Here are some photos from the iris garden this morning. Everything about this flower is graceful, from its leaves to its buds, and its magnificent blossom. I wonder how many varieties there are, and if it is the flower with the most colors and patterns.
Self-portrait with "Sunwondrous" on May 10, 2013.
Native sunflowers grow along the roads and in the prairie grasses of North Dakota, and domestic ones are planted by the thousands in farmers' fields. They are a natural symbol of life in our state, and I like them for the joy and radiance that can be expressed through their exuberant forms.
Self-portrait, January 21, 2012.
Bowman, North Dakota.
In the Studio with 30x40" Drawings, 2013.
Self-portrait with Art Books, 2013.
INFLUENCES: Native American views of the earth and sky, rock art in the Cave Hills, learning the names of native plants and how they were used, the artwork of Georgia O'Keeffe, Emily Carr, and Wolf Kahn, the writing of Merrill Gilfillan and Sharon Butala, the photography of Courtney Milne, and the adventurous life of Evelyn Cameron. My mother's family was from Rhame, my father's family was from Amidon, and I had an aunt and uncle in Miles City, so I got to see a good portion of the country from the time I was a child.
"Badlands Grandeur" will be part of an encore exhibit of "Cowboys and Indians" at the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame in Medora during the summer of 2013.
At "Cowboys and Indians" exhibit in Medora, 2012.
“Dakota Grasslands Dream” won the Best of Show award at the 42nd Annual Badlands Art Show in Dickinson in 2012.
"Deep Pink Dakota Dream" was part of the 37th Annual Invitational Art Auction & Fundraiser in 2012.
At the Custer County Art & Heritage Center, Miles City, Montana, August of 2012.
At Bismarck Art & Galleries Association on January 4, 2013.
Self-portrait at the Burning Coal Vein on May 31, 2012.
LITTLE MISSOURI NATIONAL GRASSLAND & SURROUNDING REGION
Near the Burning Coal Vein on September 18, 2012.
THE LANDSCAPE BETWEEN BOWMAN & MILES CITY, MONTANA
Near the Powder River on September 29, 2012.