A Self Portrait with Cat

"Crazy" Cat Lady

12" x 12"

oil on wrapped canvas

There is a sweet story behind this painting.  In November (if you were here then you would remember) I saved a little black kitty, who was obviously abandoned in the cold.  (Strangely enough, there was later a striped one we rescued, as well - other stories go with her) 

From the moment I picked this  little kitten up (not little anymore), we have had a special bond.  Not a day goes by when I paint in the studio, that this kitten/cat doesn't climb either up the chair or jump from the desk behind me to my shoulders.  She usually wraps herself around my neck like one of those vintage 'fox wraps' from long ago.  She sometimes cradles herself in the fold of my painting apron, just as she has here, right below my chin. 

Her name is Pyewacket - PYE for short. 

I took several photos of us from time to time, but thought this would definitely make a GRRREAT self-portrait.  Needless to say, after these cats arrived, my allergies kicked in, and I have a mild 'cat allergy' especially when she is rubbing into my face, but OH WELL...such is indoor cat ownership.

  My friend Kelli, said to be sure I highlighted the word 'crazy' in the title - so there you are.

Little TINY kitty - PYE.

Both cats helping me paint.

Boston - 1st time...

Just returned from Boston, first trip there ~ ever.  What a cool place!  Of course, lots of people, but lots of history, too.  My stepdaughter graduated from her Dietetic Internship at MGH.  She is a Colorado girl who, as one of 10 interns, lived and survived in expensive Boston for this last year.  And next up - she has been awarded a fellowship at Children's Hospital through Harvard Med School for 6 months.  So proud of her!  

It was interesting and refreshing to visit MGH, of which we got a quickie tour, and were able to sit at her graduation in the "Ether Dome", where the very first 'ether' surgery took place back in the 1800's.

I could just imagine 'doctors of the old days', sitting a watching surgeries - only I hope they could stand the heat for hours on end, that place was hot.

Happy girl, that it's over and happy girl on to the next piece in her life's destiny and passion.

We saw many neat things while there - did the whole experience on the "T" - subway and buses (a taxi here and there) and there were many yummy restaurants and cool venues!

U.S.S. Constitution and it's museum...

 and many of the historical sights along the "Freedom Trail".  We didn't do all of it, but about 1/2 of it.

Faneuil Hall...

TD Gardens...

Boston Public Gardens...(love this photo, how the sky reflection in the water

is SO incredibly BLUE!)

we rode on the swan boats, as well as walked quite a bit.

It was a fun trip to a place I had never even imagined. 

As always, I let the inspiration 'well up in my soul'.

Such history, such proud and friendly people...loved it!

Busy Summer Time

It's hard to keep up with this blog these days, summer has found us very busy - just got back from a few weeks in the RV. Went to Colorado and stayed at some of our favorite spots - nice, quiet and cool spots mostly.  Getting ready for more travel soon.  In the meantime, here are a few photos.

Ute Pass views - Colorado

Rain over Collegiate Peaks - Colorado, Taylor Reservoir

Wildflowers and butterfly - Arapaho National Forest

Using the RV 'air' to dust off the radiator from the dusty roads - makes it run a little cooler (sometimes) in the hot summer climbing hills...stay tuned for more.

Oh, and we welcomed a new grandchild into our family, as well..a little girl, born in Fort Collins.

Her name is Sterling.

A Character Portrait in Oil Finished for Today

"Yes, Mr. Selznick!!"

(Miss Poppenghul, aka Jessica Leatherman)

9" x 12"

oil on canvasboard

Finished this one and I must say, 

and it turned out JUST the way

I wanted it to.  This is my daughter.

She played this part in the play "Moonlight and Magnolias" 

presented by Open Stage in 

Fort Collins in March of this year.

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Practicing Portraits in Oil

This is a work in progress from today - it's a character that my daughter acted recently
in the play "Moonlight and Magnolias".
I have a long way to go - I so wrestle with skin tones and
there is not much contrast with the straight on pose for the camera -
but that is why I tackled it.  Those photos are NOT good for portraits, but I love the challenge.
If it works out, I will be pleased.  Likeness is getting there - still quite a bit to do on that.
Tomorrow is another day!

Funny how MUCH needed to change, see Sunday post above.

An Oil Painting of the Sunrise

"Sunrise 165"

oil on wrapped canvas

11" x 14"

This morning, I gessoed over about 12 used canvases. 

My intention is to have substrates to 'practice' on for portraits.  

Off to a good start!  (Wait a minute - this is a landscape...)

As I was putting away a stack of 'maybe's' - 

this one was still propped up on my easel.

I decided to dive right into it, as I had lots of landscape colors left 

on my palette from the 'wolf' painting.

This is a sunrise on my dirt farm road.  I loved the colors in the sky. 

One thing I need to say about Kansas - it has sunrises and sunsets

like no other. 

This one really caught me!

An Oil Painting of a Wolf Pack

"Hanging in the Balance"

12" x 24"

oil on wrapped canvas

Caught a few steps of this painting - as I went along, below.

Started a week ago and have worked on it almost every day

Wolves in the U.S. ~ have been taken off of 

the 'endangered species list'.

They have flourished and are great in numbers and no longer

at risk, although ranchers/farmers still consider them a 

threat to their livestock.  Many - want them 'gone'

due to the threat they pose for other wildlife -

like deer, elk and moose.

I wish that huMANs could leave wildlife

to 'balance' itself without interference.  I believe 

wildlife management is key, but not in a  

'micro-managed' or 'over managed' sense.