Day 328 Jerry and Vicki's Place

Jerry and Vicki's Place

Oil on Canvas Board

6 x 6

A favorite place to visit when we are in Wyoming. We were there for a McManamen family reunion his summer. You could not meet nicer people than Jerry and Vicki McManamen. I'm very, very sorry to say that Jerry passed away later that summer. Such a dear, sweet man, he is missed tremendously.

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Day 326 Family Reunion

 

Family Reunion

Oil on Gessobord

5 x 7

 

I've always Iiked the photo this painting is based on. It was taken in Gillette, Wyoming at the home of Bob and Kelly McManamen during a family reunion. I felt very lucky to stay in their lovely home and receive their wonderful hospitality.

 

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Day 321 String Lake Revisited

String Lake Revisited

Oil on Canvas Board

6 x 6

Still on my Tetons kick. This was one of the many stunning locations we painted at during my workshop with Jim Wilcox. What an amazing treat that workshop was.

I consider this painting still a work in progress. If I get a chance, I will go back and adjust a few things. This is definitely the down side to daily painting. It's hard to find the time to go back and work on paintings that could use a little more thought. At least they very rarely suffer the fate of being "overworked". :)

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Day 320 Mom and Dad

 

 

Mom and Dad

Oil on Gessobord

6 x 6

 

We're back in Wyoming on the family ranch. I've been told that on the entire 1,500 or so acres there are exactly seven trees. All seven are located near the old family cabin. On our last visit, Sister Florence made the great analogy that each tree represented a member of her family that used to live there. All but two of those members are gone now but all seven trees remain. You might guess, by the title of this painting, who Sister Florence felt these two trees represented.

On a separate note, I love this kind of lighting. A storm has just passed. The clouds moving into in the eastern sky were still dark and ominous but the foreground was lit up by the returning sun.

 

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Day 318 Return to the Tetons

Return to the Tetons

Oil on Canvas Board

5 x 7

If there is a name for people who are endlessly fascinated by the Teton Mountains, that name would have to be applied to me. A Tetonatic? A Fana-Teton? Anyway, I am constantly inspired by this amazing place.

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Day 265 Another Wyoming Mini

 

After the Rain

Oil on Canvas Board

4 x 4

 

Here is one last Wyoming mini to share, at least for the moment.

Typically when we visit Wyoming it is hot, REALLY hot. We

were shocked to discover Seattle like weather on our last trip there.

I'm sure it didn't last though...

 

Day 263 Mini Moo

 

Mini Moo

Oil on Canvas Board

4 x 4

 

A silly, little painting of a silly, not-so-little cow hanging out in the sagebrush. One of

many cows we came across on our way out to the family ranch in Wyoming.

Day 264 Thunderheads over Wyoming

Thunderheads over Wyoming

Oil on Canvas Board

4 x 4

 

Here is another Wyoming mini painting. In the wide open

spaces of Wyoming, clouds become the star of the show, especially

thunderheads. We had a terrific thunderstorm here yesterday, not

nearly as common an occurrence as it is in Wyoming which, when

we were there, seemed to be a daily happening. 

Day 218 Sunset on the Reservoir

 

 

Sunset on the Resevoir - Plein Air

Oil on Canvas

8 x 10

Returning to a favorite spot on Jerry and Vicki's ranch.

 

This was how I got there. Wow! What a blast, cruising around until I found the right view. A plein air painter's dream come true. Thanks Bob and Kelly for the use of your ATV. I'm still smiling.....

 

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Day 217 Squaw Butte - Plein Air

Squaw Butte - Plein Air

Oil on Gessobord

6 x 6
 

This rock outcropping is near Jerry and Vicki's place in Wyoming. McManamen family legend has it that the remains of an Indian princess were discovered under a buffalo skin on top of the butte. Great family story right? I would've have searched under a rock or two for some missed princess beads if I wasn't so afraid of discovering a rattle snake instead. Thank you Susie for driving me up there. :)

A shout out to my number one blog fan Sister Florence McManamen. Thanks Sister for sticking with me every day! Did I get the story above right? If not, please correct me in the comment box below. Thank you!

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217 The Granary

 

The Granary

Oil on Gessobord

6 x 6

My father-in-law grew up in a log cabin on the prairies of northeast Wyoming. Most of the cabin still stands today as well as the granary I painted above, buildings with a lot of character and fond memories for the family. If you like wide open spaces, northeast Wyoming is the place to be.

 

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Day 216 Old Car in the Field

Old car in the Field - Plein Air

Oil on canvas

5 x 7

Great old car on Jerry and Vicki's place in Wyoming.

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Day 215 Storm Rolling In

Approaching Storm

Plein Air

Oil on Gessobord

6 x 6

I painted this during a family reunion north of Gillette, Wyoming. A very big storm was rolling in. I was fascinated by the different layers of clouds starting with very dark above me to a pale pink on the horizon. It was a great storm with lots of lightning, wind and torrential rains. I was tucked in underneath a shed. Perhaps not the safest place to be......

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