Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Re-Coloring the Lewis and Clark Bronze - North or South

"NORTH OR SOUTH" was a moment of decision on the Missouri River. It forked and they had no idea which direction or fork to take. They ended up splitting up the expedition and look for the great falls. That would be on the Missouri and that's how they'd know which river to take. This bronze shows that moment of decision. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led the first United States expedition (1804--1806) to the Pacific Coast. Though Jefferson stated in one letter the goal was to find a "direct & practicable water communication across this continent, for the purposes of commerce" (the Northwest Passage) the expedition actually had several goals. In order to make a firm claim of "discovery" to the Pacific Northwest and compete with the British for control of land and the fur trade, Jefferson had the men follow the rivers, map them, and collect scientific data. Jefferson also placed special importance on declaring U.S. sovereignty over the tribes along the Missouri River and getting an accurate sense of the resources in the Louisiana Purchase. Although the expedition did make notable achievements in science. scientific research itself was not the main goal behind the mission. References to Lewis and Clark "scarcely appeared" in history books even during the United States centennial in 1876 and the expedition was largely forgotten despite having had a significant impact on increasing American owned land.



Photos from today.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Saturday, March 26, 2011

The Camera I'm now Using for my Videos

My Samsung HD R10 camera was starting to have parts get loose.. so I decided to get a new camera. I purchased the VIXIA HF R10 HD camera. So today I talk about the cameras and then take the VIXIA out for a test run on the zoom. I've been shooting my videos for the past two days with this new camera the video I shot on the Madison River was with this camera at the highest video quality. Today I'm experimenting with the lowest quality video.
If you'd like to see the current price of my artwork in bronze go to http://bronzesbydavidlemon.blogspot.com/


Delivered Bronze to the Foundry - Ended with a Birthday for Terry Connor

I delivered NORTH OR SOUTH to the foundry in Bozeman for re-color today. I also delivered the wax of AIN'T NO COWBOY to be cast into bronze.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

A Morning in Ennis and Along the Madison River in Southwest Montana

Just a relaxing day, when the world seems to be falling apart. In many parts of the world, there is peace. Nature keeps moving on, and life is normal, and the fishing is great.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Ain't No Cowboy - Reworking The Face

I was asked to make the face of AIN'T NO COWBOY look as much like a lady that works at a gallery in Utah, as I could. Her name is Erin. So the foundry cast a wax from the mold, and I brought it home, to work on. With photos of the young lady in hand, I made the change.
Making changes in the wax stage of a bronze has been done for years. Charlie Russell had a bucking horse piece. The original had bat wing chaps, and then at some point he reworked the wax to have the cowboy wearing chaps that are called woollies.. They were covered in sheep fur. As long as it doesn't hurt the integrity of the piece, and the client is willing to pay for my time, I'm fine with making a change.
If you'd like to see the current price of my artwork in bronze go to http://bronzesbydavidlemon.blogspot.com/

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Art Show Over - Heading Back Home - Revisit Outdoor Play Site

The Western Artshow over, I'm packed and heading home. Along the way I stopped and revisited the site of the outdoor play I was in on the Boulder River.
If you'd like to see the current price of my artwork in bronze go to http://bronzesbydavidlemon.blogspot.com/


Saturday, March 19, 2011

Masters Art Show - Great Falls Montana - Final Day

Well Terry's back from the Hospital asking for beer. Final Day at the show. Finished the little cowboy piece and reworked the left hand of "Worth Many Horses".



Photos of the reworked hand of WORTH MANY HORSES.


Friday, March 18, 2011

Masters Art Show - Day 3 - Terry Connor in the Hospital

I'm so glad I decided to do this show this year. I've met a lot of really great people here and may even have a couple of sales in the works. Today's video, I take you to a few more of the artist's rooms.
One bit of bad news. Todd Connor's dad had to be taken to the local hospital. He was having chest pains. He's in his 70s. We've been so worried about him all day. He's staying overnight in the hospital, and will be released tomorrow. We heard late this afternoon that he requested a bottle of beer.. so maybe he's ok. Get well Terry Connor!!!!
If you'd like to see the current price of my artwork in bronze go to http://bronzesbydavidlemon.blogspot.com/

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Masters Artshow - Great Falls Montana - Day 2

Day 2 of the show. A little pick up in the crowds. Had Highschool kids, coming to the show to do workshops with professional artists. I had a few young ladies drop into my room and I showed them how to make a mouse. I was then asked if I'd do one of the workshops next year. Hope I'm able to.
If you'd like to see the current price of my artwork in bronze go to http://bronzesbydavidlemon.blogspot.com/

Opening Day At The Masters Show in Great Falls Montana

If you'd like to see the current price of my artwork in bronze go to http://bronzesbydavidlemon.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Four Bears - Repairs to the Clay Start

I dropped both Four Bears and Worth Many Horses off a table in my studio a while back. I'm taking the two clays up to the Masters Show next week. I I need to make repairs to the two clays.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Ennis To Jackson Hole Wyoming and Back

I drove 174 miles south east to Jackson Hole Wyoming to pick up 5 of my bronzes for the shows in Great Falls next week and Los Angeles California the end of next month.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Virginia City Montana, Gloria D and Ranks Mercantile

went to Virginia City today to pick up stuff from an artist friend of mine, Gloria 'D', who makes reproduction Indian clothing for sale in galleries. I'm taking a few of her items to the Mountain Trails Gallery Monday when I go there to pick up a few of my bronzes for the show in Great Falls the 16 to the 19th of this month.
I take you on a bit of a tour of this old Gold Rush town and one of the stores in that town.
If you are interested in purchasing anything from Gloria 'D' you can call her at 406-843-5544
Ranks Drugstore has a website. http://www.ranksmercantile.com



Photograph of a self portrait Todd did of himself today.. If you remember from yesterday's entry, he did one of me.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Todd Connor Paints A Portrait of a Lemon

Yep, Todd Connor, an artist friend of mine, asked if I'd sit for a portrait. How could I say no. Todd and I are showing in the same room at the Masters Show at the Heritage Inn in Great Falls Montana from the 16 th to the 19 th of this month, in room 218. Hope to see some of you there.
This painting was started at 1:30 pm and was finished at 5:45 pm.
You can read more about Mr. Connor at this link



Photographs
The Painting



Todd Connor and his Dad Terry.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Getting Ready for the Masters Show

I will be busy for the next few days getting ready for the Masters Show the middle of this month in Great Falls Montana.. Be back soon..
If you'd like to see the current price of my artwork in bronze go to http://bronzesbydavidlemon.blogspot.com/