The Wigwam Motel

Part of what I get to do in my job (as an artist and writer) is travel around on my Harley, riding the back roads and scenic routes looking for stuff to write about and anything that would make a great painting. On a recent rip over the Memorial Day weekend we had the good fortune to stay at the iconic Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona right on the old Rte 66. It was a real hoot. A fun place to stay after a long piece of road. I'm doing a painting of this as part of my "Fuel for the Dream" series. I'll post it as soon as I'm done with it.

Here we are on the same trip, earlier the previous day, getting ready to ride into the void...a sandstorm in Moument Valley. That was pretty nasty. On occassion the pavement was obscured with blowing sand so bad it was difficult to determine where the road was. Hard on the eyes and lungs too. We would have gotten out of it if we could've and just laid up somewhere but there was no where to go but onward. We finally made it to Cameron where we stayed at the Cameron Trading Post, right on the banks of the Little Colorado Gorge. Although there was no water in the riverbed, the views, especially early and late in the day were absolutely stunning. Last fall we stayed there on the way to an art show and I did a little watercolor of the light in the gorge pictured in an earlier post from last fall.

We are looking forward to our next adventure, seeking out quaint little mom and pop motels, neighborhood cafes and brew pubs, and paintings to make. See ya down the road.

Monday on the Madison

This idea I mentioned back a post or two of doing a series of paintings entitled "Fuel for the Dream" is taking on a life of it's own. It all started withe doing some paintings of a motorcycle related theme but is morphing into something broader, to include the painting above. This is a 24 x 48 framed oil titled "Monday on the Madison". I don't know about you but spending my Monday on the Madison River would be right close to the top on my list of 'druthers. It is a good example of what I'm talking about and if it rings your bell, email me. It is $4600.

Chattin' It Up

This 12x16 framed oil painting  is of Colorado Avenue in Telluride Colorado around Christmas time. The place to see and be seen by young and old alike. Here a guy is chattin' it up with some girls on a corner. A rack of "alternative transportation" with a bit of snow on them in the front. A colorful, light hearted painting for $950.

Rocky Mountain High

 As you may know I ride a motorcycle, a Harley, and really enjoy touring the highways and by-ways. I've been into Canada and up the West coast, not mention numerous, day to 5 day, trips throughout the West, mostly in New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Montana, Wyoming and of course Colorado. I ride with a few others including my wife.

 We make a point of taking secondary back roads whenever we can. We see a lot of beautiful country. We make a point of staying in what I'll call colorful, local mom and pop motels. We eat in brew pubs and restaurants that fit the same likeness. We have a really good time. Throughout these trips we encounter other bikers and a lot of people wishing they were riding with us. This got me to thinking. Why not do a series of paintings depicting the scenery, the small towns, the comradery of our motorcycling experience.

Consequently this is a new 24 x 36 oil painting I just finished, titled "Rocky Mountain High" and is for sale at $2800. It is the first in a  series I will be working on for maybe a year or more. This painting shows a guy stopping on his ride to enjoy a view of the Colorado Rockies with aspens in fall color. Off in the distance he sees a bull elk with a couple of his cows.

The series is entitled "Fuel for the Dream". I hope it makes you think about your dream. Don't wait for "Someday". There is no someday on the calander. Do it! If you need fuel for your dream and want to purchase this painting, email me today. It won't last long.