I thought it would be good to start my new blog with a summer summery. First I have to clear up a complaint that my website is overloaded with kid photos and shows little of the famous artist and father of these adorable children. So here it is, a winter self-portrait:
It’s December; I’ve raced the winter sun and cleaned my brushes in the dark. I’m happy because I think my painting worked and because I can still feel my fingers. I also think I’m quite stylish in my Elmer Fudd hat and coveralls.

Contrast this with another self-portrait, this time in sunny pleasant July:

Notice that I’m standing in the river. It is 100 degrees and the mosquitoes are trying to suck blood from my eyeballs. I’m thinking that I wish it was winter so that I could be more stylish and less hot. The light and the reflections helped me to ignore the conditions, and I came up with this study:

Any day that I don’t scrape the paint off the board is one to celebrate! Back in the studio I was still interested enough to try my hand at a larger pastel painting:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Problem with Solvents:

In May I met up with members of the Montana Painters Alliance for a paint-out on the Rocky Mountain Front. The MPA is a of Montana based artists that get together twice a year to paint and drink Mint Juleps. Or more accurately it’s a group of people that spend 90% of their lives alone with solvents. It’s good to get out once in a while.

In July I taught a four day workshop in Yellowstone National Park through the Yellowstone Institute. We stayed in cabins at the Lamar Buffalo Ranch and painted on location in the mornings and evenings. Between sessions I taught in the classroom. A little disclosure: I spend a lot of time thinking about art, even when I’m not painting. Occasionally I have to not talk about art or I start to annoy my wife. When I teach a workshop people want to hear me talk about art. They even pay me to talk and talk about art. Amazing! This makes me very happy!

Yellowstone itself makes me happy, even ecstatic. If the painting session is a flop, stop and watch the elk, buffalo, coyotes, etc. etc. To share this wondrous place with thirteen enthusiastic students was a privlidge. So think about taking this class next summer- I’m going to be shameless and say that it’s a great experience for all involved.

Glacier National Park

In August I had paintings at a show at the Two Medicine Gallery in Whitefish. The family came with me for the opening and we camped in Glacier. I thought it would be fitting to end the summer’s recap by showing two forms of inspiration:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Both pictures were taken within a few seconds of each other. I didn’t have my easel, but sometimes it’s good just to sit back, feel the glow of the setting sun and watch my boy throw rocks into the lake.

Posted by Aaron: August 30th, 2007 and filled under: Field Notes .
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