reflex White Red Morning 'You are the God that does wonders; You have declared Your strength among the peoples.' Psalm 77:14

October Snow

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Magritte - Green Apple

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  Sometimes when experimenting, I am surprised at where the painting is taking me. Bits of surrealism surfaced in these two small 'still life-scapes'. Not sure what to call these, but they are a bit tangent from what I usually paint. The green apple reminded me of Rene Magritte (1898-1967) a Belgian surrealist artist. There was a recent exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago (June 24 - Oct. 13), 'Magritte: The Mystery of the Ordinary 1926-1938'. I was not fortunate to see it. Magritte's more well known painting is: "Magritte TheSonOfMan" 1964 About the painting, Magritte said: At least it hides the face partly. Well, so you have the apparent face, the apple, hiding the visible but hidden, the face of the person. It's something that happens constantly. Everything we see hides another thing, we always want to see what is hidden by what we see. There is an interest in that which is hidden and which the visible does not show us. T

Abstractionism

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From Webster's Dictionary: Abstraction - 2. the act of considering something in terms of general qualities, apart from concrete realities, specific objects, or actual instances. I find myself skirting the edges of abstractionism in painting. Pushing those boundaries between representational art and abstraction is freeing up my soulful expression. 24" X 30" Oil The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works. Psalm 145:9

Fall Notes

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First you observe the changing fall colors turning quickly after each frost. Then you smell the decomposing leaves and organic matter melting into natures compost and rich soil. A gentle breeze stirs  starting the clapping aspen leaves applauding their colors. This is fall in all its God made glory. Patchwork of colors on the mountain sides After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire.  And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 1 Kings 19:12

October Sky

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As you know by now, I am really into skies and clouds. Last night was one of those very unusual cloud formations. I stepped out our front door every few minutes to take photos of the sky's changing colors. The clouds to the East stayed in this sculptured mass. The full moon was rising on the move through the sky. The Western sky moved faster in shape and color. I just had to share some of the photos.

Rise Above

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There are somethings in life you have to find a way to rise above. For me I find strength, solace, power and refuge in my Christian faith. I dip into my soul through my passion for art. The act of painting becomes a conversation with God. The painting below I just completed and before it was finished I came up with the title. Rise Above 18" X 36" Oil

Still Life Experiment

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Still life paintings are an area I have not delved into much. With this small 8" X 8" oil study I started out tight and finished, closer to realistic. From there I scraped, brushed, and went wild. Just having fun with trying things was the reward.

'Wind and Bones' Show

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The Radius Gallery in Missoula has accepted 3 of my paintings into their 'Winds and Bones' show. Here is a take from their web site,  http://radiusgallery.com . WIND & BONES Oct 3 - Nov 16 A new show paying tribute to Montana writer James Welch, whose poetry was once described as having a lot of  "wind and bones"  in it. Intrigued by the suggestion of strength, energy and space, we offered this provocative notion to visual artists in Montana and asked them to respond. Below are my 3 paintings. 'Empowered' 16" X 20", Oil on panel, gallery wrap 'Exalted' 15" X 15", Oil on panel, gallery wrap 'Purple Majesty' 16" X 16", Oil on panel 'He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind' Psalm 78:26