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.