Tonka Wins Reward

I named my pup Tanka, Souix for great and today he was. I was washing out the stock trailer on this fine spring day. Dad was out enjoying the sun in his electric wheelchair. I went to turn the water off and noticed something in Tanka's mouth. The last time this happened I ended up prying a dead bird out off his piranha teeth. But this time it was money!

Dad had dropped his money clip out of his pocket and Tanka had found it. It would have been better if he had brought it to me. We'll have to work on that.

New Rule: From now on any money I pry out of my critter's mouths is mine.

Red Mountain

There are three in the fading light

Looking at the red mountain

Waiting for answers

6"x6" gallery wrap canvas

edges painted neutral gray

$30

SOLD

member of Design Style Guide

Springtime and the New Puppy

Spring is trying real hard to get here. After a week or so of awesome weather we are getting snow and ice. It took a hammer to get the chicken coop door open this morning.

I got my new paint and supplies and have not finished one new painting. My bad.

Spring chores and horses begging to be ridden have kept me out of the studio. It is impossible for me to stay indoors after waiting all winter to play outside.

My baby chicks have hatched. Out of 14 eggs only 5 chicks survived. Not a very good hatch. Hope they are not all roosters. I may have to do one more batch. I am trying to get a dozen hen and now only have 7. The hawks have taken two since fall. I think this is fair. Hope they don't start taking more than their share.

I finally got a new puppy! I have been looking on and off for over a year. I lost my wolf last fall. He was 10 years old. My chow/ husky mix is old as dirt, 14. That is about 150 in big dog years.

The pup is German Shepard/mastiff and pit bull. The parents are very nice dogs. He is 7 weeks old and about 15 pounds. He seems very smart and is catching on to house training and farm life quickly. But...

I don't know if it is my memory or what, but I don't remember my newborns getting me up as many times during the night as this pup does. Last night we were only up twice, a new record. He doesn't have a name yet. I'm thinking of giving him a Native American name. Right now I'm stuck on "Whines All Night". I need a nap!

My Grandaugher's Painting "The Queen" is Chosen for State Competition

"The Queen"

My nine year old granddaughter has been blessed/cursed with the same artistic talent/ eccentricity that I have. She faces alot of difficulty with structure, will only wear flip-flops or boots, and sees vivid pictures in her mind. My daughter tells every one that it is like raising her mom. She carefully guards Terra's creative spirit. Every year she goes to the school to explain to the teacher how to best deal with this sweet, unusual child.

After winning first place in her first art show last summer she was excited about the statewide art competition at her school. Terra came for the weekend to do her painting. She has the advantage of professional brushes and paint when she works in my studio. Plus she has me advising her on how to use theses materials.

After having a bit of trouble deciding on the subject she settled on my cat Shirley, who she calls Queen Shirley.

She had a picture in her mind. She took a few reference photos with my camera and knew she had exactly what she wanted.

The first day she got in the zone easily and got alot done on her painting. The second day she struggled but was able to push through and finish her art "The Queen".

The painting won the 3rd grade school competition and now is going to the statewide art competition.

So keep your fingers crossed.