So...I went to my first Pow Wow this past summer.  I say first, because I don't think it will be my last.  The Native Americans were a pleasure.  Their outfits were amazing as was their dancing.  I don't know how they danced in the hot sun with all those clothes!  I was roasting in the bleachers.  Anyway, I digress.  Dance of the Hunt is the first in a series of paintings to come from that event.  Look for the next one in about a week or so.  I am having so much fun painting these!

This is a commissioned portrait I just completed of my boss' wife, Lynn, and her horse, Spirit.  No pressure!  Fortunately, I work for really wonderful people and Lynn and Kirby were amazingly patient as it took me a long time after they gave me the photo to paint this one!  I think I was somewhat intimidated by painting a full sized, detailed horse, and of course, scenic backgrounds always intimidate me.  There are at least twelve layers of paint on some parts of Spirit's face and only one layer on other parts of her face, which gives it that velvety texture.  I especially like the way Lynn's hair and mouth turned out.  I always have some part of each painting that pleases me greatly, but I don't think I've ever been satisfied with any painting in its entirety.  This is the thing, I believe, that persuades us to strive to do better and better with each successive painting.