A Moment in Montana

This is #2 of my "A Moment in..." series. This series will all be graphite based. Some will have watercolor. I think this one holds its moment with pure graphite lines. It will look nice in a solid dark wood frame. 11" X 15" on watercolor paper. jt

A Moment in SoHo

I am working on a series of graphite sketches titled - "a moment in."

This is "A Moment in SoHo." I based the sketch on a stylish women I came across while in SoHo in 2010. I was tempted to leave the sketch all graphite but the more I sketched ...the more I visualized RED accessories. She almost needs a red bag but I thought coffee fit the scene better. I will add a few more shadows to her dress before calling this one complete. jt

Bordered by Bridgers

Bozeman, Montana is one of my absolute favorite places to be. This painting is inspired by the open fields of this area and the surrounding mountain ranges that nestle Bozeman in nice and cozy. Of course it is not Bozeman without a creek or river flowing through the land. If you look really close you will see a barn hidden in the distant mountains too.
Bordered by Bridgers is a 24" X 36" acrylic painting on stretched canvas. $350.00

new born necklaces - Summer Solstice 2012

I just finished a new crop of hand formed hand painted necklaces just in time for Summer. I'm keeping with the tribal feel and using bright contrasting colors. I'm excited to name these new born creatures. Stay tuned for the naming ceremony. 

Messenger

Birds and all their wonderful shapes and sizes have been on my mind lately. Maybe it is because of the feeder I keep right outside my window. It is constantly being visited by these fascinating beauties, an aquarium of the sky. Native patterns and colors are mixed in with this sky dancer to give him a feel of ancient stories being carried through to modern times.

I show "Messenger" framed and unframed here. It is a small 11" x 14" acrylic painting on stretched canvas.

Genuine Ambiguity

Genuine Ambiguity is not quite finished. I see a few areas that need attention but it is almost there. I will leave this one open to interpretation. The spirals and lobes are meant to keep your eye moving from one color to the next. You are not supposed to think with this one...just let your mind relax.

What appears as black shadows are actually deep blue hues. This is a small 11" x 14" acrylic painting on canvas.

Apple Blossom Bloom

Apple Blossoms and Cherry Blossoms are some of my favorite first blooms of the Summer. The subtle scent draws me in and the light little blooms make me smile. The little petal shapes compared to their imperfect askew branches make them even more lovable. I photographed a few of these this Spring as inspiration for my sister to paint.  Josie's floral paintings with their thick layers of rich oil paint and rich color inspire me. Check them out www.josietrudgeon.com. 

Josie told me to paint them myself....so I did. ... although I still want to see her paint them!

This is a small 11" x 14" acrylic painting on stretched canvas. It is a donation to the Sandpoint Volleyball team's auction held on Friday, June 22nd at the Lodge in Sandpoint. The volleyball team qualified for the Junior Olympic Nationals in Ohio - this is part of the auction donations to help get them there. 

Minnesota Boys for the Summer

Some of my all time favorite memories are of Summers in Walker [northern] Minnesota. Our family would pile in the car and head “up north” for sunshine, swimming, fishing and family time. Grandpa built and ran a campground on Leech Lake (named after a man with the name of Leech...not leeches..just to be clear) all of us kids would work and play at the campground. Camper’s Landing was right next to my Aunt’s cabin and we loved when Aunt Christy would arrive with our cousins. The Arizona cousins became Minnesotans for the Summer. They played on the lake like there was no tomorrow. Fishing, canoeing, skiing, sailing, swimming and always in the water they were. We are all grown up now but still share memories of the best days “up north”. So when Matthew approached me to paint a few of these happy days I was excited to start to paint. This is the first one and I am waiting for his feedback before starting the next. 

Minnesota Boys for the Summer is a large 36" x 36" acrylic painting on stretched canvas

A Wish is Formed

If you have ever seen the tiny leaf of a Japanese Maple tree, after it has flown from the tree, you know the exciting curl it often forms. I found one of these leaves last year. It took me awhile to realize what it was. It looked like a playful piece of nature begging to hold a wish. I have kept that leaf ...along with several other wish worthy capsules. Today that little organic form inspired a little painting. This one is 12" x 12" on stretched canvas - acrylic. I hope it invites you to form a wish too.