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New Video – YouTube Painting Video

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This is a new video of “Sunrise – Screech Owl” that was just published on YouTube.  (Let me know what you think in the comments :) )

The painting is available through Whistle Pik Galleries in Texas

 

Also, I would like to invite you to join the Collector’s List.

To tell you a little about it…  The Collector’s List is for individuals that would like to receive special emails and notices from my studio.  I really appreciate all of the support that I have from collectors, supporters, and those who consider themselves to be ‘fans’.  Members of the Collector’s List receive special invitations and get notices before it is made available to the rest of the public.

Most of all, the Collector’s List gives me the opportunity to connect with all of you directly.   I welcome responses, your thoughts and ideas.  

Sign up to join the Collector’s List today!  (It’s ok if you don’t own a painting or print – it’s not required to join. ;) )  

-Your email will NEVER be given away or sold – I hate spam as much as you do.-

Snow Leopard – Small Miniature

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This is a small snow leopard painting that I recently finished – watercolor on ivorine.  The head of the cat is just about 2 inches height/width.  Being one of the smaller miniatures, it didn’t spend a lot of extra time on my easel, just a few days – one thing that I do like about painting the smaller ones. ;)

I’ve been wanting to paint another big cat, a snow leopard inparticular, for some time – I think it’s been about a year since I painted one.  I love big cats and the intense expressions that they have.  It’s such a challenge to capture their look in a painting.  Snow leopards are so beautiful with all of the soft grays in their fur that contrast with the crisp black spotting – very fun to paint. :D

Being that these beautiful cats are an endangered species, it makes painting them a little more special.  The Snow Leopard Trust has done a lot to help these cats through donations and volunteers – http://www.snowleopard.org/

(Click on the images to see a larger image of the cat painting in a new window)  This painting is currently available.

Timberwolf Painting – The Starting Point

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This is the beginnings of a wolf piece – the sepia stage (My favorite part….where the essence of the piece is painted in crisp watercolor).  The painting is one of my larger miniatures at 24″ x 36″ – so adding all of the texture to the animal, covering the large space, can take a bit more time.  I do love having so much space to work with… :D

The painting has progressed since these photos were taken and is now on my easel in the color phase and nearly completed (with a number of small adjustments still on my to-do list ;) ).  I will have some newer snapshots of the wolf in it’s current painting-stage to post soon.

This painting will be showing at Galleries West in Jackson Hole when it is completed – www.gallerieswestjacksonhole.com.

Note – Click on either image of the painting to see a larger image of the artwork.

Federal Duck Stamp – Home State Celebration

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Joe Hautman giving a speech at the 2008 Federal Duck Stamp Homestate Celebration in Owatonna, MN.

Joe Hautman speaking at the Federal Duck Stamp home state celebration in Owatonna, MN.

My family and I were invited to Joe Hautman’s home state celebration recently in Owatonna, MN for the 2008 Federal Duck Stamp – working with some of the organization committee with the art events and children’s area.  Joe is working on a project with the University of Saint Thomas to create a Minnesota Wildlife Art Museum to highlight Minnesota artists and what they do to bring issues of conservation to light.  In the past has helped restore wetlands in MN through conservation groups also.

I was asked to paint on location for the event, so I started a new piece the night before for the occasion…being that this event was held outdoors, I was a little concerned that the weather might not cooperate.  So, to prevent possible damage from an unpredicted rain storm, or whatever else nature might bring, I chose to start a new painting instead of bringing an existing work-in-progress.  (I actually, started blocking in the piece around 4am that morning…  More sleep dep… :/ lol! )  The cougar I’m working on is 20×24.  I will post a more complete image of the painting for you soon. :D

A number of representatives of the media came through the event, including Kent Herbeck Outdoors television, to film, shoot photos, and interview.

Exotic Brilliance – Blue and Gold Macaw

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I love painting parrots...and being able to get to see them and watch their personalities. You may already know, most of the time I tend to paint native North American wildlife - but I do break away occasionally to paint the intense colors as in this Blue and Gold Macaw. This painting sat on my easel for a while to be sure the sheen of soft light and varied feather color came out correctly to reflect the softness. It also has a great amount of detail work in all of the feathers and the other areas of texture - very fun to paint. The miniature painting is 9x12 and painted in watercolor on board. :D Enjoy! - Thanks for dropping by!

 

This is a painting I completed earlier this year that recently arrived for exhibit at Whistle Pik Galleries in Texas.  (I just realized that the painting hadn’t been posted on the blog yet :/ …oops. )

I love painting parrots…and being able to get to see them and watch their personalities.  You may already know, most of the time I tend to paint native North American wildlife – but I do break away occasionally to paint the intense colors as in this Blue and Gold Macaw.   This painting sat on my easel for a while to be sure the sheen of soft light and varied feather color came out correctly to reflect the softness.  It also has a great amount of detail work in all of the feathers and the other areas of texture – very fun to paint.  The miniature painting is 9×12 and painted in watercolor on board. :D  Enjoy! – Thanks for dropping by!

Powwow Dances

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Amazing day – I went to the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Powwow. Hundreds of beautiful bustles and jingle dresses for the dancing competitions – tribes beating the large drums together and singing for the vocal competitions.

Everything was very impressive. :D (I didn’t, however, get the chance to go to the food booths and check out the fried flat bread and Indian tacos…I heard they were good. But I can’t complain – the dinner I had was superb. :) )

As I mentioned earlier here on the blog, I have some Native American heritage. Years ago my Mom was a part of a tribe and danced in the powwow. One of my artist friends, who is Apache, has been helpful and aided my interests as well.

I had so much fun…I think I will have to see another one soon. :D

Defensive – Timberwolf in Miniature

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I finished this wolf painting, "Defensive", not too long ago - it's a 9"x12" miniature piece that you may have seen 'in progress' here on the blog earlier.

I finished this wolf painting, "Defensive", not too long ago – it’s a 9"x12" miniature piece that you may have seen ‘in progress’ here on the blog earlier.

 

I know that many of these web images online just don't show the detail of the watercolors - so for this one, I posted a larger image crop. I just love painting fur like this, especially the textures and blends of color.

 

I know that many of these web images online just don’t show the detail of the watercolors – so for this one, I posted a larger image crop. I just love painting fur like this, especially the textures and blends of color.

The painting debuted at Galleries West in Jackson, Wyoming and is now in a private collection.

Bald Eagle Miniature

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This piece (about 4" x 6") is a little different than some of my other work, and I thought that some of my visitors might like to see it. 

As you can see, it has a splashy, looser backdrop with the tight detail of the face of the eagle.  (the fluidness of the background brought me back to my early watercolor days. :) )  The painting is more of a study than anything, but I really enjoyed the abstract quality of the blues behind and working the tight detail on the face of the bird.    (…and, yes…it’s still classic miniature because of it’s tight refined detail in the focal point. :D)

The original is a part of a private collection, prints are available.

Leopard in the Grass – Miniature on Ivorine

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This is a recent painting of a leopard on Ivorine. This miniature is very small (shown much larger than actual size). The original painting is sold.

I was able to get up close to this cat to study him. He is a part of a sanctuary for big cats that takes in these beautiful animals that have been a part of the fur trade, illegal animal trafficking, abused, or just overgrown exotic pets that can’t be cared for by their owners any longer. He was just amazing (and a little bit feisty! ;) ) – that experience of being able to get up close to him will inspire my work for a long time. :D

Hadley House Companies

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I am pleased to post that my family and I have just signed with the Hadley Companies. :D

Hadley Licensing is now our exclusive agent of our artwork on all commercial products, representing hundreds of images that are available. With 30+ years in the business, they are one of the leading licensing agents in the USA & Canada.

We are very pleased to have been approached by Hadley for representation. There are already a number of projects in the works – I will let everyone in on the details as soon as I can. :D ….but very happy that our art images are now more widely available to those who enjoy our artwork. :D