"Sky Drinker" Sand Wash Basin Mustang

 

16x20 oil on stretched linen 

available

The first of many paintings to come of the Sand Wash Basin Mustangs.  This is a stallion named Whiteout, the primary stallion of a small bachelor band.  With each painting I hope to include a story or two about the individuals in the painting. 

"Whiteout approached the wateringhole with his little band of two young stallions, probably two year olds.  Kiowa's band was already there so Whiteout and his young charges waited about a hundred feet away.  Kiowa approached the small band and Whiteout went to meet him.  They squeeled and struck and pawed the ground, sniffing "manure piles", a ritual where stallions "poop" on and sniff each other's pile, similar to dogs and wolves peeing on the same spot.  In sniffing these piles they can determine who has been there and when, and even what kind of condition the animal is in.  Amazing!  Kiowa and Whiteout seemed to come to an agreement.  Whiteout and company circled the wateringhole to the other side.  The two younger stallions of the bachelor band went down to water but Whiteout stood back until Kiowa and his band moved on.  Only then did Whiteout approach to drink.  Eventually all three bachelors moved to the other side of the muddy pond and drank again.  From the west emerged a bachelor stallion named Outlaw.  The two young stallions went to meet him, not Whiteout. "

Painting of Outlaw to follow!

   These are the latest paintings to come off the easel.  The top painting, "Garden Wings"  is of a Goldfinch ravaging the thistle seeds in front of my house last fall.  And the deer were at the bottom of Storm Mountain one evening as I was going home.  They were a group of doe, from yearlings to matriarchs, catching the last sun in the valley before dusk. I love living in amongst my models.  It's like painting old friends.

"Garden Wings" 
10x8
sold








"The Last Rays"
12x16
sold

             

"Running Paint"

11x14

at

Arts at Denver

         

Yes, it's that time of year already!  The Christmas Mini-shows!  But as artists, we've been thinking about the holidays for some time now, painting all those little gems, our deadline being right around Thanksgiving. It's Thanksgiving morning as I write, with the giblets simmering and the turkey waiting to be stuffed and put into the oven, anticipating the arrival of my family for dinner. I can't help but thank God for this wonderful life I lead as an artist.  With all it's trials, insecurities and uncertainties (all you artists know what I'm talking about!), I am still filled with joy every time I put brush to canvas. I think I love to paint animals because their nature reminds me of what is truly important in this life, and the landscape is pure genius of creation.  So Happy Thanksgiving to all!!  Gotta go chop some celery and onion . . .

"Prairie King"

8x10

at

Abend Gallery, Denver, CO

"Partners II"

8x10

at

Evergreen Fine Art, Evergreen, CO

Swainson's Watch

15x15 oil on canvas mounted on gatorboard.

$1800 framed

This painting began as a demo, put on the back shelf for awhile 'til I finally finished it last week. This is a female Swainson's Hawk that was rescued by the Raptor Foundation in Ft. Collins, CO. They do a tremendous job taking care of these birds, keeping them as wild as possible and returning those who are able back to their native skies.

inquiries: lani@riverhawke.org