The East Texas book cover is complete (insert exploding confetti) - looking forward to having a final copy in my hand.

The forest painting has been replaced with a canyon commission. And no big deal, a herd of bison is part of the composition. (JK, it’s totally a big deal cuz canyons and bison rule.) I’m working on a sheet of 3’x5’ canvas tacked to the studio wall so it can be rolled up for shipping. It’ll be stretched when it gets to its new home in Pennsylvania.

I wanted to work out the composition of the herd before beginning on the large painting so I used a painting that I thought was finished but come to find out it needed to acquire a bison stampede and to lose the owl and snake (the fox is still hidden in the canyon).

Painting over a “finished” work that didn’t quite feel 100% is a good experience. It’s the closest thing to reckless behavior in my life these days.

After building the altars (which are made of scrap wood from old projects), I wasn’t quite certain where these dudes were headed. Now I know and who would’ve guessed it’d be tassels and pompoms?

The next step is giving each one its unique story and title. I’ve been calling them Canyon Guides because I envision them existing as a group in some canyon spirit world. My current painting series depicts a canyon seen from afar, maybe upon entering the canyon, you’d meet these guys.

Unicorn Bull

Serpent Dog

Flying Polar Pig

Lolly Saves the Super Stuffies

The box was left unattended. It was time to launch the recovery mission. A garage sale folding table would not be their final resting place. One by one, the worn stuffies quietly climbed from the box onto the magic carpet hovering nearby.

Footsteps approached, a silhouette darkened the wall, and then a shriek - they had been discovered! But then….ZOOM! Up and out of sight they went with Lolly chauffeuring their magical getaway ride. This would only be the beginning of an incredible adventure.