Black Friday - I should have been at the mall, but instead I hiked to the observation tower at John Knox Ranch - What an amazing view of the Wimberley Valley!  At first I was worried that the fog would obscure the view, but by the time I hit the top, was pleasantly surprised by what awaited me.

I've always loved to paint old rusty tractors, but haven't done any recently.  Then an artist friend invited us out to paint at her ranch.  500+ acres of rolling hills, busted-down barns, livestock, and gorgeous Texas Hill Country vistas from the top of the property.  20 feet away from where I parked was this tractor - I didn't need to look any further.

Old Baldy was so named a hundred years ago, when this hill was actually bald.  Since then, the Ashe Juniper (Cedar) has covered it.  Still, from the top of the 200+ steps up, one can get an amazing 360 degree view of the Wimberley Valley - Doesn't get much better for painting! 

I painted this local Wimberley store a while back and the painting sold through Pitzer's Fine Arts.  A collector had been in and saw it, but didn't purchase it at the time.  She came in later looking for it, but it had already been sold (a good reminder that you should always but fine art when it speaks to you).  She explained that she was in recently and learned that the store had been sued by a customer who tripped over a cat.  Sadly, the lawsuit forced them out of business.