Chisholm Trail Exhibit in Duncan, Oklahoma

I want to invite all of you in the Duncan, Oklahoma area to visit the "Artists on the Chisholm Trail" exhibit, March 7 through April 30,  featuring the work of seven artists living in states along or bordering the Old Chisholm Trail.  As the Trail went through both Kansas and Missouri, Iowa is considered a border state.   If you haven't visited the "Chisholm Trail Art" site, there is a link on the sidebar of this blog, or simply click here:  Chisholm Trail Art

I have four paintings in the exhibit. You may have seen them before, as all were posted previously,  but two have been reworked and all were rephotographed, so I thought I would share them again.

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Kicking Up Dust

Acrylic, 14 x 18

This is a painting of a spirited horse kicking up a little dust along the trail. According to the Urban Dictionary, the definition of “kicking up dust,” is  “to be, or to be about to be, causing chaos and/or trouble.”  I have known horses like that and a few people,as well. They tend to be those of an independent spirit, who don’t willingly comply,  and don’t always run with the crowd. They tend to color outside the lines and they are the ones who make life interesting.

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Eye of the Beholder

Acrylic, 10 x 8

A close up portrait of a horse. Look into his eyes and you will see the faithfulness of his spirit, his joy, pain, fear, and perhaps a just touch of resignation. This painting is meant as a tribute to horses, in gratitude for all their contributions. Throughout history the human race has depended upon their strength, loyalty, intelligence and spirit. Our country and our world would not be the same without them. This painting was originally named  Into the Light.

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Morning Has Broken

Oil, 11 x 14

Snow is a challenging subject for an artist, but it can also be one of the most rewarding.  Though it is white, it is never really just white, rather it reflects the colors of a changing sky and atmosphere . In this painting, I wanted to capture the stillness, serenity and sanctity of  the gentle dawn.  The painting was inspired by the words of the song.

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Who Has Seen the Wind?

Oil, 12 x 16

 Life along the Chisholm Trail was not easy for the horses; days were long, the work hard and the weather could be extreme. Yet, within even the best trained, hardest working horse is a wild, free spirit that can not be tamed by man. This painting is about the spirit and movement that is so typical of horses, and a tribute to their contribution to our lives.

Who Has Seen the Wind?
By Christina Rossetti

Who has seen the wind?
Neither I nor you:
But when the leaves hang trembling,
The wind is passing through.

Who has seen the wind?
Neither you nor I:
But when the trees bow down their heads,
The wind is passing by.