March 3 - Lazy Horse Warming Up, at the Ranch

"Warming Up" This morning at the Arizona Ranch, Grapevine Canyon Ranch, I took some images that later became paintings. This is an oil, 9 x 12 inches, from seeing the many ranch horses warming up after eating their morning meal. The temperatures last night were down in the teens (verrrrrry cold!!!) and there was ice on everything wet, including the bottle of water I had in the car! Horses are used to colder temperatures, but this boyu liked the idea of getting that sun on his hide in the morning hours. I then had a great four hour ride on a cremello quarter horse, going through some wonderful high desert mountains--humidity is at eight percent, so things are really dry!
This painting just just sold to Louise Mellon of Aiken, North Carolina.

March 2 - Arizona Drive - Full Moon!

Heading into Arizona, I saw the full moon rising over the mountains still lit by the setting sun. Looking intensely at it while I drove, I tried my best to remember all the details and the juxtaposition of the light and values. The desert expanses of this area of Arizona allow the mind to expand as well. Driving was long, but now I'm at the ranch, and able to send on this 6 x 8 acrylic of the evening sky. I couldn't upload it last night since where I stayed no longer has Internet available. More painting tomorrow, after I get my horse for the week, and go on a three-hour trail ride. My friends from the East Coast are here, and the week ahead looks bright! The scenery is beautifully austere and LOADED with subtle grays and muted color. What fun to capture it this week! I'll have photos for you, too!