Misty Monday

I love misty (or in Colorado's case cloudy) days. The weather obliged me this morning, wrapping our little valley in a blanket of light fog as the clouds rolled through. It was wonderful, even if it didn't last as long as I'd like.

Then it was time to drive to the new Smooth-On distribution center that just opened up in Colorado a few weeks ago for supplies. I am thrilled about this! It's only about an hour's drive and I don't need to spend a stupid amount on shipping. I basically used to pay so much for shipping that I could have bought another product instead. Not only is it a cost saver to have the center local, but it's also a time saver. No more waiting a week for product! That's wonderful when you have a deadline. Bad when they only had one gallon of rubber though when I needed two. ;) Oh well. Can't win them all. The salesman that was there was wonderful to speak with about the products, even if he was the reason that second gallon of rubber wasn't there for me. We both agree on which rubber is best apparently. :D Anyway, it was a good time visiting the location and starting my relationship with a rep who'll be seeing a lot of me.

Besides packing resins for shipping today, I did get a chance to work on a few more painted pieces. There is a live show coming up and I for once want to see some of my own pieces on those tables. The first is a Darling resin in bay tobiano with lots of white, which is a commission for S.P. Her other side will have even less color. So far I think she looks smashing and very much like a groomed paint you'd see on the hunter circuit.

The next was going to be my donation for the NAN raffle this year - a painted Llanura. However with the release of Quick Draw to my mailing list I decided he needed more exposure and asked my NAN rep if I could switch them out. So, I'll be finishing this gal up for the show anyway and also handing a cast QD to Teresa B.

I am debating on leaving her color like this or putting some dry-brushed layers of oils on her and see where she goes. Sometimes chestnuts turn out best when there's no plan in mind and you just let things happen. Either way she'll have a blaze and one little sock.

My problem is I'm being indecisive as I can see her in a few options at this point - rabicano roan, bird spot appy, the see-where-it-goes chestnut or leave her as is. You'll just have to wait and see along with me where this gal ends up!

Misc. Monday

Just a hodge podge of stuff today. So, in no particular order:

We have another peek of the Johann. I just love this little resin. Morgen's stuff is just so nice! And, this small traditional scale is just *wonderful* to paint. I should take a photo of the neighbor's horse, who is my inspiration, and post it here. Maybe next time. Johann will be up for sale by the end of this week!

If you're a member of my mailing list, then you've just seen the post of these shots. I have a client that needed a sculpture example of mine for a job I'm hoping to get. Of course I can just send a stark white unpainted piece so I quickly painted this Llanura resin up with the airbrush I use for my basecoats. She actually looks pretty nice in my opinion for a quickie paint job!

More Llanura.

And some more. If you want to see the whole spectrum, you'll have to go the mailing list's group album.

I just love this shot. I think it shows off how spectacular her tail is. :D

And let's finish off on a great note! Vicky Norris took her newly-completed Reiner commission to the Mini Balls & Tejas live show. She tells me he won a first in workmanship and a second in breed. She also tells me that he won his two performance classes she entered in. Photo is complimentary Vicky - thank you and CONGRATULATIONS!

If you have photos of *your* Aspen Leaf winners, I would *love* to post them here!

Llanura - Sencillo's mate

So, I've been plugging quietly away at this girl for probably around a year now. With the backlog, I haven't devoted much time to her, but she's finally had enough little work sessions on her to call her complete. I am *thrilled* with the way she came out!

Her name is Llanura (pronounced Ya new' ra - roll that rrrrrrr) and it means "plain". Sencillo means simple so we have "Plain and Simple" for our mustang pair. She's the epitome of a feral mare of spanish mustang decent. Bigger round bones, the spanish tail set/croup/hips, a chunkier head, short straight back, knotted/tangled mane/tail...the list goes on. Now, to make room for some of those babies she's probably had, her back is no longer so straight. Her hair is slightly windblown as she's standing in the same little breeze Sencillo is hunkering down in.

Her full array of photos can be seen on my yahoo groups mailing list in the albums section. If you're not a member and want to be, click here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AspenLeafStudios/join