"Miles Ridden"  (12 x 16) is the latest painting to come off the Budan easel.  Painting a pile of used horseshoes has been percolating around in my mind for some time.  I am one of those girls that was always crazy about horses.  I read every horsebook in the library as a young girl and owned my first horse when I got married.  My husband and I bred Holsteiner horses, a German Warmblood breed, for a number of years and I showed at a national level in dressage.  Although I haven't ridden a horse for some time now, I have very warm memories of those years.   I have been trying to find a pile of old horsehoes to take a picture of for use as a reference photo.  I have asked some of my friends that have horses....but for some strange reason they do not seem to have the habit of saving the used shoes in a nice pile.  I was going to start calling farriers as my next step.  Then a couple of weeks ago I made a trip into Cave Creek looking for ristras.  Ristras are those bundles of red chile  peppers and are another painting topic percolating around in my head.  I remembered a shop in Cave Creek having ristras hanging in a row.  I arrived to find the ristras had all been sold, but as I wandered around I found a couple of buckets of used horseshoes!  Needless to say I was happy to find these beat up and rusted painting subjects.  Although challenging, I had a great time with all the rust and oxidation.  I have another larger piece I plan to do with horseshoes.....but I think I  need a break from the horseshoes before tackling the larger piece I have planned.    Stay tuned!

Last Thursday was my first artwalk as an artist in the Amery Bohling Fine Art Gallery.  It just so happened that it was the annual Summer Spectacular Artwalk and despite the temps over 100 degrees the sidewalks and galleries were teeming with people.  There was a constant stream of people coming through the gallery including a number of my friends coming to celebrate my new gallery representation.  The two hours flew by with great conversation and laughter.  I am very much looking forward to the weekly artwalks during the late fall though spring which is the high season for Scottsdale.  My friend and fellow artist, Cat Corcillius,  took this photo of me near some of my paintings hung in the gallery.  It was a great night!

I am excited to announce that I am now represented by Amery Bohling Fine Art Gallery in Scottsdale, AZ.  The gallery is in a wonderful location on Main Street in Old Scottsdale and is part of the weekly Thursday night art walk.  Amery is an award winning oil painter who opened the gallery earlier this year.  I feel very privileged to be a part of this new gallery.   I am hoping you will have an opportunity to visit the gallery and  there is no better opportunity than this coming Thursday, July 7th, as it is the Summer Spectacular Artwalk from 7 to 9 PM.   As the Scottsdale Galleries website states:

       "One of the Valley’s most surprising events always draws hundreds to the “coolness” of the Scottsdale Arts District. The 22nd annual         Summer Spectacular ArtWalk is sure to provide another great midsummer’s entertainment this year on Thurs., July 7 from 7 to 9

        pm. This popular event is presented by the Scottsdale Gallery Association and Scottsdale Downtown and is sponsored in part by

        China Mist Iced Teas.
        ArtWalkers can “chill out” along Main Street and Marshall Way where dozens of fine art galleries will be busy with artist

        demonstrations, exhibit openings, special receptions, wine tastings, live music, delicious samples from great restaurants, and more.

        There’s plenty of nearby free parking, and easy access to local hotels or famed Scottsdale eateries.
        The Scottsdale Arts District can be found just west of Scottsdale Rd. along Main Street and on Marshall Way north of Indian School

        Road to Fifth Avenue. For more information about the 22nd annual celebration, visit www.scottsdalegalleries.com. Come on out to the

        Summer Spectacular ArtWalk for one of the “coolest” events of the summer!"

I will be at the gallery for the Summer Spectacular Artwalk and would love to have you join me as I experience my first Scottsdale Art Walk as a gallery artist!  The Amery Bohling Fine Art Gallery is at 7038 E. Main St., Scottsdale, AZ  85251.  The gallery is at the west end of Main St. next door to Bonner David Gallery and across the street from Xanadu Gallery.  I hope to see you there!