I am trying out some new Terry Ludwig pastels - they are very soft and a blast to use on Wallis paper. They are darker than what I am used to and really help the lights pop out. I also got a set of ultramarine blues which are handy for skies and shadows. It's like Christmas all over again!

We have been treated to several days of foggy, freezing wheather, very cold and very beautiful. This painting is of a grove of Russian Olive trees dressed up in their winter finery. These trees have actually been classified as a noxious weed in Montana and North Dakota, but they sure are pretty right now.

Although it has been a long and very cold winter, I still enjoy the still beauty and color of scenes like this one.

One of the advantages of living in the "sticks"; beautiful sunsets, even in the depths of winter. Here the challenge was finding the right values and color especially in the snowy field. SOLD

Although it is April 1, we can definitely still get more snow. This pastel portrays the same area as the previous painting, "Snow White Blues". This area runs along Bennie Pier Creek Road, crossing the border between Montana and North Dakota. Enjoy your April Fool's Day!

I am missing the snow-covered hills this dry winter. Everything outside looks dry, windblown and downright ugly. I felt quite motivated to paint this snowy scene yesterday and when it was finished, my thirsty soul was quenched. Amazing what art can do for a person!

I'm sure that part of this parched feeling is that the business side of art had to take over my life most of March, preparing for a show. Now that it is over, I can rebalance and start creating again. 

It  never ceases to amaze me how certain light (like the morning sun on these hills) can affect the most mundane of scenes and transform them into a spectacle of color, shapes and patterns.

Here in Montana, many winter mornings are at 20 degrees below zero or more. The good thing about it, is it makes for some beautiful landscapes. The air is almost frozen it seems, and reflects pastel colors in the sky. I love the beautiful bright blues in the shadows of the snow although I aimed for a very subtle feel overall.