We got socked!!!

Minnesota is in the middle of the 10th snowiest winter in history and it is only February. We may be looking at a record breaking year. It is hard to fathom the 12+ inches we got over the last two days when it was 55 last week. I am not complaining though, I am getting a lot of work done. I will posting more work soon.
Zoe seems a bit disgusted here, doesn't she?

The shepherd hook outside my studio window.

The front yard this morning around 7:30. I love fresh snow.

Inspiration....

I am often asked who is my inspiration, or what work inspires me...? How can I answer that question? I find inspiration in a sunset, or a friend's twinkle in their eye. If I had a go to artist that I look to when I feel lost, it is definitely William Bouguereau. When I was a kid, my family used to go to the Philbrook Museum in Tulsa, OK. While my family wandered on, I sat in front of his painting, Young Shepherdess, for what seemed hours. The glow of her skin, the texture of her clothes, everything about the painting excited me. Then I read this quote from him, and I understand the connection that I have always felt with him.

"Each day I go to my studio full of joy; in the evening when I am obliged to stop because of darkness I can scarcely wait for the morning to come...my work is not only a pleasure, it has become a necessity. No matter how many other things I have in my life, if I cannot give myself to my dear painting, I am miserable." William Bouguereau

I wish I could say that I went to my studio with this kind of passion every day, but it does happen every now and then. To live in a state of pure inspiration and enlightenment is a goal that I strive for. I believe that when we see artists of this level of talent, we can get a glimpse of the gift that they have been blessed with.

Inch by inch...

One thing that most people don't understand if they are not artists, is how long pencils take to do. It may be one of the most unappreciated mediums out there. By the time this small piece is done, it will have 20-25 hours in it.

Something new...

I decided to put the oils aside for a while and tackle a few more projects. This is a pencil titled Wild Horses. I work on the pastels during the day, and do the pencils at night while sitting upstairs with my husband. So you will see the progression of several paintings at once.

Finished...almost.

I am letting it dry before it goes to the scanner's. I will do a few more glazes today to tighten up the horse, but you get the idea. I have 5 other paintings that have been patiently waiting in the wings. The work never stops...

"Prairie Fire" oil 11x17