Crazy Busy

Wow it's been a while since I've posted here. I have a blog hosted @ www.4bearspress.com/blog that I haven't decided if I like it or not. All the comments on it have been spam! How annoying!

To update....got busy preparing for a gallery show that didn't hang, Horse & Raven's Conversation. Produced some images that I love and are hanging in my house.

See some of the paintings @ 4BearsPress Facebook Page

However, the Rabbit Creek Craft Bizarre was an encouraging success. I had an apprentice to assist along with other friends there that where wonderful and helpful! Was so busy, didn't get any photos. I hope to do more in the future.
The rest of November was a blur. The highlight was our almost perfect Thanks Giving. Calvin wasn't there which would have made it complete.

Lyle was assistant chef. He has taken to cooking lately.

Started new bear family painting. I don't think I'll have it for my holiday card this year but it will be out soon.

photo by Lyle Hausser.

Well that is a quick update of what's happening at 4 Bears Press.

Afternoon At the Horse Fair

Lyle and I spent the afternoon at the Rockn' B Riding Club. This is first time he has really been around horses but he introduced himself...
Of course, he had to check under the hood
and then he was off to ride.


After the ride it was time for demonstrations and snacks.


Of course Lyle makes friends where ever he goes.

New Work

Raven is the first painting for my "Dark Creatures" show in November @ The Fiddlehead Gallery.

Weekend Camping

Everything you could want at a camp out.
Surrounded by woods with wildlife.

Roasting hot dogs and marshmallows. Warming up by the fire.

Our Demon friend and the Moon hung out with us. Lyle having fun with his lighted safety glasses. He wanted to sleep outside in his tepee.

But the best thing about camping in your back yard is sleeping in your warm bed instead of the tepee!

Rainy Days & Friends

Rainy days make for good painting. Well any day would make for good painting, but rain makes me not want to work in the garden. Started a new watercolor. Getting back to basics and what brings me joy to create, horses of course! Cathy and Victoria came over for a little inspiration and instruction. Victoria is new to watercolors so we got her started.












Rory provided side show entertainment. He was cleaning out one of the sheds and found his childhood toys. Lyle now has a whole bunch of new toys. I also got my barn out and horse collection. I've started up that obsession again.

I'll post the progression of the watercolor as it comes along.

New Favorite Places

We ventured out to the Island again this weekend. Each time seems to be more fun as we figure out exactly what is fun and what is not. Plus I'm figuring out how to do this boating thing. Like loading and unloading from the trailer, or when and how to jump from boat to dock to tie up, stuff like that.

My goal is to be able to run around the entire boat without going overboard. ( I have not if you are wondering.)














Lyle is learning the fine art of fishing. He is definitely more interested in the act than the fish so far.









After fishing, the fish stories where swapped until late in the evening.





We had a midnight snack and watched the sun set before bed.

Setting up shop

I'm starting to wonder which is more difficult, running a gallery or setting up an etsy shop. I hear that your descriptions are important and I end up agonizing over them. Writing dose not come easily for me. I have a dilemma, generally I don't like to even title my work because I like to leave the interpretation up to the viewer. They perceive it in their context and it has meaning to them. I think I may just need to stop trying to make listings "perfect" and just go for it and get them out.

Birthday Celebrations

We started celebrating on Saturday with a party for Lyle. Moving out of the terrible 2's and into the big 3. The BBQ was a success despite the rain. We did move inside for cake.

Many Grandmas where in attendance. Grandma Linda could not get a flight on such short notice, maybe next year.

Of course, the Guys where watching drag racing.

The next day we headed out to The Island on Big Lake. It was our boat's maiden voyage after 30 years on shore. She was a float and made it out to the island and a trip around the lake.

We haven't quite finished the boat. I need to repair the front windshield. She is hand built, solid wood and since I'm the woodworker in the family, the would be my job.

The Summer So Far.....

My grand plans never happen! I planned on starting the garden with plants ready in the greenhouse. I was lucky to get half of the garden started. I seem to have a beautiful crop of horsetail and radishes. I may still have time to do some other plants.

I have wanted to build a studio. I decided where it might go. That's as far as I've gotten on it.

The car show season started out well. I do love driving my summer ride.

Twins separated at birth. Aren't they cute! My baby is on the right.

Like Grandpa Like Grandson

Grandpa's birthday is coming up. Can't just give him a card from the supermarket rack so having a little fun with photoshop. Lyle was impersonating Grandpa the other day and he looked like a miniature version of his Dada. To complete the picture, we included his old Superbird.

Cowboy's Great Adventure

I'm a bit late with this but better late than never. I had scheduled my latest endeavor of in house picture framing classes with my first student out in Wasilla. My friends had given me their nephew's cowboy to come along. What a ride he had! We started at the Wolf Lake Hanger to catch a ride in dad's RV7. Here is Cowboy doing preflight checks;
and getting strapped in. The seat belt is a bit big;On the way back from my teaching gig, we stopped at the Iditarod headquarters. The start of the sled dog Race was actualy going on that day over in Willow. We didn't get any pics with dogs due to fact that they rather run or chew on Cowboy rather than pose.We did get a shot with Joe ReddingtonWe had a great trip! I think we will be taking more little friends on adventures in the future.

Here Goes Nothing

Ok, so I'm finally going to try this blogging thing. We will see what becomes of it. I've always been told that journaling would be good for me but it is just agonizing for me to put my thoughts into words. Maybe this form will be the way for me and I can also share more with others.