I am in the process of building a bridge to go over our drainage creek. I bought two 1x6 treated boards and the rest of the wood was scrap woood. It would cost a small forture to buy good wood for the decking. I cut 1" plywood into strips. Just gotta stain it.

My spring and summer art project has been doing fun practicle home improvements. Here is our barn, with many up dates, from gutters to a club house for the kids.

Mouse With Moustache #2

This year I painted around 30 different mouse Christmas Ornaments. Most were sold, and some given away as gifts. Last week I made two more for a friend I haven't seen in 11 years. It was nice seeing you Greg C. from the Flo-Valley days.

Late Summer Grass

6"x8" Oil on Masonite Board

$ 50(sold at Auction)

Here is my first painting on a 6"x8" board. I have observed that it is only in late summer that the grass turns this reddish maroon color. I really enjoy the effect of maroon, greens, and yellow grasses swaying in an open field. I'm gonna miss summer; I'm not ready for it to end just yet. I will on occasion in the future paint on the smaller 6"x8" format.

Trail Through The Woods

8"x10" Oil on Masonite Board

$ 200 (sold)

This Summer I drove out to St. Joe's Park in search of subject matter to paint. I was completely thrown off guard at what I saw. Every hill-billy from Missouri must of been there along with their ATVs, Motocross Bikes, cases of beer, and their tattooed girlfriends. Anyway, I made my way down this trail in the woods. I snapped this photo amidst the loud throttles and shifting of motorcycles and ATVs that rented the air.

Summer Morning Bloom

8"x10" Oil on Masonite Board

I've been by this field many times, but I couldn't quite find a painting in it. Finally, one morning I set out to take pictures and I noticed all these little white flowers blooming in the tall grass. I then decided the best composition was to have the flowers in the foreground. Also,the white morning haze really helped soften the background, thus giving the foreground a stronger presence.

Field of Black-Eye Susan Flowers

10"x8" Oil on Masonite Board

$ 200 (Sold)

This small field runs along Hwy. 61 in Bloomsdale, Missouri. Just on the other side of the field are some steep rock bluffs that sit on the edge of the woods. Michaiah and I walk here on occasion just to explore the natural landscape. We found a Pear Cactus growing wild and small animal tracks in the mud.