Montana Artworking by Cindy Betka

'Is it finished?', do you ask? Well, I am working a bit loose and trying new things. I feel my style is finally coming together. So if these 2 paintings look unfinished then perhaps that is just my way of painting. More textures and many more layers of color is what's going on here. 'Cloud Barn' Oil 8" X 8" 'Early Evening Service' Oil 16" X 16" 'Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.' 2 Thessalonians 3:16

These are 3 small 8" X 8" paintings I completed recently. They were much fun, painted in degrees of looseness. I worked on simplifying and putting in less to engage the viewer to complete.

How does your garden grow? Up here mine doesn't grow real well if you want vegetables. So, I have been most successful with wild flowers. The creatures stay away from the flowers, perhaps just not appetizing enough. They love the dandelions and those we have plenty of. Right now is the peek of the flowers which are soon going to go down hill certainly by the end of August. Enjoy a look at a few friends and some beautiful blooms. 'The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;' Psalm 24:1

Photos - Walter Hinick -Montana Standard  The Irish festival celebrates the Irish culture in Butte Montana every year in August. This year there was no admission charge and the main stage was at the Original mine yard. This mine was the first mine established in Butte. They have restored the head frame and buildings along with landscaping the grounds to accommodate an audience. The stage is underneath the head frame which all makes for an unusual setting. Perhaps not so unusual for Butte. There is a ‘Social Bridge’ to Ireland; and to quote from another blog, socialbridge.wordpress.com, Jean writes, “ Every time I pass the main evidence of the mining works, which are located overlooking the sea at Tankardstown, my mind crosses the ocean to Butte, Montana. We know that many of the miners emigrated to Butte when the mines closed in Bonmahon. I often wonder how it was for those who settled in Butte and if many of their descendants have any real sense of...