PROGRESS

Here's a quick update - a little bit of progress

PROGRESS

 

 Vote early - vote often - that's my motto. 

That Hillary Clinton doesn't have a 'presidential look.'

On several occasions, Trump has suggested that Clinton doesn't look like most presidents, an objective truth given that she is the first woman ever nominated by a major political party to run for the office. "I just don’t think she has a presidential look," Trump told ABC News. "And you need a presidential look."

 

NEW ROOF

Here's the start of my new roof. It will be done in sections - that's my hubby Jimi 

he's an engineer, can you tell? he made the machines to make and bend the shingles - he made the shingles

in his shop last winter and it's finally time to get them up before this winter. 

he's kind of a nut! Anyway the roof is looking really really good so I thought I'd share this

incredible art project. Jimi's an artist as well he's a woodworker by trade. You should see my new kitchen table!

I hope you enjoyed this unusual blog post. Thanks a bunch - MB 

 

MULES IN SLOW MO

Sunday progress - I really dislike painting on canvas these days and I could blame

my slow progress on the canvas or it could be that it's just a hard subject to paint

Monday - not sure if it's worth it! I could end up canning this one.

How to make mule tassels 

For Mule mugs!

 

MULES - PROCESS

I started my second mule today but couldn't get a decent photo this will have to do for now. 

See below how to make a mule! Thanks - MB

FLANNEL AND LACE

Today I was thinking about Michelle Obama's speech in Manchester, New Hampshire.

I thought this old painting of Flannel and Lace was appropriate to the occasion. 

If you missed the speech here it is MICHELLE OBAMA IN NEW HAMPSHIRE!

Thanks a bunch - MB

PROCESS - NO PARKING ANYTIME

The last couple of days have been a bust! Paintings started and wiped it's been looking pretty bleak in the studio. 

Failure after failure can really mess with my head. I've had this canvas drawn out and hanging around for over a year and since I couldn't get anything going I dragged it out of my storage area and thought I'd give it a go. 

Not sure where I'm going with it or if it will work but I had to get busy. 

Thanks - MB

LULU'S RIDE

Finished 12" X 12" paper mosaic

Thanks for waiting - MB

LULU'S RIDE PROCESS

This paper mosaic experiment is taking longer than anticipated - it's been interesting and

there have been a lot of aha! moments. I'm learning a lot about value and that's a good thing.

Thanks for hanging in there - I'll get back to painting soon. 

LULU'S RIDE

Procrastination - I'm avoiding painting for some unknown reason. Paper mosaic has been on my mind

for quite some time - I've decided to give it go.  Instead of recycling these boxes I decided to give paper mosaic a go. 

You'll see the results below in the progression of images. It was liberating to do something different today.

I can't explain it - it's a fun experiment to get out of my head think in a new way.

I'm not sure how long this piece is going to take or whether it will be a success - I'll keep

you posted. Thanks for taking a look!

PRINCE

This is my demo painting from First Friday. I didn't finish it on Friday night

because it was super crowded and there were lots of questions and discussions

about painting and photography. It was a fun night but I must admit I really 

wasn't prepared to paint hence the 4th cow painting in the last couple of weeks. 

Now I know why artists paint the same thing over and over again it gets a lot easier

each time you give it a go. Anyway, I have quite a few cow paintings if anyone needs one drop me a line.

Thanks to all for dropping by Friday night - it makes my evening so much better.

Later MB 

 

 

IT'S HIP TO BE SQUARE

"It's Hip To Be Square"

12" X 12"

Oil

Here's my finished painting for the "Twelve by Twelve 2016" show at the

gallery. I'm hoping I can get started on some water ideas now but it's still a daunting 

task. I have one idea drawn out maybe I can get over my phobias and give it a go.

Thanks for taking a look - you guys make my day!

 

IT'S HIP TO BE SQUARE - PROCESS

This is my entry for the "Twelve by Twelve 2016" show.

I hadn't done any Pez characters for a year and it was hard to get this far.

I decided to take the dogs for a hike to clear my head because Mini was soooo

hard and such a mind trip. We had a successful hike before any rain or snow 

I got back to the studio - forced myself to get back at it and the results are below.

I was going to quit here and I got a second wind so I thought I'd give 

Sponge Bob a go! I'm glad I did. Tomorrow all I have left are Randy Boggs

and Hello Kitty. The groove is coming back. Thanks a bunch - MB

12" X 12" 

Oil

250.00 

JORDY

Here's my last cow painting. 

I've been busy getting my ducks in a row for the "IT'S HIP TO BE SQUARE" show

The show SOLD OUT today - yeah! 

It's going to be good and I'm super excited.

Thanks a bunch - MB

BUBBA

I've painted this particular cow a number of times - the 3 paintings I just completed 

were the 3 panels I attached to my painting wall before I left for Minnesota.

Below you can see how I set it up. You can also see some new ideas in photos 

above the 30" X 30" panel. I'm at a crossroad and want to paint water - which is about

the scariest subject I could choose. Not sure whether I have the talent or the tenacity to give

it a go - we'll see how it all develops. I have to get my painting "It's Hip To Be Square"

finished for my 12" X 12" show. I'm pining to paint large but you know my philosophy paint it small first

work out the issues and problems then go big or go home.

Thanks a bunch, MB

A DAY AT THE LAKE PART II

Here's the other mosaic we helped my sister install at the 

Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport. We received so many positive 

comments the days we were at the airport installing. The people who work on 

the ground level were so pleased to see these images go up - they could feel

their blood pressure drop and a calm come over them. It was pretty rewarding.

Thanks a bunch for taking a look. MB

 

SOPHIE

Study - Sophie

Before I left for Minnesota I left 4 drawings on my painting wall so that when I

returned home I could get back to work without wondering where to start. 

Of course even with my best laid plan it took awhile to get back to work(if you call it work).

Before I left I painted my wall grey the same color as my floor. I wonder why it took

me so long to see how these changes would make my painting wall perfect. 

 It's been a joy to work in my cleaned up, open and airy studio. Hope everyone is

doing well. We are having a spectacular fall! Thanks for everything. MB

 

CALL FOR ENTRY

A DAY AT THE LAKE

We made a quick trip to Minnesota to help my sister install her mosaics

at the Minneapolis - St. Paul International Airport. Sue(my sister) and Eric(in yellow)

her trusty sidekick have been creating the mosaics since April in her studio. 

George, her husband is also instrumental in mosaic production and installation.

It's quite the project. I was so happy we could be there for the installation and

help out a bit. I will get you more photos later because this is truly a one of a kind

project and so delightful to behold.

Meanwhile back at the ranch I'm trying to gear up and get back at it hoping to

get you something new soon. Thanks for waiting. MB

ART GALLERY DISPLAY

Here's my display at the gallery. 

My Chuck Close talk was a success and well attended. I'm grateful for such an enthusiastic audience.

Thanks a bunch!

FREE ART TALK TONIGHT

DAIRY

Here's another First Friday demo painting I completed a couple of weeks ago.

I was in Ferndale California last year - Ferndale is dairy country. I've been thinking about

these photos for sometime and thought I'd give it a go.

Thanks for taking a look! MB

TEDDY

Here's what Teddy's family has to say: Teddy is a 2 1/2 yr old golden doodle.

He is laid back but so much fun too! He loves to play but also loves to "veg" on his couch.

He loves to chase balls and frisbee's but then doesn't want to give them back. He's a 

happy dog. 

This is how I started the portrait. As you can see in the photo below there wasn't much to go on as far

as light, shadow or eye details. Teddy's eyes went through more changes than I care to admit. I decided

that a subtle approach to Teddy's eyes was a better choice since the photo was so blurry and lacking detail. 

Thanks a bunch - MB

F.M. LIGHT & SONS

Here's Lightning again! 

He's SOLD - yeah!

Thanks for taking a look. MB

GEMS OF ROUTT COUNTY

"Gems of ROUTT County"

Here's what it looks like framed as a triptych. It makes a nice collection of historic barn images.

This piece will be up at the Steamboat Springs Arts Council until October 2nd.

Thanks for following. MB

 

FETCHER BROS.

The Fetcher's are a historic ranching family in Steamboat Springs, CO.

We were up at Steamboat Lake camping, biking and rowing our wherry's on the lake and

came across this view of one of the Fetcher barn from the water. The entrance gate

to this historic barn reads Fetcher Bros. hence my title. The Fetcher's are an old cattle ranching

family and the current generation of kids have taken over the day to day operations.

The cattle serenade you as you row around the lake. It's a romantic notion for sure - these days I prefer tofu for dinner

but I love to see and hear the cattle. It's a conundrum for sure. 

The Fetcher's have more than one barn but I found this view a bit different than the usual barn

painting. This is the third image in my triptych titled "GEMS OF ROUTT COUNTY"

Thanks for taking a look. 

 

SELBE FARMS

This is another historic farm in Routt County. It's the first image in my

triptych titled "GEMS OF ROUTT COUNTY"

Very few farms or ranches in my area include silos - I've wanted to paint

this farm for some time. In fact I'd like to do a series because it's one of the

few white barns in my area as well. I'm so happy that Dona Steele(she's in charge

of the Barn Raising Show)invited me to participate. It's like having an assignment

in school - makes me think about something new! 

Thanks for taking a look.

PLEASANT VALLEY

This is my finished painting titled Pleasant Valley. It will be on display at

Steamboat Springs Arts Council until October 2nd.

8"h X 30"w

This image is the center image of a triptych titled "GEMS OF ROUTT COUNTY"

I ride my bike out to Pleasant Valley three times a week - it's about a 30 mile

round trip. This row of buildings are the last thing I see before I turn around and head back.

I love the history of this area and love this image. It was time to give it a go.

Here's a great story about Pleasant Valley written by Tom Ross our local historian.

 I hope you enjoy the tale.

Whispering the Past:Routt County's Historic Buildings Share Long Forgotten Stories  

Detail of the right half

Detail of the left half

Thanks for taking a look! MB