Asian Inspired Still Life

I began this painting several months ago, during the spring when the dogwoods were in bloom. My original intent was to have a branch of dogwood on the right side of the composition, but the season came and passed before I could get to back to this work.

I've submitted it for possible inclusion in the Phillips Mill show - for those of you not familiar with the show it is one of the "big" shows in Bucks County, and sometimes it is filed with more than a little controversy. So we'll see if it gets in, if not there's always "Salon du Refusees" at Riverrun in Lambertville, NJ. Shows are really a roll of the dice, there are so many uncontrollable variables that determine if paintings get in or not - I've just learned to let it all go and not get upset about it, as well as not get oerly excited when works do get in. It's that whole "what will be will be" philosophy.

Anyway, wish me luck and I should know by the middle of next week if I'm part of the "in" crowd this year! LOL

Work in Progress / Evening Sky on Cape Cod

Now that I'm back home and in the studio, it's time to hunker down and get back to work.

I have had a fascination with painting skies lately, you need to find balance between so many elements - form vs. the abstraction of clouds / warm and cool light / and of course creating that feeling of movement and atmosphere which can be elusive to the painter.

This is a work in progress, I began it just before I left for Wyoming and it's a large piece, 24 x 36, it will probably wind up going to the Artists Gallery in September. I did a study of this sky in Cape Cod which was featured at the Plein Air Invitational Show at the Riverrun Gallery. I enjoyed pulling the light out of that little piece so much that I've decided to create a larger version of it, changing just a few things and focusing heavily on the glow that emanated from that luminous sky.

Although the subject is simple, it can be deceptively challenging. The values in these higher chroma (colour saturation) paintings can be tricky - primarily because the sky won't "stand still" for you (hence the use of a study and a photograph), and your eye can easily get fooled into thinking that the higher level of colour equals a higher level of light (which is not always true! ).

The Scary Stuff on the Ranch

No tale of adventures in the West would be complete without a "ghost story". Well, this really isn't a ghost story, but it was an experience that scared the crap out of me.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, Ring Lake Ranch is located on land that was used by Native Americans as a healing place. Shaman performed ceremonies to help heal their people and the land. It's a mysterious land and a thin place filled with strong, spiritual energy. Petroglyphs are found throughout the valley, and there is a large concentration of them on ranch property. The photo above is just one small area of these fascinating images. Archeologists and museum people regularly come on to the ranch to study them. The images range in age from 800 to 5,000 years old.

In the second photo, you can see a dark area, which is a small crevasse in the rocks. Its just a short distance from the petroglyphs in the first photo. My husband climbed up into it and told me that I "had to" visit it. "It's just so cool", he said.

So I climb up (it's not very high, nothing that would set off my apprehension about heights) and crawl into this space. Just deep and tall enough for an average sized person to sit in, you can see evidence of many small fires being burned in this place. Scattered about are a few small animal bones.

I expected the feeling inside to be cocoon like and yes, kind of "cool", but there was something different going on here, something that immediately set me on edge. You are surrounded on 3 sides by "open" rock, you could crawl around them on all fours and I'm not claustrophobic, so that was not the cause of my unease. Seeing small animal bones does not bother me in the least, they appeared to be the bones of birds and/ or small animals such as the chipmunks, etc., that are common in the area. The view was beautiful, it looks out over Trail lake and the corral, a pleasant breeze flowed in and there was no odor in the spot that would give one pause.

But I was at pause. After a few moments, a feeling of dread overcame me. I took a few deep breaths to try and relax and tried to focus on the beautiful view and clear my mind. But as each moment passed the feeling of darkness became stronger and stronger. Something went on here that I did not fully understand, and I knew it was strong and dark. Then the word "exorcism" flashed through my mind, several times. I tried to shake it off, but this was grabbing me like a vice. I had to get out of this space.

I stood up and stepped out on the ledge to climb down and I froze, I was stuck and could not move, then a bit of vertigo set in. I withdrew back into the space to crawl around one of the inner rocks to get closer to the wall but there was a "block", emotional or spiritual, I am not sure, but I could not go back into the space. I tried again to go out the way I came in, but I froze and had to yell down to the corral for help to get down.

When finally down in the corral, safe among the horses and people, Audra the wrangler knew that something was wrong. She shared a story of finding a small carved skull up on the ridge, and she had a similar feeling. She dropped it like a hot potato and rode off.

Whatever happened here to leave these impressions behind was very strong. Again, I do not fully understand it, but I know that this is one place on the ranch I will never go back to..

The dream come true.

For those of you who have followed along with this series on horses in Wyoming, in one of my first posts, I mentioned that I was dying to ride one of the Arabians. Provided that I got my skills up to par, I was promised by Audra, the female wrangler,(in photo on a dapple grey Arabian) that I could ride one of them.

Well I got my wish! I did not get to take one out on the trails, but riding one of these incredible animals, even in the arena, is a thrill. Exquisitely sensitive to your requests, they are the Ferrari of horses, but better, because they have incredible stamina, are as surefooted as mules and smart and loyal as hell. It doesn't hurt that they are just incredibly beautiful - big , deep eyes set wide apart, finely boned faces and their movements remind you of a fine Russian ballet dancer. Fortunately, Audra has a sister in Kutztown with Arabians, (not too far from where I live) and I hope to be in touch with her.

The BIG Finale . . .

Painting??? !! We will get to that soon, but horses, more horses first.

This is Moe, sometimes called Moses because when he crosses a river, he really does part the water! He's part Percheron, (French draft horse), part something else large. Standing over 17 hands tall, they tried to estimate his weight with a special weight measuring tape - it wouldn't go around him. But they estimate he's somewhere between 1600 and 1700 pounds. That's big.

I'm saddled up here for the day's ride. Its' like riding a Barco-lounger and driving Mac Truck at the same time, and he trots like a dream (once you figure out his rhythm!). It's a lot of horse to manage, but it all boils down to communication, trust, maintaining your centeredness, and keeping your ch'i (energy) in the right place. Moe's only problem - he's really flatulent! I mean it's a serious issue so you do not want to be the rider behind him. Other than that he's one of the best horses to ride. After I learned to ride bareback, I did get to ride him bareback - what an experience - he's all muscle and you do not realize the potential of his power until you ride him bareback. Inside, he's a gentle, strong soul that can take you through many challenges.

Learning to Ride Bare back . . .

I'm a city kid, I grew up in Philadelphia. Not much riding there. When the opportunity did arise when I was growing up, it was on an old, slow horse, complete with full saddle, helmets, mounting blocks, etc. My trips out to the ranch have improved my confidence and skills, but this year was a watershed.

I learned to ride bare back. It's amazing ( look Ma! No hands - um feet! ) you feel how the horse moves under you, which helps tremendously in your understanding of and communication with the horse. Now this photo was taken before I fell off the horse - complete operator error. Thankfully, that happened in the arena, not out in the field. The error was that 1.) I lost my focus 2.) loosing focus, you loose your contact, communication and balance with the horse, 3.) loose contact, loose your a&*

The remainder of the day, I rode bareback, trotting through the lower elevations and felt free as a bird. Nothing compares. You learn work with the horse that is on another level and truly become partners.

Wyoming - the last ride

OK, now that I'm back home and can actually post stuff, we shall return to our regularly scheduled programme . . .

On the last day at the ranch, we had an all day ride up to a place called the "Golf Course". Looking at the bottom photo, you will see a small "swoosh" of clearing on the top of Arrow mountain (about 1/2 way in the middle of the photo). The estimated elevation is 9,000 feet. And you need to ride the ridge to get there. The ridge gets kind of tricky and well yes, scary, as on certain parts the width of the trail is about 4 to 6 feet wide - with a slope on one side and a steep drop on the other. Not for the faint of heart or those afraid of heights. To get up to the ridge, you ride a series of steep switchbacks - and the only way down is the same way you come up. And it's steep, very steep.

When we got to the Golf Course we stopped for lunch and a quick nap. The photo on the top is the view from where we stopped. You can see F O R E V E R. The painted mountains are the Absarokas, gorgeous red and gold mountains cut from glaciers. The photo does not do it justice.

I got up to give my horse some carrots and apples looked over my shoulder and saw dark clouds. Very dark storm clouds. We mounted up quickly to try and beat the storm that was coming over the mountains. As we got back on the ridge, we saw that the storm was "u" shaped, half in front of us and the other half in back of us. Yep, we were screwed.

About half way along our ride on the ridge, it began to rain and hail - dismount, put on rain gear and then pick up the pace. It was quite a scary to see the lightening, especially as it was a bit too close for comfort. Remember, we are on creatures with 4 metal feet and darn near the highest things around. Not good.

We finally reached the point on the ridge trail where you begin your decent on the first switchback. Just as my horse took its first step down onto the switchback a strong blast of wind came up through the valley, along with rain. Now, horses will try and turn their back to the wind in a storm (they ain't stupid . . ), but this is a problem when the cliff you are on is about about 4 feet wide. I managed to keep the horse moving forward (much to her consternation) but became separated from the other riders. For about 5 very long minutes - it was just me and the horse trying to get down this damn mountain without getting either of us hurt. Wind, rain, slippery rocks and mud are not good on flat terrain let alone on a steep decline. But we did it. Well the horse did most of it. I just urged her forward and steered her in the right direction.

About half way down the mountain, the storm had passed over us. They like to say if you don't like the weather in Wyoming, just wait 15 minutes - it's true.

It was a long ride, but one of the best to test my riding skills and determination to get home safely. For someone who is afraid of heights (me), it was also a test to understand and overcome this fear.

My apologies for not posting regularly on this blog during my trip. Unfortunately, internet, text and cell phone capabilities out in the middle of nowhere was really difficult, if not impossible. I'm back in "civilization" now, and will get photos, stories, etc. posted up in the next day or so.

Wyoming, Days 3 & 4

Ok, I know this is supposed to be a blog about painting, but I've been so busy riding these past two days, that painting has taken a back seat to being on the back of a horse. But there is much in this valley to learn from, personally and artistically.

We are in the Wind River Valley. The ranch is located among 3 different types of mountain ranges that come together. The 3 lakes which are our water supply, are fed by a glacier which you can see from many points on this land. Our elevation is 7500 feet, and that's before you ride or hike up any of the mountains. The tallest mountain, Big Whiskey takes you to about 12,000 feet.

More interesting is the fact that this valley was used by Shoshone (and I believe Arapaho) as a sacred healing place. Shaman would come here to perform ceremonies for the physical and spiritual healing of their tribes, the land and individual people. They no longer come here regulary, stating that is is too powerful. Petroglyphs, some of which date back 4,000 years are all over the land the ranch uses. It is a very, very special and yes, a thin place. When you come here, you will quickly realize that you may run, but you cannot hide, from yourself and what this place will teach you. Get ready to get naked, emotionally and spiritually. It will happen, even if you fight it. But when you open up to it, amazing things will happen. Each persons form of healing here is different, I am coming to recognize mine. I'm glad I'm here for two weeks.

So the painting will resume sometime in the next few days. Yes, it's exquisitely beautiful here, but before I can pick up a brush or pencil, I have a bit more personal work to do. Work will not flow right now.

My healer / teacher / spiritual guide is a horse. Actually several horses on this ranch that have been kind enough to haul me up and down these mountains and through the creeks and rivers. Yesterday I learned to ride bareback and rode that way nearly all day. What I learned from the two horses that I rode was amazing, and too personal to post.

Wyoming, Day 2

To sum up today in one word, it would be CRASH.

Physically my body said "Ok girl, it's time to slow down" , and it did. I woke up at 5:30, managed to get a bit of painting in for about an hour and a half and then the system just shut down. But that is what this place is designed for. My excitement for the day was a Reiki treatment, which was absolutely wonderful.

Tonight the wranglers are taking a group of us out for moonlight horseback riding. Now keep in mind, there is NO ambient light around here, it is pure wilderness. The only light will be the moon, so as riders, we must really trust and communicate with our horses, and we will need to rely on our other senses to navigate the trails. Wish me luck.

I hope that tomorrow I will have regained my energy and will be able to post a photo of the painting I began today. Internet connection is real spotty today, so apologies for not posting a photo, if this post even makes it up . . .