Terce and Bear

Terce' and Baruka_5x6"_oil on panel

In honor of Baruka, who came home yesterday, I am posting this study of him and his mom when he was just a baby. I had almost forgotten what he looked like while thinking of his life today, so this is a great reminder of his high-stepping style.

Summertime

Summer Field_9x12"_oil on panel

It ia that time of year when the hay is baled and up off the fields, you can see across the pasture now, the horses haven't foundered, the breezes are lazy, and the fourth of July is day after tomorrow! Watermelon and burgers are in the offing, the smell of charcoal wafts into the air, what could be nicer than family and friends around to laugh and play, maybe fish, paint, or ride the horses?

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.