I participated in the Wild West Winter Carnival in Riverton, Wyoming doing the Annual Quick-Draw with 24 other artists.  Here I have finished and await the auction.
ASPENS
Gouache Watercolor painting.

SPRING ON HORSE CREEK
20"x30" Gouache Watercolor Painting
gkeimig@dteworld.com

Saturday morning was the annual Quick-Draw held in the town square in Jackson, Wyoming.  All a part of the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival.  Two weeks of art related events that fills the town with artists, and collectors.  Here I am nearing completion of my painting.

Auctioning off my Quick-draw Gouache Watercolor Painting at the Pioneer Museum Western and Wildlife Art Show.  My Laramie Peak painting seemed popular as I got top money in the auction for the painting.

I am a little behind in posting this.  Several weekends ago I participated in the Pioneer Museum Western and Wildlife Invittional Art Show in Douglas, Wyoming.  This is the 20th year for this show and is to be the last year for this event.  Attendance was great and they put on such a great show it will be hard to accept the fact that this is the last year. 
For the second year in a row I won the Peoples Choice Award with my Oil painting, END OF WINTER seen here in this photo at the upper left of my display shown off my my Great Granddaughter, Evie Anna.  The painting was also chosen for the Museum Purchase Award.  The third time in twenty years this has happened for me.  That is a wonderful honor.  My sales were really great and my auction painting went very well as did my Quick-draw which by far exceeded all my expectations.

Saturday night was the annual Fund Raiser for the Chance Phelps Foundation and the Needs Of Dubois.  My gallery pardner, Tom Lucas and myself contributed a 1 hour Quick-draw painting for their fund raising.  Mine is a 16"x20" Gouache Watercolor painting of the Grand Teton.  Oh.  The Staff card.  We had to wear that to get into the event as the second of two nightly concerts were about to start and that allowed us entry for the evening.  All held at the Dubois Town Park.  that itself is quite a place for the little town of Dubois.  There were certainly a lot of people in attendance.

IN THE ASPEN GROVE
22"x28" Oil Painting.

The updated versions of National Parkways are out this year and features even more of my art work.  Pen an Inks and Map art.  These are great guidebooks on the National Parks and has some wonderful photography along with informative dscriptions of the Natural History of the Parks.  I have all ready sold a number of them in my gallery,  Particularly when I offer to autograph them. LOL

My finished painting.  ASPENS a 12.5"x16" Gouache Watercolor Painting.  We were allowed 1 hour to do our painting.

Last night was the annual quick-draw event by the Wyoming artists Association being held here in Dubois this year.  I participated.

END OF WINTER
18"x24" Oil Painting on panel

Torrey Creek with thawing ice. Of course it won't last.

The weather across the country has seemed to have taken a break from the nasty stuff we have been experiencing the past several months. We here in the high country have also had good weather and I have taken advantage of that in the past week by taking off several afternoons and exploring the countryside.

I have posted those several outdoor adventures on my OUTDOOR ADVENTURES blog and invite you to check them out.

Last night was the annual Winter Carnival in Riverton, Wyoming that features a quick-draw and auction. This was my 45 minute guache watercolor painting framed up and ready for the auction. It did quite well in the auction and in fact was top money. It always makes one feel good to come out in one of these events. The 80 mile drive back home was not fun though as the first 35 miles was a raging hard to see blizzard at 25-45 MPH and the next 25 miles just slick with light snow falling. Getting into the mountains it was stars overhead and dry roads. That is Wyoming for you.

We only found one old fellow who had actually taken up morning residency inside the leanto shed. He seemed quite comfortable there and being named grumpy by Deb-we were quite willing to leave him where he was.
If interested I have posted more photos of our trip in on my facebook page.
It was an interesting enjoyable morning. Even if the mountains were mostly obscured in falling snow showers.

Since I posted the Mountain Chickadee photo I thought it might be a good one to use for my wilderness art challenge for February.
See my wilderness Art Challenge blog.

From my desk looking toward the stair railing. Unfinished paintings lined up on the side and2 of my saddles on the rail. The one with the lariat I inherited from my grandfather and have had and used since I was a kid. It is an old Association saddle with the high cantle and deep swells. I love it. It is probably close to 100 years old.
Hanging on the stairway is a Moose hide and there is an elk hide on the stair railing.

This is the view across my library-lounge area. 2 paintings in progress are on the easles. I have a desk on the near side and a round coffee table wih several magazines and books as well as some of the books and magazines I have illustrated or have illustrations in as well as magazines carrying biographical stories on my self. This whole area is carpeted which makes it comfortable

Continuing my studio tour

This is a large counter top where I can lay out projects for paintings in the planning stages. It overhangs more paper storage and I have the TV on the top left that I can swivel to watch from either end. Beyond is my Library and witting area wher I can set painting on several easles to contemplate. I usually have an easy chair to sit in but it is at the Gallery. I need to bring it back home. The staiway is to the right coming up from below. Notice my overhead light that I received from an artist friend of mine from New Mexico. I have three of those on the studio ceiling and also have them in my three bedrooms and the living room as lamps. They are all works of art. At back is the picture window looking out to the east at the river and front yard below

looking to the south behind my drafting table I have built in more cabinets for storage and built shelving up above for canvas panelsOn the back side of the drafting table are a number of art magazines that I love going through now and then. Above the cabinets I keep old art projects. Some from commercial and illustration days. I stuck some old U S Forest posters on the wall from my days with the Forest Service. Unseen as I am still working on it is more cabinet space with large flat area for laying out large projects. that divides the carpeted lounge area. I also have a TV set up there but rarely watch it except maybe the evening news. I would rather play music while I work. That would be intrumental. Old Folk music. Old Cowboy stuff.

From my desk looking NE. A work table with some books and magazines I am currently reading through. A nice easy desk chair that I can use for reading or looking at art. Another file that contains a lot of my photos. A real bugger to keep filed and in proper place. Next to that is the door out onto my deck and visible is the post that is the upper support for the stairway coming up from the show room. You may notice I kept the flooring uncovered so I don't have to worry about spilling paint or all the things I do spill. To the right of the stairway I do have a carpeted area with an easy chair and lounge like area with a floor to ceiling bookcase full of my books. I have yet to get into it with a hoe so that will be shown later on. It also has a big picture window looking out over the roof and river and I can see who ever drives up or by.

The NW corner of the studio. My files for research items. Flat files above where I keep paper and prints. Old canvas storage above and more canvas and stretcher storage to the side. North window that looks out onto my deck and back yard and the river. I actually have two skylight above this whole area that lets in a lot of light.

Continuing on from the last post is the SW corner of the studio. From my elongated built in desk is storage for drawing supplies, tools for canvas stretching and a view out the window to the west where I also have a bird feeder I put up for my wild friends. Along the river we get quite an assortment of species. I can also watch the horses in the pasture that comes up to my property line. Deer quite often pass by and about 11:00 a bald eagle will come over at studio height. Ducks and Canada Geese are always jabbering away. Summers it is fun to watch Osprey fishing . We used to have a lot of Moose come around but have not seen one in 5 or 6 years. Too much building going on west of us and the population has taken a big hit.

Over the past several years the studio had become a disaster area. I went through a couple of years of Cancer problems and last year was relegated to painting the winter in the living room with my busted up foot. Those things along with the gallery that takes care of 8-9 months of the year where I actually do my painting at the gallery. The studio became a throw-all and was in definite need of being overhauled. Since Christmas that is exactly what I have been doing. It is only half finished but upon the urging of my good artist friend, Pattie Wall, I am going to show where I currently am. Check out the newly built studio Pattie has. http://www.jpwall.blogspot.com
This view is from the NW corner looking at my drafting table where I do 90% of my painting. My pallette with paint storage. I use a metal tool storage cabinet for this with a built in top for mixing paint. On to the right is computer, desk, printer, scanner.

I have been asked by a number of folks to show off my studio so here goes.
I converted what was a garage on the house-seen here-into a show room and built on to the back of it-utilizing some of the area as enlarging the master bedroom, a second bath, wash room and closet-storage. The back-new construction became my shop area where I do framing and storage. It has room for mat cutting, chop sawing frame stock and everything involved with framing. The second floor became my studio and measures 20 x30 feet. Off to the north side on the back is an outdoor deck. I plan, hopefully this summer to rebuild it and put a roof overhead as there is a real drainage problem off the roof.

Horses and mules on the feed line. January 21, I have taken a little jaunt NE of Dubois and have posted my new adventure on my OUTDOOR ADVENTURE blog.

I am now represented by the on line-gallery, Perez Fine arts gallery. It is an honor to be considered by Mr Perez as he represents some really great artists.http://www.perezfineartgalleries.com

I have posted a new challenge on my Wilderness Art challenge.
Have fun everyone.

We have returned from browsing about the state doing the Christmas thing with family beginning in the Bighorn Basin where we stayed with our youngest daughter and family in Frannie, Wyoming. Even taking in a sunday smorgasboard in Cody at the Irma Hotel built by Buffalo Bill. It is quite a place and the food was great.
We were even able to watch a highschool basketball game and our grandson who is a sophomore playing for the Rocky Mountain Grizzlies. He is fun to watch and is a rising star. Scored 9 points with limited time in this game as he also plays for the JV team. Bryce, #44 leads the state of Wyoming with 3-point percentage shooting.
We continued on having Christmas with our eldest daughter and her family picking up Vicki's parents in Casper. Christmas in the Black Hills of Wyoming was definitely white with lots of cold snow.
I have added additional photos on my facebook albums.

I worked today on my Aspen painting. Still manipulating, I added another bright sunlit tree to the left of the one I had. Things look a little centered now but I am going to proceed and then decide how it looks later. Tomorrow I have just a little time to work on it as we plan to take off for Deaver, Wyoming to visit our daughter and kids. For Christmas it look like the plan it to go to Pine Haven where our other daughter lives. Not only are we celebrating Christmas but our grand daughter, Kassi took her board exams the other day and passed so after 8 grueling years of medical school she is Dr. Kassi Leseberg. A doctor of Physical Therapy. Now I have someone to officially go to for all my owies.

While waiting yesterday for my Aspen Painting to dry I worked up this 9"x12" Oil on canvas. Tetons from Pilgrim Creek
gkeimig@dteworld.com

I worked a lot more on this painting the last couple of days beginning detail work and adding and subtracting elements. More to add and subtract yet but am getting it figured out. I think.

Attendance at the show was good and attendees even included the Governor and the newly elected Governor of Wyoming as well as several professional sports figures. Sales were a little sparce and the art auctuon items were really low. This is the Gouache watercolor painting I did. we were given an hour to complete them.

I have just returnd from the National 2-Shot Goose Hunt Art Show in Torrington, Wyoming. My wife, Vicki is making sure I have everything hanging straight. I of course tell her that the paintings are straight it is the walls that are crooked.

I photographed this sow and cub several years ago and have made it the December Painting challenge. Check out my Wilderness Art Challenge blog for details and what folks are doing in answer to the monthly challenges.

I have begun a new commissioned painting, ASPEN WORLD 24"x36" Oil On Masonite. I spent the day underpainting it in Acrylic and now will begin to work Oils into it. I will spend a little time on it today but will be loading art and materials for a show I leave for tomorrow in Torrington, Wyoming. It is a yearly attended show that is a lot of fun and I have done pretty well at over the years.

INDIAN PAINTBRUSH
16"x20" Oil Painting
Finished at last.
gkeimig@dteworld.com

I spent the day in the gallery as a shop keeper and working on this 16"x20" Oil Painting. INDIAN PAINTBRUSH. I have another sitting or two to go but it is progressing. It is one of the paintings I am putting up for one of the purchase awards at a show next weekend. I ended the day working on a commissioned miniature of a horse that I have posted on my Miniature Art blog.

E-Mail-gkeimig@dteworld.com

With only a couple of hours to spare I ran up to the Bighorn Sheep range as I heard there were some large rams down. This is the season to witness their incredible fighting for dominance. I found only a small band way out on the meadow grazing with some browsing deer near the Glacier trailhead and did spot one big fellow way high on the ridge. I watched him traverse it for some time but all were too far away for pictures. It was a beautiful afternoon although pretty cool with a stiff wind blowing. The Ramshorn Peak over the Dubois badlands was an incredible late afternoon photo opportunity.

I also began work on this 12"x16" Oil Painting for the auction piece at next weeks show. I had a painting all ready to go but had an opportunity to sell it the other day so with only a week to go I jumped into this painting today.

I even took a couple of hours off to go up to the Bighorn Sheep range as I heard the big Rams are down.

I was back on my Elk painting again today working on the sagebrush. The grasses are still a little light in value for the rest of the painting so that will be the next step along with working again on the Elk themselves.

Today I worked on the foreground sagebrush and grasses and added the elk I had taken out and repositioned her on the right of where I had her when I first started the painting.

While waiting for my Elk painting to dry for a few days-I blocked in and now starting to detail the logs and far background in. this is for a show purchase award I have coming up and is an Oil painting 18"x24".

On the way back home I was greeted with a number of Mule Deer Bucks who seemed to be everywhere. This fellow was next to the hiway and paid me little attention as I photographed him.

I had dropped by Kathys Koffee yesterday morning and had a cup with Skip who is a fellow I actually knew as a kid who lived west of where I grew up. He told me a big Black Bear had been seen along the hiway on an Elk carcass that had apparantely been hit by a vehicle and died on up the hillside.
Befor daylight I drove the 20 miles west of town to the spot and right away spotted this fellow. He is not a black bear but a Grizzly. And most folks thought they were all in hibernation?? This fellow was not and in the falling snow and first light of morning I sat and watched him from the safety of my truck. With both binoculars and shooting a number of photos {I shot over 40 pixs]I enjoyed the early morning. There were a number of Ravens circling overhead and sitting in a dead tree above him. Interestingly none flew down to take part in the banquet but a number of Magpies would light very near and did not seem to be bothered in the least by him. Every once in a while a truck or car would drive by and he would rise up to look and sniff the air.
Quite a sunday morning experience.

I have now finished blocking in the painting and begun detailing the Bull Elk.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Hope you all have so much to be thankful for this season. God has certainly blessed me and my house.

Downtown Dubois this morning from the Silversage Gallery at 7:30 A M. Not a soul on the street. -8 degrees

We had a pretty good blast of cold air hit last night. Heavy snow was forcast but that fizzled out and we only had about an inch. Last night it hit -8 and hovered about zero all day. Having gallery duty I spent more time doing projects around the wood stove than painting but did manage to git a little bit done on this piece. blocking in trees, the Bull itself, and more work on the background mountains. I raised the height of the peaks behind the Bulls Antlers to give them more contrast. Tomorrow is a day off-THANKSGIVING-and the next day is our Christmas Art Show at the Gallery so probably won't accomplish too much in next few days.

Don then just had to sign his name below mine. I am impressed that he really dressed up just for me. :0)
I recognize a number of names from Dubois in this photo. My grand daughter had signed her name but it was further down the truck.
Pretty cool.
E-mail: gkeimig@dteworld.com

I could not resist posting this photo taken by an old friend who spent many years in the outdoors with me. Don Anderson now of Britt, Iowa went to see the Nations Christmas tree as it went through Britt and found my name from about 10 days ago. Sending the photo on to me. Thanks Don.

My newest started painting using the Bull Elk from my Challenge art. This will be my submission.

HORSE CREEK ELK 20"X30" Oil Painting

I spent the other morning exploring Torrey Creek in off and on blizzard conditions all the while enjoying the area and wildlife such as these Bighorns. I have recorded the mornings adventure in my OUTDOOR ADVENTURE blog and hope you will mosey on over and find it just as enjoyable.

I think I am finally finished with my SNOW Painting. 16"x20" Oil Painting on gessoed masonite.

WHAT A GRAND MORNING
9"x12" Oil Painting on canvas
I finished this small oil while waiting for several other paintings to dry enough to get back on to them.