Art and Musings from Montana with Sandra Merwin

Airedale at the Beach - Airedale Terrier, Welsh, Art, Dog, Painting by Montana Artist

2012-01-31T14:46:00.001-08:00

Airedale at the Beach - Airedale Terrier, Welsh, Art, Dog, Painting by Montana Artist

About This Painting:

This little watercolor captures the resting terrier after a run at the beach. If you've never seen a terrier become one with the waves and sand you are missing out on seeing a great joy. Share the joy

Media: Watercolor

Size: 8 in X 10 in (20.3 cm X 25.4 cm)

How to Purchase:

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Chickadee Prayer - Bird Art Painting by Montana Artist

2012-01-29T17:10:00.001-08:00

Chickadee Prayer - Bird Art Painting by Montana Artist

About This Painting:

All religions pray. We are learning that animal intelligence is much greater than humans imagined. Could it be that animals know how to pray and if so could this be the Chickadee version?

Media: Acrylic on stretched canvas

Size: 8 in X 10 in (20.3 cm X 25.4 cm)

Price: $100 USD

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Scottish Blues - Scottish Terrier Scottie Dog Art Painting by SJ Merwin

2012-01-28T15:31:00.001-08:00

Terriers are always a handful to manage. They were bred for independence and are fierce about their boundaries. Scottish Terriers are spunky little dogs with a big dog attitude.

Scottish Blues - Scottish Terrier Scottie Dog Art Painting by SJ Merwin

About This Painting:

This charming little painting of two Scots is in shades of blues which vary all the way from the deepest indigo which looks black to lighter shades cobalt blue. Notice the gold painted dog tag which highlights the painting.

Media: Mixed Media: Ink, Acrylic on canvas

Size: 9 in X 12 in (22.9 cm X 30.5 cm)

How to Purchase:

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Yellowstone Buffalo #2 - Bison by Montana Artist

2012-01-27T17:32:00.001-08:00

Yellowstone Buffalo #2 - Bison by Montana Artist

About This Painting:

The Buffalo in Yellowstone are just awesome. This one was walking by my truck window snorting. The sound made my hair stand on end. Such massive power with such intense eyes. So I had to paint him.

I have several other Bison on my Website if you are interested in Bison images.

Media: Mixed Media: Ink, Acrylic on canvas

Size: 8 in X 8 in (20.3 cm X 20.3 cm)

How to Purchase:

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More Blue Dancer Arrangements

2012-01-26T15:15:00.000-08:00

Here are two more arrangements of Blue Dancers. Let me know which arrangement you like best. The only challenge is getting a good photo of all four paintings. The four paintings together become so large that they start to stretch the limits of what the camera can capture. The lighting is the big problem. Photographing a wall is not like photographing a single painting.

NODP

Four Blue Dancers - Horse Art Painting Western Contemporary

2012-01-26T14:43:00.000-08:00

Four Blue Dancers - Horse Art Painting Western Contemporary

Creativity and ingenuity are often described as being able to take individual items mixed them together and come up with something new. In this case I've taken four of my recently completed Blue Dancer paintings and arranged them together. Where one painting gave an impression of motion, four paintings offer a dynamic look at the movement of horses. Horses are rarely still. They move about grazing and moving every few seconds. I realized this when I started sketching horses and would do 2 minute sketches during which time they would have moved three or four times

My muse has been enjoying creating the Blue Dancers. Did you know that people at one time thought that muses lived in the walls of your house (kind of like a house elf), All an artist had to do was show up and work and they rest was left to the muse. That way artists never took credit for anything and it kept their egos in check as they had to remain humble or the muse wouldn't show up.

About This Painting:

The Four Blue Dancer paintings arranged together create a new image that shows the energy of movement. The three 8x8 inch painting next to the 16 X 20 make a large painting that can cover a wall.

Media: Mixed Media: ink, Acrylic on canvas

Size: 34 in X 28 in (86.4 cm X 71.1 cm)

How to Purchase:

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Triptych Blue Dancers Horse Art Painting Montana Aritst

2012-01-25T15:16:00.001-08:00

Triptych Blue Dancers Horse Art Painting Montana Aritst

About This Painting:

The Triptych above can be arranged in different ways.

The Blue Dancer Triptych combines three paintings into one. Artists often paint series of paintings to show their style, consistency and depth. An artist's style is like a finger print. Although some may copy the style, only the artist can consistently produce the same signature over and over in a consistent manner which uniquely belongs to her.

An artist must be able to show almost paradoxically that they can consistently create the same and yet uniquely different aspects of a subject in the same style. This shows a depth of understanding and awareness that an artist needs to know their own signature or style. The artist style is also called the "voice" of the artist. Some think this voice is a combination of the style and the medium. It is possible to see my style come through in any type of media I use. Look at the pencil drawings or the paintings and you will find the same unique lost and found edges, the looseness of line and the gesture of form that comes from spontaneously creating from a blank canvas or paper without any under drawing.

Creating without an under drawing comes from my training. My art mentor required that I draw 6-8 hours a day until my hand became my eye. Through the discipline of drawing this way for hours and years I can now create without any under drawing and this allows a spontaneity to emerge in my style.

Media: Mixed Media: Ink, Acrylic on canvas

Size: 8 in X 24 in (20.3 cm X 61 cm)

How to Purchase:

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Blue Dancer #13 - Horse Painting Art by Montana Artist SJ Merwin

2012-01-24T18:37:00.000-08:00

Blue Dancer #13 - Horse Painting Art by Montana Artist

About This Painting:

Painting Blue Dancers captures the essence of motion and relationship between self and other. The archetypal image of the horse racing across the landscape calls to the freedom of the human soul.

Media: Mixed Media: Ink, Acrylic on canvas

Size: 8 in X 8 in (20.3 cm X 20.3 cm)

Price: $120 USD

How to Purchase:

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Blue Dancer #12 - Horse Art Painting by Montana Artist

2012-01-23T14:47:00.000-08:00

Blue Dancer #12 - Horse Art Painting by Montana Artist

About This Painting:

Blue Dancer #12 is part of my series of Montana horses dancing in Big Sky country. The lost and found lines are exquisite in the motion of this piece. The three pieces 11,12 and 13 form a triptych. If you would like to see then all together, email me for a photo. They can be sold individually or as a unit. There is a special triptych price of $275.00 for all three pieces.

Media: Mixed Media: Ink, Acrylic on canvas

Size: 8 in X 8 in (20.3 cm X 20.3 cm)

Price: $120 USD

How to Purchase:

Horse Art - Blue Dancer Horse Series by SJ Merwin

2012-01-22T14:56:00.000-08:00

Horse Art - Blue Dancer #11 - Equine painting by Montana Artist

About This Painting:

The Blue Dancer Series started in 1999. Blue Dancer #11 continues my series of Montana horses dancing across the plains and mountains of this magical land. Each Blue Dancer is unique.

Media: Mixed Media: Ink, Acrylic on canvas

Size: 8 in X 8 in (20.3 cm X 20.3 cm)

Price: $120 USD

How to Purchase:

Horse Art - Blue Dancer Horse Series by SJ Merwin

2012-01-21T16:48:00.000-08:00

Horse painting - Blue Dancer Series - Contemporary Art by Montana Artist

About This Painting:

Sorry this Blue Dancer sold quickly to an East coast buyer. I have three more Blue Dancers scheduled for posting so please keep watching for more Horse Art from SJ Merwin

Media: Acrylic on stretched canvas

Size: 9 in X 12 in (22.9 cm X 30.5 cm)

Elegant Blue Dancer - Contemporary horse art painting by Montana Artist, SJ Merwin

2012-01-20T16:42:00.000-08:00

Elegant Blue Dancer by Montana Artist SJ Merwin. Please click on image above for a larger photo.

I've been painting my Blue Dancer Series since 1999. This series is part of my past, present and future. The Blue Horses Dancing across the Montana landscape are part of my essence. They speak to me and I to them. We claim each other. I have also completed the next three Blue Dancers and have six more planned for this year.

Elegant Blue Dancer - Contemporary horse art painting by Montana Artist

About This Painting:

Elegant Blue Dancer is the 11th Blue Dancer Painting in a series of Blue Dancers. All the Blue Dancers except this one have been sold but keep watching because #12,#13 and #14 are ready to be posted.

Media: Mixed Media: ink, Acrylic on canvas

Size: 16 in X 20 in (40.6 cm X 50.8 cm)

How to Purchase:

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Standing Proud - Contemporary Horse Art Painting Blue Gold Montana Artist

2012-01-19T17:22:00.000-08:00

Standing Proud - Contemporary Horse Art Painting Blue Gold Montana Artist

About This Painting:

This 4 foot X 6 foot painting commands a room - thus the painting title: Standing Proud. In todays world values are changing. It's important to stand up for the greater good and stand proud.

Media: Acrylic

Size: 48 in X 72 in (121.9 cm X 182.9 cm)

Price: $3000 USD

How to Purchase:

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Scottish Trinity - Scottish Terrier, Scottie, Dog, Painting, Art, Montana Artist

2012-01-18T18:57:00.000-08:00

Click on the above painting to see it a larger image.

Scottish Trinity - Scottish Terrier, Scottie, Dog, Painting, Art, Montana Artist

About This Painting:

"Scottish Trinity" uses the the power of three to create a unique painting in bold colors. The three Scottish Terriers looking off to the left leaves the viewer with a sense of wonder at what they see

Media: Mixed Media: ink, Acrylic on stretched canvas

Size: 16 in X 20 in (40.6 cm X 50.8 cm)

Price: $650 USD

How to Purchase:

Turquoise Scot - Scottish Terrier Dog Painting Art by Montana Artist

2012-01-17T14:53:00.000-08:00

Turquoise Scot - Scottish Terrier Dog Painting Art by Montana Artist

About This Painting:

The Scottish Terrier is nicknamed "Diehard" and are very gentle with people. The painting captures the compact, muscular dog on the canvas with the powerful, spirited personality of the Scottie.

Media: Mixed Media: ink, Acrylic on stretched canvas

Size: 11 in X 14 in (27.9 cm X 35.6 cm)

Price: $220 USD

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2012-01-12T17:27:00.001-08:00

I like painting action, Airedales and Welsh Terriers. Capturing their love of life brings joy to the watercolor paper. We can use a little more joy in this world! Here's my contribution.

This is a watercolor painting that is on yupo. Yupo is a challenging paper for watercolorists. The paint floats on top of the yupo and doesn't sink in as it does on regular watercolor paper. This means that the artist must work with the painting and not place it on the page. A stroke of paint can turn into something else with a breath. Yupo is challenging to work with but the great lost and found edges that it creates are exciting.

Curled up Welsh - Welsh Terrier Art, Dog Paintings by Montana Aritst SJ Merwin

2011-12-20T16:28:00.000-08:00

It's been so enjoyable creating Welsh Terrier art using my little Welshie as the model. I'd had three Welsh Terriers in my life and each has had such a unique personality, but all have been true to the breed. Intensely driven to do their job of dispatching predators and not very interested in taking direction from humans. In fact all three Welshies have loved humans and think they are great to play with. Play is the goal for Welshies if no rodents need to be attended to.

When training my Welshies I've frequently ended up in classes with herding dogs. In one such class all the herding dogs were looking to their humans for their next command as my little Welsh tried to crawl under a large chest. He was able to get his head under the structure so that meant he could get his body under it and when he finally emerged he carried a mouse which he dropped triumphantly at my feet. He had done his job!! Now he was ready to play and take a rest.

The 8 X 8 inch watercolor painting shows a common resting position: all curled up. Please email me if you are interested in Welshies or interested in "Curled up Welsh"
Contact Me

Welsh Resting - SJ Merwin - Watercolor Dog Terrier Art Paintings by Montana Artist

2011-12-19T09:05:00.000-08:00

Welsh Resting by S J Merwin

Welsh Terriers are not small Airedales. They are not miniature Airedales. Welsh Terriers are one of the oldest breeds known and once were known as the black and tan. They were originally used as ratters. Living on farms, they were released in the morning and spent the day on their own without supervision from humans. There were doing their job of looking for mice, rats and other pests to kill. The herding dogs were breed to help the farmers by protecting and managing sheep but the Welsh were breed for the vital job of protecting the farm from being over run by vermin. Mice, rats and and other rodents could ruin a crop or a store house of grain. I'm reminded of the story of the Pied Piper who cleared the land of rats. The story does have a foundation in truth. The truth is that rats could devastate a country. Many animals will kill mice or rats if they corner them. But the Welsh Terrier was breed to go underground after the prey and kill the colony. Many say that the Welsh tail is docked exactly the length of a hand hold, thus ensuring that the owner could grab the tail and pull the dog out of the hole if the fight got too intense. Intense is a good word to describe a Welsh Terrier who has his mind set on killing a rodent. They are so intense that they can't hear a command. Their ancient breeding commands them to dispatch of the rodent interloper. All of this makes the training very interesting when someone wants to train a Welsh who has been breed to work alone to get his job done.

The 8 x 10 inch watercolor painting shows the Welsh at Rest. Welsh Terriers often look like cuddly teddy bears when they are at rest. What a enigma the Welsh is. He can be an intense, fierce rodent hunter and look like a charming little teddy bear.

One of my favorite Quaotes

2011-10-25T18:44:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite quotes and sometimes helps me get through the tough times we all have.

“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Musings on Art competitions

2011-10-11T14:51:00.000-07:00

I must get an invitation to an art competition every day in my email. How do they find me? It's not like I entered my name in the "Please email me all your art competitions list". In fact the only thing I can see that is accomplished by entering these competitions is to send money to strangers. You might as well answer the emails that ask you to put a million dollars in your bank from a stranger who want to get funds out of a strange country.

I once asked a judge of a large art competition to describe the behind the scenes process. The national competition that he judged asked a whooping $125.00 per item entry fee. There were over 4,000 entries.

So this is what happened behind the scenes. He and two other judges sat in a darkened room while someone projected the disk image you sent on a screen. If you labeled your disk wrong it was pulled from the competition. If you wrote on the itty bitty disk space illegibly the disk was pulled. Then, each painting got less than 2 seconds viewing. You'd think that for one hundred and twenty five bucks they could have given a painting three seconds. But nope in the the count of one thousand one, one thousand two... the judges would decided yea or nay. By the end of the day the field was whittled down to the 20-50 paintings that they would take a little longer to view before choosing a first, second and third place.

At the end of the day the winner did get a check for $20,000.00 and second place got $10,000.00 and third place got $5,000.00. But by my calculations the people who ran the art competition took in some where in the neighborhood of half a million dollars.

Yup, I think it would be better to respond to the email telling you that you just won the Irish lottery than enter most art competitions.

Chickadee Joy = miniature, square, bird, art, painting, by SJ Merwin

2011-10-09T19:31:00.001-07:00

Chickadee Joy = miniature, square, bird, art, painting

About This Painting:
This charming little painting is on a stretched tiny canvas that is an inch and a quarter deep. That means it will stand alone on a shelf. Chickadees are joyful little critters.

Media: Mixed: Acrylic and ink on stretched miniature canvas
Size: 4 in X 4 in (10.2 cm X 10.2 cm)
Price: $50 USD

How to Purchase:
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Norwich Terrier in Pencil - Dog, Canine Art, Drawing by SJ Merwin

2011-10-03T15:03:00.000-07:00

Norwich Terrier in Pencil - Dog, Canine Art, Drawing

About This Painting:
Drawing is the foundation for my art. Whenever I go through a busy phase of life I find myself reverting to the pencil drawings that keep my skills honed and my eye sharp. I began my art career by drawing 6-8 hours a day. I drew until my hand and my eye were so connected that I didn't have to look at the paper to draw.

About the drawing:
If you've seen a Norwich in person you know that they are the definition of cute. There is something about these little dogs that just makes anyone smile. I recently saw a Norwich compete in an Agility competition. The joyful dog was running through tunnels with abandon.

Media: graphite
Size: 9 in X 9 in (22.9 cm X 22.9 cm)

How to Purchase:
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Chevaux de la grotte - Contemporary horse Western art by Montana Artist

2011-09-29T13:58:00.000-07:00

Chevaux de la grotte - Contemporary horse Western art by Montana Artist

About This Painting:
This is a huge painting. It dominates a nine foot wall with energy and motion. When horses are in motion everything can seem as sound and fury of what appears to be controlled.

Media: Acrylic on stretched canvas
Size: 60 in X 48 in (152.4 cm X 121.9 cm)

How to Purchase:
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Three in Exuberance - Horse Equine Contemporary art Montana Artist, SJ Merwin

2011-09-08T09:15:00.000-07:00

Three in Exuberance - Horse Equine Contemporary art Montana Artist

About This Painting:
Modern with high contrast, this painting combines techniques, mediums, and memories. The technique is palette knife, the medium is oil and ink, the memories are of my three horses of my youth.

Media: Oil - Mixed Media
Size: 20 in X 16 in (50.8 cm X 40.6 cm)

How to Purchase:
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Spirit Horses - Contemporary Horse Paintings Art by Montana Arist, SJ Merwin

2011-09-06T16:05:00.000-07:00

Spirit Dancers - Contemporary Horse art painting by Montana Artist

About This Painting:
Bold primary colors with energy exploding from the canvas. Spirit Dancers is a wealth of lost and found lines with the red and yellow creating an effect of more horses behind the spirit horses.

I recently received an email from a viewer who mentioned how much she enjoyed my spirit horses. Now I have a new series to go with my Blue Dancer Series. The new series is Spirit Horses. Watch for more horses of the spirit.

More about the painting process:
As I created Spirit Dancers I thought of the synonym for Spirit which is Soul. And I mused on the question of animal souls.

Do animals have a soul? According to many learned religious leaders animals do not have a soul. This belief comes from our past history. Even 50 years ago people thought that animals lived only on an instinctual level. Today we are learning more about animals and who they are. Ravens are problem solvers and use tools. Dogs smell at a molecular level. Jelly fish have emotions. Elephants grieve when one of them dies. Whether or not the learned religious leaders believe animals have a soul, I know many who disagree. A friend of mine says: I won't see you in heaven unless there are animals. Who would want to be there? A place without animals is no place for me.

Media: Acrylic on stretched canvas
Size: 20 in X 16 in (50.8 cm X 40.6 cm)

How to Purchase:
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Running Flat Out - Horse, Equine, Contemporary, Western, Art, SJ Merwin

2011-08-16T14:30:00.000-07:00

Running Flat Out - Horse, Equine, Contemporary, Western, Art

About This Painting:
If you've ever felt like you were running flat out to get things done, this painting may capture that emotion. When growing up along the Hi Line of Montana, my neighbor, Lucian Gibson used to bring his cutting horse over and let me ride him. The cutting horse was trained to respond to your knee pressure so that you could cut a calf from a cow and or a cow from a herd and keep your hands free for roping. This horse loved to run. I got to exercise him. He would start at a run that was smooth and effortless and then he would move to a run that pounded the road - back hooves propelling us like a piston and front hooves reaching for more and more earth as we moved faster and faster. There was a senses of power and control and being on the edge of not being on control. Above it all was the feeling of going flat out - everything was on the line.

This painting captures that emotion of flat out running. It is acrylic, ground and ink that swirls around the canvas creating lost and found lines just like the Montana dust swirling around the horse as he goes flat out.

Media: Mixed
Size: 20 in X 16 in (50.8 cm X 40.6 cm)

How to Purchase:
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The Rescue - Dog Art, Painting, Canine, portraits, Large, Terrier, Contemporary

2011-08-06T15:55:00.000-07:00

The Rescue - Dog Art, Painting, Canine, portraits, Large, Terrier, Contemporary

About This Painting:
This 2.5 foot X 3.5 foot painting celebrates the canine human connection. Any one who has loved a dog knows the place they hold in your heart.

I just finished this huge painting. It is thick with paint and texture and it was truly a wonderful experience painting. It will be winging it way to it's new owner as soon as it is dry.

Media: Mixed
Size: 35 in X 45 in (88.9 cm X 114.3 cm)

How to Purchase:
This painting is sold

Raven Warriors - Raven Bird Art, large painting, by Montana Artist, SJ Merwin

2011-08-04T13:45:00.000-07:00

Raven Warriors - Raven Bird Art, large painting by Montana Artist

About This Painting:
This is a commanding painting that has 12 distinct shades of blue including several metallic blues which enhance the feathers. Ravens are known as messengers of God.

This painting is approximately 2.5 feet x 3.5 feet. I love working with this size of canvas. The design and composition have to be right when you increase the size. Working small often is the saving grace for many artists, the flaws are not seen as readily. Every time you increase the size you increase any flaw of design or composition in the work. Something that looks great small can look off when enlarged. That's why many artist like the challenge of painting large. I know I do.

Media: Mixed Media: ink, Acrylic
Size: 40 in X 30 in (101.6 cm X 76.2 cm)

How to Purchase:
This painting may be available for sale. Please contact me for availability.

Montana Artist Paints Animals

2011-07-16T17:36:00.000-07:00

Recently it has come to my attention that quite a few artists who do not live in Montana are claiming to be Montana Artists. Apparently all you have to do is like the state and drive through it and you can claim you are an artist from Montana.

In Montana we only have about six people per square mile. We have more cows and horses than people. Our whole state hasn't got a million people in it and we are the second largest state in the continental U.S.

I'm a third generation Montana. I was born in Montana. I live in Montana and I'm a working artist from Montana. I hope that sets the record straight.

The King - Airedale - 'Dale Art, Terrier, Dog, Canine, Painting, Montana Aritst

2011-06-28T19:28:00.000-07:00

The King - Airedale - 'Dale Art, Terrier, Dog, Canine, Painting, Montana Aritst

About This Painting:
The Airedale is known as the King of the Terriers. This painting shows the "The King" standing proud with head held high and eyes alert. Lost and found edges create a subtle yet powerful art image. The painting has thick paint that almost creates a three dimensional effect. Please feel free to email me with questions or for more information.

Media: Mixed Media: Acrylic, Charcoal
Size: 16 in X 20 in (40.6 cm X 50.8 cm)

How to Purchase:
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Airedale Buddies - 'Dale Art, Terrier, Dog, Canine, King of the Terriers, Montana Artist, NARA

2011-06-18T18:03:00.000-07:00

Airedale Buddies - 'Dale Art, Terrier, Dog, Canine, King of the Terriers, Montana Artist, NARA

About This Painting:
Airedale and Welsh Terriers are often my favorite subjects. This richly colored painting has gold paint, and shades of wondrous deep blues, purples and turquoise as well as all shades of deep yellow

Media: Mixed: Acrylic, ink, charcoal
Size: 20 in X 16 in (50.8 cm X 40.6 cm)

How to Purchase:
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Blue Horse Dancer's Herd - Equine, Art, Contemporary Western, Painting, Montana Artist

2011-06-18T08:04:00.000-07:00

Click on above photo for larger image

Blue Horse Dancer's Herd - Equine, Art, Contemporary Western, Painting, Montana Artist

About This Painting:
Blue Dancers Herd is a colorful, joyful, edgy, contemporary, painting of horses in motion. A ethics professor told me the way I painted the horses eyes showed that I honored horses in my art. Blue Metallic paint highlights Blue Dancers mane, while splatter of yellow move the viewers eye over the prancing horses.

Media: Mixed Media
Size: 20 in X 16 in (50.8 cm X 40.6 cm)

How to Purchase:
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Big Horn Sheep of Yellowstone Park - Wildlife, Art, Painting, Montana Artist

2011-06-14T13:40:00.000-07:00

Big Horn Sheep of Yellowstone Park - Wildlife, Art, Painting, Montana Artist

About This Painting:
The horns of the Big Horn Sheep can weigh as much as 30 pounds. In this unique mixed media painting, the horns have a wonderful energy filled with texture, color. pattern and balance. When you see a Big Horn Ram with the massive horns, there is an impression of weight and power fused into the enormous bone circles they carry. This painting celebrates the Big Horn Sheep. Specks of gold metallic paint cover the face of the Ram while the curled horns demand the viewers attention.

Media: Mixed Media
Size: 20 in X 16 in (50.8 cm X 40.6 cm)

How to Purchase:
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Wolf Trinity: Wolf Pack Running - Wildlife, Art, Painting by Montana Artist

2011-06-12T13:03:00.001-07:00

Wolf Trinity: Wolf Pack Running - Wolves, Grey Wolf, Yellowstone Park pack, Wildlife, Art, Painting by Montana Artist

About This Painting:
Seeing a Wolf pack running is a rare and unusual experience. In Yellowstone park I saw this pack through a spotting scope. This image comes from my memory of seeing the flash of the pack running.

Media: Mixed Media on Canvas Panel
Size: 16 in X 20 in (40.6 cm X 50.8 cm)

How to Purchase:
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Zebra Forum - Three Zebras, Animals, Art, Wildlife, Montana artist

2011-06-02T15:38:00.000-07:00

Zebra Forum - Three Zebras, Animals, Art, Wildlife, Montana artist

About This Painting:
There is an old adage: If you hear hoof beats, think of horses not Zebras. Zebras have a wonderful shape and form with lines that guide the viewers eye. This piece just pops with energy and joy!

Media: Mixed Media: ink, Acrylic
Size: 20 in X 16 in (50.8 cm X 40.6 cm)

How to Purchase:
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Curious Cinnamon Brown Black Bear - Montana Artist, SJ Merwin

2011-04-23T13:53:00.000-07:00

Curious Cinnamon Brown Black Bear - Montana Artist

About This Painting:
Black bears come in different colors. They can vary in shades from cinnamon brown to black and even white. I live near Yellowstone Park and the bears are awake and hungry.

Media: Mixed Media on Canvas Panel
Size: 16 in X 20 in (40.6 cm X 50.8 cm)

How to Purchase:
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Giant Schnauzer Dog Canine Art Painting Montana Artist

2011-03-30T06:59:00.001-07:00

Giant Schnauzer Dog Canine Art Painting Montana Artist

About This Painting:
This Giant Schnauzer's personality just pops off the canvas. It was a joy painting her.

Size: 20 in X 16 in (50.8 cm X 40.6 cm)

How to Purchase:
This painting is sold

Young Grizzly - Bear Art, Painting, Yellowstone, Montana Artist

2011-03-04T15:05:00.000-08:00

Young Grizzly - Bear Art, Painting, Yellowstone, Montana Artist

About This Painting:
Last year in Yellowstone Park was a great year for bear sightings. The inspiration for this painting came under a bright blue sky. I spotted a young Grizzly almost ready to leave his mother and be on his own.

Media: Mixed
Size: 16 in X 20 in (40.6 cm X 50.8 cm)

How to Purchase:
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Cinnamon Trinity - Horse Art, Contemporary, Western, Equine, Mustang,

2011-03-01T14:25:00.000-08:00

Cinnamon Trinity - Horse Art, Contemporary, Western, Equine, Mustang,

About This Painting:
Wild horses running in a herd is a thrilling sight. Each horse is connected to the horse running next to it; as the dust like a cloud moves with the herd. This painting was inspired by that feeling.

Media: Mixed Media
Size: 20 in X 16 in (50.8 cm X 40.6 cm)

How to Purchase:
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Trifecta II - Contemporary, Western, Horse, Art, Equine, Painting, Montana Artist

2011-02-16T05:13:00.000-08:00

Trifecta II - Contemporary, Western, Horse, Art, Equine, Painting, Montana Artist

About This Painting:
Trifecta II is part of a series of three paintings. The first painting of the series is part of the Billings Clinic permanent collection. Turquoise accents the power and beauty of the running horses.

Size: 16 in X 20 in (40.6 cm X 50.8 cm)

How to Purchase:
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Unbridled - Horse Art, Painting by SJ Merwin, Contemporary Western, Horses, Equines, Montana Artist

2011-02-15T10:28:00.000-08:00

Unbridled - Horse, Equine, Western Art

About This Painting:
"Unbridled" is a lovely word meaning spontaneous and having free will. Horses have been the symbols of power for humans since the first cave drawings. Our language shows our connection to equines. Much of our day to day language has reference to our past dependence on horses. Even our cars are still rated by their horse power!

The painting, "Unbridled" has a wonderful depth to it. The textured, mixed media approach really makes this painting unique and impressive in person.

Media: Mixed Media - Acrylic, Ink, Charcoal and Oil on Stretched Canvas
Size: 16 in X 20 in (40.6 cm X 50.8 cm)
Price: $750 USD

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Deux Chevaux - Western, Horse, Equine Art, Painting, Montana Artist, Contemporary, Absract, Horses

2011-02-14T10:46:00.000-08:00

Deux Chevaux - Western, Horse, Equine Art, Painting, Montana Artist, Contemporary, Absract, Horses

About This Painting:
Horse interactions and communications have always intrigued me. Here the painting intrigues the viewer by being abstract yet realistic. It is abstract, yet you know it's horses. My inspiration for this painting was to make the painting as intriguing as the horse communications. In person when you view this painting you'll see thick paint that stands out at least an eighth of an inch. The two yellow dots are connected and the viewers eye travels from horse to horse making out each shape and the shape of the two horses. It is definitely intriguing.

Media: Acrylic Impasto on Stretched Canvas
Size: 20 in X 16 in (50.8 cm X 40.6 cm)
Price: $750 USD

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Three Blue Horse Dancers - Equine, Akhal Teke, Contemporary Montana Artist

2011-02-13T14:39:00.000-08:00

Three Blue Horse Dancers - Equine, Akhal Teke, Contemporary Montana Artist

About This Painting:
Three Blue Horse Dancers is very subtle and sophisticated in color. The horse on the left is metallic which shines in the light.

The inspiration for this painting is the Akhal Teke horse, an ancient horse with a face that is longer than the wild mustangs I often paint. These ancient horses remind me of some of the paintings on the Chauvet Cave walls in France. Art experts say that the prehistoric artists who painted these walls had an understanding of line, form and shading.

Media: Oil, Ink, Acrylic on canvas panel
Size: 10 in X 8 in (25.4 cm X 20.3 cm)

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Portrait of A Good Dog, Wire Fox Terrier Art, Painting, Pastel, Large, Drawing, Canine, Dog, Contemporary, Montana Artist

2011-01-30T13:49:00.000-08:00

Portrait of A Good Dog

About This Painting:
Terriers are not the easiest dogs to train, but the experience is so worth the effort. When training terriers there is a certain expression that comes over their face when you say "watch me" or"good dog". Terriers are very distractable but there are times when you have 100% of their attention in such a way that a deep connection is born. Dogs and human can have a deep bond that shows in how a dog looks at you. This is a portrait of that experience.

The drawing is created with oil pastel. Every once in a while a drawing just sings for the artist. This is one of those.

Media: Oil Pastel on paper
Size: 11 in X 14 in (27.9 cm X 35.6 cm)

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Hoofbeats On the Prairie - Horse, Art, Equine, Painting, Horses, Western, Contemporary, Montana Artist, SJ Merwin

2011-01-29T14:04:00.000-08:00

Hoof beats On the Prairie - Horse Equine Western Art

About This Painting:
This painting is huge and has an energy that pops. If you look closely and listen you can hear the song of the horses and the feeling of hoof beats in this painting. The golden background is very evocative of a the sandstone rims in the early mornings. The high plains have a golden light that rivals the light in Tuscany or Taos. This painting captures the light and the images of the horse herd racing against the golden sandstone at dawn.

Media: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 28 in X 22 in (71.1 cm X 55.9 cm)

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Border Terrier Love - Border Terrier, Painting, Art, Drawing, Canine, Dog, Puppy

2011-01-28T14:28:00.000-08:00

Border Terrier Love - Border Terrier, Painting, Art, Drawing, Canine, Dog, Puppy

About This Painting:
This Border Terrier drawing is exquisite in detail. The expression on the pups face as he snuggles his mom is priceless. This pencil drawing reminds us to cherish those quiet times with love. There is something special about the simplicity of a pencil drawing. This drawing was created totally from my memory of a lovely Border Terrier called Bella who wormed her way into my heart one weekend when she visited us.

Media: Graphite on paper
Size: 6 in X 8 in (15.2 cm X 20.3 cm)

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Thunder on the Praire - Contemporary, Buffalo, Bison, Herd, Painting, Art, Montana Artist, Chauvet

2011-01-20T14:43:00.000-08:00

Click the photo above for a larger picture of the details

Thunder on the Praire - Contemporary Montana Buffalo, Bison Herd Painting

About This Painting:
Although the computer image appears small the painting is large, unframed it is 12 X 36 inches. The distinctive bison shapes form a mass as the large bull charges across the prairie. The painting was inspired after being caught in a Bison herd at Yellowstone park. Luckily I was in a pickup truck as the huge Bull charged by, chasing the herd across the road. The earth actually shook as they thundered snorting and grunting within inches of my window. The hair on my arms stood up and I was speechless. I could image why the cave people adorned their walls with art of the Bison trying to capture the awe inspiring, primitive power they have. The painting style is reminiscent of the Chauvet Caves in France. I felt this style was the only way to capture the primitive power of the Bison herd.

Media: Mixed Media: Metalic Acrylic, Charcoal, Ink
Size: 36 in X 12 in (91.4 cm X 30.5 cm)

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Kerry Blue in Charcoal, Kerry Blue AKC, Dog, Art, Painting, Contemporary, Canine drawings, Montana Artist

2011-01-13T15:15:00.000-08:00

Kerry Blue in Charcoal

About This Painting:
I saw my first Kerry Blue all decked out in show form at an AKC event. The coat, the grooming and the muscular conditioning of the Kerry Blue was stunning. What a beautiful dog. I was inspired on the spot to create several sketches which became this unusual charcoal drawing when I got back to the studio. The bluish tint of the MiTiennes paper gives this elegant, unusual Kerry Blue Charcoal a real tint of blue.

Media: Charcoal on MiTiennes Canson Pape
Size: 13 in X 16 in (33 cm X 40.6 cm)

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Ghost Wind - Horse, Equine, Painting, Art, Contemporary, Western, Montana Artist, Colt

2011-01-11T09:16:00.000-08:00

Ghost Wind - Horse, Equine, Painting, Art, Contemporary, Western, Montana Artist, Colt

About This Painting:
Ghost Wind is a large Acrylic painting of a colt sired by an ancient Stallion. When I saw the colt running I thought he looked like what the wind must look like, if you captured it and saw its image.

According legend, Ghost Wind was a stallion of the prairie. He was revered by the Flathead Indians who tried to catch him. Ghost Wind was named because he could run like the Wind and slip away into nothingness. The Indians called him strong medicine because they respected his intelligence and his grace.

Ghost Wind was so well known that a reward was offered for his capture in 1879. He was seen along the Chisholm trail as well as in the areas of Mexico, Oklahoma and South of Canada. According to legend a Vaguero band paced Ghost Wind for over 200 miles before catching him and staking him out. The proud Stallion refused food or water for 10 days and then laid down and died.

Many believe that the descendants of the great Stallion still live today. This painting is inspired by the great spirit of the proud Stallion who suffered from man's inhumanity to animals. This is Ghost Wind's son. The painting is my hope that Ghost Wind's progeny still run like the wind, and have humans near them who honor them.

Media: Mixed Media on stretched canvas
Size: 24 in X 36 in (61 cm X 91.4 cm)

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"Penguin Shapes" Animal Art, Painting, Abstract, Montana Artist

2011-01-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

"Penguin Shapes" Animal Art, Painting, Abstract, Montana Artist

About This Painting:
Shapes and patterns are the dance of life. Patterns of behavior, shapes of life are all part the art of living. Hardy Penguins living in the cold shaping their lives to adapt. Who is the other?

Media: Acrylic
Size: 24 in X 12 in (61 cm X 30.5 cm)

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Wings and Feathers: The American Kestrel Charcoal, Drawing, Painting, Bird, Art, Montana Artist, Sandra Merwin

2011-01-08T16:50:00.000-08:00

Click above image for a detailed photo

Wings and Feathers: The American Kestrel - Bird Charcoal

About This Painting:
Charcoal Wings and feathers come together to create a majesty in the American Kestrel. This is truly a stunning drawing of a bird of prey. The simplicity of the charcoal values combines with the complexity of the feather patterns to form one of my favorite pieces of bird art.

Media: Charcoal on MiTiennes Canson Paper
Size: 9 in X 12 in (22.9 cm X 30.5 cm)

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Divine Ascension: The Chickadee, Bird Art, Painting, Wildlife, Montana Artist

2011-01-05T07:18:00.001-08:00

Divine Ascension: The Chickadee, Bird Art, Painting, Wildlife, Montana Artist

About This Painting:
Animals have been symbols for people since the first human painted a cave wall. The angelic Chickadee hovers in grace watching the other bird. Thus this painting became symbolic of Divine Ascension.

Media: Mixed: Acrylic, Ink
Size: 16 in X 20 in (40.6 cm X 50.8 cm)

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Battling Stallions - Wild, Contemporary, Horse, Art, Equine, Painting, Montana Artist, Large, Western, Rockies, Cloud

2011-01-03T10:37:00.000-08:00

Battling Stallions - Contemporary, Horse, Art, Equine, Painting, Montana Artist, Large, Western,

About This Painting:
The wild horse herds of Montana live in the Pryor Mountains where the battle for leadership continues. This painting was inspired by the story of Cloud: Wild Stallion of the Rockies. The wild horses of Montana lead a challenging life. They are seen as competition for the grass by ranchers. They run for their lives from the yearly round up as families are separated and stress is extreme. They have to forage for food in the long winter and the stallions must fight for their rights in the herd. If you don't know the story of Cloud, Please check out this website and discover the story of the Wild Horses of the Rockies. Click here for the story of Cloud

Media: Acrylic on Stretched Canvas
Size: 20 in X 16 in (50.8 cm X 40.6 cm)

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Raven Flight #2 - Animal, Wildlife Art, Painting, Montana Artist

2011-01-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

Raven Flight #2

About This Painting:
This painting was created in Yellowstone, Montana. It is wings, motion and thick paint with a palette knife. The Raven, known as the messenger of God, rides the wind.

Media: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 14 in X 11 in (35.6 cm X 27.9 cm)

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Terrier Parade - Welsh Airedale Terriers Art by Sandra Merwin

2010-12-31T06:00:00.000-08:00

Terrier Parade - Welsh Airedale Terriers

About This Painting:
Motion and shapes with lost and found edges not only describe art but also describe life. Lost and found edges of personalities and relationships and art. A terrier knows this dance.

Media: Acrylic
Size: 14 in X 11 in (35.6 cm X 27.9 cm)

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Turtle Trinity: Building a World From Chaos, Animal, Wildlife Art, Painting, Montana Artist

2010-12-29T13:32:00.000-08:00

Turtle Trinity: Building a World From Chaos, Animal, Wildlife Art, Painting, Montana Artist

About This Painting:
Emotional chaos is a largely a solitary experience. Trinity is the divine promise as turtles are symbols of long, creative lives. The paradox is chaos and trinity live close together in the universe.

Media: Acrylic Impasto on Canvas Panel
Size: 20 in X 16 in (50.8 cm X 40.6 cm)

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Young Great Dane - Dog Drawing, Painting, Puppy, Portrait, Canine, Montana Artist

2010-12-28T17:01:00.000-08:00

Young Great Dane - Dog Drawing, Painting, Puppy, Portrait, Canine, Montana Artist

About This Painting:
When I met this Great Dane he was nine months old and bright eyed eating six cups of dog food a day. There was a special way he held his head that inspired me to capture this moment in time.

Media: oil pastel
Size: 8 in X 8 in (20.3 cm X 20.3 cm)

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Returning light: After the Storm, Wild, Horse, Equine, Contemporary, Art, Painting, Montana Artist, SJ Merwin

2010-12-19T13:43:00.000-08:00

This painting is SOLD

Returning light: After the Storm, Wild, Horse, Equine, Contemporary, Art, Painting, Montana Artist

About This Painting:
Life has storms. Returning to the center brings back the light.

Media: Mixed: Acrylic, Ink, Oil on 5 ply Archival Bristol Paper
Size: 18 in X 22 in (45.7 cm X 55.9 cm)

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Raven Trinity: Divine Messages - Raven Bird Crow Contemporary Art Painting by Montana Artist

2010-12-17T14:16:00.000-08:00

This Painting is Sold

Raven Trinity: Divine Messages - Raven Bird Crow Contemporary Art Painting by Montana Artist

About This Painting:
Three is a sacred, magic number and the Raven is considered the messenger of God. The Raven is one of the smartest animals who uses teamwork, problem solving and play as dimensions of its behavior.

Media: Mixed: Acrylic, Ink, Oil on Stretched Canvas
Size: 14 in X 11 in (35.6 cm X 27.9 cm)
Price: $250 USD

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Horses in the Snow - Equine Contemporary Art by SJ Merwin

2010-12-14T06:00:00.000-08:00

Horses in the Snow - Western Contemporary Horse Equine Art Montana Artist

About This Painting:
The Northern U.S. is experiencing snow. The Quarter horses near my house were wearing the snow in patterns so that they blend with the earth and skies in the snowy landscape.

Media: Mixed Media - Acrylic, Ink and oil
Size: 14 in X 11 in (35.6 cm X 27.9 cm)

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The Angus Heifer - Bovine, Cow, Painting, Farm, Ranch, Western, Art, Montana Artist

2010-12-12T13:56:00.000-08:00

The Angus Heifer - Bovine, Cow, Painting, Farm, Ranch, Western, Art, Montana Artist

About This Painting:
Thank you! Wow, the compliments have been pouring in with phrases like: "Your brilliance at experimenting" to "You capture the essence of the animal." This inspired me to create "Angus Heifer". Enjoy

I love getting feedback. Artists tend to work alone so we often are isolated from feedback from our customers. I work alone and I live in a state that has only about a million people total. That means that there are more cows than people in Montana.

The internet brings people together so that they can share their reactions. My customers across the nation, tell me the paintings always look better in person. I thought this was true for all artists. I thought the camera took a photo that could not touch an original painting. But my customers tell me it's not true. Apparently some artists' work looks better on the internet than in person. I've never gotten that feedback. Thank goodness.

Media: Mixed: Acrylic, Ink, Oil on Stretched Canvas
Size: 16 in X 20 in (40.6 cm X 50.8 cm)

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Scottish Terrier Play Bow - Contemporary, Dog Art, Painting, Portrait, Montana Artist

2010-11-30T08:26:00.000-08:00

Scottish Terrier Play Bow Contemporary Dog Art

About This Painting:
I love creating animal paintings as contemporary art. This Scottish Terrier painting is full of shapes and contours and swirling colors in a modern format and the gesture of the dog in texture. What is wonderful about this painting is the depth. Look carefully at the dogs head and you'll see the head appears to be moving out of the canvas toward the viewer.

Media: Acrylic Impasto on Canvas Panel
Size: 20 in X 16 in (50.8 cm X 40.6 cm)

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Blue Dancers Trinity: Out of Chaos and Into the Light - Horse Art by Sj Merwin

2010-11-29T13:39:00.001-08:00

Blue Dancers Trinity: Out of Chaos and Into the Light

About This Painting:
Each painting has a story and a life of it's own. For those who have been through the darkness you will recognize the chaos and understand the Blue Dancers as part of our spiritual universal Dance.

Media: Mixed: Acrylic, Ink, Oil
Size: 20 in X 24 in (50.8 cm X 61 cm)

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Celestial Dancer - Symbolic Jung Horse Contemporary Equine Painting

2010-11-25T15:24:00.000-08:00

Celestial Dancer - Symbolic Jung Horse Contemporary Equine Painting

About This Painting:
I paint with powerful archetypes in mind.

Media: Mixed Media
Size: 16 in X 20 in (40.6 cm X 50.8 cm)

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If this painting touches you, please send me an email. You may be surprised at how reasonable the purchase price is.

Click on Painting to see a larger image
Carl Jung, who died in 1961, was a master at interpreting the meaning of symbols. After years of studying symbolism I paint with these powerful archetypes in mind. When people choose a painting for their homes or offices, they often pick symbols that call to their spirit. The horse is a symbol of energy at your disposal. This painting of a horse racing free calls attention to the energy and passion in serving a higher good. Light blue is a celestial color and speaks of spiritual energy. This painting was created to call to people and remind them daily to seek energy and passion in their life for a higher good.

The painting is exquisite with lost and found edges that let your eye move with the rhythm of the horse. The hooves and legs are in motion, visible and yet not. The horse is perfectly balanced inhaling a breath, just before exploding into the next step. The front leg is reaching - as if reaching for the next step in life -- ready to dance.

"Blue Horse Dancer Trinity: Running for the Light" Contemporary Horse Art Painting Watercolor by Montana Artist

2010-11-13T15:51:00.000-08:00

SOLD
Click on the image above to see a larger photo.

"Blue Horse Dancer Trinity: Running for the Light" Contemporary Horse Art Painting Watercolor by Montana Artist

About This Painting:
An Anglican Priest from Canada emailed me about my Trinity Series and said: "I very much admire your piece, it catches the divine energy and beauty. I love the movement of energy and grace" I was very touched to read his comments because he saw exactly what I was attempting to convey.

In the world today, it seems that everyone wants to get rich and famous. There are higher qualities to strive for. In the Trinity series - every painting has three horses symbolizing the sacred divine energy. The Trinity Series is my attempt to convey energy and grace. Energy, grace, integrity - all those qualities that remind us that that there are higher goals to aspire to than money and riches.

A friend who was a nun once said to me "there are no pockets in the suit you wear to heaven". I thought it was a nice sentiment, but she said, "No really, the mortuary staff cut the pockets out the clothes so that the clothes lay flat. There really are no pockets in the suit you wear to heaven.

This painting is subtitled "Running for the Light". We all need forward motion. Sometimes we can get so bogged down in the day to day petty injustices that we lose our forward motion and need to remind ourselves to run for joy, to run with integrity and to run for the Light.

Media: Mixed Media: Watercolor, Ink, Acrylic paint on 500 lb. Bristol Paper
Size: 24 in X 20 in (61 cm X 50.8 cm)
This Painting Is Sold

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Lots of Try - Contemporary Monochromatic Horse Equine

2010-11-07T17:22:00.000-08:00

Lots of Try - Contemporary Monochromatic Horse Equine

About This Painting:
I created this abstract piece some time ago and put it away. As I was reviewing old pieces today I was surprised to see the perfect horse almost in a 3-D perspective - with two fresh strokes the horse appeared. The muse was at work. Which brings me to an important aspect of creativity. Often things work out better than you expect if you get out of the way. Stop controlling the process. Let the creative process guide you to your best work.

Media: Mixed media
Size: 8 in X 10 in (20.3 cm X 25.4 cm)
Price: $120 USD

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Blue Dancer at Rest - Contemporary Horse equine art by SJ Merwin

2010-11-06T19:29:00.000-07:00

Blue Dancer at Rest - Contemporary Horse equine art by Montana Artist

About This Painting:
The dance of creativity is one of many types of steps. One of the most basic steps to becoming more creative is making connections. This painting is full of connections. The mixed media is an unusual combination of paint and ink applied in new ways making new connections of the medium. The horse is a new connection of perspective. I've done a series of Blue Dancers but imagining Blue Dancer at rest brings a new way of seeing. The final image is also about connections, connections with the viewer. The viewer will be able to see the painting in two different ways. The first is Blue Dancer in profile. Then if the viewer relaxes their eyes, it will look like Blue Dancer is in 3/4 profile.

Media: Mixed Media
Size: 14 in X 11 in (35.6 cm X 27.9 cm)
Price: $235 USD

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Creativity is about making connections. How you think about creativity has a lot to do with how creative you are. So asking yourself a series of questions is very useful in the creative journey. How creative do you think you are? How often do you allow yourself just to sit and think and make mental connections? How often do you allow yourself to try something new and different? How often do you look for things to discover? How often do you look in the sky and watch the clouds make shapes that you can identify?

Watching Clouds is a great example of connections. Many of my paintings come from the considerable time I spend watching clouds. The state I live in is nicknamed Big Sky for a reason. The Big Sky of Montana moves with cloud shapes that continually inspire me.

Horse Rhythm - Contemporary Equine - Monochromatic

2010-11-01T17:43:00.000-07:00

Horse Rhythm - Contemporary Equine - Monochromatic

About This Painting:
The rhythm of horses running is much like the rhythm that occurs in the creative process. The monochromatic painting has the feel of the rhythm of three.

Being creative has a rhythm that is tied to breath. If you watch an artist deep in her creative process you will see a slow breath that comes with each stroke of the paint brush. Almost a meditative rhythm of slow inhale, pause for reflection, or to load the brush then a slow exhale gently through pursed lips as the brush stroke is placed on the canvas. Often to get into the painting flow, all an artist needs to do is to watch her breath and accept the rhythm.

The painting is monochromatic - all colors are shades of Burnt Sienna except for the tiny streak of the complimentary blue tone that is a shadow under the horses belly.

Media: Water Media
Size: 10 in X 8 in (25.4 cm X 20.3 cm)
Price: $200 USD

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Blue Dancer Trinity - Contemporary Western Horse Equine Montana Mustang Art

2010-10-24T15:09:00.000-07:00

Blue Dancer Trinity - Contemporary Western Horse Equine Montana Mustang Art

About This Painting:
I like to paint in threes. Three has a deep significance not only for me but for much of humankind throughout our history.

Three is the symbol of the unity of the body, mind and spirit. Throughout history the number three has been a symbol linked to the connectedness and integrity of the universe. In art there are three primary color red, green and blue. Aristotle had three dramatic unities: Unity of Action, Unity of Time, Unity of Place. In music the triad form the basis of any chord. In math three is the first odd prime number. In many religions three has spiritual significance.

Blue Dancer Trinity brings together the magic of the number three and the joy of the Dancer. Watching the muscles ripple, hearing hoofs strike the earth like a drum, I know one of life's great dancers is the horse.. The Dancer becomes the symbol of how we move in life. The dance is the way we can move effortlessly between chaos and order, between suffering and joy, between understanding and paradox.

Media: Mixed Media
Size: 20 in X 16 in (50.8 cm X 40.6 cm)
Price: $450 USD

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Charming Aire - Airedale Welsh Terrier Dog Charcoal Drawing by SJ Merwin

2010-10-23T05:40:00.000-07:00

Charming Aire - Airedale Welsh Terrier Dog Charcoal Drawing

About This Painting:
Charcoal has a range of tone from black to a soft gray. It always amazes me how much aliveness can come from shades of gray. The simplicity and dignity of charcoal adds to the paintings personality.

Media: Charcoal
Size: 9 in X 11 in (22.9 cm X 27.9 cm)
Price: $90 USD

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Finish Line - Horse, Equine, Western Art Painting by Montana Artist

2010-10-21T15:18:00.000-07:00

Click on image above for a larger photo

Finish Line - Horse, Equine, Western Art Painting by Montana Artist

About This Painting:
I live in Montana year around and I'm a third generation Montanan. I grew up riding horses and they have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. The painting is framed in a wooden frame that has tooling much like the tooling you would see in a saddle. I like how everything works together. The frame, the artwork and the sense of tooling reminding us of the smell of horses and leather. As some famous person said: The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a human.

Media: Mixed Media: ink, Acrylic, oil
Size: 14 in X 17 in (35.6 cm X 43.2 cm)
Price: $250 USD

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Simply Elegant - Northern Female Cardinal Bird in Watercolor by SJ Merwin

2010-10-20T12:13:00.000-07:00

Simply Elegant - Northern Female Cardinal Bird in Watercolor by SJ Merwin

About This Painting:
The Northern Female Cardinal dresses in subdued colors as opposed to her flashy red partner. These colors help her blend into her surroundings. She is elegant instead of flashy: a good lesson.

Media: Watercolor on Yupo - varnished
Size: 6.5 in X 6 in (16.5 cm X 15.2 cm)
Price: $120 USD

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Lakeland Terrier - The Lakie, Dog Art Painting Watercolor by SJ Merwin

2010-10-18T20:05:00.000-07:00

Lakeland Terrier - The Lakie, Dog Art Painting Watercolor by SJ Merwin

About This Painting:
Lakeland Terriers have the dog known as the black and tan as an ancestor. Some how the Lakeland Terriers always seem to have a softness about them. This little drawing with a watercolor wash shows a Lakie looking snug.

Media: Pencil drawing with watercolor wash
Size: 6 in X 6 in (15.2 cm X 15.2 cm)
Price: $65 USD

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Reining Champion - Horse Equine Montana Artist, National Reining Horse

2010-10-14T17:39:00.000-07:00

Reining Champion

9 inches X 10 inches
Watercolor on watercolor board
Available 6/10/2010
Prints are also available

I'd love to hear from you. Just click the link below to email me.

email me for more information

The Story Behind the Painting
I painted this 9 X 10 inch watercolor painting a few years back but never released it. I painted it after I met a lovely young woman at the Montana Agricultural Exposition. She told me her story and I am honored to tell you what I can remember of it.

She saved her money and bought the horse that no one wanted at a local auction. She trained the horse in an outdoor corral working after she got off work. She trained all winter long in the dark nights on frozen ground hoping she wouldn't fall because the ground was as hard as concrete.

She was surprised when she had enough points to go to National but not surprised that she didn't have enough money or a trailer to haul her horse the long distance. The little town of Hardin supported her and made sure she had enough to get to National Reining event, but she and her husband had to drive more than 1,000 miles. During their drive an ice storm covered the roads and they ended up in a ditch with the horse trailer barely standing upright. She was ready to give up and go home, but locals helped the young couple, housing them and taking the horse to a near by barn until they ready to continue the journey.

When the young Hardin woman got to the Championships, she and her husband slept in the two horse trailer with one stall for them and one stall for the horse. They ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and showered at the fairgrounds. No one thought she would win. But she did.

So I haven't released the painting until now because the story behind the painting was just so sweet and so human and so heart warming that I want to look at it for a while and use it to remind myself that there are people out there who are good and true. There are strangers who will help you along the journey even when you feel like quitting. These connections are part of all of us. When she won, we all won too.

la poire - Pear, Fruit, Still Life, Watercolor by SJ Merwin

2010-10-13T14:02:00.001-07:00

la poire - Pear, Fruit, Still Life, Watercolor by SJ Merwin

About This Painting:
99.9% of what I paint is animals. Every once in a while I like to remind myself of my artistic roots and paint a still life. This pear was so yummy looking that I just had to paint it.

Media: Watercolor
Size: 7.25 in X 5.5 in (18.4 cm X 14 cm)
Price: $50 USD

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Buffalo Power - Yellowstone Bison - Montana Artist - SJ Merwin

2010-10-09T07:12:00.000-07:00

"Buffalo Power" Yellowstone Bison by Montana Artist

About This Painting:
This Powerful Bull was outside the Gate of Yellowstone Park when the evening was falling and the golden sunset made his fur turn shades of purple.

Creativity is often seeing things in new ways. Our brain holds images of what we see. These images tend to be shared across a population. Think of an icon for a carton of milk. If you grew up in the 50's your icon may be different than someone who grew up with plastic milk cartons. Our brain icons are formed with experience. Part of visual creative is tricking your brain to see beyond your icons.

When people who are not in the visual arts are asked to draw a man, they all draw similar stick figures. This is a good example of a shared icon. But we don't see stick figures when we look at a man. So trick your brain out of thinking in icons and really look around.

Take a moment as ask yourself what are you really seeing. In the case of the Buffalo - the setting sun turned him purple and I painted what I saw.

Media: Acrylic Impasto
Size: 16 in X 20 in (40.6 cm X 50.8 cm)

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Painted Pony Run - Paint Horse, Montana Artist, Equine, Contemporary, Art

2010-10-07T16:00:00.000-07:00

Painted Pony Run - Paint Horse, Montana Artist, Equine, Contemporary, Art

About This Painting:
Part of being creative is knowing when to rest your spirit. Creative people must have time for deep contemplation or their art will suffer. "Painted Pony Run" is an awakening after rest.

Although at first glance the painting may appear almost monochromatic, look closely you you find wondrous colors. The mane is a deep purple, while the earth and sky have splashes of blue and yellow. The sides of the painting are painted so that the painting continues around the sides. Email me if you'd like to know more, I love hearing from people who enjoy my paintings.

Media: Mixed Media - Acrylic, Ink, Oil
Size: 10 in X 8 in (25.4 cm X 20.3 cm)

How to Purchase:
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Bucking Horse Fury - Contemporary Horse Art by Montana Artist

2010-10-05T16:59:00.000-07:00

Bucking Horse Fury - Contemporary Horse Art by Montana Artist

About This Painting:
Comments about this piece: "Unusual", "Emotional", "Energy jumps off the canvas", "With all the raw emotion, it's still a contemporary sophisticated Contemporary piece".

About"Bucking Horse Fury"

Today the wind is hitting gusts of 50 miles an hour. I saw a 20 foot blue spruce snapped in half from a wind sheer. In the art studio I can hear a roar that raises and lowers in pitch as the zephyr dances the trees near my window.

The wind reminds my of my first experience with a bucking fury. I was 15 and my father and I were looking at a young horse. We were considering the purchase of a gelding that had been advertised in the Havre, Montana paper . The horse was young but well trained the ad said. He was a good horse for children. It was a windy day so we couldn't get much done outside, so Dad decided to go and look over the horse.

My father took his time feeling his way over the horse's joints and muscles with his strong hand, then watched the owners 10 and 12 year old sons crawl on his back. I joined them in the sheltered corral and soon was hoisting myself up onto his back. My father noticed he had a flat tire on the pickup which he'd left in the large farm house turn around. He started changing the tire. After he took off the offending tired he leaned it against the box of the pickup.

The owner of the horse decided that I should ride the horse. He grabbed a old English saddle and strapped it on and moved the horse out into the turn around next to the pickup. Before I could protest I was boosted into the strange saddle. I'd always ridden a Western saddle with a pommel. I looked at the stirrups which were a foot too long for me and decided this wasn't a good idea. I was starting to bring my right leg in front of me to slide off when a gust of wind caught the tire that was propped up against the pickup. It blew over in front of the horse with a loud thud and the green broke horse started bucking with a fury I'd seen only in the rodeo. I hit the ground hard and ended up breaking my arm in thirteen places. So instead of buying a horse, I spent 2 weeks in the hospital.

I did find a horse later that summer. She was a beautiful dappled gray Tennessee Walker, named Nelly.

Whenever I hear the wind roar I think of that day with the tire and the bucking fury. So with that in mind I took my palate knife and paint brushes and remembered the emotion and put it on canvas.

Media: Mixed Media - Acrylic, Oil, Ink, Charcoal on stretched canvas
Size: 20 in X 16 in (50.8 cm X 40.6 cm)

How to Purchase:
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Charming Chickadees - Watercolor Bird Art by Montana Artist

2010-10-04T16:56:00.000-07:00

Charming Chickadees - Watercolor Bird Art by Montana Artist

About This Painting:
Sometimes Chickadees are just too charming for words. The way Chickadees can change the shape of their bodies is truly amazing. Sometimes they are almost plump circles, other times they are sleek, yet other times with feathers flared they can almost resemble an open fan. As an artist, I love looking at shapes and the Chickadee never fails to delight me with their shape shifting.

Media: Watercolor
Size: 11 in X 11 in (27.9 cm X 27.9 cm)
Price: $120 USD

How to Purchase:
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Chickadee With Seed - Watercolor Bird Art - SJ Merwin

2010-10-04T15:13:00.000-07:00

Dining Chickadee - Watercolor Bird Art

About This Painting:
This little Chickadee tickles my creativity. You often see Chickadees in very similar poses. This is not your typical Chickadee painting which is why it is creative. Doing the same poses and same techniques over and over can lead to an artistic rut. The difference between a grave and a rut is depth.

To tune into creativity you have to get out of the comfort zone and push your edges. Try something new. Many times it can be scary as an artist to put your work on paper or canvas. The first thing a new work does is invite criticism. And, everyone seems able to criticize art. There is nothing wrong with this - it just is a little unnerving for an artist to risk it all creatively; knowing that the result will be criticized. So to be creative artists have to be a little playful and not so serious. Seriousness, ruts and lack of creativity often go together.

Much of creativity is about freedom and playfulness. If this is true, then a key question becomes what prevents us from freeing our own creativity. Being too serious is the first road block in destroying creativity. I once had a visiting retired art teacher who came into my studio and started talking to me while I was painting. He immediately got very serious and starting talking about what real art was and was not. Of course my creativity started to make a fast retreat. Being the playful person that I am I turned to the artistic wet blanket and said, "I think painting is a lot like cake decorating. He was quiet for a long time.

About the Painting:
Chickadees are rarely still. Yet most paintings I see of Chickadees have the chickadee in similar poses. We all know what a chickadee looks like. But stop. Do you really know what a chickadee looks like. They are always moving. They are often in strange positions as they work to get the seeds out of shells. I've even seen chickadees hanging upside down. All of these are images of chickadees that ask you to think of a chickadee beyond the standard image of a chickadee. So this sweet little watercolor painting captures a chickadee like you haven't seen before. The chickadee is dining on a black sunflower seed and in order to crack the shell they scrunch their little bodies into shapes.

Media: Watercolor
Size: 5 in X 7 in (12.7 cm X 17.8 cm)
Price: $120 USD

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Bigger than Life - Airedale Terrier Dog Art Painting by Montana Artist

2010-10-03T19:36:00.000-07:00

Click on above painting to see a larger image. Click the link below to see the whole process in a photo diary.

Bigger than Life - Airedale Terrier Dog Art Painting by Montana Artist

About This Painting:
The second image shows just one of a multitude of steps that the whole painting process took.

Four feet X five feet is a large painting. I kept a photo diary of the entire process from building the canvas to the final paint stroke. From a piece of canvas and sticks of wood to a finished painting that is bigger than life. The process took over 100 hours and was a labor of love. Barkley is the wonderful dog who the painting portrays. You can see her spirit shining through.

Media: Acrylic
Size: 48 in X 60 in (121.9 cm X 152.4 cm)

How to Purchase:
This painting is sold

Click here to see a photo diary of the creation of "Barkley, Bigger than Life"

Although the painting is sold, 8 inch x 10 inch giclee (prints) are available for $30.00 with all profits going to Airedale Rescues: NARA, NWATR and Airedale Rescue Canada.

Wire Fox Terrier - Looking for Home - Wirefox, dog, Art, Painting, Montana Artist, Sandra Merwin

2010-09-29T15:42:00.000-07:00

Wire fox Terrier - Looking for Home - Wirefox, Dog, Animal, Art, Painting, Montana Artist

About This Painting:
"Looking for Home" is my tribute to the rescuers who found the Little Wire Fox a forever home. This painting is so textured with the Wire Fox hair that it is almost three dimensional. Thank goodness, for those dedicated souls who help the terriers find homes. Terriers have wonderful personalities, real personalities. They are spunky and know their own minds. Terrier puppies are often so cute that people can't resist them and think they can bring the cuddly furball home. But the cuddly furball grows up quickly into a dog that needs and wants leadership and attention. A terrier who is ignored is a terrier that can be destructive. That's often when the dedicated rescuers show up and help. So here's a special "Thank You" to all the Rescuers who help the animals.

Media: Acrylic on canvas panel
Size: 8 in X 10 in (20.3 cm X 25.4 cm)
Price: $130 USD

How to Purchase:
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Terrier Close Up - Westie, West Highland, Wheaten, Terrier, dog Art.

2010-09-28T12:20:00.000-07:00

Terrier Close Up - Westie, West Highland, Wheaten, Terrier, dog Art.

About This Painting:
This close up of the cherished terrier is a great little 6 X 6 oil painting that is stuffed with personality. Free shipping and a donation to the National Airedale Rescue.

Media: oil on canvas board
Size: 6 in X 6 in (15.2 cm X 15.2 cm)
Price: $120 USD

How to Purchase:
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Carl Sandburg's Mouse - Montana Artist Wildlife, Animal Paintings

2010-09-27T13:49:00.000-07:00

Carl Sandburg's Mouse - Montana Artist Wildlife, Animal Paintings

About This Painting:
Inspiration comes from all kinds of experiences. Carl Sandburg has a wonderful poem where he compares love to a mouse.

Media: Acrylic and Oil on stretched canvas
Size: 8 in X 10 in (20.3 cm X 25.4 cm)
Price: $125 USD

How to Purchase:
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About the painting:

I love the effect the monochromatic painting. It takes a great deal of skill to use one color and get the range of values and tones right. The painting makes a statement about taking the road less traveled and being true to yourself.

I created this mouse to walk my own path. That my path would NOT be about the clamor and competition to be seen on the internet, to get to be first on google, to get more hits on u tube, to get noticed.

The internet is often full of people trying to get attention. Some will lie about who they are, where they live, or what they do. Other will puff themselves up claiming expertise and awards that they often don't have. Others use explosive color and expensive words to describe their paintings trying hard to get noticed above everyone else. With all that competition for attention, it takes some humility just to create a little mouse in a monochromatic color and let it stand alone in the light.

About the Poem:
The poem comes from the play "Wonderful World of Carl Sandburg". When I was in college I had the honor of playing the lead. Sometime during the first scene the light would go out and a single spot light would hold me in its beam and I'd recite the poem.

Sandburg compared love to a cat, a mouse, an elephant, a snake, a flamingo and a little white bird.

The excerpt from the part about the mouse goes like this:

"Could love be a mouse?
And you reach into your pocket and take out your mouse and say
"Oh, here is my love, my pretty little mousey love..."

Chickadee Mates Watercolor Art Painting by Montana Artist SJ Merwin

2010-09-19T19:10:00.001-07:00

Chickadee Mates Watercolor Art Painting by Montana Artist SJ Merwin

About This Painting:
Chickadees are some of my favorite critters. This little watercolor miniature has soft exquisite colors and a feeling of peace and softness.

Media: Watecolor
Size: 5 in X 7 in (12.7 cm X 17.8 cm)
Price: $95 USD

How to Purchase:
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Rock Wren Morning - Bird Art Painting Animal Portrait By Montana Aritist

2010-09-01T18:16:00.000-07:00

Rock Wren Morning - Bird Art Painting Animal Portrait By Montana Aritist

About This Painting:
This little Rock Wren was near the Rims in Billings. They like catching insects and wander the rocks often creating nests in the crevices. Sometimes the little things in life remind you to breathe.

Media: Watercolor
Size: 5 in X 7 in (12.7 cm X 17.8 cm)
Price: $120 USD

How to Purchase:
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Up in the Aire - Airedale Watercolor Dog Art Painting by Montana Artist SJ Merwin

2010-08-26T13:48:00.000-07:00

Up in the Aire - Airedale Watercolor Dog Art Painting by Montana Artist SJ Merwin

About This Painting:
This little 5 X 7 miniature watercolor of an Airedale captures the cocked head pose of this wonderful breed. As usual this painting has a large donation to the Airedale Rescues. I am honored that my art continually helps the Airedale Rescues. 20% of this painting will be donated to the National Airedale Rescue (NARA)

Media: Watercolor
Size: 5 in X 7 in (12.7 cm X 17.8 cm)
Price: $120 USD

How to Purchase:
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Schipperke Smile - Schipperke dog animal pet portrait art by Montana Artist Sandra Merwin

2010-08-24T18:08:00.000-07:00

Schipperke Smile - Schipperke dog animal pet portrait art by Montana Artist Sandra Merwin

About This Painting:
This Shipperke painting was created as a 100% donation for the Rimrock Humane Society in Round up, Montana. The RHS does wonderful work rescuing all kinds of homeless animals. They will use the painting and prints to help make money to benefit the homeless animals.

Media: Watercolor
Size: 5 in X 7 in (12.7 cm X 17.8 cm)

How to Purchase:
This painting is sold

Canine Compassion - Airedale Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, dog, art, Montana Artist

2010-08-09T06:47:00.000-07:00

Canine Compassion - Airedale Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, dog, art, Montana Artist

About This Painting:
A sweet moment in the life of a Cocker Spaniel and an Airedale. We can learn from these two different breeds who get along. We can be very different from others and still love & understand them.

Media: Watercolor
Size: 11 in X 15 in (27.9 cm X 38.1 cm)

How to Purchase:
This painting is sold

Apricot poodle with Best Friend, Dog Art, Portrait, oil, Montana Artist

2010-08-08T07:40:00.001-07:00

Apricot poodle with Best Friend, Dog Art, Portrait, oil, Montana Artist

About This Painting:
Dogs are an integral part of many people's lives. Dogs enrich our world. An interesting fact: the Duke of York had his St. Bernard painted because he loved him so much. That painting is now famous

Media: Oil on Canvas
Size: 8 in X 8 in (20.3 cm X 20.3 cm)

How to Purchase:
This painting is sold

Portuguese Water Dog - Portie, Watercolor, Portrait, Animal Art, Montana Artist

2010-08-05T10:01:00.001-07:00

Portuguese Water Dog - Portie, Watercolor, Portrait, Animal Art, Montana Artist

About This Painting:
Porties are becoming well known since the President got Bo. These are joyous dogs with thick fur that frames their sparkly eyes. My clients say that I can capture the eyes of their special dogs...

Media: Watercolor
Size: 8 in X 8 in (20.3 cm X 20.3 cm)

How to Purchase:
This painting is sold

"The Heart Dog" Airedale Terrier Dog Art by Montana Artist

2010-08-01T10:15:00.000-07:00

The Heart Dog - Airedale Terrier Watercolor Dog Art Montana Aritst

About This Painting:
Every dog can be deeply loved, but sometimes there is a dog who is so connected to the heart that he or she becomes a teacher who opens the human heart. This is one of those dogs.

If you are interested in a painting of your animal please email me for a quote.

Media: Watercolor
Size: 6 in X 7 in (15.2 cm X 17.8 cm)

How to Purchase:
This painting is sold

Chickadee Ascent Watercolor Bird Art by Montana Artist Sandra Merwin

2010-07-28T17:04:00.000-07:00

Chickadee Ascent Watercolor Bird Art by Montana Artist Sandra Merwin

About This Painting:
Some paintings even charm the artist who paints them. This is one of those. The movement, the colors, and the spirit of this painting playfully moves the viewer around the lost and found edges. Enjoy!

Media: Watercolor
Size: 7 in X 8 in (17.8 cm X 20.3 cm)
Price: $125 USD

How to Purchase:
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"Eyeing You" Airedale Terrier art painting

2010-06-10T13:42:00.000-07:00

Eyeing You - Airedale, Terrier, dog, National Airedale Rescue, canine, oil

About This Painting:
Airedale owners often see this almost abstract perspective when their Airedale wants something. You can be asleep and the the nose and eye appears right over your head. When you love an Airedale their curly fur, their intelligent eyes and their wandering nose are a big part of how you experience them.

I love painting things that are neither totally abstract nor totally realism. Nothing against either style but they aren't interesting to me. But there is a place between the two where abstract and realism come together to create something that is totally different, an organic rendering that seems to create it's own life. In this painting I wanted three things to stand out: the curly Airedale hair, the intense soulful Airedale eye and the impressive Airedale nose. Had I created a Picasso like abstract painting, the nose might have been below the eye. Perhaps I will try that another day. But right now that place bordering realism and abstraction call to me.

Media: oil on canvas board
Size: 5 in X 7 in (12.7 cm X 17.8 cm)
Price: $99 USD

How to Purchase:
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Study of Elk Crossing - SJ Merwin Art Painting

2010-05-19T15:20:00.001-07:00

In Montana, we often see wild life in our backyards. The antelope roam down our street. Each year mountain lion sightings occur with warnings to parents to make sure their children are not walking alone to school. Billings,the largest city in Montana, has approximately 100,000 people. So, Montana has a lot of rural country. Because of this we often see elk, deer and other wild animals. This is a small studies of Elk I saw recently in Southern Montana. The small studies are used as images to create my larger works. With that in mind, here is a glimpse of Montana... in "Study of Elk Crossing".

7 inch X 7 inch
Prismacolor Drawing
$29.00

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Running Trinity - Horse Equine Western Contemporary Art by Montana Artist

2010-05-18T16:44:00.000-07:00
THIS PAINTING IS SOLD

Running Trinity - Horse Equine Contemporary Action Western Painting

About This Painting:
Horses in motion often run in step with each other. " Trinity Running" gives the feeling of motion with color and mass swirling among the lost and found edges of this quality painting.

Media: Mixed Media
Size: 20 in X 16 in (50.8 cm X 40.6 cm)

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"First Meeting" Oil Painting Dog Art Portrait Commission

2010-05-12T16:57:00.000-07:00
Click on the above image to see a larger image.
Creating commissioned Art works in oil of Dogs and Dog Portraits is always a labor of love. Creating art works honoring a family member who is covered in fur isn't a recent occurrence. In fact Dog, Horse and Animal art represents a respectable segment of art history. Approximately 10 years ago a small painting of the Duke of York's dog sold for around three million.
First Meeting - Dog Portrait Commmission Oil

About This Painting:
For the last few months I've truly been enjoying doing commissions. When I sent this painting off to the owner she emailed me and said "The painting is beyond my highest expectations! I love it."

Media: Oil
Size: 10 in X 8 in (25.4 cm X 20.3 cm)
How to Purchase:
This painting is sold

Newfoundland Dog in Profile- Newfie Art Painting

2010-05-04T12:55:00.000-07:00

Newfoundland Dog - Newfie Art Painting

About This Painting:
The Newfoundland are big dogs with large hearts. Whenever someone tells me about their Newfoundland there is always a catch of breath as if to say - "How can I say this. How can I explain a Newfie?" It's as if they are a loss for words to describe the connection and the depth of their relationship with a Newfie. At a loss for words they simply say: "Well, this is a very special dog, a very special dog."

I painted the Newfie in almost a monochromatic color scheme. Somehow it was important to just let the Newfie shape own the canvas. The two splashes of red a a subtle indication that there is much more beneath the surface, much like the Newfie personality. The paint is very thick. You may not be able to see on your computer screen but the paint strokes through out the painting are a repetition of the sense of the Newfie fur.

Media: Mixed Media - Acrylic, Ink, Oil
Size: 14 in X 11 in (35.6 cm X 27.9 cm)
How to Purchase:
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Price
My 11X14 paintings usually sell between $150 and $250. Send me your offer. All offers will be considered.

The reason behind my pricing is that I want my paintings to go to the people who love them regardless of how much they can afford.

Gracie, the Newfoundland - Dog Art Painting by Montana Artist, Merwin

2010-05-02T13:51:00.000-07:00

Gracie, the Newfoundland - Dog Art Painting by Montana Artist, Merwin

About This Painting:
Gracie is a 12.5 year old Newfoundland. This is a small portrait of a big dog with a great heart. I love doing commissions in my style. Thank you for asking me to paint Gracie.

Up until three months ago I was wary of doing commissions. In the past people who contacted me to paint their animals wanted an exact painting of a photograph. I don't do exact paintings of photographs - I don't think doing exact paintings of photographs is art. If someone wants to buy a painting of a their photograph, there are many printing sites where they can upload the photograph and have it printed on a canvas. They can even choose if they want the photo to look like an oil painting or a watercolor painting. A machine has no opinion about what constitutes art.

So for the past few years I was reluctant to paint commissions. However in the last three months I've been able to accept commissions in my style. I explain to my customers that I do not paint realistic paintings of photographs, but I will paint their subject in my way with my process. My process is fairly complex. I like to get a few photos of the subject and hang them at eye level in my studio. Then as I go about the business of art, I find myself looking at them. After a couple of weeks I start sketches of the subject trying different poses or head angles. Then I put all the sketches and poses away and paint the subject from memory. The picture in my head by this time is very accurate. During the previous weeks, I've gotten to know the animal and the textures and the colors. Once I've done that I'm free to allow the muse to guide me. I start with a blank canvas and a paint brush and let the painting dance begin. Sometimes I'm very surprised with the outcome.

Media: Acrylic and Oil
Size: 8 in X 10 in (20.3 cm X 25.4 cm)
How to Purchase:
This painting is sold

Since all computer monitors seem to register differently, here's another version of the painting.

Aire of Gold - Airedale Terrier, Dog, Art, Contemporary, Art, SJ Merwin

2010-03-26T15:35:00.000-07:00
The painting is SOLD

Aire of Gold - Airedale Terrier, Dog, Art, Contemporary,

About This Painting:

This is a delightful painting. This is the third Airedale Terrier painting that I've done that has metallic gold paint, a close up of the Airedale personality and the word "Gold" in the title. Each painting is unique. I use several layers of paint of different colors and then top everything with ink and gold metallic paint. It all comes together in a unique presentation that captures the special personality of the Airedale. Please let me know if you are interested. Just click the link below and email me. If you send me an email and don't hear from me in 24 hours, that means I didn't receive your email, so please try again.

Media: Mixed Media - Acrylic, Ink, Oil
Size: 8 in X 10 in (20.3 cm X 25.4 cm)
How to Purchase:
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