Pursuing my passion

I had the wonderful opportunity this fall to go to my first western photo shoot in Nemo, Texas. (1 1 /2 hrs. from Dallas) The models were marvelous - authentic Indians, cowboys, trappers, gold miners, families dressed in period costumes, etc. There was cattle brought in for the shoot and beautiful horses of all kinds and colors - I'm so appreciative of the distance some of these models drove to be at the shoot, many of them bringing their horse(s). 

There is an old western town built on the property where the shoot took place that provided a back drop for some of the shots. We also went to the Paluxy River in Glenrose, TX for the third day of the shoot. I got some great shots of Indians and cowboys riding through the river and banks. I can't wait to start some paintings from these references. Here are a couple of paintings that I have completed from the shoot. "Standing Proud" 24 x 18 and "Trapper John" 16 x 20

After taking about 10,000 photos in 2 1/2 days at the western photo shoot we left a few days later for Big Bend National Park in Texas with the Outdoor Painters' Society. I love painting the rugged landscapes of Big Bend and figured that it also might provide some backgrounds for some of the model shots I had gotten at the western shoot. In Big Bend we painted outdoors during the day and would get together for dinner at night to visit - so much fun! I'll post three paintings I did while I was there - each one was completed on location. "Tuff Canyon Butte" 16 x 20, "Sotol Mountain" 18 x 24 and "Terlingua's Chisos Mining Co." 11 x 14 which was painted over a couple of evenings from the front steps of our cabin. It's a 10 hr. drive to Big Bend, but it's always such a great escape that it is totally worth it!

I would like to send warm wishes your way for a wonderful Christmas and a safe, healthy and blessed New Year! Thank you for looking in! Cheers to an excellent 2016!!!