Cris Fulton

“Sunbath” on a Grey Day in May

Cris Fulton — Tue, 21 May 2013 23:48:20 +0000

I looked through more garden catalogs today and ordered some lime green zinnias, marigolds, and hydrangea. That should add some zing to the gardens and yard! Later in the day, I added more finishing details to “Sunbath.” It is extremely close to completion, and will probably need just one or two more sessions before I call it done. Our rains have really made the sunflower seedlings grow, and I hope they all survive to become models for drawings!

“Sunbath” in Progress

“Sunwondrous” on a Rainy Day

Cris Fulton — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:17:20 +0000

Wow, the rain just keeps coming. There are lots of happy farmers, ranchers, and gardeners around these parts, I reckon! I scraped more paint off the patio, got some pavers for the garden, and worked on “Sunwondrous” today.

“Sunwondrous” in Progress

RAIN

Cris Fulton — Sun, 19 May 2013 16:37:38 +0000

It has been raining and raining and raining here, and we have desperately needed that to happen! It’s such a good sight and sound after a severe drought. I spent some time in the garden yesterday, weeding and planting and planning. It’s raining again today, so this will be a good time to wrap up my flower orders.

Sunflowers in the Studio on a Windy Day

Cris Fulton — Wed, 15 May 2013 03:02:07 +0000

The wind was howling on this day in middle May, so I took a chance to rest from yard and garden work, then worked on both “Sunwondrous” and “Sunbath.” They are very close to completion, now.

Sunbath

In Remembrance of Mothers

Cris Fulton — Mon, 13 May 2013 01:02:53 +0000

It’s been a bright, sunny day for remembering mothers around here, and I’ve thought of my mother quite often. She passed away several years ago, and this weekend has a bittersweet feeling to it, now. She loved using natural materials for fall and Christmas decorating, and one year she even used tumbleweeds! Here’s a photo of us out near the Burning Coal Vein in 1974, on a home decor gathering expedition.

Cris and Jan Fulton at the Burning Coal Vein, 1974.

Progress on “Sunwondrous”

Cris Fulton — Sat, 11 May 2013 14:51:36 +0000

My large sunflower drawings are nearing completion, and I just have to go over them and strengthen the color and add a few details here and there.

Sunwondrous 30×40″ Pastel Pencil Drawing

In the Great Grasslands of Dakota

Cris Fulton — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:09:26 +0000

As I make my photographic journeys through the great grasslands of North Dakota, I am drawn to certain familiar buttes and grassy slopes time and again. This is a landscape that I have photographed before, but the colors were more autumnal and more of the foreground was included in that version. It would be fun to get certain compositions in all the seasons.

Great Grasslands of Dakota

Grasslands & Badlands

Cris Fulton — Wed, 08 May 2013 00:11:41 +0000

How I love the combination of grassy hills and the weathered badlands and buttes of southwestern North Dakota. This is a view from Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Dakota Blue

Self-portrait at the Burning Coal Vein

Cris Fulton — Mon, 06 May 2013 16:26:02 +0000

The Burning Coal Vein is one of my very favorite places in the North Dakota grasslands, and I absolutely love the Rocky Mountain junipers that grow on the hillsides there. I have many fond memories of family gatherings in this area, also, so it has a special place in my heart. The coal veins no longer burn, but the stunning beauty of the badlands countryside still endures.

Self-portrait at the Burning Coal Vein, May 4, 2013.

Early May in the Dakota Grasslands

Cris Fulton — Sun, 05 May 2013 23:02:27 +0000

I spent yesterday in the great grasslands of North Dakota, and it was a glorious reunion with the country I love so much. The hills were getting greener, and there were some Mayflowers in bloom. A little cluster of crocuses greeted me at the Burning Coal Vein parking lot. One of the reasons for the tour was that I needed to take my drawing “Badlands Grandeur” up to Medora for the summer exhibit at the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame. I brought along some of my posters, note cards, postcards, and a sample of my new Blurb book as well.

It was also time to renew my annual permit at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and I’m glad I did. The whole park was graced with the presence of buffalo, which is something that always captivates me. Quite a few of them were lounging on the prairie hills, just basking in the sun. There were some young reddish brown calves that were resting among the sagebrush and following their mothers along the trail. All along the way up the East River Road and back, I saw quite a few antelope, but I only saw a couple of mule deer.

Early spring offers its own colors and shapes for artful compositions. The hint of green in the grass livens up the slopes, and the lack of leaves allows the structure of the trees to be seen. It looks like I got quite a few photographs that will work for future projects, and I’m eager to explore their potential. I’m still on the search for more diptych and triptych material that isn’t too complicated to draw, but has enough to catch your interest. Every time I return home from a journey through the Little Missouri National Grasslands, I thank my lucky stars for having such a splendid, splendid backyard.

Early May in the North Dakota Grasslands