Morning Dew on the Hay

"Morning Dew on the Hay" 6 x 9" Original Pastel

© Trish Stevenson

Hay bales abound this time of year in all shapes and sizes and as I roamed around this particular cool fall morning, my eye was caught by the light hitting the big, round bales. There was a heavy dew, the sky was misty and seemed full of moisture causing the trees in the distance to look soft and faded. It all seemed to make an otherwise unremarkable scene into something worth painting!

Roan Surprise

"Roan Surprise" 5.5 x 6" Original Pastel 

© Trish Stevenson

This was from a little band of domestic horses that were friendly but also wary as they had been in the hills all summer and none of them were broke. I really enjoy trying to capture different aspects of the horse's personality - each horse has it's own unique characteristics, so much like people. Some are outgoing and greet you right away while others hang back a little more careful. This one seemed to be saying "I'll stay back here until I figure you out!"
Click here for purchase information.

Curious Calf

Like most baby animals, calves are a curious bunch and cute, of course. I love the fresh white face on this one, a"brockle face". Once again, the shadowed area of the white invites one to explore the color possibilities. This is a 5 x 7" oil on linen panel. Sold 

Of all the cattle I have ever painted I would have to say that Herefords are a favorite of mine simply because of their coloring. The deep red-brown coats look great in sunlight and the creamy white markings present colorful opportunities, especially in the shadow areas. Because I do like to paint subjects in motion I also liked the fact that this particular cow was on the move and swishing her tail. Sold

"Tight Focus" Exhibit in Idaho Falls

This special small format exhibit is entitled "Tight Focus" with all of the pastel paintings being limited to a 6 x 6" image size - good things do come in small packages! I will have one painting, "Buck in Velvet" in this exhibit which is sponsored by the Pastel Society of the Northern Rockies and Blake G. Hall Gallery in Idaho Falls, Idaho. It runs from 11-5-12 through 1-5-13 with a reception TBA. You are welcome to stop by if you are in the area!

Colt Study

"Colt Study" 7 x 5 Oil on Linen on Board

Time to experiment again. This was a nice surface to work on, not as slick as the plain board. It's amazing the different properties of each surface, stretched canvas, canvas on board, linen board, etc. They all have their pros and cons, I guess that's why we give them a try. I really focused on big shapes and values and avoided details in this and enjoyed looking for warm colors in the shadows. Click here for purchase information

Three Round Bales

"Three Round Bales" 5 x 7" Oil on Board

I decided to experiment by using a gessoed board instead of stretched canvas. It is definitely a different surface to work on for me because it is slick and the paint doesn't sink in like it does with canvas and there is no give. I will probably try some more in the future. As always, it's good to leave the comfort zone.
Click here to bid.

Wild N' Crazy

"Wild "N Crazy"

24 x 18" 

© Trish Stevenson

Who is wild and who is crazy? The horse, the cowboy? Or both?

Gathering Rope

"Gathering Rope"

9 x 6" Original Pastel

© Trish Stevenson

Springtime is a favorite time of year for most people. For the rancher it is too, time for new calves and brandings. At a branding, every cowboy and cowgirl has a job to do - this guy was roping calves all day long. This painting is currently available unframed.  Sold

"Oskar, The Icelandic"

6 x 6" Oil ©2012 Trish Stevenson

I have read that the Icelandic has a very long history (back to the Vikings who bred them) and could be the purest breed of horse in the world. I know for sure that they come in any color and with their abundant manes they are fun to paint! - Sold -

Painting a Black horse

6 x 6 Oil © Trish Stevenson

Because it absorbs light, I find portraying  black can be a bit tricky when it comes to painting, but it does allow room for color in the highlights...(shadows, too if you choose) I had not painted a black horse in this series yet and I do love black horses so I had to give it a go! 

 This is painted on a gallery-wrap canvas, painted on all 4 sides so you can hang as it is or frame as you wish. 

Click here for more information.

12 x 9" Original Pastel © 2012 Trish Stevenson

This pastel painting went through a bit of a metamorphosis as it was developing. Originally I had planned a somber background like a subtle greyed-down yellow ochre-ish wall of some sort. Since this subject was mainly in shadow, my aim was to pop out highlights on the outer edges of the vest, shirt and saddle, etc. As things developed, I became disenchanted with that idea - the painting was speaking to me - "I need a hot, sunlit dusty background!!" - it was shouting to me - so I listened and agreed. The highlights ended up blending off with the background. I also had fun trying different color combinations within the shaded areas to enrich them.  

Buckskins I Have Known

"Heads Up #21 6 x 6" Original Oil

© Trish Stevenson

Although I have many, many favorite colors when it comes to horses, I'd have to say that a deep golden buckskin like this one would be in my top ten. We had a buckskin named Joker when we were growing up which we bought as a scrawny 3 year old. His former owners said he loved peanut butter and jelly sandwiches! He was a bit of a trickster and difficult to catch, but he turned out to be a pretty nice horse. My grandpa also had a buckskin pony named "Buck" - (original, I know). When Buck got tired of us kids riding her, she would stop, put one foreleg out and kneel with the other one and start to roll over till we had to jump off or get squished!

My partner, Charley had a "sooty" buckskin who was absolutely untameable even though she was raised and trained like all his other horses. I guess she just wanted to stay wild as the wind. 

Exhibit at the Rockwell - A Cowboy in New York

"Lanky Cowboy" Original Pastel

© Trish Stevenson

I am excited, pleased and honored to announce that one of my works "Lanky Cowboy" which now resides in New York within the collection of Mr. Ken Ratner will be included in an exhibit at the Rockwell Museum of Western Art. Mr. Ratner, an enthusiastic collector of works by the "Ashcan" artists and Western artists,  is loaning his extensive and beautiful collection of western art to the Rockwell Museum for an exhibit. Works by Phil Epp, Logan Hagege, Gary Ernest Smith, John Sloan, Robert Henri and many more will also be included. (Final date pending)

Cowboy Waiting

11.5 x 8.5"  Original Pastel

© Trish Stevenson

As an artist I am inspired by the action and color of rodeo. I also look for opportunities to portray the human figure in an intriguing moment like this one where the cowboy looks like he might be contemplating his next ride. Click here for more information.

Time's Up

I love watching the pickup men at a rodeo - those guys have a lot of work to do and in a timely manner if the rodeo is to go on. They see alot of action! I also like to wonder what the horses think of each other - the wise, well-behaved one doing his job and the wild rebel he is chasing down.
SOLD

Brockle-Face Calf

"Brockle-Face Calf" 6 x 6 Original Oil

©2012 Trish Stevenson

Since moving to Montana many moons ago, I have often heard the term, "brockle-face" but never really knew how to spell it or even pronounce it properly. (I always thought it was brocko). I finally looked it up for this blog entry and now I know. I guess it is similar in a way to "freckle-face" for humans? Anyway, a brockle-face calf is the result of cross breeding Herefords (red cattle with white faces) with other breeds. Not that I am into breeding cattle, I just like the visually interesting results! Click here for more information.

Painted on gallery-wrap canvas, painted on all 4 sides, ready to display or frame as you wish.

Another Paint Horse

"Heads Up #20" - 6 x 6" Original Oil 

©2012 Trish Stevenson

Yep, just could not resist painting another paint. I'm thinking there may be some more of these coming along.

Click here to bid. 

Paint a Paint - Horse that is...

"Heads Up #19" 6 x 6" Original Oil

©2012 Trish Stevenson

Paint horses, another interesting avenue to explore concerning the color of horses - providing an endless variety. To me, Paints or Pintos call to mind "the wild", and they were favorites of the Plains Indians. SOLD

Fruit of the Vine

""Fruit of the Vine" 5 x 7" Original Oil

 ©2012Trish Stevenson

OK, so not the most original title, but oh-well! Lots of  drawing challenges here besides color, edges and the rest, mainly reflections like in the glass, of the glass, of the bottle, in the wine, etc.! Click here to bid.

Winter Color

"Winter Color" 9 x 11.5" Original Pastel

©2012 Trish Stevenson

Even without much snow this year, we still have some wonderful scenes around eastern Montana. The landscape here is not grandiose like it is in western Montana or Colorado where I grew up with the Rockies. But it is a rather quiet beauty that really gets under your skin after awhile. This artwork currently available unframed and unmatted. Click here to bid.

Apple Complimented

"Apple Complimented"

6 x 6" Original Oil

©2012 Trish Stevenson

Back in the day, I was never attracted to still life, but as I grow older and hopefully wiser, I realize what a tremendous learning opportunity it is to study still life - I just wish I had done this a long time ago. As far as classical steps of art study, I have always valued the importance of drawing, but never saw the value of still life. I thought it would be boring - I love the action of rodeo and horses running after all. HOWEVER, now that I am older and hopefully wiser, I finally realize that still life has less to do with the subject and more to do with the important aspects of a painting, like composition, color, edges, value. I actually have grown to love the genre, I learn so much from each piece -especially the ones I throw out! Click her to bid.

Farm Fresh

"Farm Fresh" 6 x 6 " Oil 

© 2012 Trish Stevenson

These are brown eggs from Rhode Island Red chickens and they are "fresh off the farm". I thought they would make a good subject for a Daily Paintworks challenge - "Paint your breakfast". I have never painted eggs before and they proved more challenging than I thought they would be, still fun though.This is a 6 x 6 " Oil on gallery-wrap canvas. Click here to bid.

The Rockies, Art and...CHOCOLATE

"Lanky Cowboy"

Beautiful scenery, fine dining, lots of artwork and...CHOCOLATE - what more could you ask for? The Carbon County Arts Guild is hosting a group exhibit at the Depot Gallery in the gorgeous mountain town of Red Lodge, Montana during the month of February, (starts tomorrow - and remember February has 29 days this year - leap year!!) I have two pieces in the exhibit...this is one of them. This painting was awarded an Honorable Mention at the 32nd Annual Southeastern Montana Juried Exhibition in Miles City, Montana by John Pollock, longtime art professor at Montana State University. Although I love the action of rodeo, I also enjoy interpreting the sideline activities of contestants and fans.

There will be an artists reception on Feb. 10, 2012 from 4 - 6 pm.  There is also an fundraiser that involves CHOCOLATE the following evening at the Rock Creek Resort south of town. For more information: www.carboncountyartsguild.com

There's Something about Cows

"Little Hereford" 6 x 6" Original Oil ©2012 Trish Stevenson

There's something about cows. I'm thinking it must be their mostly calm, tranquil nature. Even their eyes have a tranquil look to them. Not often do you see them bucking and snorting out in the pasture like the horses do. They just seem content most of the time. And with their deep red coats and white faces, Herefords are fun to paint. Click here to bid.

Big Red Roan

Here is a big red roan (or strawberry roan) out on the prairie enjoying the sun and wind. Painted on a 6 x 6 " gallery wrap canvas, ready to hang or frame as you wish.
Click here for purchase information. 

Jug with Apple

Here is the little brown jug again, this time with a rosy, red apple. Click here to bid.

The Colors of Horses

There is an endless variation of color when comes to horses, which gives me a lot to work with. I enjoy the challenges of all of them, whether they are paints, sorrels, bays, palominos, buckskin, greys or whatever. I liked the calm and sweet look of this horse, like anyone could climb on board - which may or may not be true! I also like the touch of red provided by the halter.

SOLD