Dyed, screen-printed, & stitched canvas and silk

A warm sense of peace settles over the soul as the sun slowly sets over Konza Prairie in the fall.

The title is from Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass. I began the series with the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve north of Strong City, Kansas, in mind. But that has led me to a more expansive meditation on grass, which, at first glance, appears so simple but (as Whitman was aware) is anything but. As I continue to create pieces for this series, I find myself looking at the "leaves" but also at the vast living system that is the prairie, focusing on lines moving in response to a variety of factors (wind speed, wind direction, season, time of day, water and its absence) that function as chance operations and on color fields that overlap and blend (with each other and with the lines) in fascinating ways. The spectrum of little blue stem, for example, ranges from greens and blues through yellows and ochres and rusts and reds and browns and tufts of white. On the National Park Service website, the preserve is described as "the last stand of the tallgrass prairie." A remnant, perhaps, but I like to think of it as a living resistance, still standing – and that is what I celebrate in these works. watercolor and acrylic on birch panel

Silphium - the genus of prairie sunflowers that includes these Whole-leaf Rosinweeds and the Compass Plants bloom during the hottest part of July. Often, the summer thunderstorms form a dramatic backdrop for their bright yellow blooms, making a striking vista on the summer prairie.

The Western Meadowlark, also know as the Kansas state bird.

Framed 9x12 oil on panel of a rainy day in the Flint Hills.

Spring landscape in the Flint Hills with wildflowers blooming.

Flint Hills landscape with one stone post.

Each June, the Flint Hills Rodeo takes place in Chase County on the fairgrounds near Strong City, Kansas It is the oldest consecutive rodeo in the state of Kansas. This young rodeo kid is making sure he's got everything in order for opening night.

watercolor on paper

Hand hooked wool rug mounted as a wall hanging. Hooked with over dyed wool.

Heavy snow creates a winter wonderland for bison on Konza Prairie as they transit through the gate.

6 X 8 inch oil painting on high profile wood panel.

6 X 18 inch oil painting on high profile wood panel

The Milky Way as photographed from the Lower Fox Creek School in the Flint Hills. The glow at the bottom is caused by light pollution from a nearby city.

West of Cottonwood 2020

Flint Hills is cattle country. Giclee print, canvas on wooden frame.

Purple Top growing between flint rock, with a view into the far distance.

A whimsical representation in acrylic of a summer prairie landscape at dusk.

"Ochre Skies" is a monotype in a series I call "Shifting Landscapes". In this printmaking process, fields of color and texture are layered together using a printing press.

"Purple Skies" is a monotype in a series I call "Shifting Landscapes". In this printmaking process, fields of color and texture are layered together using a printing press.

Aerial photo of the Flint Hills surrounding Tuttle Creek Lake in Manhattan, printed on metal. Photographer uses a style called "Painting with Light", where once the photo is taken all of the light is stripped away, and added back subjectively to get the effect intended for the photo. Literally painting the light back in. No additions or subtractions are made to anything in the photo, other than the light.

Patchwork of Flint Hills

Plein air painting of a viceroy butterfly on native Queen Anne's Lace, in ink and watercolor on handmade paper

Plein air painting of a butterfly attending coreopsis in the field, in ink and watercolor on handmade paper.

Hill top trees amidst flowing landscape. B/W-sepia toned printed on fiber paper. Chase County KS

This striking acrylic painting portrays a dramatic sunset over the rolling hills of the prairie, with bison grazing peacefully in the foreground. The sky is ablaze with vibrant reds, oranges, and purples, blending into the greens and blues of the landscape below. The bold, swirling brushstrokes convey the wild, untamed beauty of the natural scene, capturing the essence of the American West in a moment of tranquil grandeur.

10 miles east of Cottonwood Falls, KS, there was a hill I had noticed as I drove into town from Kansas City. I planned to return to that area and draw it. While drawing, sitting in the hatch of my SUV, a horse also appeared on this grey, drizzly day.

White Cedar, Juniper, Copper, & Ceramic Wall Hanging, image #2

watercolor/ pen & ink

Acrylic

Watercolor/Pen and Ink

Cattle Grazing in the Valley with Flint Hills all around. Summer Clouds

Rolling Hills

Pond in Rolling Hills

Photo of Teter Rock and curious cows east of Cassoday in the Kansas Flint Hills. I had wanted to visit Teter Rock for years and finally took the detour from my hometown of Kingman back to my Kansas City home last summer. I visited on a beautiful cloudy day and was happy to see many cows in the pasture. 14x10 inch photo printed on metal. KM8603.

Summer skies over Flint Hills

This scene that was unfolding before our eyes held us spellbound. Being at this location to photograph a beautiful wheat field and hay bales just became a one that I was torn between taking shelter versus staying and capturing these mesmerizing storm clouds. We stayed.

Junk of the heART #233 "Young at heART"- Mixed Media on Wood 2023 11" x 13 1/2" $30

Flint Hills - 2024

Seen while hiking at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

Horses in pasture near Flying W Ranch.

Prairie grasses in late July

A tree being struck by lightning painted in watercolor.

Stylized plains bison

Three birds on a post amongst the blue July sky