I was preoccupied with family holidays I did some painting and drawing got a few works done redid a couple . The last of January I came down with the swine flu H1N1 it did a number on me spent all of February in the hospital and till the 12th  of march in medical care. I didn't get much blogging done or any art done either.

After the medical treatment was over I spent 14 days in a physical  rehabilitation hospital. It is just so good to be home. My better half was at my side the whole time if I was coherent enough to know it or not.

In the coming days I will post  the new works. 

I really want to display a series of  illustrations I did for 2 childrens books .  Waiting to hear the status of the books from the author .  They were done last summer and fall. I want to display them I am proud of them.

Last years totem pole

This is another  monumental  rock formation from Monument Valley  this formation is called  Totem Pole and Yei be Chei dancers . The height  and diameter  amaze me. If you are there at the right time of the year and be at the right place the sun will rise between the Totem Pole and the  Yei be Chei dancers beautiful  framing the sun.

 These types  of southwest formations have so many artistic  possibilities .  I have been inspired by formations like these since I was a Child.



 I painted this October  2012. Acrylic on 16 x 20 canvas.

Afternoon in Monument Valley

Afternoon in Monument  Valley

A view of the west mitten looking north .  I have always been enchanted with these  rock formations in the southwest. The  monument placement skyline and distance is accurate some of  the hills and foreground  I claim artistic license .

This is acrylic on a 16 x 20 gallery  wrapped canvas . I finished this one mid July 2013. I tried to stay true to the feeling you get looking off into the distance at these monuments.

Mittens in The Morning

Mittens in The Morning

If you can be there at sunrise in Summer  months . And at the right spot you can watch the sun rise between  the Mittens The right weather it is a perfect stage for a glorious sunrise. These are in the Monument Valley a Navajo  Nation  Park . These monuments are near 600' tall and many are sacred to the Navajo  People. I love drawing or painting the huge rock formations of the Southwest.

I am always in awe of how pretty it can be and how many years it took nature to carve these out. This is on colorfix paper forgot base color  9 x 12 . I think I used every brand of pastels I have.  This painting was finished October  or November .

Forgotten Barn

Forgotten  Barn is a  early spring painting . Reminds me of some of the old homesteads we use to find when I was a kid. This is a composite  from 3 sources. Barn from one, misty field another, and barbed wire fence another. These old barns are gradually  fading away just like the American farmer gradually fading away with the family farm.

  Acrylic  on gallery wrapped canvas  16 x 20.  Finished February  2013