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.