Night at Norris

Over the weekend, we visited Norris Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park - at night. The moon was close to full and made for a very surreal experience...gurgling water, steam venting out of the ground and geysers erupting. Too bad I can't add the sounds effects into these photos.

It's not too late. Tonight is the true full moon - the Harvest Moon. So if you can make it to Yellowstone, go for a geyser night walk.

Horse Dentistry Kit - painted in oils, really!



Horse Dentristy Kit  16" x 20"  oil  by Shirl Ireland

From the collection of the Yellowstone Heritage and Research Center....
In their archives is a horse dentistry kit. A very interesting still life - with a very interesting 'Yellowstone past'!



Now, you can say you've seen a horse dentistry kit painted in oils. 

And while you're here - some of my 'wildlife shots' from around Yellowstone lately....

You can feel it (even though I'm sitting here in T-shirt and shorts and the temps have been really warm for this time of year). Fall IS coming. It's a great time for wildlife photography in Yellowstone, so you'll be seeing more. And of course, it also inspires my wildlife painting, which I'll keep you posted on, too. 

Mule Deer



Big Horn Sheep in the Gardiner Canyon



Big Horn Sheep - close up



You haven't missed it - yet.

It's the final hours of Studio Tour weekend. If you didn't get to stop by, I thought I'd post some photos of our Gallery today for your 'virtual tour'...or come by QUICK!

If you did make it in person - thank you so much for joining in and supporting the Arts in Montana. We appreciate it!

Our gallery this weekend showcasing our furniture, lighting, sculpture and painting. We designed and built the building too. Yes, it was all made with our 4 hands (John's and Shirl's).

We also have smaller items like notecards, my Beauty Of Yellowstone book, bookmarks, small lamps, etc. out on the buffet. For browsing (the old-fashioned way) we have our portfolio for you to page through.... a selection of photos from our past commissions over the last 16 or so years.
If you're taking the virtual tour, browse our web site -  Elk River Art .

Also here on the buffet, you can sign our guest book -  if you're taking the 'virtual tour', send me an email at shirl@shirlireland.com.



My Yellowstone Heritage and Research Center wall of paintings. All still life artifacts are part of their collection and part of the vast and varied history of Yellowstone. A fascinating way to experience Yellowstone in a different way!  



And the view out the window of the Gallery of Yellowstone National Park over the Yellowstone River isn't bad either.



This photo I didn't take today - but the above photo I took of the gallery interior didn't show the view out the window. So I thought I'd add a 'view photo' so you get the full experience.

Hope you enjoyed your gallery tour - whether it was in person or virtual. 

It's TONIGHT!

A reminder that the Livingston Art Walk is TONIGHT from 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm. John and I will have work in 2 places on Main Street in Livingston Montana.....

You can see our work at the Danforth Gallery where they're hosting the opening reception for Studio Tour weekend that we're participating in this Saturday and Sunday.

I'll also have work at the Livingston Art Center. Plein Air On The Yellowstone - Wet Paint Exhibit will be their featured exhibition during the Art Walk. I was awarded 1st Place and Purchase Award (!!), so stop by and see the Show in person.

We'll be traveling between the 2 Shows - luckily, Livingston is a small town - so you'll be able to catch up with us somewhere on Main Street in Livingston, Montana tonight!

Yellowstone Squared

Oh, I've been having fun with my Yellowstone Squared project this week. Some computer issues (that have been resolved!) kept me from posting them as I went. So here's a quick catch up on some of my painting spots from the week....



My easel set up at Lower Falls Lookout

 I timed this one perfect. I got there before the sun came up and painted frantically as it just hit the top of the falls. Gorgeous colors there! By the time the light was to the bottom of the falls, I was done.


Lower Falls Lookout  6" x 6"  plein air  oil  by Shirl Ireland



Confluence - Soda Butte and Lamar  6" x 6"  plein air  oil  by Shirl Ireland


I painted this from an overlook up a VERY steep hill - feels even steeper when I'm lugging my easel up it. But, man, it was worth it! Cranes were calling and bison were grunting....

A large bison herd was wandering through.... Great sound effects while I was painting!

  One of the grand geysers of Yellowstone. It's hour long eruption has several phases. A spot I love to be at, as the sun comes up....


Great Fountain Geyser  6" x 6"  plein air  oil  by Shirl Ireland



Straight from the horses mouth

My subject in the collection of the Yellowstone Heritage and Research Center....

Any ideas???

A few more hints...

Have you guessed it yet??

A horse dentistry kit!

I have it blocked in and should have the finished painting done in the next week or two. I'll post my results so you will be able to say you've seen a horse dentistry kit painted in oils...just in case anyone ever asks.



I won 1st Place!...

AND the Purchase Award!!

The juror was Howard Friedland - a signature member of Oil Painters Of America and also a board member of Oil Painters of America. I respect him as a painter, so I was THRILLED that my piece was awarded 1st Place - and won an additional award to boot!

Hope On The Horizon  9" x 9"  Plein Air  Oil  by Shirl Ireland  -  SOLD

This is the piece that won 1st Place at the Plein Air On The Yellowstone event sponsored by the Livingston Center for Art and Culture. It was painted one VERY early morning this week, at the southern end of Paradise Valley.


Old Livingston  9" x 9"  Plein Air  Oil  by Shirl Ireland

This was a really fun (and challenging!) piece to plein air paint. I loved the colors and the light on the buildings. I was actually turning around to go back and paint a scene I had just driven by, when this one 'stopped me in my tracks'. I've said it before - I do like painting architecture and really enjoy the drawing component of it - so this was a real joy! LOTS of perspective and angles to get right, along with the shadows and light. I know....boy do I know how to have fun.

Breakfast In Cooke  6" x 6"  Plein Air  Oil  by Shirl Ireland

A little piece I did over by the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone National Park - yes, that's in Park County Montana too. (It's a BIG county.)

Kohlrabi On Stage  10" x 10"  Plein Air  Oil  by Shirl Ireland

This is a different piece to be part of a plein air event - you usually don't expect vegetables! But, you know, I do like to keep you on your toes.

As part of Plein Air On The Yellowstone, a Quick Draw was planned at the Livingston Farmer's Market. So off I went in search of a 'spur of the moment' painting - these kohlrabi caught my eye immediately. And the bandstand stage in the middle of the Park was the perfect backdrop for them. (I made the newspaper - the Livingston Enterprise - painting it!)

When I first started painting, it looked like rain. I thought it would be interesting to paint them wet with water drips. But as 'the Livingston weather turns', the wind kicked up for a moment and then the clouds shifted and the sun came out. So my painting changed from Kohlrabi In The Rain to Kohlrabi On Stage.

The Plein Air On The Yellowstone exhibit is particularly interesting to view in person. All the artists are given the same assignment at the beginning of the week...paint outside in Park County and return at the end of the week with 3 wet paintings. Oh, what a variety that assignment brings! The exhibit has been extended through the beginning of September. They wanted to have the pieces hung for the Livingston Art Walk at the end of this month. If you have a chance to stop by, please do!

The Livingston Art Walk is Friday evening August 26. I'll have these pieces exhibited at the Livingston Center and John and I will both have pieces exhibited at the Danforth Gallery in Livingston that night as well. Art Walks in Livingston always get a big crowd and are lots of fun, so plan to 'come on out' if you can.