Turkey Skull Study, and a trip to South Dakota

Turkey Skull Study, 6 x 6 inch oil on panel.

© 2013 Kathleen Coy

Click for purchase information

Painted from life. I find skulls to be beautiful - a reminder that we are more than what we see as our physical bodies, and that our time in these bodies is limited. They are a great study tool as well, if you have an interest in anatomy. 

We took our first trip to South Dakota last month, visiting the Badlands and staying in Custer State Park. I fell in love with the landscape, and all the critters. Took lots of photos of bison, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and elk. Can't wait to paint them! Here are a few photos from the trip:

Early snow

We had our first snow of the year this morning, and there's a chance of snow this afternoon as well. Last year our first snow was November 30th! I do like snow, but Fall is my favorite time of year and I don't want to skip it, lol. As you can see, there is still plenty of green leaves on the trees:

My plants were NOT ready for this!

It's a shame to say goodbye to my roses this early, but I'm afraid they're toast. We're supposed to have near record lows tonight in the 20's.



Everyone says it's going to be a hard winter this year in the Midwest. And I thought last year was bad! I guess we'll find out.

Stay warm!

Wordless Wednesday - Backyard Baby Bunny

Summer Solstice

Sunrise solstice celebration. It poured rain at 4:00 but stopped by 5:00.

Good thing I planned ahead and had covered the firewood with a tarp.

No visual sun rise due to the overcast sky, but the fire represented nicely.

I'm so in love with these colors. I must paint them! I was especially obsessed with how the ashes of this cedar were a beautiful blue-gray.

The sun is at its brightest today and nature is at her peak.

Happy Solstice, everyone! May you be blessed with light, love...

and laughter...

Me (left) and my best friend, up since 4am!

Baby Squirrels playing outside my window

We have a mama squirrel with four babies living in the tree in our front yard. They are so cute! I had to share this video I took of the babies playing and jumping for joy. Although mama's not in the video, she was watching them the whole time.

Right now they are about half the size as an adult. Cloud does not go into the front yard, so they are safe from him.

Wordless Wednesday - Barred Owlets

I know it's Wordless Wednesday, but I just had to tell you that a. These owls are living in my friends backyard, and b. I wish I had a longer lens, lol! In the last picture you can see the parent is carrying what looks to be a dead squirrel to the babies. When he saw me taking pictures (I was a good 40 yards away) he flew away.

Wordless Wednesday - copper and orange (more patio lights for Jessica)

(I know it's Wordless Wednesday, just wanted to let you know that these are my hubby's beautiful eyes.)

Angry BBQ is angry...

Come on, Angry BBQ. I have Spring fever too, but February in the Midwest means that it can be 60 degrees one day, and the next day we can have our biggest snowfall of the year. I know it's cold Angry BBQ, but just look around you at how beautiful it is...come with me and lets walk around the back yard...

I've never seen the patio lights look so lovely!

The sky looks so blue today.

Everything wears a cloak of white...

that could fall off at any moment.

Logs become figures lying in the snow.

Meditation Bench is meditating.

The simplest things are stunning if you stop to look at them.

Stand under the pergola and look up. Why Angry BBQ, is that a smile?????

See, Angry BBQ, it's a beautiful day.
Lets enjoy the snow. Spring will be here before we know it.