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.