Yellowstone BioBlitz

Friends of ours have helped to organize a Yellowstone BioBlitz - which is today and tomorrow. Should be very interesting. The public event will be Saturday from noon to 3pm in front of the Mammoth Visitors Center where they'll display some of their findings. Check out the article in the Billings Gazette Newspaper... http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/wyoming/article_30a50072-91cd-11de-91df-001cc4c002e0.html

Trail To The Summit 13"x15" Oil

After The Downpour 10"x20" Oil

Earlier this month I participated in Plein Air On The Yellowstone, a painting event sponsored by the Livingston Center for Art and Culture. These are a couple paintings I completed during the week that will also be on display during the Art Walk this Friday night Aug. 28th through Sept. 5th.

Trail To The Summit is a scene just a couple miles up the road from us. I always look at this view, intrigued by the patterns and shapes. I painted it in the early morning with soft light.

After The Downpour was more of a 'hard won' painting. I was with some friends in Livingston Park painting, when a storm came through. Large hail made us run for cover! But after it was all over the puddles HAD to be painted!

Food and art

The current show at the Livingston Center for Art and Culture is Whet Your Appetite - their 'food' show. I have several paintings in the Show. I 'mix it up' and paint many subjects other than my usual landscapes and wildlife. Keeps it interesting and keeps me learning. The reception is this Friday evening Aug. 28th during the Livingston Art Walk. Should be a good time with good food - both on the wall and on the table! Stop by if you're in the area. It's on Main Street in Livingston Montana (http://www.livingstoncenter.org/) Here's a preview of my 'food paintings'....

The Pits 6"x8" Oil


A Slice Of Life 6"x8" Oil

Valentine's Day 12"x9" Oil

Afternoon Tea 9"x12" Oil

Mom's Cookbook 12"x16" Oil

Northwest Rendezvous Show

Over the weekend we attended the 31st annual Northwest Rendezvous Show in Helena, Montana. We saw some really nice work by a great group of artists. Saturday morning was the paint out, auction and brunch which we really enjoyed. It's held at the Sieben Ranch - a beautiful setting for the event. It makes for a good 'art fix' weekend. You can check it out at www.westrendart.org

Plein Air Painting Season

Morning Glory by Shirl Ireland 6"x12" Plein Air Oil

Summer to me is plein air painting time. (Well, I paint outside year round, but this is CERTAINLY the season when it's most comfortable!) So in the summer, I just about wear myself out trying to 'fit it all in'. You'll find me outside painting every morning at dawn. (Friends have heard my mantra - "Sleep is for sissies".) Living at the edge of Yellowstone, there isn't a better way to start the day than a painting at sunrise. This is one of my pieces from a morning this summer that is now in the collection of First Interstate Bank in Livingston, Montana.