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Blue Skies

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The weather has been so nice the past few days.  All of the backyard animals and birds are enjoying it.  Classic summer weather — breezy and sunny.  I think about how nice it would be to be a plein aire painter on days like this. :)

I have been going through some of our recent photoshoot references — picking out some subjects and habitats to paint.  I am planning to begin sketching a few of them at the end of this week, or perhaps early next week.

I am nearly finished with my Lynx miniature painting (5×7) I began in the car on route to Jackson Hole, Wyoming (last week).  I will try to post a photo of it tomorrow.

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." — Mahatma Gandhi

Fox Painting

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fox4ronsinvitations.jpgI’m just about finished with the 16×20 fox painting (shown left).  :)  It was requested by my wildlife gallery out in Frenchtown, New Jersey — Decoys & Wildlife.  They are planning to use it for their September "Show and Shoot" invitations (it will also be in the show).  I’m very honored to be chosen as this year’s artist to represent the gallery for the event.

I really liked painting this piece — despite the deadline.  The rich autumn colors of my palette were very exciting to work with.   I had never painted a fox in this large of a painting before.

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." — John Quincy Adams

Wildlife Inspiration

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Rebecca and a young friend (red fox kit)What an awesome experience!  I have so many great new references to work from!!  I was even stalked by a large male cougar, which in itself was a bit disturbing, but was also exciting to witness such behaviour first hand.  :)  (Many safety precautions were being observed and I was in no danger of actually being attacked). 

As you can see in the photo, there were also some new arrivals to study as well!!  This is truly the inspiration I use to paint.  All of these creatures are amazing and precious.  I see so many magical elements in them and their environment — I try to reflect that in my work.  I am so fortunate to be able to do what I do and experience so many wonderful things like this in the process.  (Not to mention all of the extraordinary people I’ve known & met along the way, my family included.  I would not be the painter or person I am today or have the opportunities I have without all of you.  You mean the world to me! :) )

I hope to start some new paintings from these references to include in my family’s exhibition this August and/or the "Fall Roundup" this September at Galleries West Fine Art in Jackson Hole, Wyoming (www.gallerieswestjacksonhole.com).

"If you see a friend without a smile; give him one of yours." — Proverb

New Reference Photoshoot

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I am so excited!!! :)  We will be shooting some new reference photos early tomorrow.  I love seeing animals face to face!  It seems magical to observe them in motion — they take my breath away! :)

We also had a get together with some wildlife/art friends this evening.  I had such a nice time! :)  It was also nice to have a short break from my easel.

"I would much rather have regrets about not doing what people said, than regretting not doing what my heart led me to and wondering what life had been like if I’d just been myself." — Brittany Renée

Bennington Center for the Arts

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Hyacinth Macaw Miniature Painting by Rebecca Latham -- on exhibit at the Bennington Center for the Arts AAKX exhibition Show catalogs for the tenth annual "Art of the Animal Kingdom" at the Bennington Center for the Arts (www.benningtoncenterforthearts.org) in Bennington, Vermont have just been released.  I think they look very nice (please contact the Arts Center if you would like a copy).  I have a 5×5 inch Hyacinth Macaw miniature painting in this year’s exhibition.  :)

The artist juror for the AAK X show was Dan Smith — A very talented artist and excellent instructor (and a great person).  I’ve studied with him about three times at the Beartooth School of Art in Montana (www.beartoothschool.com).

Please visit the exhibition if you happen to be in Bennington!

"You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club." — Jack London

more blogs

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Here is the address of my Mom’s blog

http://www.lathamstudios.com/karensblog/blog/

Back in the Studio

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I’ve had so much fun on our trip, but I suppose I need to get back to my easel.  Today I am starting to finish up on a few requested pieces.  I feel like starting a lot of new paintings, which is good, because I will need a lot of new pieces for our next show (in Jackson Hole).

"Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be." — Karen Ravn

Working on the Way

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Lynx miniature painting painted in the car

Wolf miniature painting painted in the car

 

 

 

 

 

 

More long hours of traveling on the roads today.  Two of my miniatures that I’ve been working on in the car this trip are coming along fairly well I think (pictured above).  I should be able to finish them quickly in the studio.  I also started the color phase of a miniature fawn painting — it looks like a color sketch right now.  I will post it when I get a little further on the painting. :)

I’m already missing Jackson Hole & the parks.  Minnesota is a very beautiful place, but the terrain is very different.  I will have to start some paintings from all of the references I just gathered.

Photoshoots & Observations for Painting

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Photoshoot in Yellowstone National Park

Today began with an early morning photoshoot/hike in the Grand Teton National Park.  The weather was perfect!  — a little chilly earlier in the day, but well worth the shivers.  There were so many beautiful wildflowers!!! :)  We also did some extensive work in Yellowstone National Park with several types of habitats.  I was also able to gather some reference for several animal species I have been eager to paint for quite a while.  We spotted so many black-tailed deer and pronghorn — many of them with young (some of them twins!).  I am thrilled with all of these new references and already have plans for many of them!!

"Love is like wildflowers; It’s often found in the most unlikely places." — Anonymous
 

Grand Teton National Park Research

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A field sketch from Rebecca's recent painting research visit to the Grand Teton National Park.I am doing some painting research in the Grand Teton National Park tonight & tomorrow.  After spending so many long hours painting in the studio & on the road, it is very relaxing & inspirational to do some fieldwork — especially in such a beautiful area.  This part of the trip is no doubt my favorite.  I love being able to get out into the wilderness and actually witness habitats and animal behaviors.  All of the recent rains in the area seems to have made the wildflowers more abundant.  I look forward to painting some of them!! :)

In our travels today, we saw a few bull moose in velvet as well as several other animals.  I’ve made a number of field sketches – one of them is posted on the left.  I wish I had a little extra time to paint some color studies or plein air paintings in the park, but unfortunately I will be unable to during this trip because of time restraints.  Perhaps I will be able to make a few of them during my next trip out west. :)