Western Artist

Sure, I can be a western artist, I live in the west don't I?

There is only really one gallery in Missoula (the Dana Gallery) and my work only kind of fits in there as most of the artists paint western themes, but in my quest to get out there and be seen as much as possible I decided to try painting for their annual "Icons of the West Show". I decided to paint a horse. My first attempt was pretty awful being sort of a traditional looking horse and really didn't fit in with my latest work at all, and I discovered 2 days before the deadline that it didn't meet the size requirements either. So, a little rejected I slunk home vowing to try again next year when my husband said in passing, "why don't you paint a horse made up of stones?" Hmmmm, interesting idea. So I did, and here it is, and I sent it to the Dana a week late and they kindly accepted it anyway. Yay.

"the Stone Pony" oil on panel, 20" x 30"

Rock and Roll

Dancer, 36 x 48 oil on cradled panel

Snowsuit, 36 x 48 oil on cradled panel

Lookout, 20 x 30 oil on cradled panel

3 hours of painting a day. Minimum. Really. Don't laugh, I'm serious.

Yes, and here's what came of that in a week. 3 new paintings that I like (especially "Snowsuit"). I picture my 3 year old who is now 11 with her snowsuit on, unable to do anything but waddle.

Livin' the life

Having finished my 100 paintings project and the following show in December, and 2 HuHot murals after that, I've been takin' it easy in January (to say the least). These 2 paintings are the last that I did before the show and are the "Portraits of Mexico" that I promised (7 months ago). I like the way they hang better than how they look in print so I'm not sure this multiple painting technique will continue, we'll see.

The show went great, I've learned, hire everything: hanging, food, have friends sell for you, it makes for a calm artist.

Next? I have my eye on a portrait of a Salish Native American elder, but maybe with a little twist if I can work it out.

road weary

As much as I hear artists sometimes complaining about Gallery fees of 50%, I've found myself sympathetic to the Gallery owner.


Having my first show in the new studio space (with another artist) really opened my eyes to how much work was involved with hanging, (which included installing a hanging system because of the entire building being made of brick) marketing, buying food, wine and then the act of selling the work (or trying to) which I don't think comes easily for most artists. Luckily in this case I think most people are very forgiving.


I did manage to do very well at this show, selling 2 small pieces as well as the piece (or pieces) posted here, I was so excited that they wanted the entire grouping because it really does create a much more striking presence all together. This painting is made up of 16 - 12" x 12" pieces that were painted individually, I thought that it wouldn't be cheating in my 100 painting project if they were done as single paintings that made up a large one as long as I painted them one at a time. I actually didn't see the finished piece until I put them all together.