I am Honored!

I just recieved word today that I have been awarded a scholarship based on merit from The Friends of Western Art whose mission is to promote the awareness of art of the American West in Tucson and Southern Arizona through underwriting and educational programs.  The scholarship will be applied to a studio workshop taught by Matt Smith May 2-4 through Tucson Art Academy. I am honored!!!

Above is a new piece I am working on 20X24".

Owl Head Buttes Adventure

I headed out this week to a rock formation called Owl Head Buttes just north of Tucson.  The terrain is rugged, so it called for a jeep trip.  My wife and son went with and we had a great time.  The side of the rocks that I painted is not the side that resembles an owl head, but it was the side that had the right light for painting.  There is a jeep trail up to the top and the view was awesome.  Someone has put up a picnic table at the base of the trail, so we stopped and had lunch and enjoyed the sun's warmth.  The painting I did is 9X12"  and is available on ebay for $148 with free shipping. Follow the link above to my ebay store.

Please Pray for Tucson as we Weep

Tucson and the whole country weeps today... This tragedy has hit very close to home.  The shooter attended high school with my two oldest daughters although neither one knew him personally.  I teach each weekend at Alive Church, just 4 miles from this tragedy.  There are members of my congregation that had close ties to some of the victims... a first responder ...the elementary school is in our neighborhood... the impact is far reaching.  Please pray for Tucson, for our country, for our leaders.

Jeff

Working on Some Contest Entries

January has found me working hard at meeting deadlines. I have entered and have been juried into 2 shows and have 2 more to go by the 15th of January. After that I can get some more listings out there for my ebay followers. Here is one that is currently on my easel and will be entered into either the Arizona Plein Air Painters Annual show or Scottsdale Salon. I will see where I am at in the next 10 days... Back to the easel!

First Painting of 2011 - I am off and Painting...

"Everyone ends up somewhere - Few people end up somewhere on purpose."

"Today I'll do what I can to prepare me for tomorrow to do what I can't do today."

Just a couple of thoughts that I have been focusing on as I enter this New Year. With the New Year, I focus my purpose and prepare myself to do what I can today...  So, here is the first listing of the New Year.  I have been honored to have been selected to be in a couple of shows at the start of 2011 and have been busy painting for those and framing up my pieces, but I am beginning the New Year with some new work for eBay.  This one is 24X36 and is entitled Something in the Splendor. Click on the link to eBay at the top of my blog page and it will take you to my eBay listings. That's my buddy, Joel in the second picture with me.  He usually is puttering around in the studio.  Happy New Year!  -Jeff

Expecting Great Things In 2011!

Happy New Year!

Here we are at the end of 2010 - As I reflect back on the year, I can honestly say that I am pleased with the progress I have made -and yet the prospect of another year, a new year, draws me forward, inspires me to push on and makes me ponder possibilities. I would say that the hardest, yet most rewarding thing I have done this year was to spend a week with artist Jim Wilcox. Going into the week I told him to not hold back any "punches".  I was there to learn and was not there to wear my feeings on my sleeve, so to speak.  I left with some bumps and bruises, but I tell you what, I am better off for it.  I close out 2010 with having 2 paintings selected in the Empire 100 Western Show and Sale.  So where am I headed in 2011?  I push on... I look forward to painting (when we can) on Thursdays with friend Phil Starke,  Matt Smith in February, Kevin Macpherson later in the year and Jim Wilcox once again.  I have several shows and contest scheduled and will be hoping for those letters that begin "Congratulations..." But even if they don't come, I love to paint and look forward to taking my art up another step.  Hope you will follow me in 2011.  Thank-you to all of my eBay collectors you who have purchased my art on eBay this year.  I will continue to list paintings on eBay into 2011.  

Happy New Year and Enjoy the Journey, Jeff

Clouds Can't Keep Me Away Today!

You wouldn't think that there would be too many cloudy days in Tucson, but every day for the past week, the clouds have kept me from heading out to paint. I am down to the wire on time to enter this year's Tucson Plein Air Painters anual show so today I headed out, clouds and all. Here are a couple of pictures of what I got this morning. The clouds and shadows were changing so fast, I worked hard to keep up with them. I will try to get out again tomorrow and paint a couple more and pick the best ones for the TPAPS show. Wishing all a Merry Christmas! Jeff