I guess any artist who lives in the San Luis Valley will sooner or later do a painting of a Sandhill Crane. Mine has been an image in my mind since this past March when, on a gray day, I saw a gray crane walk on the winter-gray grass in a small forest of small willow trees. Cranes are seldom solitary so that was something, too. It was an image so quiet and so personal to me — no one else was there. The monochromatic day was one of the last slumbering days of winter.
This has been percolating in my imagination since then. So, I went at the big canvas (4′ x 3 ‘/121.92 cm x 91.44 cm) and altered the underpainting a while back. It was blue sky and golden fields and blue mountains. Who’s surprised? π
Then the crane image. I have done a couple of drawings but the perspective/point of view kept bugging me, but now I think I got it. I had to draw it so I could use the drawing for the painting — it was so much fun.
Then, as I was drawing, an easel showed up on Facebook for sale. It is the VERY easel for which I’ve long yearned and couldn’t afford. Last Sunday, my friend gave me $100 for the horse painting, and that’s what the easel costs. An added wonder is my friend’s husband was an artist but is now blind and can’t paint. He mentioned last weekend he wished he had his old easel to give me. Well, I guess in a way that is happening. And, I get to drive up to the mountains to get it. π

Marvellous
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You have the best good luck finding the things you want the most! And that painting will be wonderful!
I feel like this was manna from Heaven. And I’m going to love going up to the town where it is.
isn’t life amazing how it all falls into place?
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Kismet is a wonderful word and a wonder unto itself.
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The universe provides…every so often. Have fun π
I just hope no one gets there first. π But if someone does OH Well!
Oh I hope not! If someone does, it wasn’t meant to be.
That’s what I think.
Oh this is wonderful – the sale of one thing to purchase another so as to be able to create still a third… I do hope the easel is still available! Around here you can sometimes call and ask them to hold it for you. but this is Indiana and we’re known to be very friendly and accommodating. The sketch of the crane makes me think the painting will be a masterpiece!! I can’t wait to see how it turns out!
She’s going to hold it. I just got a text. I sent her the photos of the project so she knows I’m not playing around. π I’m happy I finally visualized the picture and now I’m ready to paint. It will be so much easier with an easel, that canvas is as wide, nearly, as I am tall.
That is such a lovely easel, as is your drawing, Martha.
Thank you! I can’t wait to get it. I don’t know if I’m looking forward more to the drive up to that mountain town or the easel. π