Fire Lake

This is the second time I have done this particular painting. The first one was confiscated by our son, Sean, to hang in his home. This one is for MY HOME - to hang in my office.

I love the vibrancy of the colors and the abstract nature of the sunset....

A fun one to do, as it allows a certain freedom and forgiveness - something I need much of while putting paint on canvas!

Three Amigos

These are our Three Amigos. They always hang around together for the summer, but once Fall comes - they will be in fierce competition for the ladies. The one in the middle is the 11 point buck that is pictured in an earlier blog. His antler growth has been really good this year - considering the drought we have been in. Oh - I wish I could trim their antlers before hunting season starts.

Finally.... it rains

"It is the rainfall that sustains the life on the earth. Look at it as the NECTAR of life."

Finally we are getting some much needed rain after an ongoing drought. It is so amazing how fast everything greens up, and becomes so lush. Wished it would stay around for awhile.....

Cheeto Warhol

This is my first attempt at painting something - BEFORE I started taking art classes!

Is it any surprise that it is a dog? This is Cheeto - our blue merle Sheltie. I took a photo I did of her and then gave it a Warhol twist with the paintbrush. I love to do abstract, as it makes me get out of the box - of trying to get things perfect.

Winslow in the Snow

This is a painting I did for our daughter, Shannon, who lives in New Jersey - where she is the Marketing and Development Coordinator for Urban Promise Ministries. She inherited my love of animals, and is never without several dogs in her home, at any given time.

Winslow was her first Golden Retriever. Although he was here for only a short time, he never knew a stranger and gave as much love as any dog could.

Bunting Haven

The Painted Bunting male is known for their exotic blends of bright colors, while the ladies and youngsters are a green color - to help them blend into their habitat.

These photos do them no justice!

This year, we have been so blessed to have become a small sanctuary for the Painted Buntings that migrate each Spring from Mexico. The lady that runs the Wild Birds Unlimited store, where I buy my birdseed, informed me that we have the largest concentration of these beautiful birds in our area, based on reported sightings.

We have counted 9 males and over a dozen females at one time in our front yard. The habitiat is heavily wooded cedar and oak, which gives the birds a great place to raise their young ones. We have running water 24/7, and of course supply their favorite food - millet seed.

From late May to mid August, we totally enjoy their presence. They are now starting to leave, as I have not seen any of the boys in a few days, although the ladies and youngsters are still here.

Their biggest threat is of course by man. Because of the boy's striking colors, when they return to Mexico, they risk being captured to become caged birds, much like parakeets and finches.

Lovable Labs

Labs have been a part of my life since I was 12 years old.

We spent 30 years showing them in Conformation, Obedience, Tracking and Hunt Tests. Although we no longer participate in those events, the Labs are still a major part of our lives....

We are down to 2 now.....

Kodi - our chocolate boy is 12. He is "Mr. Happy" every minute of every day. Always a smile and a wag to let you know that you are the most important thing in his life!

Cayman - our yellow girl is now 13 years old. She still has a mouth, and appetite to go with it! She is the queen bee around here.

Can't imagine life without a dog.
Appropriately - they are GOD spelled backwards.