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I just returned from a hiking/painting vacation in the Black Hills of South Dakota, along with a little detour to Devil’s Tower, Wyoming. I am inspired by God’s beauty in this part of the country. While desolate and dry in many locations, it is uniquely beautiful in its quietude and simplicity. Waking up early in Wyoming and going out on the porch of Sawin’ Logs Bed and Breakfast, I was able to carve in my memory the delicate pink grapefruit sky above three deer grazing. It was so perfectly still and a reminder that we, too, as artists, need to be still, to truly appreciate and capture moments like these. On the Wildlife Loop, we came upon hundreds of bison in the fields and on the road. When we came upon this one, Paul had a name for him, but I can’t remember- it was so perfect. I’ll call him Wooly Bully until I remember.

Wooly Bully Study

Bronc Buster Study- Underneath all of this color is hot pink. I’ve used bright orange before, but never hot pink…Why not make the moment more intense? I saw this rider at the Hawley Rodeo this past summer. I did several studies and now have completed the final large piece. I hope to show it at my next show in November of 2013 at the Spirit Room. For now, it is going to hang around my studio for any last minute touch ups.  I liked the study as it helped me “figure things out” for the big piece.

Here is another rodeo study, “Clownin” Around”, done quickly in watercolor. I have now completed the larger painting in watercolor, gouache, and acrylic. The study helped me to feel the action and the “tease” of the moment. The final painting looks different, with a very drippy bull, done in one of my favorite colors. Mark your calendar for November/December of 2013 when my rodeo show will first be displayed at the Spirit Room in downtown Fargo. I’m excited about the possibility of having a full year to prepare for a show.

Clownin' Around study