Fall is around the corner and we are already shifting gears to be ready for the upcoming shows. The summer whipped past in warp speed, boosted by delightful trips and enhanced with a new show and new people to meet.
Summer highlights: June found us enjoying Red River , New Mexico , Colorado , and Nebraska as we delivered art to galleries and collectors. One of the highlights of the trip happened at Chimney Rock, Nebraska where we visited the longhorn ranch of our good friend Judy Durnal. She is maintaining our herd of Texas Longhorns, which now consists of a grand total of 2! The newest addition arrived on our anniversary, the Fourth of July, and the little fellow has been dubbed “Firecracker”.
In August we exhibited in our first show in Michigan at the Bay Harbor Art Festival. Nestled on the shore of Lake Superior in the midst of the beautiful North Woods, it was the perfect escape from the infamous Texas heat. The show attendees we super and we look forward to returning to that beautiful region.
An extension of the Michigan trip gave us the opportunity to visit Dick and Jackie Stockmar at the Michigan Sanctuary, a legendary reserve for whitetail deer. There they gave me time to observe magnificent whitetails in their own environment as I gathered reference for my newest work, a whitetail buck. It was an extra jolt of inspiration to pour into “American Classic” as I see him emerging from the paper on my drawing table.
Riding the range with Rachin’ Rosie
Events Coming Up: (Click on UPCOMING SHOWS for details)
Our first appearance this fall will be at the Dallas Cowboys Kickoff Luncheon. This is a benefit for their “Courage House” at Happy Hill Farm School/Academy. It is an honor and inspiration to participate in this event to fund an outstanding institution dedicated to helping children overcome some of life’s most difficult situations. It certainly makes me feel like I have so many blessings and so much more I need to be doing to give back to others.
Then we head to Philadelphia , PA for the American Zoological Association of Docents (AZAD) on September 8-11. This annual convention is hosted by a different zoo every year and provides special behind-the-scenes opportunities for its attendees. It is always stimulating to be among these committed docents as they share their knowledge and experiences. Without their efforts our nation’s zoos would not be in the forefront of preserving the earth’s endangered species for all to enjoy.
I am excited about returning to the Washington , D.C. area after being away for so many years. There will be a special showing of my work at the Embassy Suites Old Town (details below) in Old Town Alexandria, VA. Joining me will be sculptors Gwen Lockhart and Francesca DiLorenzo with their works in both clay and bronze. After the adventure of our safari together to Tanzania we needed to carry it one step further and combine our talents for this distinctive exhibit.
New Works: Newly released and appearing for the first time at the fall shows will be “Pass In Review” and “Legends In Training”. Inspired by my Tanzanian safari, “Pass In Review” captures a scene after the rains have begun. The flashy Ground Hornbills are relishing the feast of newly emerging frogs disturbed by the movement of the herds of Zebra through the grasses. The Zebras, in turn, seem to be entertained by the gleeful gorging of the family of birds following them.
The newest addition to my “Legends” series of Longhorns is finally available in print. The Longhorn calves in “Legends In Training” have certainly taken their time appearing out of the dust from concept to completion. It captures the abandon and turmoil of youth as the dust swirls about them. A field full of frolicking calves is bound to make anybody smile, that is, anyone but the single Longhorn cow left with the task of being the ‘Nanny”. Stay tuned for some exciting news about this piece.