"Coulee King" is a portrait of a frequent visitor to the little piece of wilderness in my backyard. It's a privilege to wake up in the middle of the night to hooting coming from the tops of the mighty cottonwoods that are still standing behind our house in Bismarck, although I'm sure the rabbits that make the coulee their home would disagree. I've often crept out on the deck in the early hours to just stand and listen to his haunting voice.



This piece is currently on display at Gallery 4 in downtown Fargo, a long-standing artist cooperative who has agreed to "swap" art with our gallery (BDAC) in downtown Bismarck. The concurrent shows will run from May 6 30, 2014.

The finished hobby horse!! We attended the God's Child Ball Saturday evening and were thrilled when a friend's stepdaughter won Strutter. While visiting with her that night, she told me how her mom is also an artist and how she made her costumes every year from scratch - so cool!! So very happy he has a wonderful home and owner!!

The aftermath in the living room - have I mentioned my husband is a saint to put up with me? What a great project!!

Nearly finished! Still have the mane left to do, but the sequins must dry first. I designed the eye to mimic the markings of a peacock's mask. They are such beautiful birds!

The metallic blue paint and the lime green sequins which were the spark that put this design in motion. Who would think a little bag of shiny circles would lead to a peacock-themed hobby horse?

Design is drawn and gold paint added. The wooden dowels will help support the ornaments in the mane which will represent the peacock's signature bustle.

A little glitter for the plumage design and some silver for the muzzle/beak. Lots of bling, just like the source of inspiration!

The plumes are assembled and drying. The black paint on the dowels will help to camouflage them when inserted into the mane which is tied with plastic hair bands similar to what is done with the Clydesdale horses. The gems will match the design on the head of the horse. It is starting to come together! I only wish the glue would dry faster so the work could continue...

The God's Child Project's annual fundraiser "The Dreammakers Ball" is coming up March 22, 2014 and I have the honor of creating another hobby horse for their live auction. Last year "Black Gold" sold for $900! Hopefully this years submission will do well also. Over the next few days, this gessoed horse will be transformed into an original work of art!