Pastel on sanded paper 7″x5″
 “Some people grumble that roses have thorns; I am grateful that thorns have roses.”

― Alphonse Karr, A Tour Round My Garden

 
6″x6″ oil on panel

“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.”

-Heraclitus

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10″x8″ oil on panel

Ghost House, Ghost Ranch, NM

If only these walls could talk… 

10″x8″ oil on panel

Heading west, and enjoying the landscape change.  Nothing but horizon as far as the eye can see on the Texas – New Mexico border.  I love it when you can spy a summer rain falling in the distance.

8 feet x 5 feet acrylic on plaster

  
I spent the earlier part of this week painting a couple of murals at a Texas vinyard.  The first is in the wine cellar.  The second, over the bath tub.  

 In addition to getting to paint all day, I enjoyed great conversation, fantastic wildlife, and good wine. I got to spend time with my mom and one of her closest friends, a friendship that has lasted over 40 years. 

 I was inspired by a couple that live a life of joy and gratitude, who look for reasons to help and compliment each other.  The vinyard and wine making is not a commercial venture, but rather for the sheer pleasure and fun if it.  They use it as an oportunity to build community and family, inviting their closet friends and family to do the hard labor of harvesting 10,000 pounds of grapes, in the hottest part of Texas summer.  Then celebrating a day of hard work by sharing a good meal and glass of wine together.