Letting the Cat Out of the Bag!

I couldn't wait to share this one with you all, so I am letting the cat out of the bag!  This morning before diving into my current piece of artwork, I had to decide on the next painting or drawing project first.  There's a reason for this.  On Saturday I will be participating in another live Artist at Work Show here in Omaha.  The current work I am doing is of Katy the Cowdog in that beautiful blue bucket of muddy water.  And I'm enjoying it greatly!  But I really have to concentrate when it comes to watercolor as it is not my strong suit.  And when you are doing a live at-work show, people are there to interact with you the artist.  I love doing that, being I am an extrovert social person!  But I would lose my focus and probably make Katy come out looking like she was some Martian's alien beast.

 But put a pencil in my hand and I'm good with all that!  So I went ahead and selected my next topic for a drawing that I can work on during the show.  This one has been sitting on the back burner brewing and saying, "What about me?!"   I don't want to totally ruin your suspense, so I covered up most of the photo to let you get a gist of what is involved.  For those of you familiar with my artwork, this one is along the lines of my drawing titled "Boots, Broncs, and Britches".   You can view it on my Gallery page of Graphite/Charcoal Drawings here on this blog website.

Okay...enough said.  Time to dip my brush in the water and get back to working on Katy or she will get tired of sitting posed in that bucket of muddy water and jump out.  Here's an update on her progress so far.  Oh, and she loves snacks!  She'll keep sitting there as long as you throw those little tasty dog biscuit thingies her way.

Coming Up Next....Man's Best Friend

After a lot of wrangling around, I finally landed on my next artwork subject.  She is Katy the cow dog who knows how to take care of a hot summer day.  I love this photo of her as it  seems full of sunshine and cheer.  Animals keep life simple....if you're hot, just jump in the water bucket.  We humans can make issues turn into such complexities.  Thanks to Emmy Seder of Parker, Colorado for the joy of working on her four-footed friend!  

Also, the winner for last week's title contest was Robert Whitbeck of Omaha, NE.  He also noticed that I'd used some colored pencil in the drawing of the horse peering through the corral bars.  The winning title is "Peekaboo!"  Congratulations, Robert...you won the free 8" x 10" print of that drawing!

(click on photos for closer look)

Title Contest

 Untitled

17" x 22"

Charcoal/Graphite

Here we are with another drawing finished and leaving the easel.  We are soon to turn Roany out to pasture as she has been such a good little model through all these last couple of weeks.  She never could figure out why I needed her to hold her head just so.  

Now here's the part where we leave the stable/studio door open and invite you in.  No, I'm not going to do your portrait.  I am asking you for your opinion.  Through the entire time of working on this drawing, I couldn't land on a clear title that resonated with me.  Usually I have the title picked out early in the process, but not this time.  So....for one week I will collect your suggestions and pick what I feel best captures the essence of this picture's story.  Last date to enter a suggestion will be APRIL 23rd.  The winner will receive an 8' x 10" print of this drawing.

Also, another contest....I did something different this time with my pencil work.  The first person to notice  this by APRIL 23rd  will also receive an 8" x 10" print of this drawing.  Happy looking!

Iowan, The International competition's farrier, knows horses, hooves inside and out - Omaha.com

Iowan, The International competition's farrier,

knows horses, hooves inside and out - Omaha.com  .  This is Shane Walde, who considers his work as farrier a calling.

Horses and More Horses!

The horse world comes alive this Friday and Saturday, April 11 - 12, in downtown Omaha at the Century Link with the International Omaha competition .  The athleticism of these magnificent animals will be a joy to watch as they take on the challenges of the variety of jumps and obstacles.  I plan to be right down there among the stalls and in the stands catching scenes on my camera and in my sketchbook.  You never know when one of those opportunities will end up on my easel!  Can you detect that I have a major soft spot for horses?!  Wonder if my little horse Pinetree is up for some stiff competition?

Ready for a Good Home

Here we are....fresh from the framers.  Next stop.....maybe your wall?!  This charcoal/graphite drawing measures 43" across and 35" in height framed.  It is available for $1920.00 USD including shipping.  If you have any questions please leave a message for me on the contact/inquire page of this website.

New on the Easel

Here's the new kid on the block....another drawing of Roany, the same horse that I drew in February titled "Ready and Waiting".  Haven't come up with a title for this one yet.  What I like about it is the gaze of the horse looking through the corral bars.   Something about that look I find intriguing...you are being watched....and I wonder what are the thoughts behind that gaze?

The mane is kind of the main thing...at least it has been so far in the drawing.  But there will be a new aspect in the next bunch of hours.  Right now it's mainly mane!  :)