Hi Subscriber,

I hope you’re well! How is summer? Are you doing anything fun because it’s summer?

Earlier this week I took a little painting excursion, with some friends, to a national forest. Just for the morning, and it was so delightful to be out and painting!

You can see pics of that on Instagram and Facebook!

I recently asked a friend what she liked to see in my emails to her, as far as my art goes. She gave me a few things and one of them was works in progress. I have to admit, I like to see other people’s works in progress, also!

So, I thought I’d send this along to you as it is a current work in progress. You may have seen some of it on social media, but I hope these are a little more developed and interesting.

This painting is a commission of sorts.

I say “of sorts” because I've been commissioned to paint the subject in the reference photo which was supplied by someone else besides me. In that respect it's a commission. But I didn't name a price for the painting as I do in most commissions.

The sale of the painting won’t be until August when it is part of the annual
I-Reach fundraising event. I will receive a percentage of what the painting sells for at the auction. In that way, it's different than a regular commission.

I think I’ve mentioned I-Reach in the past, when I was doing a quick draw at it. But I’m not sure I’ve ever told you about I-Reach and what they do.

I-Reach provides services that promote quality of life, independence and ability to adults with developmental disabilities and brain injuries. All of what they do is high quality, innovative, individualized, and therapeutic.

I became a part of their fundraising efforts when one of the founders of the organization asked me to do a quick draw at their annual dinner. She had bought some of my paintings previously, and wanted my art to be part of their event.

I’ve been participating each year since then. This year I wanted to contribute a finished painting done in the studio, rather than a quick draw.

So that’s a little about I-Reach and how I got involved.

The reference photo of the little brockle faced calf, you see below came from local ranchers, Mike and Julie Cushman, who own the C-Spur ranch, and the Powder River Percherons Draft Team.

Mike and Julie have a daughter who has been served by I-Reach for a number of years, and they’re great supporters of the organization.