My sister lives at the other end of the valley from me. Her views are beautifully pastoral and her home looks across this gorgeous meadow. It’s lovely in all seasons. In the winter it fills with Canada geese, in the spring it turns a magnificent chartreuse as the field begins to grow. This piece was painted in the middle of June, when the valley seems to sing with happiness!
A few years ago I was given permission to photograph the sheep handlers working the release pen at the Meeker International Sheepdog Trials. It was fascinating! I watched as the border collies and cowboys and horses wrangled the unruly Meeker sheep, gathering them, penning them, and releasing them for each sheepdog participating in the trials. Working the Release Pen won the People’s Choice award at the 2006 Meeker Classic International Art Contest.