All of my paintings feature only Ozark pigments I’ve collected by hand and processed into watercolor paints.
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There’s a black, gritty stone that lives here at Wild Ozark and I do not know what it is. I *think* it is a form of bitumen, a very poor quality sort of coal. Whatever it is, this is the best source for black pigment that I’ve found. Previous to this discovery, charred bone was …
Black Pigment | My Favorite Source is the Hardest Read More »
So, I’ve been puttering around and staying busy lately. But I can’t start anything major just yet because I’m in the middle of a lot of small projects. However, that’s not the real reason I’m not getting a whole lot done these days. The blame really goes to my meandering mind. There’s just so much …
A Meandering Mind, Cluttered Studio, and Holding Patterns Read More »
I’m super excited to announce that Petunia was chosen for the 2021 Bosque Art Classic. A heartfelt thanks to juror Tyler Crow, the youngest artists ever inducted to the Cowboy Artists of America. It’s an honor to have a painting of mine hanging alongside the many other incredible works that turn up for this show. …
New Exhibit Acceptance | 2021 Bosque Art Classic Read More »
If you’re able to get out there on short notice, I’ll be at the Art on the Bricks pop-up art exhibit on July 8. Showtime is from 4:30 to 7:30, and there’s a lot more than just art going on. There will be food, music, shopping, and art on display all around the downtown area …
Pop-up Exhibit at The Gathering | Art on the Bricks | July 8 Read More »
How gorgeous is the pigment in this stone! The richness of our sandstone colors led me to creating the paints that I use in my earth tone art. If you’ve landed on this page, you’re probably a fan of nature. Do you like the earthy colors, too? Have you ever noticed all of the colors …
Earth Tone Art | Earthy Artwork by Madison Woods Read More »
I bet you’d already guessed it. The namesake of the Buffalo National River is … the buffalo. But that’s a misnomer. What we call ‘buffalo’ are actually bison. The American ‘Buffalo’ is really an American Bison. Before Europeans arrived on this land, there were bison everywhere. Many tribes of Native Americans depended on them, literally, …
How Did the Buffalo National River Get its Name? | “Namesake” Read More »
Follow along as I paint a picture of the yellow-billed cuckoo! Featuring earth pigments from Ozark rocks, clay, and bone.
My 6th painting was a special request by my granddaughter. She loves wildlife and wanted me to paint a fox. Her actual favorite was a kit fox, but instead I painted a red fox kit. I had a good photo to use for that one, taken by photographer friend Terry Stanfill, whereas I did not …
Soul of the Ozarks | The 6th Painting | Red Fox Kit Read More »
The first time I saw it, the thought that it isn’t sandstone did run through my mind. Other possibilities include bituminous coal. Could that be what this strangely behaving rock is?
There are many reasons I love the rocks here at Wild Ozark. But I think I can narrow it down to the functional beauty of rocks.
My current painting in progress is one of the buildings on the grounds of the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History, located in Springdale, Arkansas. Dr. Carter’s Office was moved to the museum at a later date, but started life in the late 1880’s in Elkins, Arkansas (Washington county).
SNOW at this late date? What happened to springtime weather?! Today I’m staying inside and will just make paint.
On June 12, from 10 am to 2 pm I’ll be on the grounds at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History painting. There are lots of things on their grounds that I’ll like to attempt. It’s my first time doing a public painting thing, so wish me luck! If you’re in the area, please do …
June 2021 Exhibit: Shiloh Museum of Ozark History Read More »
This is a website version of my monthly newsletter that goes out to subscribers. If you’d like to get this in your mailbox each month, just head on over <click here> to sign up. Sometimes I may post it here to the website, but maybe not always. The best way to be sure you get …
2021 April | Wild Ozark Musings | Monthly Newsletter Read More »
Here’s the process for my Bearded Dragon painting. All pigments are from Ozark rocks.
I’m deleting all of the users from my website’s database. There are so many spammers/hackers and bots attempting to leave comments and registering as users lately, that I have to wipe the slate clean. When I’m done, I’ll have to add one of those irritating Captcha things that make you choose pictures to identify yourself …
Since I wrote my first post on ‘how to make handmade watercolor paint‘, I’ve learned some things. That first post is still a good starting point for anyone starting out. It just doesn’t go into how to make *better* paints. Either way, whether you stop at the rough version, or go on to refine it, …
Making Smooth Paint from Rock Dust (Earth Pigment) Read More »
A few green things are peeking out, and I’m beginning to see the glimmer of spring. Yesterday I sent out my monthly newsletter to subscribers. Each month I try to write up a summary of all that went on out here since the previous month. And also each month I have a little giveaway and …
Lisa J. Tomey interviewed me way back in 2019 for an article to be published in Okra Magazine. Just when it was about time for it to run, Covid struck and that article got pushed back on the publisher’s to-do list. Well, I’d almost forgotten about it, but Lisa did an awesome job of keeping …
Stones to Grind | A Fantastic New Interview and Publication Read More »
Originally, I had planned to do a series of my favorite woodland plants in grayscale. But that was before I found the stone that gives me a sort of green pigment. So changed up the plans a little. Now I’m doing a series of our orchids in my full palette of pigments. First is this …
Showy Orchis (Galearis spectabilis) in Ozark pigments Read More »
My 5th painting was a special request by my sister. She loves pelicans and wanted me to paint one for her. This is the story of my journey into the world of being a watercolor painter. My angle on this is a bit different than most other artists, in that all of my paints are …
After the second kestrel, which was the third painting, I thought I’d try another kestrel. I had another good photo to work from and I’d come to really love the colors and form of kestrels. By this time I was back home and could make more paints. I hoped I would make better ones – …
I once heard it spoken in one of the great (virtual) hallways where educated artists gather, that an ‘intuitive artist’ doesn’t exist. That an artist only uses knowledge and conscious decisions to know what to do on their canvas – no mystery involved. The idea, of whether that is true or not, lodged like a …
Is Art made through Magic, Intuition, or Knowledge? Read More »
The first painting of 2021 is also the first of its size, and the first using a single source for pigment. But it is my second Brahman cow portrait. ‘Brahman Baby’ was the first. This is my progress page, for those who like to see the progression of how a painting looks from blank canvas …
Cow Portrait | Whisper, the Brahman cow | Painting Process Read More »
