I want your opinion.

The Story Teller - Concho
Work in progress in my studio.

Work in progress in my studio.

 This is one of my Indian busts I have been working on. I know that many people say that art should tell a story. I decided to call this piece The Story Teller - Concho. In the past the Indians of the Southwest had an oral tradition of passing down their stories and history. They also left beautiful petroglyphs and pictographs on the walls of canyons, caves and rock formations. These also were a form of communication.

The front of the base.

   I was trying to decide what kind of structure to place my bust on that will attach to the granite when it is cast. I decided ( I think) to create kind of an organic rock like base covered with the designs taken from the rock art of the Southwest. So this is my question. What do you think? Does it work for you? As artists I would like to hear what you think.

Side view of base.

Back of the base with my signature.

Side view of the base.

The Stars and Stripes

   Happy Fourth of July today. I got up early and worked in my gardens, picked some fruits and vegetables, had a visit from some Jehovah's witnesses traveling through my neighborhood, and played with my dogs.

Today's Harvest
Squash, peppers, tomatoes, peaches, okra, a cucumber, and three miniature oranges

   Soon I'll be going out to lunch and then out to paint with my friend Kent Brewer. I hope you all have a Happy Fourth and see lots of beautiful fireworks.
    Doug

Scout in the backyard.

Morning in the Gardens

Morning in the Gardens
4 x 6
oil on canvas

I painted in the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens this morning. It was a really nice morning, not too windy or too cool. My friend Joyce painted also and got a very nice painting.

Southwest Garden

Southwest Garden
8 x 10
oil on canvas
$150

I started this painting about two weeks ago in the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens. It was a great day for painting out. My friends Olivette Hubler, Linda Reedy, Cecelia Robertson, and Cece Turner painted also. We had lunch at the Gardens Restaurant and then I invited them over for dessert afterwards. I was not finished with this painting so I worked on it a bit more yesterday and did the last work on it today. I'm pretty pleased with it now.

Mesquite Trees

Mesquite Trees
8 x 10
oil on canvas
SOLD

This was my third painting of the day. Mesquites are not terribly well thought of in Texas, especially on ranches.They are thorny, don't produce much shade, and can take over a place. I don't think they are anyone's favorite tree. However they are nice to paint in the spring with their lacy pale green foliage.

Historic Stock Yards #5

Historic Stock Yards #5
8 x 10
oil on canvas

I had a chance to go back to the stock yards to paint on Sunday with a group of very gifted artists. It was a beautiful day for being outdoors painting, especially after all of our snow and ice. We had a small group this time, Cecelia Robertson, Cecy Turner, and Leslie Talty but they produced some very nice paintings. I decided to paint a portion of the old  Fort Worth Livestock Exchange. This is one of my favorite buildings in the city. I love the arches and red tile roof. It trully reflects the southwestern culture of Fort Worth.

Old Hopi Kachina

                                                                  Old Hopi Kachina
                                                                        5 x 7
I actually started a new painting today rather than  finishing up one that was already started, not that I don't have plenty that still need finishing. This kachina was a birthday present. The colors are faded and one of the feet is damaged but he has a lot of character and I had a lot of fun painting him. I really enjoy the southwestern states of New Mexico and Arizona and I especially like the art work of the Native American tribes of the region.