It was risky

My husband always said he didn't like to fish but that meant that whenever we'd travel all he wanted to do was ride around and explore new areas.  That's fine but it also never gave me any time to paint.  So, as he prepared for a three month sabbatical leave, I presented him and my youngest son with complete fly fishing outfits  - rods, reels, waders, special shoes, flies etc.  It was taking a chance but I was desperate.  I wanted to explore but I also wanted time to just sit and draw or paint.  It worked!!  Bob fell in love with fly fishing and I get to do more painting.  I came upon this young guy one day and knew I had to paint him.

I realized that I wanted to capture for the feeling rather than the specifics of the scene so put him back on my easel.  This is the result.  What do you think? Before or after?

Springtime

Spring has finally arrived here in the Cache Valley.

I love the way our mountains hold on to the snow while the fields are a study in abstract patterns.

There is never a lack of inspiration when you are living in a lush, green valley surrounded by mountains.

And spring is not spring without flower!!!!

A few years ago a friend and I traveled through some of our great national parks.  This was a stop by a falls in the Grand Teton National Park.  I am enjoying combining brush and palette knife to give an abstract feeling to the scene.

Portrait or Landscape

Most artists have a favorite subject to paint.  For some it is still life, others love landscapes and others do mainly figures.  I don't think I've painted very many still life paintings but usually go back and forth between figures and landscapes.  I love both and never know when I enter my studio what is going to grab me that day.  Today it's a landscape.  Tomorrow remains to be seen.