Next day more work on the sheep

Warms, cools, contrast...values

Another days work on the sheep.

This is a 24" x 36" canvas and I am working in oils using both brush and pallet knife.
 I've stopped using solvents and use walnut oil.  Since I've made the change...I'm breathing better and my lungs don't feel congested like they did when I was using a solvent.

Bull Ride done............ Sheep beginning

Some more works...always works. It's all works.

                                            Bull Ride  

                                          and Sheep,  just the beginning

Change is good

Show up and do the work...... Sure took a long time for me to feel comfortable with that.
Almost as long as it's taken or taking me to feel comfortable with who I am....or the new me....

Anyway, after good advice from a much trusted source I decided to give this cowboy a cowboy hat.
Although I see and understand the importance of wearing a helmet to protect your head when you can be thrown from the source you are riding and could land on your head. The cowboy hat just worked compositionally better.

So here it is...getting closer to being finished.

More work on Rodeo painting

Work continues. I find that I can accomplish what I want if I keep going. In other words if I keep working at my own pace with my own style....I get there.

Here's where I am so far in this painting.

Rodeo stuff

I designed the tee shirt for this years Valley Center Stampede Rodeo and I was invited to attend. This was an evening event. The lighting and atmosphere was exhilarating.

So begins a new series of ideas and paintings.  After going through many photographs and creating lots of variations of notans, compositions and value studies, I begin.

Here's one I'm working on.