Clouds

Cumulus Clouds_9x12"_oil on panel

After the storm tonight, the clouds took on so many shapes that I could have painted seventeen paintings! And I just might... I got a few minutes between raindrops to ride my horse, then go home fix supper and eat by 10:00 PM. We are getting back from the farm so late these days that I have only a few minutes to post...good night!

Downpour

Downpour_9x12_oil on panel

Yesterday was gorgeous from start to finish, starting with soft fluffy clouds leading to dark dramatic clouds and ending with a torrentious downpour, the kind that whites out the landscape and makes the roof thunder so hard you can't hear the person next to you shouting in your ear! I love these days, especially since we've had severe dought the last several years. Bring it on Lord! And Thank You!

Donations

Marilyn Sadler, CWNave, Gretchen Grosshardt, Yvonne Todd at SOPO party

I believe it is important for everyone to give of their gifts. I have a gift given to me that allows me to have a desire to figure things out, have a sense of proportion, understand colors, and want to do it! Many of you have gifts I don't, like singing, dancing, writing, making people laugh, all things I used to wish I could do. Now, I am perfectly content with what I can do, and make the most of the opportunities to give to causes I believe in, like animal husbandry. Yes, being a good husbandry person means taking care of and protecting the ones who can't take care of themselves. Many strides are being made to help animals since the old days and ways, but still, many animals are euthanized every day in this country. Woodford Humane Society is a wonderful privately funded rescue that tries to benefit animals and owners by matching personalities and needs, kind of like a match making business. They are not dependent on any government funding, and all of the money they need they creatively raise, with help from an army of donors, from the farms that donate their property use, to caterers, decorators, artists, and a crowd of unhailed people that help in many ways. Please get online at www.woodfordhumanesociety.org and click on the Scenes of Pin Oak or SOPO to bid on the artwork, or get a ticket to one of the two days of events, go have a great time. There will be many other things up for auction. By the way, the paintings are donated lock, stock, and barrel, with 100% of the donations going for the shelter.

Old Cabin

Old Cabin_8x10"_oil on panel

This old cabin is like one in the edge of the mountains of Daniel Boone National Forest, one of the sights we saw on our two day trail ride this past weekend. It seems that nothing is permanent, even after all of our labors to build, shore up, beautify, nature takes over and with a little neglect, tears it all back down. This can be a good thing, not all of our efforts are worth saving, and knowing that the best usually is saved makes me feel a little better. This old cabin is one of the good things.

Roadsides in Kentucky

Tree Allee_9x12"_oil on panel_available

The roadsides in central Kentucky, particulary the horse farm areas, have been noted for years for having beautiful landscapes, particularly because of the respect for the trees that grow in fence rows and provide shade for the horses, cattle and other livestock. They also provide living rooms for wildlife. Did the early settlers read the laws in the bible where God said to not reap your fields to the edges to provide food for the poor and the wildlife? Or were they too lazy to keep the hedges out of the fences? I opt for the former. Too bad that the county I live in opts for the latter, and anyone who doesn't keep his fence row trimmed out is considered lazy...we must have control! To the detriment of every sensibility. I much prefer the beauty and practicality of trees, and the sometimes wild look of a working farm.

Entry Road

The Entry Road_9x12_oil on panel

When going down to the river, we have to pass through our friends farm and go down a winding switchback road about 300 feet to reach the river bottom. From there we work in the garden, or launch a kayak or fishing boat. This is the top of the hill entering the road. The little tree has since been trimmed down by the neighbor, such a shame, it made a sweet little arch over the drive.

Dix River Morning

Dix River Morning_9x12_oil on panel_available_$325

Summer mornings on the river bank are really hot and steamy, especially after 10 AM.
The geese are in the water beyond our sight, just below the bank. It's too hot for them, too.

Mists of Time

Mists of Time_9x12_Oil on panel_sold

Today is a day of more rain, I'm not complaining after the droughts of the last two years!
We went down to the river to see the water and found mists rolling off of the Dix. It is a mesmerizing sight. This painting is one of the Canadian bogs we saw several years ago on our trip to Deborah (sp) just across the lake from the tip of Michigan, where there were many tiny islands, many large rocks to ruin your props and wonderful landscapes.

Ancient Track

Ancient Track_9x12_oil on panel_available_$325

These trees and road are the view as you enter our little farm. The road you see is the ancient road that crossed over the big hill behind us, where wagon trains and stagecoaches traveled. Then they went down the cliff edge to cross the Dix River, before the dam was built. In the summer, you could walk across on almost dry ground. But now, the modern road goes a different route, and you can no longer cross the Dix, as the dam keeps the water level high. Our driveway starts on the abandoned section, and we keep our little section clear and useful.

Dix River Landing

Dix River Landing_14x24"_Oil on Canvas_available_$1200

Another lazy day painting of the water of the Dix River slowly flowing by. It is a peaceful area belonging to our neighbors, with great views of the palisades rock formations. Last month the rains came so frequently that this entire landing was under water. Now the waters have receded and this is the way it looks.

Time to Work

Dix River_11x14"_Oil on panel_Sold

Time to get back to the farm and work after a three day weekend of dressage clinic . Here's where I'd rather be, sitting in a canoe, watching the herons and other life on the banks, painting tomorrow.

New Ways

Shakertown Morning_6x9"_available_$225

After 12 hours, give or take, of watching riders learning to ride and train their horses, I feel like I'm starting to get a clue of what is expected of the horse in basic dressage. O.K., I am a little thick, but in my defense, I come from hunter/jumper background in the 60's, translated to thoroughbred exercise rider and trainer in the 70's and 80's and back to basics in the 90's (read trail riding). I can tell you dressage is like learning to ride upside down to me. I feel like I'm just about to topple over the horses head when I'm in the "correct" position. It's like learning to paint with brushes,and then having to paint with palette knives, or worse, with sponges. It doesn't "feel" right. But, nothing new is done that isn't tried, so, I am celebrating new things in all areas by experimenting with different textures of canvas, different palettes, changing up the status quo. Am I who I am? Maybe next week I'll be a different rider, a different artist.

Dressage

Friesian_9x12"_oil on panel_available_$325

I'm attending a dressage clinic this weekend, and seeing a lot of beautiful and talented young horses. We watch every rider, trying to think what it would feel like to be riding that horse, and what we would do. I don't have a clue, and that's why I'm there! The horses are responding favorably to a great instructor from California.

Rainy Day

Rainy Day_9x12"_oil on panel_available_$325

Another rainy day at the farm! All day! It makes everything grey and blue, and softens the edges of everything. That's what I think of...soft. Soft bed, soft pillow, soft cup of coffee.

Rain Showers

Scattered Showers_9x12_oil on panel_available_325

The rain is great for the farm! I am enjoying the rain storms we have been getting lately, usually I'm at the Meadow Lake farm during the afternoon buildup of thunderhead clouds, watching from high ground the large clouds and rain on farms just west of us.

Canyon Sunset

"Canyon Sunset"_11x14 oil on panel_available_$350
A figure study from life done at the Kentucky Horse Park, and completed at the studio, with a made-up southwestern canyon background. It doesn't look like that in Kentucky! The sun lights on the canyon wall and reflects back into the Indian girl's face.
My new website is just up! The address is: www.CWNave.com