Happy New Year's EVE...

Every time I look at this photo I took, there's a song that I start singing in my head "Red Solo Cup..you fill me up...let's have a partay...let's have a partay..."

Got them from family for Christmas - they crack me up.  

Guess it's where we live - it has rubbed off on us.

Almost Complete - 3 Horses on Christmas Day

This is "Dream Ticket"..

6" x 6"

oil on Raymar board

This is "Sparkles/aka Sparky"

6" x 6"

oil on Raymar board

This is "Johnny/aka Johnny Rotten or Diamonds a Shinin'"

6" x 6"

oil on Raymar board

I am not quite satisfied with this last one...dark horse - bright sun - I don't think I have it right, but I need to allow some dry time...paint is thick...this one was the most difficult - could be because of the color - 

could be the pose I selected.  I am still standing in front of it and wondering.

Christmas to ME - is About Sights and Sounds of the Season

Starting about 29 years ago, there was a house in my old neighborhood of Englewood, Colorado where the Kloewers installed an incredibly amazing show of Christmas lights at their home on the 4900 block of Elati St.  Each year, either we would - or - our kids would go by and enjoy the wonderment displayed there.  You can read more about it and see a little video HERE.

Where I Stand Sunday

Grey and drab and colorless - as I looked out on the landscape I saw this in the yard this morning.  It is perhaps one of the bigger tumbleweeds to come through in awhile. We got RAIN a few days ago..actual moisture out of the sky. It has been a long time since that has happened.

I am back on crutch or cane and brace for now, fighting through major inflammation and pain.  Just finishing meds to help it, but it isn't.  I need to muster up or find a new dose of 'patience'.

Trying to stay busy and keep my mind off of it.  

Here's the BIG tumbleweed.

It's about as tall as I am.

Brr....getting colder...finally...

Finally - we are getting some cold air from the north. I don't mind the nice warm and sunny days we have been having, but not having cold and moisture will mess us up for next year.  The drought continues here in the midwest.

Where I Stand Sunday

This palette is from 'horse one' and now 'horse two'...

it reminds me of a human portrait palette - interesting.

Horse two is coming along, but far from finished.

For my palette, I use a piece of plexiglass with the 

reverse side spray painted with grey primer.

A Horse Dream

"Dream Ticket/aka Ticket"

6" x 6"

oil on Raymar canvasboard

First of three horse commissions, done.

This one has taken me DAYS...and DAYS.  Knowing the horse

makes me all the more critical of color and likeness.

Even now, I have to rush back out there for a few miniscule brushstroke 

corrections.  Sheen is due to wet paint.

This one was tough but fun, the next one is a challenge, too.

Stay tuned.

31 Days of Thankfulness

Last day, I saved the best for last - today I am thankful for those of you who visit this blog.  My posts are not as often as I would like...except for this month, which have been EVERY single day...but I THANK YOU dear reader for stopping by to check out 'dusting off the butterfly'.  As stated in my 'banner' above, I write about LIVING AS AN ARTIST IN KANSAS.
So you get art, but you get 'life here - FOR ME', as well.

Thankful for Warmth

Today, I am thankful for the same warm bed to sleep in each night, a bed that I know the mattress and the pillow for optimum rest and the warmth of the blankets - and the warmth of my DH and my critters 

that sleep with me. When I go places, I often take MY pillow. 

I am thankful for the chance to be cozy all night long,

and I know this is taken for granted by many of us...

because just think of those who DON'T have this.  

It makes my heart ache.

"Chaco Dreams"

6" x 8"

on Raymar canvasboard

P.S. - Don't forget to visit my Etsy shop - click on ETSY in the sidebar.

Thankful for Scarlett

I was there when MY granddaughter, Scarlett, 

was born in NYC in August of 2007.  

We all rode the subway into the city to the hospital the morning after my daughter's water had broken (on the subway).  It was all a thrilling adventure that any grandparent would find exciting.  I was in the room when she came into the world.  It was as special as my own daughter's birth.

Time to Celebrate

Today I am thankful for those times when LIFE is celebrated - that include, but aren't specific to - birthdays, anniversaries, accomplishments, passages, remembrances, and life changes.

(DH and his new granddaughter a few years ago.)

Well....well water...

Today I am thankful that I have a good bottle and/or a way to filter good drinking water.  We can't drink water straight from our well, it isn't safe to drink, but love a cold glass of the filtered or R.O. kind.

This is day 27 of thankfulness for me..and I am stretching here....

Where I Stand Sunday and Thankfulness

Don't do this often, but have done so today.  I have been sporadically working on this afghan...football games have kept me seated and watching - sometimes it's a little mindless, so I picked up my crochet 

and haven't been able to put it down.  

Today I am thankful (and I am sorry I didn't get a photo of it ) for the beautiful sunrise...and the ability to stand on the porch step and view it.

Today is All About MOM

Today, my mom would have been 85 years young.  

She passed away after a 3 year bout with cancer in 

July of 2011.  

Shopping DONE!

Today, I am thankful for the internet. I'm not doing much Christmas shopping this year - grandkids mainly, 

but it's done all the same, on the internet yesterday.

Each morning the internet allows me to be in touch with others - friends, family and new friends - artists who are like minded and not so like minded.  

I start my day being online, for inspiration, ideas, and the gentle nudging it gives me to 'sail on' through the day.

Today I start a new commission.  I am excited!

"Chaco"

charcoal/pastel drawing on black pastel paper

Thankful for YOU

Today, I am thankful that there are readers of my blog.  I know you come by, because I keep track of the stats, 

although not many of you leave comments or messages...

that's OK, thanks for stopping by - glad to know you have been here.  

I write for you - and me.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Thankfulness in the Kitchen

Today I am thankful (hopefully) that my oven works and will be able and willing to cook my Thanksgiving meal tomorrow.  ONE YEAR, my oven wasn't up to it (self-cleaning operation cooked some 'sensor'), and I didn't know it until the day before and company was coming...got it fixed...just in time!

I was thankful then, too!

Brushes

Thankful for my art brushes today.

Thankful for Time

I feel lucky and fortunate. 

Today, I am grateful for the time that 

I have each day to do what I want to do.  

Being an artist has never been a JOB for me...

it is a destiny, 

a distance that I travel each day, 

 a time that allows me to make mistakes, 

try it again, 

solve the problems as they arise, 

take time out to ponder and plan and design, 

to research, 

to let the muse come to visit - 

("Downs Celebration")

but most of all time to live 'being an artist'.

Day 19 on Being Thankful and Where I Stand Sunday

Standing isn't as comfortable as it was a few days ago, guess I have to take the good days with the NOT so good days. However, I am standing with two of my favorites in the world..my dogs, Chaco (red Dachshund) 

and Bailey (gray Weimaraner).

On chilly, breezy days, they have the enclosed back porch to be in.  Bailey loves the extra warmth when the sun heats up the area.  

I don't know what I would do without my dogs.  I love them dearly..they entertain, keep us company, and are just the thing that complete our everyday living.  They are good alarms and alarm clocks.  

They love to snuggle...like lots of attention (what pet doesn't?).  

 I am thankful that we have them and life affords us the opportunity to care for them and love them the way we do.

Today I have finished a commission and I am going to post it, as the recipient would never visit here and see it.  

"The Pike"

9" x 12"

acrylic on black gessoboard

Seasons

Today - I am thankful for the sun in the morning and the moon at night...the change of the seasons that appear where I live.  

Being Thankful for a Roof Over My Head

It's not snowing, but I like this photo of my house..and it works for today's 'Thankful Post'.

My Good News

Today, I am thankful that I may be on the 

downhill side of my ankle breaking accident, finally.  

Since about 6PM last night, I have been more painfree than I ever have.  I keep waiting for it to return (optimism is not a strong suit when it comes to this issue), but it hasn't.  Even as it was swollen last night and needing it's usual 'icing' and elevation, it didn't hurt like it has been for 10 months.  Boy howdy ~ am I thankful.....!!!!!

Aw, to Stand in the Shower

Today I am grateful to stand in the shower. I was having to sit on a stool (which made me feel old and decrepit) in the bathtub..but today, I decided it's time to get rid of the stool (again).

Now if I could only walk better...

Music to My Ears

Photo from Morguefile/omdur

Today I am grateful for the 'music' in the world.  In my experience, there is music that can be heard, and 'music' that can be seen - even some food could be considered 'music' as far as I am concerned...  

I thrive and survive on ALL kinds!

Thankful for This Lidded Box I Sit in Front of Everyday

Once upon a time, where I worked in the late 60's - there was a whole gigantic temperature controlled (cold) room dedicated to the "computer system".

Where I Stand Sunday (in heart and mind)

Today, I am grateful for U.S. Vets.

An Oil Painting of Canadian Geese on the Wing by Pattie Wall

"Hayden Valley Honkers"

6" x 17"

oil paint on plywood veneer

Yellowstone National Park is one of my favorite destinations.  These Canadian Geese were flying in many flocks over the marsh area of the Yellowstone River, near Hayden Valley.  It was fun to watch them as they took off over the creamy gold and green landscape.

SOLD FOR SALE at my ETSY SHOP HERE.

Thankful for a Place to Paint

Although it sometimes becomes the place where things are stored that aren't being used or have no other place to belong, or I have collected so many boxes they spill over into my space to work, it becomes so messy and topsy-turvy I get embarassed if someone sees it that way, this is the door to my studio.

Thankful for the Camera as an Artist's Tool

Ever since the ancient Chinese and Greeks used a pinhole or a lens to compose a scene, the camera has been an irreplaceable tool for 'seeing' and 'recording'.  I would be lost without this unbelievable invention.

A Floral Arrangement in Oil by Pattie Wall

"Arrangement"

6" X 6.75"

oil on black gesso treated plywood veneer

For Sale in my ETSY SHOP HERE.

Being Thankful for Jessica...

Day 8 in my Thankfulness Series...(I started a day early)..

It was a cold and icy day in Denver, many January's ago...I sat in my hospital bed being in awe of what had just happened, how my life was now forever changed, feeling the great sense of overwhelming love, honor and responsibility well up in my soul.

An Oil Painting on Wood Veneer by Pattie Wall

"End of the Road"

4" x 13.75"

oil on gessoed 

plywood veneer

Loved the sun setting in this one, so I hoped to capture it just the way it appeared.  Love the colors, the texture of the wood is interesting.  Thinking of 

leaving the edge of the plywood layers to show and creating a spot on the back for a nail on the wall.

Going to do more of this format..love it, love it, love it!!

This painting is listed for sale in my ETSY shop HERE.

Grateful for U.S. Citizen's Rights

HAVE YOU VOTED??? 
Sunday, when I viewed and heard about the length of time people in Florida stood in line to vote, I was absolutely shocked...more about the time that people actually GAVE to be a part of this election - appalled that any elected official would put such barricades in the way of well-meaning voters.

Giving Thanks - and Donating

Giving thanks today that there are many agencies helping the victims of Hurricane Sandy.  If you are like me, the situation in the eastern U.S is first and foremost on your mind.  Just think, if everyone made a small donation, or whatever they could afford, how much it would help the relief efforts.  At times, there just doesn't seem that there will be an end to the strife and suffering by the people who have been affected by this terrible storm...but HOPE is on the Horizon when other's lend a hand or donate.

Being Grateful..Where I Stand Today...

Boot off...ankle brace taking it's place, one crutch - replacing two.

Outside of some soreness and aching, everything is moving along.

Now all I need is some intensified PT to get it back strong again.

What I am thankful for today...

TWSBI and Thankfulness

Yesterday was National Fountain Pen Day!

Rocks and Other Things

OK, this task of writing about something I am grateful for ~ has me

waking up at night...thinking about what I will write the next day.  Not 'the worry', just 'the choosing'.

and another...

Thankfulness - Day Two

My life career-wise, has been a little lopsided.  I was an artist leading up to the years my daughter attended elementary school, then I went back to college (at age 37) and got a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction.  I spent 23 years in the elementary classroom, 7 years as a paraprofessional and 15 years as a classroom teacher. Now I have come full circle back to being an artist, once more.

OK....One Thing

Dreama Tolle Perry, a wonderful artist who I am friends with on Facebook and whose art I have admired for several years wrote about a challenge (for me it will be a challenge).  You can read about it here.  Simply...to find something to be thankful for - each day of November.

Where I Stand Sunday

Nothing to report today, just MORE fun....not...!  

Had arthroscopic surgery on Wednesday.

Stood and Standing - All in One

Beautiful days make for lots of time to work on what we want.  Me, on my painting, DH in his auto/workshop that is right next door to the studio.

Where I Stood Friday into Saturday

It's Sunday, but this is Andy and me on Saturday morning.  Andy is an Anatolian Shepherd which are suited for "livestock guardians..earlier in time they were also second hand for the raison d’ˆtre of hunting and as action dogs ın wars."  I am talking BIG DOG.

Cowgirl - WIP

Work in progress 

I used a "Morguefile" photo for this portrait. Morguefile is a great place for artists to USE photos - this is one of diggerdanno's photos.

An Oil Painting - Night Vision...

"Three A.M."

9" x 12" 

oil on Raymar canvasboard

This painting is inspired by many things, one of them being - each night, after dark, I hear the coyotes.  Our dogs hear them, too.  They begin their calls from far away but get within close proximity within several minutes.  

We go through spurts of them being around.  Right now, I imagine, they may have a more difficult time finding food with the drought.  I have seen less deer, less rabbits, no skunks, a few squirrels...and even the chicken farm across the road is chickenless right now..not from the drought, 

but from the owner's dogs.

At 3:00 last night, I was awakened by the coyotes, again really close by.  It is such a mournful and wild sound on the night's breeze in 

the quiet of the night in the country.   

It takes my mind away ~ somewhere on the wind, when I hear them.  

A Painting for a Special Celebration

"Prairie Palace, Nebraska"

6" x 6"

mixed media

An internet artist friend of mine, Deb Groesser, of Ralston, Nebraska put out a call a few weeks ago for anyone wanting to be a part of a 

special community project to help celebrate 

her town's centennial birthday.  This piece is my contribution to the project.

The project is called the Community Mosaic Art Project.  

The "goal is to have 400 individual works of art, donated and 

displayed together to create a large "mosaic". "  It's to help raise awareness of art and raise money for the Ralston Community Foundation.  

You can read further about it here. 

If you live in farm country these elevator buildings dot the landscape. denoting a  current agri-center (or perhaps one of the past), where lots of grain business is/was done. They are such a symbol of Americana - old or new, working or abandoned.

I have painted others.  The one where I used to work - across the highway a few miles from me can be seen here.  Another prairie palace incorporated into a narrative piece can be seen here.  

They are fascinating and simple, yet when you look at the operations and inner workings of them, they are quite complex.

Addendum:

And here is the installation of the special wall in the Baright Library in Ralston.

Where I Stand Sunday

Getting up with the chickens...love that full moon!

Source Photographs That Go the Distance

"Shadows in the Wind"

6" x 6"

oil on Raymar canvasboard

for sale at ETSY HERE

 Continuing to attempt a different idea with my portraits and figurative paintings...this one is painted from a photo I took YEARS ago, when I was taking portraiture classes with Dodie Rufner/Ballentine in Colorado.  I was fortunate enough to go to the model's home, pick her up and drive her across Denver to Littleton, to our painting session.  She was dressed, as you can see - in full tribal dress.  I remember her being very quiet.  If I remember right, Cherokee?  And because I don't remember I will research and be sure about it before I state it definitely.   I have class notes somewhere in the studio...

maybe the information I need is there.  

The photos I took that night and the opportunity to paint her from a live session have given me MILES of painting pleasure. I remember I have painted her in different poses maybe 7 times over the past 30 years.  I only have one painting that is still with me.  

She is painted with 'eagles' in the wind.  These last two paintings may GO bigger this winter.  I like the bold colors of this one.  I have so many ideas in my head for the next one...I can't decide which one.  It may be an eeny-meeny-minee-moe.  This is me, who usually has to reach and stretch so far for the next idea.  So, keep em coming muse!!

I LOVE this time of year...the haze in the morning, the cooler temps, the good sleeping weather that it is!!  The trees here are gaining in the yellow/orange change.  Because the drought left this area so drab and colorless all summer, it's a good thing!  How is it where you live?

Where I Stood This Week

This week we had a visit from my Dad.  He drove all the way from Kansas City and stayed for several days.  He is 86 (almost 87). 

We were happy he made the trip...as we went lots of places, showed him lots of things and he helped my husband mow the acreage, among other things.

It was so nice that he was here as we slide into fall.

Nice weather and good times!

New Direction in Oil

"Prelude to a Fox Hunt"

6" x 6"

oil on Raymar canvasboard

for sale at ETSY HERE

I have been waiting to 'feel a change' in my art for some time.  My thinking takes me to a place in my mind where I know what I want to do, I have not had that breakthrough until late yesterday ~ this powerful need has been consuming me for at least a decade.  I think this is the one I have been pushing for - it is my springboard.  I have dreamt about it, I imagined it, I just couldn't get it to come out.  It's a genre that I had difficulty expressing.  I hope to get really involved in it - make it a commitment, a goal.

It's what I want to do with my ART. 

Does that happen to you?  Perhaps this made it's way to the canvas for me, through an encouragement I recently was given by another artist through a lengthy conversation we had, in addition to that angst I mentioned above (and yes, I had reallly been wrestling with this).   Her words basically, "Let it go, see where it takes you." 

So here goes...

Where I Stand Sunday

Today began - in the fog.  As it lifted, I tried to do some plein air painting with oil.  It has been so dry, the trees have suffered as well as the farmcrops and gardens.  Difficult to make 'pretty' out of 'dry' ~ even tweaking it, I found out.  But I gave it a try.  The sun finally came out about the time I was giving up. 

 

 

Yesterday, I took 4 paintings to McCook, Nebraska..about 2 hours from here with my friend, Gwen.  The Open Fine Arts Competition opens at:

 

McCook Art Guild

McCook Art Center 209 Norris Ave.

McCook, Nebraska 69001

308-345-4816

September 22 ("Opening" 1 - 4) to October 6, 2011

There are certain business hours, be sure to call ahead for that info.  Should be about 125 (2 dimensional, as well as 3 dimensional) works there.

What surprised us is ~ we learned that there is an abundance of 'artists' in that area of the Central Plains/U.S.A.

So now, the R.C.A.A. (Red Cloud Area Artists) is represented at this event!

It is so nice to be able to spend time with another 'artist' who loves talking 'art'.  Our shared ideas helped to feed our inspiration.

Anyway, it's exciting to be sharing my art in two events at this time, "Chrome, Smoke and Flames" in Russell, as well.

I also submitted three works to the 'Over 60 Competition' with The Artist's Magazine.  (OK, so now you know I am over 60. )  News of those selected for awards and to be featured in the magazine comes in December.

That has been my goal since being 'down' most of this year with my ankle break...to stand myself back up and GET OUT THERE! 

 

Now, time to get prepared for teaching a two-day workshop in

mid-October in Bennington, Kansas on "Painting the Figure in Oil" -

looking forward to it -

along with plenty of time in front of the easel 'til late October

when I have more surgery on my ankle area.

 

Where I Stand Saturday/Sunday

These pastels are remnants of some reworking I have been doing on a few pieces that never made it past the easel.  When I look at some of my older works, I see so much of what needs to be done.  So these two below got a 'pastel make-over' and are headed for a new show mid-September.  

 

This week, as well, I realized that each time I am able to spend a little more time, than 'hurry-up your show is tomorrow!' -  I understand and become more proficient with my mat cutting system..which is key to framing and presenting watercolor and pastel paintings.  I love having that time.   

 

Today I didn't feel like that duck in water you may have heard reference to, calm on the surface and paddling like mad beneath.  Nice feeling.

 

"Rainbow Bridge"

pastel on Canson paper

9" x 12"

 

"Chinle Arroyo"

pastel on Wallis sandpaper

20" x 12"

 

 

Where I Stand Sunday

According to the Salina Journal today, Kansas is experiencing the 6th driest year since 1895 (that includes the "Dust Bowl" years in the 30's). 

Today, I was in Russell, Kansas for the art show opening
and stopped on the way home, 'here'.

This little concrete bridge interests me each time I pass it, so I pulled off the highway to just stand and look at it.  My car thermometer read 104 degrees at 5:30 P.M.  Hot, hot, hot.  This bridge is over a dried out creek bed - the farmer enters his fields on this little dirt road that goes over the bridge. 

 

So many fields have dried ponds and dried streams.  I feel for those cattle ranchers.  I don't know where the cattle in some areas get hydrated.  The corn crops look like those dried out stalks you see in October bunches around Halloween.  Just ruined.  (No, we didn't get ANY of the Hurricane rain.) 

 

Lots of people showed up for our art opening at the Deines Cultural Center - which is a true gem of central Kansas' art venues.  I was able to do some 'drive-by' photos of people viewing the show.

 

 

This was one classy gal, she was all decked out.

I got a kick out of her.

You just never know when one or more of these will turn into a figurative study.

I like using them, because they are 'anonymous'.

 

The news article I mentioned above also alluded to the fact that "drought years, usually come in pairs or multiple years".  I don't think I am ready for that one.

Last year was the 4th driest year, so there you go, two years down!

(Whoops!  I am not laughing...)