Just One Last Touch

I posted this painting last fall, but I thought I would show it again now, as it is going to be in the C.M. Russell Auction on Friday night, March 20. It will be Lot #122. (I will also be showing in Room 176 at the Heritage Inn during the show.)

I enjoyed this endeavor as the subject is my husband, Tom Gilleon - Mr. Tipi - who has been known to stroll in at the last minute with his auction pieces. I had fun with this as it's the only way I could get away with painting a Gilleon tipi! So tip your hat to the ol' codger. Today is his birthday!
24" x 28" oil www.cmrauction.com

Tribute to Joe Halko

Another sadness for the art community and beyond. How much more can we take? Sculptor Joe Halko died this Wednesday, March 11, at the age of 68, after suffering a series of debilitating strokes. Joe was a very kind and gentle man, loved by all who knew him.

We are lucky to have many examples of his fine work in the community which will serve as continuing comfort, inspiration and tribute to Joe.

I sent this "card" out with notification of Joe's funeral. The landscape is Joe's beloved wild country, Gibson Lake in the Sun Canyon area and near the Scapegoat Wilderness on the east slope of the Rocky Mountains in Montana.

The geese are Joe's and are escorting him away.

A Good Day

I decided I needed to put something tranquil up today, and so this painting. The subject is also Brown's Lake, as was my earlier lily pad painting. I loved going camping there with a pile of kids and a few Mom's who were and are good friends - my support team. I had done this painting last year, but just reworked it a little. This is an oil, 16" x 20"

The Bridger Range for Tara

Sadly, yesterday they found Tara Bowman's body in the wreckage of the gallery explosion. So many of us in the art community are devastated. Tara was our champion, and such a great person. Today was her birthday...

Tonight I did this computer sketch in honor of Tara. It will become a painting at some point. I will quote Kahil Gibran's words, hoping this to be true.

"For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?
And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?"

Tara, we will all miss you so.


You may see other tributes to Tara at these blog sites:
David Lemon - http://adayinthelifeofalemon.blogspot.com/
Debi Schmit - http://www.debschmit.blogspot.com