"ROUNDUP" daily painter horse western © Carol Nelson Fine Art

"ROUNDUP"

The 105th annual National Western Stock Show, the Super Bowl of stock shows opened here in Denver over the weekend.  Ranchers, farmers, breeders, horsemen converge on Denver for 16 days to show their animals and compete against the best of the best from around the country.  There's horse shows, several rodeos, and every conceivable competition from sheep-shearing to mutton busting to horse dancing.

One part of the stock show that I try not to miss is the Coors Western Art exhibit, which features western themed fine art by incredible artists who are much more famous than I will ever be.

I also like to walk around the grounds looking at all the critters.  There are so many breeds of cattle, horses, sheep, etc. all getting groomed and foo-fooed for their moment in the spotlight.  There are small animals too - chickens, rabbits, ducks, guinea pigs - you name it.

For more information about the stock show and the art exhibit, click the link above.  For more information about this painting, which epitomizes the legends of the West, click here to go to my website.

ANCIENT DWELLINGS, 9078, geologic, acrylic, textured abstract

This painting evolved in a tortured fashion. Believe it or not, it started out blue and green. I had to work and rework large passages of this piece. As Picasso said, "I begin with one idea and then it becomes something else."
That's the fun/fascination/frustration of working in abstract style. It took a lot of hair-pulling before this image appeared. The very beginning of this piece was the area that looks like netting with fringes which I created using burlap to create a pattern in the acrylic flexible modeling paste. I've been on a burlap kick lately because I like the less than perfect pattern of squares and rectangles it leaves in the modeling compound.
The colors are a no-brainer because these rich earth tones are my favorite. I love blues and greens also, but, when push comes to shove, the golds, oranges, and browns usually win out.
For purchase information, please see my website.

View From Boreas Pass, 06108

This painting shows just a portion of the glorious view from a trail on Boreas Pass, just southeast of Breckenridge, CO. Several trails start at the top of the pass near timberline and go UP. It was like the scene from The Sound of Music.

For purchase information, please see my website:

http://data.fineartstudioonline.com/dataviewer.asp?keyvalue=3851&subkeyvalue=222464&page=WorksDetail

Sentinal, 24x24 acrylic triptych

On my recent canoe trip down the Gunnison River in western Colorado, we were surrounded by tall canyon walls. I think that's the inspiration for this abstract triptych. I used some course granular pumice gel and some clear tar gel for texture.

I also used some silver leaf in the upper part of the painting, but found it too distracting (shiny), so painted over most of it. There are little silver glints that do show, however.

Canyonlands, 10x12, acrylic collage SOLD

This abstract suggested the canyons of the Western desert areas in Utah. I liked the contrast of the metallic portions with the surrounding earth tones. This piece sold the day after I made it, so I didn't get to enjoy it for myself very long. SOLD

Roundup, 12x24, oil

The thing I like best about this painting is the way the horses are backlit by the late afternoon sun.

Three Amigos

This is one of my favorite paintings. The original is sold, but giclee reproductions on canvas are available. Each is professionally printed, signed and numbered, and comes with a certificate of aunthenticity. Unframed prints available in 11x14 for $75 and 16x20 for $100. Standard shipping rates apply. For more information, please email carolnelsonfineart@comcast.net.

Big Mac, 12x12 oil

Another miniature hereford from the National Western Stock Show. This painting available at Spirits in the Wind Gallery in Golden, CO. www.spiritsinthewindgallery.com

Treat Time, 5x7 oil

A couple wanted me to paint their horses. To get them all together so I could get a group photo, treats were offered.