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.

I am pleased to report that my oil painting of a loose bronc, "Taste of Freedom" has been accepted into the Western Spirit Show in Cheyenne, Wyoming. It is held each year at the Old West Museum which is a treat in itself, a grand stage for all things western.  The show runs from March 6 through April 18, 2010.

This painting portrays the same area as "Snow White Blues", known as Bennie Pier Creek Road,on the border of Montana and North Dakota. My grandpa, a wonderful story teller, used to tell us kids that in that yellow house once lived a suspected horse thief and his wife. The two of them came up with a signal to notify the man if the law was in the area looking for him. He would know not to approach the house unless the wife had hung a bedsheet out on the old wooden clothesline. One day he was headed home, saw that the sheet was flapping in the breeze, his signal that the coast was clear, and so headed in to the house. Apparently the sheriff had caught wind of their secret for it was he who had hung the sheet out in order to lay a trap for the outlaw. I never did hear any ending to the story, but I hear that a hanging is still legal punishment for horse thievery in the state of Montana!

It is one of two paintings I had accepted into the 31st Annual Southeastern Montana Juried Exhibit in Miles City, Montana from 1-24-10 throough 3 7-10. The juror happens to be one of my favorite pastelists, PSA signature member, Sheila Rieman who is known for her use of intense and unusual color.

A typical scene in eastern Montana, or anywhere rural for that matter. These two old codgers were leaning against one another and seemed to be sharing old stories. As I was taking photos I found out that this was the home of a good-sized rattlesnake!

This painting will be available at the 31st Annual southestern Montana Juried Exhibit which runs from Jan. 24, 
2010 through March 7, 2010. Juror for the exhibit is PSA signature member, Sheila Rieman, one of my favorite pastelists because of her use of intense and unusual color.