Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !

Wild or tame?  
A painting in the making .

Horse Portraits

 

The horses are done! each portrait is 14x18 done in oil on linen and taken me a few months to complete as I didn't work on them exclusively. I worked at getting to know each horse over the summer and took a whole lot of photo's and made several drawings that take me "forever" to do. I'm pretty sure I've gotten their individual personalities.....but the test is to see what my neighbor thinks as these are their babies and they know them best.

They look great all framed up and ready to hang!

 Have a safe and happy holiday!

"Last bit of fall" 16x20 oil on Linen

         Just a few days left of fall!  Sure feels like winter is in full swing to me. Hope everyone has a wonderful and safe holiday season!


God Bless and Cheers!

"First Snow"

8x10 Oil on panel

A post from the past, done in the winter of 2008 and still one of my favorites. A palette knife painting with rich color and thick paint. 

  Hope you enjoy it and thanks for your visit.

"Sun Tipped Morning"

10x12 Oil on Linen - This is a little larger version of the study I posted earlier. I have been very busy in the studio and fluttering around with holiday errands, aah love the
hustle & bussel of the holiday season!

     

Shiloh's portrait has just begun(on the left) and here I am checking to see what they will look like with the three of them hanging together....framed in smart looking barn wood frames with liners, I think they'll look pretty good.

Am very frustrated this morning with blog posting.....it just won't co-operate
with where I want to put things today!  
Hope you have a great day and thanks for your visit!

A taste of Winter!

9x12 oil en plein air on Raymar panel

It was 24 degrees yesterday morning when I started off for a morning of painting in the canyon. Cold, crisp and absolutely beautiful. The painting above was completed on sight and I must admit I am delighted with it. When I arrived at this location I sketched three different options and thought I had decided on which one to start with. After setting up my tripod and pochade box I glanced up in a different direction and this scene just begged me to paint it. So I did a quick sketch of it and began painting. 

 Below is a photo of the start of the painting I had initially planned to start with. I was able to get a good start on this before it turned too cold with the light breezes kicking up. This painting will be finished in the studio after I return from a week long painting trip to California. A workshop with the award winning artist Kathleen Dunphy  http://kathleendunphy.com/  Painting for 5 days, 7 hours a day and "NO Whining" aloud. Should be a wonderful experience for me.

Fall in Lamoille Study

9x12 Oil on Raymar panel

It was a gorgeous day in Lamoille and I made such a happy mess while painting out - it was so much fun!

My goal was to get the hazy feel of the mountains with a touch of fall color and the golden fields in front of this charming little country church. I will try again!

 

Actually now that I look at this photo, I rather like it better than the finished painting! I think I'm going back to this spot soon to try it again.

Thank you for visiting!

"Cammie"

18x14 Oil on Linen

Commission Portrait

Cammie received some fine tuning after the paint rested.  While I am working on Cheyenne I was able to see some things I wanted to improve on. Also since my original post I've found out the correct spelling of her name.

Here is Cheyenne in the process, she is a challenge! 

Love challenges!

Thanks for visiting, have a great day!

"Mama" Cat

4x6 Watercolor

Every week I meet with a couple of watercolorists that are doing some awesome paintings. As for me I rarely pull one off that I can appreciate, but I have so much fun and learn so much from them every week...... thanks girls! 

Check it out http://artbysus.blogspot.com/

This little painting is one of my Rare ones...and so darling! The cat is one of my mother-n-laws cats and I believe she just calls her "Mama Cat", a long hair tabby that she has had for an extremely long time.

Thanks for Visiting!

"Summer Sippin"

12x12 Oil on Linen

I painted this one day on my front porch....I was reading my book, sippin ice tea and it dawned on me that it was a nice little still life set up with out any effort. So I grabbed the paints and went to it. I fumbled around with the shape of the book though, trying to make sure it looked like it was laying flat on the table....after consulting friends and fellow artists, come to find out I wasn't that far off on my drawing after all!  :)

Thanks for all the help!

The Geranium is gorgeous and now lives inside the studio due to our cooler temperatures.

Have a great day!

Angel Lake, Nevada

8x10 Oil on Linen

A nice study of one of the high mountain lakes here in Northeastern Nevada. This lake is nestled in the Ruby Mountain range above Wells, Nevada...about an hour away. This lake isn't my favorite of the high mountain lakes in our area but it is one that is easily accessed.

My favorites take a bit of hiking!

Lamoille Canyon Sunrise

9x12 Oil on Raymar Panel

This canyon is 10 minutes from home. A month or so ago..., wow, it really doesn't seem like it's been that long ago! I went up the canyon in my usual style.....spur of the moment and early. This wasn't where I painted for the morning but it was a moment that stayed in my mind and now is a beautiful piece of art.

 I know, I know....I was looking at the total posts for this year and I've been slacking! Watch out though, I'm back!  and hopefully better than ever!

I've so many ideas swirling around inside and now that some major chores are done I'm headed out the door to paint a little more before the weather turns Cold.

Thanks for Visiting!

Jiggs Ranch House Study

8x8 Oil

A couple of weeks ago we went out to Jiggs to paint for the morning. I was so excited when I arrived

and saw the morning light on this old Ranch house built in 1914 originally for a Hotel but never used for that.

After getting my sketch book out and setting up all ready to paint I stood frozen ..... intimidated by the scene. I knew I just couldn't get it all into a painting with so much there, not to mention it's a structure that needs to be drawn with all the right angles!  After doing one sketch ....putting it aside and starting another sketch I finally settled down and thought about what was exciting for me about this house....the porch and the morning sunlight.  I was still worried it might look scary and gloomy with a dark shaded porch but I'm really very pleased with the way it turned out.

Thanks for Visiting!

Nevada Creek Bed

8x12 Oil on Linen

If your interested in this painting please contact me

Kathryn@anaturalframe.com

This was almost a finished painting in the field last week, done near Jiggs, Nevada on an old dirt road that I haven't been down before. After getting home, looking it over in the studio and consulting with my fellow artist and friend,  Yvonne, http://newdaydailypaintings.blogspot.com/   I could see some minor changes that needed to be done.
I like the way this painting turned out so much that I am thinking of making a much larger one.
This painting has a very warm feeling with lots of color!

Thanks for visiting

Wild Iris and Roses II

8x10 Oil on Linen

If your interested in this painting please contact me,

Kathryn@anaturalframe.com

This painting has fun memories of the day. The grass and shrubs were so lush! The Iris were on their last week but I would like to go back soon to see the Roses in full bloom.

Thanks for Visiting!

Wild Iris and Roses I

6x8 ~ Oil on Linen

Please contact me if your interested in this little painting.

Kathryn@anaturalframe.com

I finally got around to taking the time to photograph last weeks paintings from our outing. This one I can say was

pretty much done on location...I added some highlights in the studio. Check in tomorrow for the second day's painting that was only sketched and based in due to the cattle driving us out.

As for this afternoon.....after a busy early morning of grocery shopping, I treated myself to a couple of hours in Lamoille. A cool shady spot off the beaten path.

Thanks for Visiting

Pleasures of Painting on location

June 17, 2010

Painting in Spring Creek Campground,

at the base of the Ruby Mountains, Elko Nevada

I painted out the last two days with a couple of other artists. We had such a good time....I woke up this morning ready to go again! The first day was cloudy, with cold breezes and yesterday was sunny, a beatiful day. Yvonne and I parked ourselves in the perfect spot for the morning, streaming water, lucious grass, wild iris on it's last week.....Come to find out it was the cows perfect spot for their afternoon nap and after foolishy thinking we could continue and they would move on....they gently pushed their way in and us out!

LOL,  After two days, I have just 3 paintings that still have a spark of potential...somedays you have it and some you don't!

But I have loads of great reference for cow paintings.

Have a great day!

"Wild Iris and grass"

12x16 Oil on Linen

If your intereted in this painting please contact me,

Kathryn@anaturalframe.com

Last week on a morning walk I spotted this grass that was just "different" so of course I pick some to take home to fill a vase and study. The next day I drove over to the Spring Creek Campground and the wild Iris were in full bloom, I picked a few of those too! The clear glass vase (jar) was fun to paint....if you haven't noticed I've been painting clear glass vases in my still lifes.....another subject I'm determined to master.

Thanks for stopping by!

"Nestled below the Ruby Dome"

12x12 Oil on Linen

If your interested in this painting please contact me,

Kathryn@anaturalframe.com

Sunday, a day in the front yard

12x12 Oil on Linen

This painting has a good start....hopefully I won't "Ruin it"

before this day is over!

Hope your having a good day....thanks for stopping by!

" A Days Hike"

16x20 Oil

Please contact me if your interested in this painting, Kathryn@anaturalframe.com

 This is a quiet place we hiked to a couple of years ago while camping in McCall, Idaho. Loaded with fishing poles, cameras, art gear and snacks for the grandkids, off we went for the day. It surprised us by not being a really long hike but it is off the beaten path and worth it.

Have a great day!

"Welcome to Lamoille" Plein Air Study

8x10 Oil

This is a quick study, but if  your interested in something like this please contact me Kathryn@anaturalframe.com

This is one of the views just as you start down into the town of Lamoille. It was partly cloudy....and cold, when the sun popped threw the clouds with it's warmth I sure appreciated it. The trees are an amazing color right now as they are trying to come out of their winter hybernation and into Spring.

Thanks for your visit!

"Break Time"

11x14 Oil

This turned out nice. Photo doesn't do it justice...If your interested in this painting please contact me Kathryn@anaturalframe.com

I surprised myself with this painting!  It really did turned out better than I thought it would .... so much so I might have to find a place for it on the wall until someone wants to take it home. I braved the cold this morning and went to Lamoille...brrr....but worth it!

 I'll post those photos tomorrow. LOl..,   have to keep you coming back for more :)

...

Hope your havin a good day!

"Thomas Canyon" Lamoille, Nevada

6x8   Oil - Framed

This painting is a donation to the troops but if your interested in something like this please contact me Kathryn@anaturalframe.com

A lesson in being prepared and incentive to get some art work done! An unexpected call from my husband this afternoon asking if I have a painting I can donate for a fundraiser supporting our troops, a local platoon ?

 I was confused about the conversation but since he rarely does this and always supports me in my adventures I started the hunt and came across this little painting I had hanging in my previous home and always enjoyed it and the memories it brought me......painted in Plein Air .....in sandals.....I went home with sunburned feet after having a fabulous day. I hope someone enjoys it as much as I do.

I am working diligently in the studio but have yet to finish anything new to post..so please hang in there and keep visiting...we are also busy planting some trees and shrubs on our 2.84 acres......as much as I enjoy the tall sagebrush in my area we will be in desperate need of a tree for shade soon!

Thanks for visiting!

"Time for Fishing"

6x8 Oil

If your interested in this little painting please contact me

Kathryn@anaturalframe.com

This little painting is of one of the beaver ponds we like visit in the summers...last summer my son and his dog had a fabulous time fishing here....hopefully I will paint them in action one day soon.

               Thank you for your visit!

Lamoille Church Study

6x8 Oil

This is a study NFS ~ however if your interested in something like this please contact me Kathryn@anaturalframe.com

This weekend we had a blustery day on Saturday and on Sunday the sun came out and we were blessed with the most beautiful day! I couldn't let the day just pass me by, so off I went to Lamoille, which was gorgeous with the fresh snow. I was in Heaven!

Thank you for your visit!

"Sweeties"

4x5 Watercolor

If your interested in this little painting please contact me

Kathryn@anaturalframe.com

I love little sweetheart roses! this little painting was almost scrapped but I really have a difficult time giving up on things...... so this painting sat on my watercolor board for months....and months and I decided to push it's limit. I ended up liking it very much.

It's sweet!

Have a great day and thank you for your visit.