Silk Ball

“Silk Ball”
5”x7”
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Laura Marie Anderson © December 29, 2006

Have you ever wonder, who was the first person to make a satin ball? I bet it was someone who didn’t have enough money to buy Christmas decorations. Or were they even sold back then? I remember our tree, as children, our mom seemed to make most if not all of the decorations. My favorite was the small yarn red octopus. I am not sure where all those decorations are today, but they sure were special. I also remember my grandmothers tree, it had these about 3” diameter lights, they were glass and covered with tiny chunks of colored glass, each bulb a different color. I think they quit making then because some people couldn’t seem to remember that they get hot and need to be turned off from time to time so that they won’t burn down the entire house. They were wonderful. Childhood Christmas memories: write and share some of yours with me.


Technical notes: The Titanium white was too much for this painting. Flake White Replacement by Gamblin is supposed to be more opalescent. I had a tube. I buy these supplies and then wait for the day that I finally try them. It was superb, very creamy and not pasty. I used it for the ball. I then used the zinc white for the surface. My colors, cobalt blue, Quinacridone Red, Azo Yellow, and Copper with Galkyd Lite for my medium.

Gus #3

“Gus #3”
8”x6”
Collection of Jennifer Stensland
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Laura Marie Anderson © December 28, 2006

Finally, a Gus that sings of his personality. This one I will let out of my possession and now it belongs to Jennifer. Gus #1 stunk, I worked on it and worked on it and then threw it in the fireplace. See December 5th painting. The proportions were all off. Drove me crazy. I decided it was better to just start over. I like this one. I like Gus #2 also, but this one is more like Gus. He’s a standoffish fellow, not very trusting, until he knows you for a long time, and then although he’s in charge, he’ll allow you to be friendly with him.

Sally AKA The Princess

“Sally AKA The Princess”
20” x 15”
Collection of Mary Anderson
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Laura Marie Anderson © December 27, 2006

Meet Sally. This is my little sister’s dog. Sally is a companion extraordinaire. She is always there to please and loves my sister, as my sister loves her, unconditionally. I was painting this for Christmas, but didn’t get it done in time. Sometime I think art is like fine wine, “I will sell no wine before its time.” Anyway, Mary gets this daily email, so I am thinking this is a great way to present the gift. The odd size belongs to a lovely frame that I found in a thrift store. I made a panel to fit it and waited for the perfect subject to fit its narrowed size.

Day 4 - Finished - "Hell Roaring Falls #3"

Day 4 –Finished – “Hell Roaring Falls #3”
40” x 30”
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Laura Marie Anderson © December 27, 2006

I went back and forth on what to paint today. I wanted to finish my sister’s Christmas present, but also wanted to get this done. The space that I paint in a quite small and cluttered, so moving this painting out became imperative. I started my morning out painting on this painting. By mid afternoon I was signing it and moving it into the kitchen so that I could finish Sally. I am so happy to live so near to this beautiful falls and to think I used to drive into Yellowstone to see something as beautiful as this.

Head of East Rosebud Lake

“Head of East Rosebud Lake”
6”x8”
Unframed - Oil on Linen on Wood Panel
Laura Marie Anderson © December 21, 2006

Change is the only thing that is constant. Yesterday Karl, Sam and I walked up to this spot and it was lovely. Today Sam and I made our way up to this promising spot and as I was setting up decided to place some rocks in my easel in case the winds came up. After about ten minutes the winds were up and I was holding on the to easel with my left hand and attempting to paint with my right. The wind was strong enough to actually blow my hand. This made for some tiring painting.

There up on the granite rocks with the world all to myself, Painter John Potter and his family came by. They are back for Christmas out hiking and taking pictures. It was nice to see some humans out enjoying this beautiful country.

Shortly, there after Karl came across the ice on the four wheeler, pulling the wagon behind him. He wanted to know if I wanted a ride. Not close to being done I declined and he went to cut some wood. After fighting the wind for another hour, I gave it up and descended down the granite rocks into the inlet walking past the beautiful trees that blew over during the November winds. There is yet another large green tree down in the inlet. Change is the only thing constant here.

Technical notes: Medium Gamblin Neo Megilp. The wind was so strong nothing was able to make the paint stay creamy in this cold weather. It was a fight from the first stroke to the last. Colors UM Blue, Cerulean Blue, Cobalt, Yellow Ochre, and Burnt Sienna.

Man in the Snow

“Man in the Snow”
8”x6”
Unframed - Oil on Linen on Wood Panel
Laura Marie Anderson © December 20, 2006

This Man in the Snow has been there for a long time. Day after day he remains there looking out for the creek. Today was another beautiful day, so I had to get out there and paint in the sun.

Rocking Horse

“Rocking Horse”
6”x8”
Unframed - Oil on Linen on Wood Panel
Laura Marie Anderson © December 19, 2006

I couldn’t resist this little horse.

Day 3 - Work in Progress "Hell Roaring Falls #3"

“Day 3 -Work in Progress, Hell Roaring Falls #3”
40” x 30”
Available at ?
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Laura Marie Anderson © December 19, 2006

Lots of hours standing today. I feel this is nearly done. It is starting to please me. I see some things that I will work on tomorrow. All in all a productive day.

There are no new technical notes for this painting. There is a painting process note. Today the weather was spectacular. No wind and that lovely snow fall. The ice is almost solid again across the lake. At this point there is some fine ice skating to be had if the lake keep freezing and nothing changes. HA! Anyway, since I promised myself to make this small painting today and then work on this big one, there was no time for any plein air painting. What a shame. I did get in two nice walks, but many hours outside today would have been pleasant. Next time the weather is pleasant I am going to drop all plans and head out doors with my easel. I found some great new vantage points today.

Day 2 -Work in Progress - "Hellroaring Falls #3"

“Work in Progress, Hell Roaring Falls #3”
40” x 30”
Available at ?
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Laura Marie Anderson © December 18, 2006

I’m almost proud to say that I took the weekend off. The house has been in need of a cleaning and getting some things put away. I’m sort of a scatter girl.

I put in almost full day on this painting today. It seems to be coming along nicely. Tomorrow morning I am planning on painting a small painting. I’ve come across something I just can’t resist. The “almost a full day” is because it was a windless morning, so about eleven I went for a walk taking pictures hoping to come upon one that would serve as this years Christmas card. Although it was a lovely walk, the pictures were less that I hoped for, so I planned on going out during the sunset however it seemed to drop away without any color today. Perhaps tomorrow the opportunity will avail itself to a shot that sings of Christmas Time at East Rosebud.

On the technical end of this painting: I’ve added Viridian Green and gotten rid of the Burnt Umber. My medium now until the end of this painting will be Gamblin, Neo Megilp with poppy seed oil to slow down the drying process. Today I put 1-12 parts poppy seed/Neo Megilp. I have mixed up the medium for tomorrow already, it will be 2-12, and each succeeding day one more part oil, keeping with the fat over lean oil paint. This makes with archival. I have been concerned with archival since I before I was first commissioned to paint portraits. Who would want a portrait that would chip, peel or crack off the board or canvas in 5-10 years? It is always best for a artist to make works that will out live them and since I am planning to make it to at least 100, I best know what I am doing. I am taking these notes, because this is what is said to be archival. If in 50 years I find my painting not up to snuff, I’ll know what to blame.

Day 1-Work in Progress - "Hellroaring Falls #3"

“Day 1 - Work in Progress, Hell Roaring Falls #3”
40” x 30”
Available at ?
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Laura Marie Anderson © December 15, 2006

This is a work in progress. I have two completed Hell Roaring paintings. Both plein air, (painted on location), one is a 10”x8” the other 24”x18”, the first painted with a brush, the second with a palette knife. They can be seen by following this link: Hell Roaring Falls

I am going to share some technical notes here, for you and for me. I gessoed this hardboard with an acrylic gesso applying it with a foam roller. I then lightly sanded the board. I love the texture this provides. It is soft yet has some tooth about it. I then toned the board with Burnt Sienna and turpentine. When toning I use my brush dipped in turpentine to pull out the whites by wiping off the color with a rag. I then started the under painting in Brunt Sienna, Ultramarine Blue, touches of Cadmium Yellow and Phthalo Turquoise Blue. I put in the darks and then put in the under color with the lights. I used a medium of ½ turpentine and ½ Galkyd, by Gamblin. I covered the surface, so now I am stopping for the day. My plan is to take this painting to the Falls next week and place it on this great easel my dad made for me. It was made exactly for this purpose. The wind shouldn’t be a problem there as the area is well sheltered, let’s hope the temperatures don’t drop dramatically.

Fall Day, September 10, 2006

“Fall Day, September 10, 2006”
9” x 9”
Available at $175.
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Laura Marie Anderson © December 14, 2006

This is Tuesday’s painting that I painted from a photo but was not satisfied with. I worked on it this evening when I got back from Billings. I am satisfied with it. It was good to paint something with color. Gray today with maximum wind speeds again of 68mph.

Beaver Pond, December 13, 2006

“Beaver Pond, December 13, 2006”
8”x10”
Available at $200.
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Laura Marie Anderson © December 13, 2006

Today I had an appointment in Billings, so no new paintings. However, yesterday I was in the dark so I went to bed early. So I am posting for yesterday and the following painting which I finished today.

Yesterday, I sat in my car while the winds were howling. The beaver pond is tuck in a bit, so with the car window facing opposite the direct wind, I could open the passenger side window and while sitting in the car, painting box on my lap, paint while not freezing to death. Aha! I have learned something new. Anyway about 5pm the trees were bending down from the wind and quite frankly it was getting a bit creepy. Just them a flash of light, just like in a sci-fi movie and this weird electrical noise. That creeped me out completely, so I packed it up and headed back to the house. It was now almost completely dark. I got back to the house, took a hold of the back door, give it a pull and the wind is so strong, for a moment. I thought it might not open. I stepped into the house hit the light switch and there were no lights. I stumbled around in the dark, wondering where I put that lantern, found a candle and call my sweet neighbors, they had power. So I figured I was the only one. I call the power company, Beartooth Electric, and to my surprise within two hours they were out moving the tree that caused that arch of electricity and got my power going. How sweet is that?

Fall Day, September 10, 2006

“Fall Day, September 10, 2006”
9” x 9”
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Laura Marie Anderson © December 12, 2006

The weather was windy and gray again (40-50mph, my weather station said). In the mood for some color I went through my photos until I came to this one. Since I got a late start on it, I will start with it again tomorrow.

Shannon Cicles

“Shannon Cicles”
8” x 6”
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Available at $100.
Laura Marie Anderson © December 11, 2006

I went out in search of something to painting today. I made my way back to Shannon Creek hoping to catch the sun in one of it’s splendid moments. Being straight over head it was nearly blinding as it spread itself over the ice. I turned around to find this splendid spot.

As for those Pinecones yesterday: Painting is like running, and drawing and cycling for that matter, some days you just sort of plod ahead knowing that even though its not the best run and you certainly aren’t exceeding your personal best and it feels bad, at least you are doing it. While hundreds of others are being couch potatoes at least the effort is there. From personal running experience, these less than wonderful days are the days that set the level of commitment, the days that set me apart as a runner. These days make running in the rain seem not only possible, but pleasant in comparison. Today was a great paint day. Not only did I finish this one, but prepared about 20 panels for more paintings.

Pinecones

“Pinecones”
6” x 8”
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Not For Sale
Laura Marie Anderson © December 10, 2006

Christopher, one of my grandchildren gathered these up and saved them in the pocket of my coat yesterday. So I thought, what could be so hard about painting pinecones? I’m not sure, they reminded me of a bunch of grapes, but I am just not with it today. I’ll try again another day to paint a pile of pinecones. For now, I’ve no idea what to do with them to make them work. Such is life.

Gus #2

“Gus #2”
6” x 8”
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Not For Sale
Laura Marie Anderson © December 6, 2006

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again

Gus

“Gus”
8” x 6”
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Not For Sale
Laura Marie Anderson © December 5, 2006

This is one of Jen’s three cats. This one is Gus. He is very shy and hides almost all of the time. I am still not pleased with this painting, which is why I painted Gus 2. I like Gus #2. As they say try, try again.

Sun Setting, Moon Rising

“Sun Setting, Moon Rising”
8”x6”
Oil on Linen in Wood Panel

Available at $100.
Laura Marie Anderson © December 3, 2006

This was irresistible on my drive to Rapid City. The sun setting on one side of me throwing color on the moon while it was rising.

No way to Post Pictures :(

I am in Rapid City helping my friend make it through a court proceeding. I have been painting but have no way to post my pictures. I will post when I get home. As a preview: The sun was setting as the moon was rising on my way to Rapid. I couldn't help but stop to paint.

Laura

Hot Chocolate Snowman

“Hot Chocolate Snowman”
8”x6”
Oil on Linen in Wood Panel
Laura Marie Anderson © December 1, 2006

December, the time for Christmas. I hope this put you all in the mood. What a fun painting.

Shannon Creek at Sunrise

“Shannon Creek at Sunrise”
10” x8”
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Available at $200.
Laura Marie Anderson © November 30, 2006

What a beautiful spot this is. No matter what time of day I go by it seems there is a painting there, just waiting to be painted.

Sculpture in Progress - Day 2

“Sculpture in Progress – Day 2
32”x11”x 9”
Unfired clay
Laura Marie Anderson © November 30, 2006

I’m just trying to build this form up without adding too much clay at once. There is only one pipe in this piece that goes up about 4/5 of the way. The neck and head will be the most endangered part during this process. I add clay then wait a few days for the clay to stabilize. The fresh clay becomes drier, and the old and the new equalize, leaving me with, hopefully, a wonderful clay body to work with. I store this sculpture with towel damp with water wrapped around it and then put a huge garbage bag over it.
My little sister, Mary wins the contest on guessing what it is. It is a skeleton sitting on it’s hunches. It will be more of a person, but since I work from the inside out, good guess Mary.

Gala

“Gala”
5” x 7”
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Available at $100.
Laura Marie Anderson © November 29, 2006

The cold has moved into my chest and some days are just very busy and no matter how one tries there doesn’t seem to be time for doing the one thing that I love, so after dinner and a day spend bookkeeping and doing office work, I sit down to paint. Might I say my enthusiasm was less than desirable? I looked at this apple turned it round and stopped in this position and began to paint. Self doubts creeping in and got pushed out. Van Gogh said something like - Paint every day to silence the negative voices. So I continued, committed to portraying the beauty that God has placed before me. When I was finished and came out of my zone, I was brought almost to tears by the beauty on this little piece of wood. There are days when I am so amazed, and feel so pleased with what “I” little ole’ me, has been able to do, blessed with this ability to share God’s beauty, that I feel these tears of joy and appreciation for such a wonderful gift.

Orange, Day 2

“Orange, Day 2”
6” x 8”
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Available at $100.
Laura Marie Anderson © November 28, 2006

This is the same orange I painted on the 25th, now it has begun losing it’s skin. What a fun day, making art all day.

Sculpture in Progress

Side

Front
Sculpture in Progress – Day 1
32”x11”x 6”
Unfired clay
Laura Marie Anderson © November 28, 2006

Finally, after a long wait, I am ready to sculpt again. I started this today. Some of you have heard me talk about what this is going to be, all others are free to guess along the way. Hint: It belongs with my Dark Night of the Soul Series. If you are unfamiliar with this series check out in my Dark Night gallery on my website. The first one to guess the correctly wins. Wins what? I don’t know, I’ll think of something.

The Sun That Thought It Could

“The Sun That Thought It Could”
11” x 14”
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Not for Sale
Laura Marie Anderson © November 27, 2006

When I first saw this scene I thought, “Wow, what an easy, colorful thing to paint.” Not!

I started with a bad support. Some time back I had been experimenting with different gessoes, (the coating that covers the surface that you are painting, so that the oil in the paint won’t hurt the surface and so that the surface acids, for example, won’t hurt the paint.)

This batch turn out extremely slick and with deep grooves in the paint from the brush I used to apply it. After sanding it was still a problem.

I decided not to fight it and to use a stand oil medium (it is self-leveling) and goes with the slick surface. After two rounds with the paintbrush, I decided to use the palette knife for round number three and see if I could actually get some paint to stick. Round four and I was back to the brush and knife. After the boxing match, this is what I came up with. I’m not sure about this painting. But it is the painting of the day.

I got some disappointing news today. My show at the Toad n Willow in Billings, Friday night, December 1st, is for only one night. I am thinking to make the best of it and try inviting as many people as I can think of. It is at 2202 1st Ave N, in Billings, next to CTA Architects. The reception is from 5-9pm. The last show they had there had a great turn out, so I am hoping for the best.

Shannon Creek

“Shannon Creek”
12” x 9”
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Available at $150.
Laura Marie Anderson © November 26, 2006

This is one of my favorite spots when walking the rounds in the morning. Everyday it looks different.
My cold is better, I think. It seems to have dropped back down in to my throat.

Orange and Baby Spoon

“Orange and Baby Spoon”
6” x 8”
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Available at $100.
Laura Marie Anderson © November 25, 2006

I am starting to feel better. While I wanted to paint something simple today, I found the orange by itself to be less than challenging. So, I tried to add an egg, but instead of adding to the composition, it competed for the space and attention. Then I tried this baby spoon. The spoon I found long ago at a junk store. It is engraved “Donald, April 21, 1967.” Donald would be 39 years old this year. When I found it I thought about being born with a silver spoon in your mouth and then I thought about what it would be like to have been born with one and then to have lost it. I wonder what Donald’s life is like now? I couldn't resist bringing the spoon home or putting it in this painting. I find this to be a delightful little painting.

Oil Can

“Oil Can”
8” x 6”
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Laura Marie Anderson © November 24, 2006

I have been sick for some days now, a very bad head cold. Wednesday I got up the energy to set up my paints and a small silver teapot. This morning it was still sitting there. I switched it out this afternoon with:

This Oil Can brings back memories of the old treadle Singer sewing machine I used as a child. Every now and then it needed some oil as did dad’s hair clippers. That sewing machine brought us many hours of entertainment, as well as pride in the pieces of clothing that we would make. I remember my red, black and white pinstriped plaid hip hugger bell bottom pants, now those were styling.

East Rosebud Lake Falls

Old
New- Not Finished
“East Rosebud Lake Falls”
8” x 10”
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite

Laura Marie Anderson © November 20, 2006

I painted this painting this past summer. It had to be the most boring painting. Since I have a cold, my energy is drained and it seemed easier to try to fix than to start from scratch. I changed the color scheme thinking I could go with the complementary colors, blue and orange and purple and yellow. Still it was a boring painting. I tried adding this goat. I got the best pictures to work from this fall when I came upon three goats. They were bright white from a recent rain and fat from a hardy summer. I would like to add some yellow to the fur but the paint is to thick and wants to blend with the blue/purple color underneath. I will leave this painting again for yet another day. As for today, it remains unfinished.

Blue Heron #2

“Blue Heron #2”
20” x 16”
Unframed - Oil on Canvas
Available at $800.
Laura Marie Anderson © November 16, 2006

I have been painting on this for three days now. Each and every time I call it finished and photograph it I return it to the easel for more paint. It is driving e crazy. For now I call it finished. Perhaps I will return to it one day.

Tomorrow I have to go to Billings and take down a show I have had up at McCormick Café, teach a cycling class at the YMCA, and happily visit with my eldest daughter, Karie, and grandchildren, Marcus and Christopher. Follow that link and see a painting I painted of them when they were both one year old. They are three years apart in age.

Sentinels - November 14, 2006

“Sentinels -November 14, 2006”
8” x 10”
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Available at $150.
Laura Marie Anderson © November 14, 2006

This painting describes the majority of the day, snowing with the sun trying to find its way out of the clouds.

Great Blue Heron

“Great Blue Heron”
16” x 16”
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Available at $750.
Laura Marie Anderson © November 13, 2006

I started this yesterday and finished it today. Quite honestly I don’t know for a few days if I have actually finished something not. Paintings are like brand new love affairs it takes a while to be able to see their faults.

This was painted from a photo that Karl took in Shark Valley, Florida. While I was painting he was touring.

I forgot to tell what happened while I was painting in Shark Valley. I was positioned behind a wood railing that was about two feet tall. There was an older gentleman watching me paint and chatting with me. There were many other people near a building not to far away. Before the fellow came along, I watched an alligator skim across the water and try to take a non suspecting bird. I’m not sure if he got the bird, it was so quick and them he was gone. I was sitting there thinking about how stupid the bird was to have held still for so long. Then I started thinking about how long I had been sitting there painting. How stupid it might prove to be. Then this older man came by and while we were talking I forgot all about the alligators. Suddenly an alligator flopped himself up on the grass about two feet in front of me. I flew back out of my chair, saying one of the most familiar four letter words. When it was over the old man and I laughed at the language that had sprung from my mouth. The alligator moved on. I think he was like my old rottweiler, Carma; he just got some sort of thrill in watching the humans scatter.

Hibiscus

“Hibiscus”
6” x 8”
Unframed - Oil on Linen on Board
Available at $100.
Laura Marie Anderson © November 12, 2006

The first time I saw this flower was at Treasure Harbor in the Florida Keys. Pam and Pete Anderson are the owners of this wonderful marina. While staying on one of there beautiful ships Pam made everything special. Each day in the breezeway there were several of these beautiful flowers resting in a fresh bowl of water. I commented to her that I thought they were too beautiful to pick and she told me that they only live for 24 hours so we might as well enjoy them.
Now living in Montana, one would think that these sun lovers would be hard to come by, but I found a plant at a local nursery this past summer and brought it home to the mountains. It is only about two and a half feet high, but produces a flower every now and again. The last time it blossomed I mistakenly thought, I’ll have to paint that one tomorrow. By the next day it was dying, limp and shriveled.

As I was painting this today I thought about the idea of what if we only had one more day to live, how would we spend it? If we could be beautiful and vibrant for only one day, would we reach towards the sun and thank God for the opportunity to beautify his world?

Broadwater Pond

“Broadwater Pond”
10” x 8”
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite Panel
Available at $150.
Laura Marie Anderson © November 11, 2006

This is a plein air painting that I started on August 18 and finished today. Broadwater Pond is 4 miles up the trail from here. It seems to be nothing more than a wide spot in the river, but it is crystal clear and a wonderful turquoise color. Without seeing it these colors in person they are hard to believe.

Gumby Rides Pokey

“Gumby Rides Pokey”
10” x 8”
Unframed - Oil on prepared masonite

SOLD

Laura Marie Anderson © November 10, 2006

Another fun painting. I can’t begin to say how much I enjoy painting these childhood memories. If you enjoy these two, check out their solo portraits, the November 3rd and 4th paintings.

Windy Day

“Windy Day”
11” x 14”
Unframed - Oil on Canvas
Available at $125.
Laura Marie Anderson © November 10, 2006

I started this painting on the 8th, when it was very windy. The wind blows so hard here, it will actually pick the water up off the lake. Today the winds have picked up again, so I decided to finish it.

Autumn Love

(Full Painting)

(Detail of - Moose a 5" tall in Painting)

“Autumn Love”
24” x 36”
Unframed - Oil on Canvas
Available at $1,900.
Laura Marie Anderson © November 5, 2006

Autumn Love is a painting celebrating the mating rituals of moose. As part of their foreplay, the bull stands behind the cow, and then tips his head back so that his horns almost lay upon his back. He then snorts in, curling his upper lip back and rotates his head in an arch from left to right. It seems to be an endorphin inducing practice; the bull intoxicated.
I had the opportunity to sit in a canoe and photograph these two. He was definitely head over heels for this cow, but since she was limping she would have nothing to do with him and just turned and walked away.

Buffalo Hot Springs

“Buffalo Hot Springs”
18” x 24”
Unframed - Oil on Canvas
Available at $800.
Laura Marie Anderson © November 5, 2006

I have been working on this painting for sometime now. I started reworking it this past summer in the lodge while working in the store. Last week I took it out for some more paint and then again today; I am finally satisfied with it.

Pokey

“Pokey”
6” x 8”
Unframed - Oil on Linen on Board
Laura Marie Anderson © November 4, 2006

Where would Gumby be without Pokey? The same place as Roy Rogers would be without Trigger and The Lone Ranger without Silver. Ah, those were the days. Again, painted on linen.

Gumby

“Gumby”
8” x 6”
Unframed - Oil on Linen on Board
Laura Marie Anderson © November 3, 2006

Gumby was another one of my favorite toys. All the childhood memories that came flooding back while painting this little gem, made me laugh and smile from ear to ear, many times while I was painting this. I intentionally painted this on linen.

Flowers

Old

“Flowers”
20” x 16”
Unframed - Oil on Canvas
Available at $600.
Laura Marie Anderson © November 2, 2006

One of my, against the wall, paintings. I decided to rework this one. This one had such potential; I couldn’t resist taking it to the other side. I started this painting while the flowers were fresh and finished it when they were nothing but a memory.

Lost Peaks

"Lost Peaks”
9”x12”
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite Panel
Available at $175.
Laura Marie Anderson © November 1, 2006

I was in the house working on another flower painting. After an early lunch, I noticed how lovely it looked outside. The sun was shining and the atmosphere was as clear as a clean sheet of glass. The lake is already freezing over and so far, since we haven’t had any wind, it looks like there will be some great ice skating this year. I decided to bundle up and go out for a walk, in spite of the temperatures nearing 10 degrees. I had on my darkest sunglasses and yet it was still incredibly bright out. I walked around the lake, past the beaver pond and about half way down to the Links, when I decided to turn back and get my paints. I followed some wonderful moose tracks back toward the house around the lake side of the lodge and then down the road, right in front of our house. I decided to go down canyon a bit and try to paint the Lost Peaks, as I call them. Lost Lake is right behind the peaks that are on the right side of the painting. I hope you all enjoy. Back to those flowers tomorrow.

Rodney - Carnival Cruise Musician

“Rodney- Carnival Cruise Musician

”6” x 8”

Unframed - Oil on Linen on Gatorfoam

Not For Sale

Laura Marie Anderson © October 31, 2006

This fine young man was the lead singer in a Jamaican band that played on our cruise ship during the same vacation this past February. I had him write down his information but can’t seem to find it. His full name, country and email address are in an older journal or sketch book, but I haven’t been able to find it. If and when I do I’ll email him and send him the painting.
The band played one set of Jamaican music and then came back in the afternoon for – believe it or not – a set of country music. They did both very well, and their accents added something special to the second set. I painted this while sitting on the deck. It was very cool and windy that day. Most anything that wasn’t weighed down on deck that day was blowing about. I like the painting, but knew something wasn’t quite right. Today, I checked photograph I had taken on the ship and added just a touch of paint under his chin.

Shark Valley

“Shark Valley, Florida”

6” x 12”

Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite Panel
Available at $150.

Laura Marie Anderson © October 31, 2006

This painting I did plein air at Shark Valley National Park in Florida, while in vacation last February. I was so blinded by the lighting that the painting was very dark and the birds were not even close to white. Anyway, I had to look up the name of the place so I found this site with pictures. (Do come back to my page :>))
http://www.great-florida-vacations.com/shark-valley-gallery-1.html
I think the painting is just about right now and I found a bunch of other photos I took on our trip of lovely exotic birds that I may paint sometime this winter.

Red Lodge Ponds - Fall

“Red Lodge Ponds – Fall”

14” x 11”

Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite Panel

Available at $140.

Laura Marie Anderson © October 31, 2006

I painted this a long time ago, perhaps two years now. I never liked it, but had no idea what to do with it. Unfortunately, or fortunately, I never photographed it, so there’s nothing to compare it to.