Sheep Skull on the Noatak

There's a story here and I'm back to tell it.  I have been away in Alaska for the last several weeks, participating in the Artist in Residence program at Gates of the Arctic National Park, This first painting from that adventure shows a Dall sheep skull found near our first camp spot. Our party of 4, including two incredibly knowledgeable and patient park rangers and two artists in residence (aka. AIR heads) was dropped into the Noatak River drainage by float plane to see what we could see.   We saw a lot!  It's so very comforting to know that a magnificent wild land still persists way up here north of the arctic circle, you'll see more of it coming up in this blog.  I hope you'll enjoy sharing my adventure.

Dudley

I've never met Dudley but I'm told he is a rescue dog.  It felt like I was painting a happy-go-lucky soul.  That's the bonus about painting animals, the feel good part rubs off.  

My Resident Art Critic

This little, but vocal, red or Douglas squirrel can frequently be found outside my studio window perched in the cedar tree.  Surely he's exclaiming over my wonderful painting skills?!  He actually fell out of the tree the other day.  A minute later he (or she) was back up at the bird feeder none the worse for his gravity training.

Forest Flower

Salmonberry is one of the first forest flowers to welcome the hummingbirds in the spring.  This was a challenge with the busy forest background but I like how it turned out.

Nick

Nick is a rescue dog.  He is a great example of what can happen when a "bad" dog is placed in circumstances more appropriate for their temperament.  With considerable expertise from his human, channeling all that intensity has been rewarding for all.

Out To Pasture

Ok, so it's been a bit of a challenge to get back to painting.  Today is the first day I've had any time to paint.  I'm definitely feeling rusty but hopefully this one will work for my aunt to give a friend of hers.  Now I'm working on a winter scene to match the stormy day and threat of snow this weekend.   

Bonnie - study

OK, back to the dogs.  This is a study sketch for a commission I'm working on.

More Complements

Revisiting the roma and zebra tomatoes for another complementary color scheme.

Caesar

This is for a friend who recently lost her never to be forgotten friend Caesar.

Heirloom

The painting today is in honor of this weekend's wonderful HarvestFest celebration of farms and farmers. The painting didn't turn out anything like I planned but that's the refreshing part of (painting from) life.  When I finished I realized that I'd been pretty much painting in the dark with only the tomato lit, so the colors are quite different from what I thought I was putting down!  At first I thought "oh, yuck!" but now I kind of like it.  I have a couple more of these gorgeously grotesque heirloom tomatoes that I bought at my friend's farm so maybe I'll try another shot at them in the daylight tomorrow.   

The Invitation

This is a very old madrone tree, maybe one of the oldest surviving in the state according to the owner of this homestead property here on the Key Peninsula.  Who could resist this kind of invitation to play as a child?   Maybe the world would be a better place if adults spent a little more time appreciating the generosity of trees.

Lady and the Tramp

Lady and her son, Quest are my neighbors at Gentle Giant Meadows Ranch.

Pooped Puppy

That's me, g'nite!