The Gossips - has a new home!

"The Gossips" (pastel, 32x32 inches)  sold

The Beachcombers Art Show this past weekend in South Padre Island, Texas, was almost a disappointing event, sales-wise. I did meet some lovely ladies who are members of one of the art leagues in the area, and want me to give a workshop next year. I'm excited about getting a new workshop on my schedule! But Sunday evening was rapidly approaching with no sales in sight... Until one distinguished gentleman engaged me in conversation about the impressionists and their mastery of light, then came back with his 'account manager' and purchased this one of my three largest paintings. Thank you, Alexander, for making my weekend!!

 Views of my booth...

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Gem

"Gem" (pastel, 6x4 inches)  click here to bid

Gem was a distraction the other day when driving through town and passing one of the many grassy fields that border Loop 337. Surprising for such a sunny day, a doe was grazing and her twin fawns were frolicking in the shade of a big oak. I just HAD to pull over and aim my camera... with a few minutes of patience, I caught one of the fawns as he ventured into the sunlight. Then he noticed me and froze! Perfect!

I named him Gem for his beautiful sparkling coat!

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Zurina

"Zurina"  (pastel, 7x5 inches)  click here to bid

Zurina is the daughter of Alva. I saw them with the rest of their family along the road to Kansas this past march for a workshop. It was the perfect time of day for photographing!

Progress shots below:

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Alva

"Alva"  (pastel. 7x5 inches)  click here to bid

"Alva" means 'white' in Spanish. She's a sheep I found in my drive up to Breckenridge, TX, up in June of this year, taking a bunch of art up to my solo show.

See below for progress shots:

I  thought I was done here.

But I didn't like the background, so I wiped it out, and added more Art Spectrum terra cotta primer.

...then started in on a new background..

Thanks for watching!! Please share!!

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Chili

"Chili"  (pastel, 6x6 inches)  click here to bid

Chili has that uniquely spicy attitude that not many cows have. He's going to grow up to be quite a handful!

This weekend I'll have lots of my new work back from my solo show, and will be showing and selling it down at the Beachcomber's Art Show in South Padre Island, Texas. Chili and my other recent 'dailies' will stay on their auctions, however, since I'm temporarily out of small frames... That works out for all of us!

Progress shots below:

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Grayvie

"Grayvie"  (pastel, 6x6 inches)  click here to bid

Who do you know who makes perfect gravy? Yea, think about it. Gravy is the one Thanksgiving ingredient that is vastly underrated but hugely important to the dinner as a whole. It needs that turkey broth, a bunch of herbs, some wheat flour, and a Mother's expertise to blend it all together. I know, you say "This is nowhere near Thanksgiving!" but still, now is the time to think of these things, before it's too late!!
BTW: Grayvie is another view of Bouillon. And doesn't she look like she knows what good gravy tastes like? Yes, I think so.

Progress shots below:

Haley May - A Portrait Commission

"Haley May" (pastel, 40x24 inches) private commission

I have an excellent client who owns one of my largest cow paintings and some smaller ones. A couple years ago I did a portrait of his granddaughter, Bella. Last year he commissioned one for his youngest daughter Haley May, and between his schedule and mine, we finally had the pickup scheduled! "Haley May" will be gracing the mantle of his new home (when it's finished being built..!)

"Bella in the Bluebonnets" (pastel, 8x10)

Want to know the best part? Both of the photo references were from this client's own collection! I love a client who gives me such good material to work with, and who has the finances for a job that will do justice to the image and the subject!

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Wellington

"Wellington" (pastel, 7x5 inches)  click here to bid

I never knew General Lord Wellington (The British commander who defeated Napoleon) but this fellow has the look of command tempered with the strain and pressure that must have accompanied such a demanding position.

Below are some progress shots:

Thanks for watching! Please share!!

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Bouillon

"Bouillon"  (pastel, 7x5 inches)  click here to bid

This handsome youngster was an unusual shade of brown; not the typical warm spicy stewed tomato color, but more of a soupy broth with herbs.

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Familial Bliss

"Familial Bliss"  (pastel, 22x28) $2500 (framed)

I had worked up this composition way back in May at the same time as "The Quiet Side of White" and "Brotherly Love" when I finished the primer underpaintings for all three. Since "Brotherly Love" sold from my solo show in Breckenridge, TX, I figured I better finish this one! This one will not be with me at the Beachcombers Art Show July 27-27 in South Padre Island, TX, because my framer is out of town. But I'll be picking up the rest of my solo show this Sunday July 21, so will have plenty of good stuff there!


This one took a while, so has lots of progress shots, Enjoy!

Did you notice how much trouble I had with the background? Typical. But I worked it out.

Thanks for watching! Please share! :)

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