Time to Saddle Up for the Western Spirit Art Show at the Old West Museum

"Morning Light"
9x12 Pastel Painting
$300

"The Turquoise Pot"

12x16 Pastel Painting

$450

Only a couple more days until the opening of the 2012 Western Spirit Art Show at the Old West Museum here in Cheyenne!  I am honored to once again be juried into this show with two of my pastel paintings.  YAY!  For those of you that don't know the Western Spirit Art Show features over 100 western artists from across the country.  Their  artwork can be seen at the Old West Museum, Saturday, March 3, 2012 through April 15, 2012. The excitement will begin this Friday evening, March 2nd when we artists get together to catch up and  visit at the Holiday Inn, then we're up bright and early the next morning to make it to the museum for an all day artist seminar at 8 AM.  Finally, that evening we're back to the museum at 6pm for the opening reception of the Western Spirit Show.  There is no doubt... it will be a whirlwind weekend, but a lot of fun!  Hope to see you there!!!

March 1-30, 2012: Marilyn, Linda and Friends Art Show at the Civic Center

A few weeks back I talked to you about going to the symphony, gestural drawings and the inspiration of the evening.  I wanted to capture the feel of the night and decided to frame those drawings. How could I get them to reflect the feeling of that evening more that with a plain mat?  My good pastel painting pal, Vanda suggested  to pull it together by adding some sheet music. She always has great ideas and we seem so to spur each other into artistic action, now I had a direction! Next hurdle... find the sheet music. It took me quite a while to locate sheet music that was not copy written. (Though I doubt anyone can figure out the melody of the notes! But then I am not a musician....)  With some advice from the symphony office, I found a website that provided the sheet music that is no longer copy write protected. (www.imslp.org)  I would have loved to have used the exact music that I was listening to on the evening that I did the drawings but unfortunately that was not a possibility.   The sheet music I found looked great, though and I thought everything was going to work out perfect... for about one minute...  and I put the  printed copy next to my drawing.  There was no way to use it!  Both drawing and music was screaming at each other trying to grab all the attention. Even though I was disappointed, by this time I was more determined than ever to use the music.  I had to figure out how to incorporated it and make it work!!!  After quite few hours of staring at the drawing and then staring at the sheet music, it occurred  to me  why not treat the music as a negative...this way the music will recede into the background.  Then I could put further emphasis on the drawing by elevating the drawing 1/8th of an inch above the music.  This time it worked!  I am quite pleased with the results despite the fact that the time involved to get to the end point was way beyond a typical effort in framing!  

You will be able to see these 3 drawings at the upcoming Marilyn, Linda and Friends Art Show and Sale at the Civic Center here in Cheyenne from March 1-30th, The Civic Center is open weekdays from 10AM to 5PM. There will be an reception on March 7th from 5:30 to 7pm.  Come by and visit with me!

Weekly Art Challenge- Posie the Cat

"Posie" 9x12 Pastel

Cats are such elegant animals. Growing up on a farm, I remember being fascinated by the barn cats that would come to the back door.  They were wild and not easy to catch for a little girl, but I  spent many hours trying to find them in the barn and barnyard.  Ever so rarely I would catch one, but I never tamed one enough to call it a pet.  So began my life long love of cats. Once my husband and I married we adopted a cat and have had "just one" in our home ever since.  I must admit if I didn't have allergies I think I would be a cat wrangler and have a herd running around the old home place!  LOL     

When my weekly art challenge friend, Lisa, posted "Posie" I couldn't ignore painting her portrait.  Not knowing the cat's personality was difficult but in my mind I pictured a spunky little diva that rules in her home!  I'm sure Posie is happy, well fed and totally loved.  All kitties should be so lucky!!! 

Last years Weekly Art Challenge, a look at painting geese!

"You Lookin' at Me" 9x12" Pastel Painting

Seems I'm always 10 inspirations behind.... I had the photo of this weekly art challenge sitting by my easel since October. The afternoon painting the geese though, was spontaneous!  Painting the geese was a freeing experience much like slapping paint on a canvas in a  carefree abandon.... my way of starting the new year with a fresh look at the world.  

I will share with you...I did spend some time, laughing as I looked at these geese and thinking about them staring at one another challenging "You lookin' at me"!