Clouds over the Palouse 8"x10 oil on linen

Clouds are interesting they have the ability to seem completely flat.   As if they are pieces of torn construction paper floating through the evening sky.  

View from the backyard

 A couple quick plein airs from the back porch.

Sandpoint Plein Air Paint-Out

The following paintings were done at the Sandpoint Plein Air paint-out.  They are at the Timberstand Gallery in Sandpoint, Idaho.

9"x12" Plein Airs

"The Chief"

I couldn't resist painting the wonderful lines of  these Felt cruisers.

"Alternative Transportation"

The play of the grey ground and shadows to the lime green bike was a lot of fun.  Thanks Outdoor Experience for lending me the bikes.

8"x10" Plein Airs

"Hay Bails"  

some fresh cut and rolled hay.

"Iris's"  

I loved the nice organic lines of the flowers in contrast to the straight lines of the deck at fellow artist  Robert Bissetts home.

4"x4" Plein Airs

"Fowl Friends"

I couldn't resist painting the different birds that were together on the beach.

5"x 7" Plein Airs

"Still Standing"  this is the last old grainery standing in Sandpoint.

"5:00 AM"  when you sleep outside once the sun rises you might as well get up and paint.

"Part of the Show"  a cool lantern on the local theater caught my eye.

Thompson River 8"x10" oil on linen

I think I am going to miss this view out my living room.  

Bottoms up 6"x8" oil on masonite

Finally went painting today and couldn't resist painting the local scenery.

Spring Runoff watercolor on a moleskin

A fun little watercolor on Memorial day, haven't painted much lately I was a Juror and am getting ready to move.

The winter toll 4"x11" oil on birch

On the way home from viewing the O.P.A show in Missoula, I felt a little inspired and stopped with Jared to do a little painting.  This little collapsed shed and stack of hay seemed like a great subject,  the only problem was the nearby bees and their hives.  I probably looked a little strange waving my arms around to the passing motorists as I tried to keep the bees away.

Cache Valley Wellsville's, oil on birch 4"x9"

Distant Wellsville's, oil on birch

Jenny's Barn, watercolor/gouache

I've alway's loved the big dark loft of this barn.

Wellsville's, watercolor/gouache

These mountains are very narrow and one of the steepest mountain ranges in North America,  and the are great to paint.

5 o'clock shadow, watercolor/gouache

There is a "little mountain" in the middle of cache valley that gets a nice 5 o'clock shadow.

Cedar 6.5"x8.5" watercolor/gouache on Illustration board

I went for a drive up the river and found this great tree.  I like how cedars are so tall straight and pointed.

View from the hotel window, Gouache/watercolor on a Moleskin

Puyallup, Wa Gouache/watercolor on a moleskin

Orange on Blue 8"x10" watercolor/gouache

I love the colors of winter, the colors are so intense and primal.  There is nothing like a pristine winter scene.

"Montana Spring" watercolor/gouache

I went for a ride into the mountains today to enjoy the spring sun,  and found out spring isn't here yet.  

Pack River 3.5"x11" watercolor/gouache

This scene always begs me to paint it and I'm happy to oblige.

Cold Contrast 3.5"x11" watercolor/gouache

I always love these orange trees in the winter blues.

Sketch Crawl

A nice rainy/snowy mountain.  I increased the greenness of the grass for wishful thinking.

This little old gas station that is now a uhaul store is always a great subject.

And how could I resist the tractor on rails.

I went out with Jared and a group of other sketchers today, and these are the results.

Mountains along the FlatIron gouache & watercolor

Being slightly tired of oils,  and the dismal grey of Montana winter, which seems to have no end.  I broke out the gouache and watercolors and a favorite photo.  I then put down some paint in remembrance of the shadows and light patterns that the sun can make. 

Sunset on Lake Pend oreille 5"x7" oil on panel

I don't often do sunsets but I couldn't resist the silhouette of the boats,  and the play of the reflection in between them.

Shadows and trees

A different view of the river for me, but an interesting one.  The positive and negative shapes lured me in.

A little shot of blue sky.

Took advantage of a  semi-nice day and painted between the rain/snow.  I was enticed by the flow of the river and the little shot of blue sky reflecting in the water.

Blue Sky on a winter day 4.5"x5.5" oil on birch

This is a little painting for the Hockaday Art museum auction in April.  

Evening at the Auction 11"x14" oil on birch

I did my first Quickdraw at the Yellowstone Art Museum in Billings.  It was fun I had an hour to produce a painting which was then sold at the auction.  I had get permission to paint in the center courtyard rather then in the gallery in a big white room.  This image is of the old part of the museum, the yellow seeping through the door is what caught my eye and I had to do it.  The painting sold for 500.  Not bad for an hours work.

Sandpoint snowy alley 8"x10" oil on linen

I've been preparing for the Quickdraw at the Yellowstone Art Museum this weekend,  this paintigs and the previous 5 were done in an hour.

Train Trestle 8"x10" oil on birch

Monarch mountains 4"x4" oil on birch

Frozen River 8"x10" oil on linen

Old wood boat 8"x10" oil on linen

15 degrees, windy and starting to snow, 10"x12" oil on birch

Yes it was cold, very cold.  I haven't plein aired for a bit and I had to prove to myself that I could do it no matter what.  So whether the painting is successful or not I'm not sure but it made me feel like a real artist out in the snow, wind and cold weather.

Winter Reflection, 8"x12" oil on birch

Moody Mountain 11"x20" oil on birch

I was in a strange mood tonight so I did this painting.  Maybe its because my daughter was asking me about edvard munch's painting "the scream"  and why he painted it.

Clark Fork Rock 4"x9" oil on mahogany

I like the linear quality of this painting.  Its a very muted painting as far as color goes.

Lake Pend Oreille 18"x 48" oil on canvas

I like the blueness of the winter, I used a limited palette of titanium white, prussian blue, paynes grey and raw umber.

Pause 4"x10" Etching, Drypoint

I did this print a couple of years ago, but I've never posted it. I titled it "pause"and it represents the wiseman seeking the birth of our Saviour, pausing on his trip to ask for guidance and offer thanks. It also represents what I believe we often miss at Christmas, a pause, to remember the birth of our Saviour. Merry Christmas