Capturing moments of exceptional beauty
The Natural World
...on the earth and in the sky
Now at Rumor Designs through February
I am endlessly fascinated by the bear-claw marks found on aspen trees. I often wonder if these markings might be a language unique to bears. For this show, I chose to paint real aspens, depicting authentic bear claw marks that I have personally observed and photographed.
The result is a fun and joyful collection, primarily featuring bear cubs and placing them within abstract backgrounds. This artistic approach allows us to enjoy the cleverness of these animals in surroundings that suggest their curious, playful nature.
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The Natural World
Oops I Slid!
40" x 20" Diptych, Oil and Cold Wax on Canvas
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This cub is learning how to climb. Huckleberries, one of bears' favorite foods, are to his right. Because he is low, the landscape is above him.
The Grand Prairie
48" x 48". Oil on Canvas
The Grand Prairie region of Arkansas offers wide, expanses of farmland and subtle, provocative coloration throughout the day​. It's inspirational to me.
What Claw Marks?!
40" x 20" Diptych, Oil and Cold Wax on Canvas
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This cub practices his safety skills by climbing high in the tree. Because he is high, the landscape is below him.
Crossing with the Triplets
20" x 40" Diptych, Oil and Cold Wax on Canvas
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Mama sow makes sure all her cubs are following her. One cub is following a red balloon and meadering away
Yampa Valley after the Rain
36" x 36".
Oil and Cold Wax on Canvas
I have noticed intense colors that follow rain storms. This painting is one example of what I see.
Solo Climb
36" x 18" Oil and Cold Wax on Canvas
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This cub practices his climbing in the autumn woods. Soon, he will want to come down and join his sleuth. He can't
wrestle alone!
Practice Going Up
36" x 18" Oil and Cold Wax on Canvas
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Mama wants her cub to practice getting high in trees where he'll be safe from predators
Little Bear
60" x 36". Oil on Canvas
Yes, this yearling was on my back porch trying to get into the house.
I was on the other side of the glass taking pictures. Notice that his paws are on the sliding door handle...!
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Purple Bear
40" x 30". Oil on Canvas
See Giclee at Brass, Steamboat Springs
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This fella was at a friend's window, looking in from outside. On a car trip, I sketched him in purple. I liked the unusual idea of a purple bear
and painted him that way.
The Grand Prairie
48" x 48" Oil and Cold Wax on Canvas
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The Grand Prairie region of Arkansas offers wide expanses of farmland and subtle, provocative coloration throughout the day. It's morphing colors and shapes capture the artist in me.
Sunset at 30,000 Feet
30" x 40". Oil on Canvas
Flying home from Italy, I looked out the window and saw a magnificent sunset. The reflected colors were
stunning and unforgettable. This sight demanded to be preserved in a painting.
Yampa Valley Sunset XIV
20" x a 60". Oil on Canvas
Rocky Mountain sunsets are often dramatic. Their unceasing, creative beauty demands that I paint them. In this sunset yellow rays filtered through two cloud layers and almost reach the mountains below.
Yampa Valley After the Rain
36" x 36". Oil on Canvas
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Intense colors often follow rain storms. This painting is one example of what I have seen.
Yampa Valley Sunset IX, Snowy Branch
36" x 36". Oil on Canvas
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Bare, individual branches hold snow and set the scene for the valley view below
Snowy Flattops
12" x 24". Oil on Canvas
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In winter, morning light illuminates The Flottops, Colorado's third-largest wilderness area. Although the visible colors and details change throughout the day, morning light is best!
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Spring Sunrise
30" x 48". Oil on Canvas
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There is magic in the warm morning light that hits the mountaintops and is reflected into the valley
Wildlife
(and I do mean wild!)
The Frog Formerly Known as Prince
36" x 36". Oil on Canvas
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Art can have humor! The idea for this painting came to me during a meditation and was for a portrait of a frog. His portrait is accurate (although he wasn't a good sitter). The bottom is abstracted, and the top is like an old Olan Mills background.