“Rodeo Recall”
12 x 24”
Oil on Clayboard
Each pair of well-worn boots has a story. This one is about some wild rodeo rides.
This painting will be available at the Black Hills Stock Show in Rapid City, January 27 – Feb. 4th. Look for my booth in the Civic Center Theatre lobby!
This year, I am taking on a new venture: I will be setting up at the Stock Show! This painting is one in a new body of work which will be available at the Black Hills Stock Show in Rapid City, January 27 – Feb. 4th. Look for my booth in the Civic Center Theatre lobby!
“Waiting to Party”
12 x 24”
Oil on Clayboard
Sitting in a corner, waiting to be brought out again, this cowboy wears his good boots only for special occasion. They must sit and await that time.
“Manifest Destiny” 16 x 20” Oil on Canvas
This painting will be available at the Black Hills Stock Show in Rapid City, January 27 – Feb. 4th. Look for my booth in the Civic Center Theatre lobby!
The notion of Manifest Destiny was largely a governmentally convenient philosophy to justify westward expansion in the United States. It was the belief that expansion was not only obvious but it was inevitable. This philosophy led to much bloodshed and the changes upon the continent and the world, continues today. This great land battle is now over highway routes.
The ledger art image which inspired this piece was taken from the Ewers Ledger. Of Northern Cheyenne origin, dating to the late 1970’s or early 1880’s, the name of the ledger is attributed to a purchaser of the ledger. The profusion of rifles and bullets whizzing about as well as the obvious conflict, drew me to the image.
An amazing website in which the entire ledger can be viewed is: https://plainsledgerart.org/plates/index/5
“Wealth of Vision” 10 x 12” Oil on Canvas
In earlier days, horses were a source of currency with Native Americans.
Envisioning the magnificent animals which gave not only wealth but life to a tribe, this painting explores the vision many a man undoubtedly had.
A wealth of vision of a vision of wealth…
“Bison Hunt Memories” 24 x 36” Oil painting on Clayboard
The action and adventure of a bison hunt are recalled in this painting. Tales of the hunt were passed down from generation to generation of Native Americans, as the bison was the very lifeblood of the Plains Indian culture. This painting depicts the interior of a canvas tipi, the material that was by necessity implemented after the bison were nearly wiped out to extinction.
My paintings are about stories. The human race is founded upon them. Stories that constitute our past, our present and our imagined future. The older I get, the more clearly I see that history is not black and white, and that there are infinite factors which determined how things have unfolded on this earth. There are possibly as many versions of the “true” story of a historical event, as the people who lived it. All versions of the truth, make up the reality …
The Medicine Wheel, 11 x 18″ Watercolor
Painted for the Prairies to Peaks Plein Air painting event August 1 – 13, 2011. I climbed Medicine Wheel Mountain in the Big Horn Mountains,with my watercolor supplies in a backpack. I enjoyed a beautiful afternoon of painting at the site. Thank you to the park ranger staff, who granted me permission to sit and take in this spectacular site. I took artistic license and omitted the wooden post fence which circles the perimeter, so to better see the form of the Medicine Wheel.
This is an areal view of the Medicine Wheel as seen today. This image is from the site: http://www.native-americans-online.com/native-american-medicine-wheel.html
Another good site to find more information and photos about this Wyoming Medicine Wheel, an amazing site is: http://solar-center.stanford.edu/AO/bighorn.html
It is unknown exactly which Native American tribe built this stone wheel atop the mountain, or what it’s exact age is. It is estimated at being between 300 – 800 years old. It is still utilized today by many tribes, for sacred rituals, and can be visited by the general public when not in use for a ceremony. To have this exceptional piece of history still intact atop this mountain, and be able to visit it is truly a gift.
I’ve had some inquiry as to seeing a larger view of this: attached
The BHEC, outside of Sheridan, Wyoming, 12 x 36″ Oil on Canvas
I was very surprised (pleasantly!) to discover that Sheridan, Wyoming has a polo club with a full summer schedule and impressive field to play on! The Big Horns are the backdrop for this amazing field, and it makes for a truly unique and exciting afternoon. Free to observers: it is something to put on a bucket list! Painting it as the action unfolded for whatever reason, was on mine! I painted it during the Prairies to Peaks Plein Air event August 1 – 13, 2011.
To find out more about this amazing club, check out their website: http://www.thebhec.org They host much more than polo matches, but smack dab in the middle of Wyoming, the polo events are truly unique! As stated on their site: “Situated at the base of the Big Horn Mountains, the BHEC offers a unique setting which encompasses 60 acres of lush, manicured, green acres and a historic clubhouse. Now in its 23rd year at this venue, the BHEC has played host to many horse-related activities. From polo to roping and bronc riding, to horse shows and racing, the BHEC has done it all – even the Budweiser Clydesdales!”
Crow Peak from the old Belle Fourche Highway, 12 x 36 Oil on Canvas
This was painted from the side of the road, early spring of this year, as the trees were just starting to bud out and the rosy glow of the start of spring was evident to me. In Spearfish, an old rule of thumb, is not to put anything outside in the garden or planting beds until the snow is melted off of Crow Peak. If snow is there, it is still likely that there will be a spring frost or snowstorm. If you look closely, the snow is nearly gone, signaling my celebration of Spring.
Crow Peak is a conglomerate of many shapes, and depending on the light and the angle, it looks very different. I have painted it numerous times over the past couple of years, and continue to be intrigued by that. This painting is currently on exhibition at the Spearfish Arts Center, downtown Spearfish.
Spearfish Canyon in Early Morning Fog, 12 x 36, Oil on Canvas
This painting is currently on exhibit at the Spearfish Arts Center. I have relished working with long formats: both vertical and horizontal. To do this large of a painting in Plein Air (Outdoors on the site) has been a personal challenge to myself as an artist, and one I have loved embracing. I am fortunate to live in such a beautiful location, and one in which I can be on site within minutes!