Her Last Steps

studio, 16" x 20", oil, 'Who Will Take Care of Me and My Purse?'

Pinky Up

studio, 10" x 8", oil, 'Cello Man'

Early Spring Camp

plein air, 10"x 8", oil, 'South of Vanity Pass'

Moab Green

plein air, 8" x 10", oil,  'Moab Green'

Slick Rock

plein air, 5" x 8.5", oil, 'Slick Rock'

More Trees

plein air, 10" x 8", oil, 'Spring Trees'

Spacings

plein air, 7" x 5", oil, 'Verticals'

A Dog or a Book = a Best Friend

plein air, 6" x 8", oil, '5th West Dog Walker'

My dog died last season. I have missed him. He was often at my side and anxious to go out into the fields while I painted the fleeting landscape or moving the farm's sprinkler lines during the summer. My husband didn't think our dog would live long after the cantankerous hereford bull knocked him around. That was in 2005. He out lived my husband by three years. Now, I miss both of them.

I found this quote by Groucho Marx while at a professional development class in Idaho Falls.

I have loved books my entire life. Mother would surprise me with a new book for Christmas or my birthday. There is something magical about holding a book, turning pages, and reading print. I was intrigued by the illustrations too. My sister (15 years older) had a great way of getting me to go to sleep at night when I was staying the summer with her and her young family. She would say "Here's a good book, have you read it?"

Books are a huge resource and reference for artists. With an investment in a good art library you have an arsenal as an artist. You can read what you have time and time again. Like a conversation with a best friend!

Jackson 1999-2012

Making My Way South

studio, 9" x 12", oil, 'AZ Sunset'

Sanpete Valley

plein air, 6" x 8", oil, 'Horseshoe Mountain"

First Glimpse of the Sawtooths by Stanley, Idaho

studio, 24" x 32", oil, 'Sawtooth Splendor'

Wanting to Go Home

studio, 24" x 36", oil, 'Looking West'

Art and Heart

studio, 24" x 36", oil, 'Castle Valley Ridge'

Going, going...

plein air, 6" x 6", acrylic, 'Night Skiing'

Kelly Canyon Ski Resort is located in the Targhee National Forest near the south fork of the Snake River northeast of Idaho Falls. Kelly Canyon was founded by E. Bud Johnson and established in 1957. Bud was a workaholic with farming as his passion. He began a successful dry land farming career on the foothills east of Idaho Falls in 1938. He created a winter job by developing the Kelly Canyon Ski Area. He owned and operated the area for twelve years. 

I have been involved with the Discovery Elementary School Ski Club for the past 2 months. Students from the local area are bused to the Kelly Canyon Ski Resort for night skiing. Ski and snowboard instructors meet beginning students for 1 hour lessons. The slopes are littered with newbies and encouraging adults.

It is amazing how quickly kids take to these fun winter sports. Their center of gravity is so low to the ground, they seem to pop up after a spill and keep going. They are so resilient and daring! 

Is it possible for us to do the same in our personal and professional lives? Are we resilient to changes and transitions? Can we pop up after something negative happens to us? Do you know how to snow plow?

Looking out the lodge window gave an interesting perspective to my ski season adventure. 

Plein Air in Escalante, Utah

plein air, 6" x 8", oil, 'Road Ends 500 feet'

Looking Forward to Spring

 

plein air, 9" x 12", oil, 'My First Crop' 

Tractor Jockey

studio, 9" x 10", oil, 'Let's Get To It!'

Have you ever plowed a huge field? I have! This is a picture of my first field to plow, disc, level and plant all by myself (and with a little help from my friends). The ground has to be not too wet or not too dry for the plow shears to cut the sod like a butter knife. The turned over earth glistens in the sunlight. It isn't rocket science, just plain old common sense and direction. 

Along with getting the ground ready for seeds to grow, plans need to be made for irrigation. Every year, on or about, the third Wednesday of February, the Pleasant Creek Irrigation Company's annual meeting is held at the City Hall on Main Street in Mount Pleasant, Utah. Share holders come with great anticipation of the new year and hopes for good even steady water for a bounteous harvest. We don't have any reservoirs to hold the spring run off so what snow pack is in the mountains represents our irrigation. If the spring and early summer temperatures are too warm, the snow will melt fast and be gone before the crops become established and flourish with adequate water.

The Pleasant Creek Irrigation Company Board 2010-2014

Angie Parish, Secretary; Mark Jorgensen, President; Bud Gallop, Board Member; and Keith Ranck, Board Member. Not pictured Board Members are Dave Brothersen and myself, Carol Johansen. 

  

Stock holders come to hear last year's minutes, 

reports, business items and discuss concerns.

Are you looking forward to spring 2013 too? 

Cat Chat

studio, 10" x 8", oil, 'What Do You Want? I Want You!' 

This is a painting of a rescued cat named Montana. He lived happily for 17 years.