Basin Trail

Basin Trail

12x9 Oil

©2011 Deb Kirkeeide.

We followed this little one lane trail - way beyond the view you see here - and then drove halfway back. Along the way we stopped at the ranger station to ask where the trail led. Our fine cowboy ranger gave us some good information but we lost him during the debate to travel further or to just pick a spot before the light went flat. He said we lost him on that discussion and headed back to his cabin. (darn!)

We opted to paint and explore later. I love this view and the resulting painting. It was very inviting.

We did get a little nervous and wondered if we might have to head to the cars upon listening to some  very vocal cows and a very distressed donkey off in the distance.  I can be perfectly comfortable moving around the city but out there I was always looking over my shoulder for bear. Though towards the end of the week I was starting to feel a little more comfortable.

SOLD

Thanks for visiting!

Morning on the Creek

Morning on the Creek

9x12 oil

©2011 Deb Kirkeeide

I'm back from Wyoming where I spent some time painting at the 7D Ranch in Cody. This is the third time  I've been there and it's always a great time. Our band of merry artists was smaller this time but it's always a treat to spend time with this group as we've formed a special bond over the years.

The weather was perfect, as was the scenery. Pretty much every waking hour was spent outdoors. I just couldn't seem to soak up enough of the peaceful beauty of this area. No bears this year, though there were plenty of bear attack stories told around the fire. (thanks, John!) The extent of wildlife was limited to the mouse in my cabin and the cows from the neighboring ranch. They broke out and hung out around the cabins for a while until the cowboys showed up to wrangle them home.

This was the first painting of the trip. Standing on the bridge overlooking the creek, the morning started out calm but soon the wind picked up and I had to finish quickly while holding down my easel.

More to come!