My daughter, Cayley, and I tore out of the house after putting back a quick piece of steak and dawning our ‘workout’ clothes.  I was heading down to Rumble House.  She gently reminded me while listening to Crooked Brothers on 93.7 that I didn’t need to drive like a maniac.  I could begin painting when I got there.  I asked, “What’s wrong with my driving?  I always drive like this.”  She replied, “You drive differently when you’re determined to get somewhere.”  Hmmm…

I arrived at Rumble House at 6:45, taking Deerfoot, Southland, Glenmore, Crowchild, Bow Trail, 9th, 11th and 8th.  A direct route and no traffic. This worked out better than the C-train of last week…however, the roads were also very good. That makes a difference.  It was a warm weather sort of winter day.

I’m determined to get into the studio and move all of the art-painted furniture out…a Fibonaccia Series, Studio Chiefs and Pipeline Wildlife…all have been incubating long enough.  Time to get these things out of my brain and onto panels.  For tonight, I decided to fore-go the wheel again and to paint like a lone wolf…subject matter as rehearsal and practice for up and coming studio works.

I’ve read a lot about the Oglala Lakota, Sioux…after visiting the site of the Little Big Horn battle and having read about the loss of the Ghost Dance…I really wanted to include the First Nations of Montana…for in our early Canadian/American history, these darned borders didn’t exist.  It was a horrible and dramatic impact that was had on the primarily nomadic peoples of the prairies and mountain regions.

Once unloading my items in the House…I collected up hugs from the people I look forward to seeing each week.  It was the first time I saw Jeff Watts since the Gorilla House closed…and there were Johanne and Rich, Jess and Andy (WHERE WAS MY BUDDY, JENN?).  Cayley settled into a piece of the floor and I pulled up my piece next to her.  In front, Ringo was playing the cover I Will by the Beatles.  It already felt like it was going to be a lovely energy in the place…and as it turned out, it was beautiful!

I decided to paint a portrait, working from a vintage photograph taken in studio by L. A. Huffman (photographer of the WILD WEST…SIGH). High Bear, Oglala Lakota 1880s, Montana.  We can find a variety of narratives about High Bear, especially in books like Lakota and Cheyenne: Indian Views of the Great Sioux War, 1876-1877.  There are some discrepancies on the research regarding High Bear’s passing, but more than likely, it takes place in this brutal period of history.

I was captivated by the strong lights and dark in the old images.  And while I did not achieve the dramatic facial expression I was hoping for, I practiced.  I painted very quickly last night…it just spilled out of me.

Some highlights for me included the fact that my daughter made her first purchase of original art, acquiring a real beauty painted by Enriquito.  I also picked up two beautiful pieces.  The energy was so positive.  Ringo’s music was nostalgic and positive.  Jenn arrived.  Sam generously purchased my piece at auction…and I learned that her sister, Sabrina, out on the east coast, had purchased a piece ages ago…“Memory Leans Back  in the Branches of a Tree”.  So, another beautiful circle of events came around…another piece of magic.  It was a blessing to meet you, Samantha.  Cayley, it was great having you along side…drawing…taking in the energy!