I finished installing the fish on my mural this afternoon. Newspaper showed up to get some pictures and I had Andrea at the Museum take a few for myself. The 6 Wyoming trout species are represented her, Actually 2 Brown Trout; Mackinaw or Lake Trout; Brook Trout; Rainbow Trout; Golden Trout; Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout;[I have put a bug in the museum staffs ear for including a Snake River Cutthroat] A Whitefish; and a Grayling.

I havn't been posting any new work recently and many are wondering what happened to the Deer through the Aspens I have been progressing on. Things went a little haywire here for the time being. I finally went to Denver for the operation that was inevitable. This is supposed to be the last of what has been an ordeal for 3 1/2 years. I sure hope so. It was a pretty miserable trip back home but we survived it. Don't know if Vicki was more stressed out about the drive up I25 to Wyoming or putting up with a sick patient. She is the real thing and did a great job. About last saturday I was wondering if I was on my way to heaven or what and can't believe how much better I am doing this saturday. Still a little sore but really bored and trying to figure out how to get in just the right position to push a paintbrush. I think I could get started on some small watercolors if nothing else. Sure gonna try it in the next few days. My pardner, Chris Phelps says there are a ton of elk all around her place right now. Maybe if I drove by doing ? ? Probably not but it is an enticement.
Good news though. PEAKS AND PLAINS magazine which is a magazine the airline industry puts out want to do a 3 page story on me. It is a quarterly magazine and features stories and photos of various tourist related places around the country. I think that will be pretty cool.

Finished. Have cleaned up my mess and the Museum folks have all come by and given their approval. Blaze is wagging his tail so guess he is O K with it too. Thanks to Andrea who has dogged my progress with my camera. Had asked her to take an occassional picture as the day went on. She has taken 50 pictures. When an artist has as much paint on himself as on the painting it has turned out O K. The finished display will have moulding put in, a glass front and mounted fish hanging against the front of the mural. It will consist of the 6 trout species found in our area as well as a Grayling and White Fish. I have silhoueted a whitefish just to my right just above the log. It should look pretty neat when put together. I have done a number of backgrounds for the museum over the years including eco-system murals which are the various fauna and flora of our region as they exist in different elevational life zones. I had painted 3 of them almost 20 years ago and am after the powers that be to add 2 more. A Riparian Zone and a Prairie Zone. It really needs to be done to finish their natural history area. The other zones I completed were Alpine, Subalpine, Montaine

I have painted myself into the corner but am getting close to the finish.

After lunch I put the acrylics aside and go to Oil paint. I pretty well have the fish in and detailing begun on the log and rocks.

I pretty well get the log and rocks I want in the mural by noon. I also have my first fish that is merely a silhouette painted in.

I had a constant art critic who occassionaly voiced his opinion about the whole procedure. Blaze, the Museum pappilon mascot

Today I had quite a project, painting a background at the Dubois Museum for a fish display. It is approximately 4'x12'. I began by putting in a rather streaky background coloring using Acrylic Paint which I just hate working with as it dries so fast and I am used to working the paint.

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After working on this painting for some time I have finally called it finished.
It is a commissioned piece for a collector of mine. At one time I did many wildlife vignettes and had a great market for them. Wyoming Wildlife magazine[Wyoming Game & Fish Commission]used a number of them on magazine covers and educational materials. I think the last time I did any was for the National Parkways for some of their poster art. It has been a number of years since I have tried another, this watercolor vignette, Pronghorn Antelope-14"x18", and it took a while getting back into the swing of what at one time seemed so effortless.

After a week being away from this painting I got back into it this afternoon. I have enlarged the Deer and straightened up their anatomy and have put in a little more work on the Aspens.

In my next session I will be working on the forground vegetation and the lighting so that I can see how the deer will fit into what I have going.

This is another Arizona Oil Painting I have just finished. I had started this several years ago, drug it out of its hiding place and reworked it. Looks a lot better than it did. EVENING COMING is 8"x10". If you are interested in this or any other piece please e-mail me at gkeimig@dteworld.com

As I have been working on my Aspen painting I have also been painting a number of smaller paintings and continuing with my Arizona Desert pieces. I have just finished this 9"x12" Oil Painting I call Palo Verde Sunset
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I did decide to change the deer. I enlarged and moved the Buck forward and added another to the left back in the Aspens. I think I am liking it now. Worked on the Aspens behind the deer a little but it is really too wet to do much so I will put it aside for a few days.

I have continued working this painting from left to right and have added three Mule Deer does and a Buck. Not quite that sure of my placement and next posting don't be surprised to see that I have changed them.

I have been working on this painting off and on for the past 10 days and I think I am going to call it finished. WINTER FOG is a 12"x24" Oil Painting. Some folks out there who are receiving my Outdoor adventures may recognize the location from one of my entries. A collector of mine who receives my photography and writings commissioned it from seeing the photo. I have done a few changes to it but the integrity of the photo is preserved. I will deliver it this weekend and see how he likes it
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I spent about 1/2 day today on this painting and have begun to detail it out beginning on the left side and working left to right and up to down. I will work up the detail as I go along but will continuously go back for refinement and to make sure it all flows together as I go. About the time I get to those most forward Aspen trunks I will put the deer in which I want moving into the Aspen grove from right side moving from right to left.

After a day of drying [just using odorless turpentine as a medium]Iput in the trunks of the aspens. I'm not worried about any detail or shading at this point. It is really abstract looking but the placemant of the trees is fairly important. The next few steps are going to look really discouraging and look as if I am lost and never going to find my way through this. At times I feel the same way but after years of doing this I know I just have to stick with it and my idea although that will even evolve and change somewhat. Will probably be awhile befor I get back to this as I am off to Denver and be out of circulation for a few days.
stay tuned.

I haven't done this in a while so I thought I would post a painting from start to finish.
This is an oil painting, 24"x30" It is a commission piece and will be looking through an Aspen grove. I plan to include some deer also moving through the grove. I have merely blocked color into it at this point to establish an idea of what I want along with getting rid of the white of the canvass.
Stay tuned.

This is a recently completed oil painting, 11"x14" WHITEBARK PINES. So typical in the subalpine areas of our part of the country. These pine trees-so important to the ecosystem they are found in are a favorite and important food source for grizzlies who devour their pine cones in very late summer to early fall. The trees are now being decimated by Pine beetles and disease. It is hard to find a living tree in the Union Pass area SW of Dubois that is producing cones. There are younger trees coming along but there will be a long period of time befor they will produce the essential ingredients for many species survival. Clark Nutcrackers, a Jay like bird is another species important for survival of both species.
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At last I have finished this oil painting of INDIAN PAINTBRUSH AND BLUEBELLS 30"x36".
I have spent a great deal of time on it and is the second painting I did [see Indian Paintbrush posted previously]and now must decide which of the two Paintbrush paintings to enter in the upcoming Casper Petroleum Purchase award show. I have come close to winning that show over the years and missed it by 1 vote with a Paintbrush painting some years ago. So. Will try that subject again.

You may notice I have added a new blog to my site I simply call, Wyoming.
In order to free up this blog to my art and the events that feature the Silver Sage Gallery I am moving my photos to this site and upon the urging of several friends-that will consist mostly of a 'Photo of the Week". I hope all will enjoy it and please comment often.

I had to leave the show on saturday afternoon to run down to Riverton, 75 miles downcountry to participate in an art quick-draw at the Winter Carnival being held there. About 25 artists from around the region were participating with 1 hour time limit to produce a piece of art which was then auctioned off. Here is my finished piece depicting the Grand Tetons in winter dress. It is a watercolor. Were a lot of people in attendance and I got a great price for this piece.

Chris Phelps is another pardner in the Silver Sage Gallery and specializes in fine silver Jewelry using a lot of turquois with her own designs. She is a true artist and does great work. She also is a great sculptor and comes up with the greatest little pieces. A turtle is a collectors favorite and her Beaver candlesticks are a real jewel.

Our fourth pardner, Tom Lucas is in Arizona doing a 10 week show. He is a great painter using oil and particularly in doing his still life paintings. Tom is also a master at doing museum quality indian artifact work. Check out his blog accessed from this site.

My pardner Chris Phelps got a picture of me at my booth.

Dan Miller, is one of our artists in the gallery and specializes in leatherwork which includes a beautiful touch to western mirrors, picture frames, and various other items.
In the other photo are two other artists represented by Silver Sage Gallery. John Finley on the left is explaining the finer points of scrimshaw which he is a master at along with his watercolors displayed on the panel they are standing in front of depicting wildlife and western life. Les Lefevre is a fantastic western oil painter. His wife, Kathy listens in on the conversation

This past weekend was a busy one for myself and the artists at Silver Sage Gallery. It all began with the annual GIFT TO THE COMMUNITY art show which is held in conjunction with a big Sled Dog race and a Soup cook off held at the Headwaters Art and Convention Center in Dubois, Wyoming. The art show was established several years ago to hilight art being produced for shows and outside galleries by the amazing western and wildlife artists that call Dubois home. Our town public were complaining that they never got to see what we were doing befor it was sent out. So. The art show. Bud Boller is an amazing western sculptor and one of the Silver Sage Gallery pardners. Here he is sharing one of his stories with a Dubois citizen. Bud has many. From his grandfather who rode with Butch Cassidy on to what he did this morning.

This has nothing to do with the pros or cons of welfare but thought you would enjoy one of my critics around the studio. We have anywhere from 2[up to 7 of these cottontails in some years] who wait patiently every morning for their welfare handout which consists of carrots. We have only 2 this winter. Our resident Owls have a lot to say about how many there are. It has gotten to the point that when we step out the door these little beggars nearly mug us for a carrot. Oh well. They are good company and make pretty good friends

Upon my good friend Gingers advice I have made the changes she suggested. I yellowed up the mid sky and blended in a purple to the top. Anybody with suggestions are extremely welcome to join in. Working my Arizona series from photos I took several years ago will not take the place of doing pleine aire painting.
Thanks Ginger.
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I mentioned I had spent the better part of a month on the Indian Paintbrush Painting. In between times of working on it just to keep my sanity I have worked on a few other pieces such as the stream and Monkey flower piece I posted the other day. I also have been working on several Arizona desert paintings such as this 12"x16" Oil Painting I call "Arizona Sunset"

Finally finished. It has been a pretty steady month working on this oil painting of INDIAN PAINTBRUSH 24"x30". At least I think I am finished with it. I'm sure after a few days of observation I will be doing some tune up.
It is to be my entry for the Casper Petroleum Club Art Show. It is due for jurying later in February but I wanted to finish it to display in a local show just to show off and maybe get some feedback and comments on by the general public. I actually am doing two different pieces using Indian paintbrush and will decide which one I want to actually submit after I finish the 2nd piece. It is Indian Paintbrush but with rocks and Bluebells to spice up the color. Will post it when finished. May be a few weeks.
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This is a watercolor painting that I actually did in 1997. The Art Center director in Lander, Wyoming told me several months ago that she ran across 2 paintings of mine in the dark recesses of storage at the Art Center. I didn't have a clue as to what she was talking about. I certainly didn't remember ever having the paintings there and for what reason? Anyway I finally stopped by there and sure enough there they were. I remember having the work and guess I never missed it but still don't know the circumstances of how they came about being there. This little Watercolor Gouache of Trumpeter Swans 8"x10"I thought was a nice little piece and worthy of putting on my blog.
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I have been working on a series of Wildflower Paintings. I have just finished this 16x20 Oil I call MOUNTAIN STREAM. It is more about the boulders and stream than the flower pieces I am working on but is so typical of the headwater streams of our area. Boulders, Willows and small cascading streams. When I first started the painting I was fighting the left side as I felt it needed something of interest and finally settled on the pink Monkey Flower so prevalent in this environment.

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It is years end and my wife Vicki who is a brilliant book keeper for the local lumber yard in Dubois is indespensible for the Silver Sage Gallery in doing their books. She is pretty busy these days getting the Gallery taxes ready for that wonderful day, April 15. Sure is messing up her weekends.

The artist at work. My corner of the world. I do have a window to right, left and just to the right of working table where I have a bird feeder. Many feathered friends keep me company and at present 2 Pine Squirrells fight over who is king of the feeder. They have to climb up outside wall to access it. I have a deck off the studio and used to keep the feeder on it but Vicki complained about the mess brought on by the wind that seemed to blow it on over house roof to the front deck. From our dining and living room both we have a great view of the river as well as from my north studio window and deck. Fun to watch the critters who come by way of the river to pay their respects

The house and studio from bridge crossing the Wind River. Yep. There is great Trout fishing in there. Other wildlife frequenting the area are myrids of species of songbirds, Waterfowl, Wading birds. Eagles, Hawks and Owls. Mule Deer, Moose, Bear on occassion, Cougar once in a while. Have seen Bobcats and Coyotes in the yard. Heaven for a wildlife artist

My home on the Wind River. Had an inch of snow last night and it sure puts a clean look to the world. My studio is on the top floor with workshop and framing down below.

The past several weeks while recuperating from a hernia surgery [yuck] I have taken on a little project of doing sunrises and early morning jaunts in my pickup just within a few miles of town. I have spotted 4 different elk herds and have had fun following them with the binoculars. This doe and last years fawn were catching the first mornings sun rays yesterday morning.

I have taken a little time off my painting and became a carpenter by remodeling and building cabinets in my studio. I have that project pretty well under control and yesterday got back to the brush. I can finish up my project by doing a little every day. I'll post a pix when I have it pretty well finished.

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This is a scene from up on the South Fork of Shoshone River south of Cody, Wyoming. A favorite area of mine to paint and I was really happy with the way it came out so was planning to submit it for jurying to the Powell Show. But. A lady and a good collector of mine came by about the time I was finishing it up and bought it . So. Being as how the deadline for the painting was Wednesday the 31st. I opted to submit a painting of Mule Deer that I had at the gallery. This was an Oil Painting, 14"x18".

For the second year I have been invited to submit a painting for jurying into a show in Powell, Wyoming which is just north of Cody, Wyoming. I did pretty good there last year and am trying again this year. One of the paintings I have just finished that I though about submitting is this oil painting, 12"x16" HEART MOUNTAIN.

December has been a pretty busy month for me. After the 2-Shot Show in Torrington I had Hernia surgery which put me out of commission for at least a week and I am still not back to full speed but I have been painting away in the studio. The gallery has closed down for the 3 month period January through March except by appointment. We will be reopening April 1st. My pardner, Tom is now in Arizona preparing for the Celebration In Fine Art Show which will run for 10 weeks. It is quite an experience and I hope at least by March to get down there myself. I will be working on a few Desert Landscapes in preparation for the trip down. I have been working on several pieces and have completed this painting from inspiration in the Trail Lake area south of Dubois. It is full of Glacial boulders and I have tried portraying one of these massive rocks with fresh fallen snow with the just breaking out sun hitting that snow in a burst of light. Mule Deer and Bighorn Sheep frequent the area and I thought it fitting to include this Mule Deer buck with snow still clinging to his back. It is 12"x16" Oil Painting and if interested please contact me through the gallery at silversage@dteworld.com or my personal e-mail, gkeimig@dteworld.com

It has been a pretty wild month. Lots of cold and we are going to have a white Christmas. Dec. 12 and 13 I was in Torrington for the Annual 2-Shot Goose Hunt. It is a great time to be had for all and one of my favorite shows to do. I have always sold well there and have won several Purchase Awards over the years but never the top purchase award. Sales were terrible through most of the show until the last night banquet when awards were handed out. I finally did it. I won the top purchase award. That kinda got the ball rolling. Will never understand how that happens but after winning an award it seems like your work is sudddenly in demand. Oh well. I'll go along with it. By nights end I had sold 2 major paintings and another midsize watercolor.
The show always has a quick draw on opening night and I along with my gallery pardner Tom Lucas, took top earnings with our respective 45 minute paintings. This photo is of me discussing my piece depicting a grove of sun struck Aspens to a potential bidder shortly after completing the Gouache watercolor painting.
The Banquet night also sports an auction of art that each artist is required to submit. We do receive 50% of the proceeds fromn that auction and again both Tom and I tied for top money. That all makes for a great show and again a great time. They sure treat you good there and the food is worth going for even if an artist never sold a thing.
We did pack out in a raging blizzard and half of the trip back home was not fun.
On the 14th I went into the Lander hospital for a hernia surgery and am just now getting back to some semblance of normal. All I can say about recuperating is it is very boring. Once this thing heals up pretty well I am looking at my last surgery from Cancer complications in Denver probably 2 months from now. It has been a long 3 1/2 years but the end is in sight.

Another opportunity for deer pictures included these nicely posed does. The lighting was perfect and they posed beautifully

This morning I went back up to Torrey Creek, home of the largest Bighorn Sheep herd in the world. I spotted a number of them high on a ridge well out of my time frame for reaching them this day. It is -9 degrees so pretty brisk temperature wise. The slopes of Whiskey Mountain are also full of Elk slowly retreating towards the timber to spend a day resting after grazing the cold slopes all night. There are many deer out and I spend a good portion of the early morning photographing them including this nice buck skylined against a cloudless blue sky. A little different from yesterday that found us with falling temperatures and nearly 5" of snow.

It was a very windy day and a high overcast sky lent itself to being almost dismal except for the sheep and many deer. Was surprised that I did not find any Bucks but probably 100 does and fawns scattered throughout the area.

This is the spetacular season when the Bighorn Rams battle and vie for position in the Bighorn Sheep world. I spent the other morning watching some of the posturing and behavioral patterns of these beautiful critters. This was by far the largest and oldest Ram in the bunch and there was no fighting going on as it was no question as far as how 3 other small rams matched up. It was interesting and fun though to watch how they all interzacted with one another. They and 8 ewes and lambs were on a natural salt lick south of Dubois[this is the largest Bighorn Sheep herd in the world] I shot a large number of photos which will work great for future paintings. After I left several friends of mine were in the area and hiked up on the rim where they encountered a large number of sheep and watched a lone wolf. Early in the morning I found a Doe Mule deer carcass being worked on by natures garbage detail[Ravens and Magpies]I speculated on just what might have happened and a wolf kill is an entirely plausable explanation.??

This morning sunrise found me climbing up to a low pass between Bear Creek and the Wiggins Fork River seen in this shot coursing its way through pure wilderness. Under threatening skies all morning I traipsed this area along with a hike along Bear Creek itself. Fighting through old growth Spruce, Cottonwoods, Alders and Western Red Birch. But a great source of exercise. Great Grizzly country too.

Last sunday Vicki and I took off for the northern Teton National Park as well as the Lewis River area of southern Yellowstone. Doing a little research for upcoming paintings. The posted Lewis River Bull is one of the resuts of this excursion. This is the Lewis Falls from beside and above. It was a rather trecherous trail with snow and ice. But what a beautiful waterfall and what a beautiful river the Lewis River is.

This is another smaller painting I did from sketches done last winter. It is a scene from above Togwotee Lodge. It is a 8"x16" Acrylic painting on canvas.

This is another recently completed painting I have done. Torrey Creek is a 14"x18" Oil painting. If interested in this or any others contact me through Silversage @dteworld.com.

This 8"x10" Acrylic painting is another I have entered in the miniature show.

I have entered 5 paintings in an upcoming miniature show. One is the Oregon Grape that I have posted here earlier. Another is this gouache watercolor painting, Lewis River Bull. It is 6'x14.5"
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