Back in the Studio!

(Wind River Canyon, WY-small watercolor study)

What joy!  The time has come to create new art work now that I'm back from all my travels.  And I've got 4 on the list right now all begging me to develop them first!  My travels to the West, the Pacific Northwest, and most recently to Arkansas have nourished my artist soul.  I am full to the brim of what I have seen and felt all along the way.  Life itself is inspiring.

  One drawing is already started on my easel.  I'm thinking about titling it "Barnyard Buddies".  It will explore friendship and trust.  The second drawing to sketch the dimensions on for today really excites me.  The title says a lot..."Mr. Majesty".  Any guesses as to what it might be?  Hint:  I saw him in Yellowstone National Park.  Two oil paintings are in the works. One will be of the Wind River Canyon in Wyoming and the other is a of a cowboy hanging on for every second while his bronco bucks.  I'll keep you updated with their progress over the next weeks.

The little wildlife herd in my studio has recovered from our travels and have determined territory rights here once again.  Some are preparing for hibernation as the temps begin to chill.  My Bighorn rams are still dealing with rut issues, but I think they are working through to more amicable behavior once again.

My art manikin Michelangelo was caught on camera taking a snooze with the hog from this year's 2014 Art Calendar.  Michelangelo wanted me to let you know that he has been working furiously the last 2 days on the NEW 2015 Bonnie Patterson Fine Art Calendar.  It is now at the printers and we are waiting for the call to check the proof.  Probably by the next blog all the information you need to order your 2015 Art Calendar will be here.  Be thinking about how many you would like to order as these make nice unique Christmas gifts that can be enjoyed every day of the year.  

Time to say goodbye to another piece of artwork that has gone out the door.  This painting titled "Winter Water" is now hanging in a lawyer's office in downtown Omaha.  And I think it has found a good home there.  The lawyer's connection with this painting was from boyhood memories of spending summers on his grandparents' ranch in the Nebraska Sandhills.  But when he found out the meaning behind this artwork for me, he was even more drawn to it. The cattle in this picture are waiting patiently for the farmer's water truck to come and fill the stock tank.  The conditions are not normal as there is no well, stream, or pond for the cattle to drink from naturally when they wish.  Conditions are more adverse with the onset of winter.  The water can freeze in these tanks and must be chipped out.  But the cattle wait patiently.  They are not running through the electric fence in search of other sources.  As I drove by this scene weekly on my way to work in a little school in Sedgwick, Colorado, it challenged me to have the same quiet, patient attitude as I waited on God to work in my life and circumstances.

I hope you are somewhere where you can get out and enjoy the beautiful artistry of God as the trees turn their fabulous colors this fall!

Be brave and courageous!

Festivals, Museums, and Architecture

(The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art)

Days of work combined with days of play...now that makes for a pleasant blend!  That's what the last 9 days have been for me.  Northwest Arkansas provided the scene for all my activity the past week.  First came the Bella Vista Arts and Crafts Festival where I had a booth selling my artwork and prints.  Meeting new people and interacting with fellow artists makes for good networking.  

(The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art)

One of the highlights of my Arkansas stay was studying at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.  This beautiful facility was built by Walmart and has a good foundation of supporters.  If you ever are around the Bella Vista, Arkansas area, take the time to explore and enjoy some great art and surroundings.  Admission is free!  Thank you, Walmart!

The above photo shows the third floor library at the museum.  I could absolutely spend hours studying in the thousands of great art volumes.  Going to have to schedule time down the road dedicated to that purpose.

(Mildred B. Cooper Chapel)

My older brother Gordon gave me another highlight during my time in Arkansas.  Monday night we sat and watched a documentary he had of the Arkansas architect Fay Jones.  Mr. Jones had mentored under the great architect Frank Lloyd Wright.  Then all of Tuesday, Gordon toured me around northwest Arkansas to view various structures designed by Fay Jones.  This chapel is one of them in the beautiful woods near Bella Vista.

Another structure of Fay Jones we visited was a home owned by a local Springdale farmer.  He was thrilled to take us on a tour of his home.  I wrote lots of notes down as he talked about the design, construction, and actual interaction and character of Fay Jones throughout the process.

Fay Jones' philosophy was to build a structure that complemented the surrounding environment and blended in with the landscape.  He wanted the land to look better for having his building on it, than it would look without it.  Fay Jones inspired his contractors to build every part with the best of all your life in it.  And then to build the remotest corner with the same quality as the front door.  Do you see some good life applications here?  I sure did!!  

Fay also taught that the greatest task an architect has is how they handle light.  That certainly is a part of my task, as well, for my artwork.

One significant note of interest to me was an observation Frank Lloyd Wright made of his student Fay Jones.  Mr. Wright said he built horizontally in his design to leave God out, but that Fay Jones built vertically to point to God.  Philosophy/world view matters in everything we do...that's where it all starts....in what we believe.  It then ripples out from there to everything we do.  And you can see and experience that in the structures of these architects.  Being in the beautiful Mildred B. Cooper Chapel was a beautifully inspiring experience.  

I conclude this blog with a sketch done just this morning by my 14 year old nephew Josh Milligan.  He was sitting at my drawing desk taking a Spanish test for his teacher Mom who is attending my father's surgery this morning.  Here is how he finished up that exam....this is what my drawing desk looks like:

Keep pushing the pencil, Josh!  I love your delicious sense of detail and line!

Be brave and courageous!

Traveling Mercies

Whenever one heads out to travel a distance, there are always possible troubles to expect. One could encounter vehicle failure, an accident, sickness (I experienced food poisoning on my last trip), or theft.  So when a safe and successful trip occurs, we have much for which to be thankful.   How easy it is to take it all for granted, even in having the freedom to travel as one chooses!  Recently I completed a 3500 mile journey and never once experienced a mishap, although there were some close ones... like when I almost drove over the edge around a steep curve into a canyon at Yellowstone National Park.  My front tire was already off the pavement.  It took me a number of minutes to recover from the scare of that frightening experience.  I was in awe of the great mercy and protection shown me at that time!  I thought I was for sure a goner!

(The falls at Yellowstone National Park)

My next opportunity for traveling is just around the corner.  Next week I will be participating in the Northwest Arkansas Bella Vista Arts and Crafts Festival  from October 16 - 18th.  If you happen to be in the area please stop by and see me!  This is a first rate show and I'm eager to have my artwork in it.

My little art manikin Michelangelo is rounding up his wild buddies in busy preparation for the trip.  A lot goes into having a booth in these shows!  I'm grateful for his "help" although he's got his hands full trying to keep the wildlife on peaceful terms with one another!

In the book of Psalms there is a chapter that was written for travelers going up to Jerusalem.  The words are reassuring for any traveler today.  The writer declares in Psalm 121 where the source of his help comes from...it is from the Lord who made heaven and earth!  Not only is this God big enough to make the universe, but He is also declared to be powerful enough to watch over, care for, and protect the traveler.  And for all on the journey through this life, God is ENOUGH!   That's powerfully reassuring to take out the door with you into your day.

This is a sneak preview of a sketch I did for a possible painting down the road after I get back from Arkansas.  Hold on tight as it doesn't look like an easy ride!

"May the Lord bless you and keep you.

May the Lord make His face shine on you, 

and be gracious to you:

May the Lord show you His favor 

and give you His peace."

---Numbers 6:24-26

Be brave and courageous!

Bits and Pieces

"Emmy"

9" x 9"

Graphite/charcoal

Today's blog is about gathering up some loose ends and bringing you up-to-date now that I'm back from my travels.  First, I was working on this pencil portrait at the end of July but had never shown you the finished product.  So here it is.  This portrait of a friend speaks of the grit and determination of a western cowgirl and of the beauty she seeks to bring to life. Emmy has blessed my life!  The original drawing is now available, as well as prints.

Next, you may recall the cargo trailer I built this summer to haul my art gear to shows.  Long term plans were to cover the top with wood-hinged doors.  In all the going's on of summer I hadn't time for that, but had just used a tarp.  So this week I've been busy with the drill, screwdriver, and table saw doing just that.  Oh, the guys at Home Depot love me!  They wanted a report on my trip and were full of advice on how to complete my doors project.  I've been there so much that I feel like they are my second cousins once-removed.  Here's some photo shots of the doors project:

It's been five days since I returned from my 3500 mile trip.  I'm still thinking much about all that I drank in visually from that trip and the great people I met.  Once I get finished building and catching up on my bookwork, I am so eager to launch into some new painting/drawing projects to share with you some of the grandness that I beheld. 

(Wind River Canyon, Wyoming)

Here's a little study that I did of some antelope I saw in the middle of Wyoming:

(ink and watercolor)

Antelope are so wary that it's hard to get close to them.  I'm glad that I know a God who longs for me to be close to Him.  Like King David wrote in Psalm 42:1..."As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God..."  so I want to long for God with that kind of desperate, earnest desire.  Here is a study I did of a deer in Yellowstone National Park enjoying streams of water:

(pastel  9" x 12" study)

Be thirsty for all of life and God this week!  Dive in like the deer!  

And here's the last bit...it's a teaser.  Next week I will tell you about another exciting adventure and opportunity I'll be going on with my art in 12 days!

Be brave and courageous!