Ho Ho Hold the phone

Have not been on in awhile but have been busy. I met the artist Robert Krogle today at the South Point Casino's "Art of the American Cowboy" exhibit. The pro rodeo is in town for the week and I have never seen so many cowboy hats or the use of sequins on the most unexpected items of clothing. Also, did you know you can make any item of clothing out of leather. I don't think the point is to make it comfortable.

But back to Mr. Krogle. www.ROBERTKROGLE.com Love the guys style-impressionistic in landscapes and he was very kind. I showed him a few pics and he gave some pointers on things to try and walked me through a piece he was working on at the show. Light tips, color blocking, etc. Very generous. He told me to send him pics of my paintings when I had questions. He had a landscape there that I would love to have. Out of my price range and as my family would say, "don't buy that Anna can make it". Some day I will.

Sketch from Grand Canyon trip
Saturday morning

While I've been off the computer I haven't been out of the studio. In fact Ted and I were talking that maybe I have to spend more time in the studio. Who needs clean clothes?

Ted and Connor and the Canyon
somewhere behind them Sunday

After our trip to the Grand Canyon, where we saw a great art show along with the Canyon, I was inspired to try a few sketches. I am not worthy...yet.  I didn't understand how amazing it would be until I was standing there in awe. Sunrise was a constant play of different lights and the sky was an magnificent as the canyon. As sunny as Saturday was we had snow and fog Sunday morning. Also, elk in the yard of the El Tovar.

Nana's Christmas present

So it's back to working on Christmas gifts. We don't have pottery (but Ted's working on it for next year) so we're going with a painted Christmas.

Have been working on smaller paintings lately. Mostly things for family.  I am really excited to try some different techniques that Robert Krogle talked about. Some of which I've started with on the roses picture below.

Roses from our garden

I'll be posting a little more often and I hope you see a difference in style in the coming days.

Thanks, Anna

Please Don't Feed the Animals

Thought you might want to see a picture develop. This painting is of the kids a long time ago at the zoo. 

Of course we had to eat our way through and the pay off was always shave ice. 

 Just happened the sign was behind them.

I'm on ebay

True I haven't figured out how to tie this all together ...yet.   But I will.  Until that moment I'm trying this.

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Grandma's Birthday Gift

What to get the women who has everything?  A painting of her grandchildren of course.  I loved this picture. Been planning it for years. Kate is about 6, Con 3. They loved bubbles at Grandma's. symbolizes pure fun.  No electricity needed.

In its place of honor. Throw that other picture aside.

Back from the Northwest

Just back from a trip to the Northwest. Had a great time in Olympia, Woodinville and Moscow Idaho. Watched the Idaho Vandals kick New Mexico's rear end. Fall colors and snow in the mountains going through the pass.

  

Took lots of pics and did some sketches I plan to work  into some new pics. These two are from the drive from Moscow to Othello. Wheat fields as far as the eye can see.  

Cool weather and lots of rain.  Lot's of inspiration. Stay tuned.

Boulder Bay 2

Well it's 102 degrees today. The upside is they're building the pumpkin patch at Smith's so we'll have our pumpkins by this weekend.

Boulder Bay is a place to swim here. The locals don't seem to like Lake Mead to swim in.  I have heard the fish are real big but they didn't bother us when we were there. This was actually how the beach looked back in April. It was cold and we were the only ones there.

Boulder Bay 2  Acrylic on birch panel 10 1/2 by 6 1/2 in Honey toned maple frame.
Overall dimensions 15 by 11  $75.00 plus shipping

Can't wait until the leaves start turning.

Actually I have no idea when that happens... I'm thinking Octoberish? Yikes that's what you get for being out of the seasons for a couple of decades. Did see people purchasing pumpkins.

The Red Rock Range  18" by 6" Acrylic on canvas $100.00 plus shipping.

This was one of the first pics I painted after moving here. That weird flat winter light. As I remember it was cold that day. Very quiet and only one bunny. If you are interested in this painting you can contact me through the blog, annanorrisfineart@gmail.com  or facebook.

Thanks for looking... and GO VANDALS.

Calico Reflections

Calico Reflections  Acrylic on canvas panel 12" by 16"
Double mat with Red painted distressed frame. Overall dimensions 21" by 25"
$250.00 plus shipping.

Yippee it's finished.  The rocks on the right are from the old quarry.  I'm pretty pleased with the water. One of the few puddles we found on the trail. If you are interested in this piece you can contact me through this blog or through: annanorrisfineart@gmail.com

Waiting for fall. Oh that's right it starts today...

Amargosa Opera House 8" by 10" Acrylic on canvas panel. Simple Black frame $75.00.

    So an interesting story about the opera house.  In the middle of nowhere. Well Amargosa, at the Death Valley Junction.  There is a 80+ year old ballerina that does a one woman show there and has for years. The inside is beautifully painted.
    The opera house sits in a frankly "Bates" Motel looking setting and there's a coffee shop and that's about it. Lost my pictures of the junction in the great hard drive crash.
    This one's for you Rhonda.

Two more with a more contemporary feel

Las Vegas Bay, Lake Mead 9" by 9" by 2" acrylic on canvas

Las Vegas Bay and Red Rock Upper Lot are two paintings on a different type of canvas. The canvas is deeper, at 2 inches, than most. 
















Las Vegas Bay is one of the biggest surprises I have found here. The water was turquoise blue.

Red Rock Snow Upper Lot 9" by 9" by2" acrylic on canvas

The kids threw snowballs and the view was endless.

  

Red Rock Snow

Red Rock Snow, acrylic on birch panel.

Finished this today while listening to the Idaho Vandals play Nebraska. The painting is a gift for some friends that find themselves moving to Spokane. 


My nephew Aaron plays for the Vandals. He's a defensive player and was very good today. Recovered a fumble against the number 6 team in the nation. I told him he was my muse.


Unfortunately Nebraska brought both their offense and defense and Idaho left their offense at home.  Still they beat the Vegas spread. Can't wait until next weekend. UNLV plays Idaho. Go Vandals.

Ice Box Canyon Strairs

Ice Box Canyon Stairs 10 1/2" by 6 1/2" Acrylic on birch
panel. Maple panel frame. $100.00 plus shipping.

I know you've seen this before but I thought I'd post the specs and price.  If you are interested in this piece please contact me through the blog or annanorrisfineart@gmail.com.


Can't wait to get outside this weekend. Thanks for looking, Anna

Spring Grass

Spring Grass 10" by 8" acrylic on canvas panel.  Sold

Sorry for the bad photo. Have found out that I am lopsided when it comes to photography. On it's way to a great home.

Thank you for your interest and comments.

Moving into the next phase of internet life I have a Paypal account and prices!

Calico Tanks Trail 10" by 8" acrylic on panel. With mat and frame approx. 16" by 12". $125.00 plus shipping.

This painting is from a hike Ted and I took in the spring. Lots of jack rabbits and silence. The sun was just up and it was cool and still. Absolutely beautiful. I call this a 6 footer painting. Looks best from 6 feet out.

If you are interested in this or any of the paintings you can contact me through this site or email me at annanorrisfineart@gmail.com.

Ghost Towns are cool

Ted contemplating the Colorado River.

Colorado River outside of Nelson.
There are kids jumping into the river
from the rocks. It's 8am and 90+ degrees.

If you live in Nevada you're going to see at least one ghost town which will have to be surrounded by many abandoned mines. Ted and I set out to see three today: Nelson and the Tecchapati Mine, Searchlight and Goodsprings. Nelson- great, Searchlight- ick and Goodsprings-neat. have included pics of Nelson and Goodsprings. 

Tecchapati Mine, Nelson

Go to a junk yard during a real hot day and it's like Searchlight. If you are from Searchlight I am sorry for the slur. Our Senator Reid is from there.....


Nelson was our first stop. Used to be called Eldorado in the 1700's by the Spaniards. Lot's of gold. People still live in the new town. Saw a herd of big horn sheep cross the road in front of us. Awesome.     

Tecchapati Mine, Nelson. Sorry for the hand.

The next stop was Searchlight, but we won't go there.


Goodsprings is outside of the town of Jean. Lots of little mines around there. Claim to fame is their Saloon. Clark Gable spent   time there after his wife Carole Lombard died in a plane crash outside of town.


It now seems to be the town hang out. Three old guys sitting on chairs outside said "this is the place" when Ted and I pulled up. Had to buy a shirt or two.
 Lots of painting ideas. This coming week should be fun and productive. 
Going to the old train tunnels tomorrow. A
                                                                                         

Goodsprings Nevada

Goodsprings Nevada

Ice Box Canyon Trail

Ted and I swear this is the next hike we complete. Ice Box Canyon is suppose to have beautiful little stream and waterfall at the end. Think I'll have to wait until the leaves start to turn.  10 1/2" by 6 1/2" Acrylic on birch panel, wood frame, I think it's maple (cabinet door front).

North Shore Red Wagon

This is a beach access between Sunset and Velzyland. Loved the wagon though I don't know if I'd let the kids play in the surf. Was a little rough that day. 

Baby steps towards blogging

It is finally cooling down here in the desert. Have been out taking pictures and exploring the area. We are looking forward to fall and hiking. Our latest adventure took us to Mount Charleston. This is from the turn out at the North Loop trail. Looks down at Robbers Roost trail. 20 degrees cooler than home. I see lots of paintings. Can't wait for fall colors.


I'm in the process of figuring out best venues to sell from. Nevada is throwing me some curves but I'll figure it out. Stay tuned.

I'm getting there

I'm working on this.

Calico Tanks May 30th

Calico Tanks (acrylics, 8" x 10")

This is a beautiful place in Red Rock. Ted, Lucy and I went hiking early in the morning.

Red Rock from the upper parking lot January 2010. (acrylic on canvas)

It's hot here in Vegas so I've been focused on winter pictures. Visually turning down the temperature. It's was so cold and snowballs were thrown.