"DEEP ROOTS" New Oil Painting by Mike Callahan

"Deep Roots"

Oil on Arches Paper

18"x 24"

There was a time a few years ago when I was a "Daily Painter". That is, I painted one small painting every day. Such an endeavor is a great discipline and I recommend any serious painter try it for 30 days at least. It gives you much more confidence and directness in your painting and it forces you to become very efficient in your execution. This translates to larger work after the discipline has been established and you will be amazed at how quickly and efficiently you are able to produce paintings.

However, once you have attained that, it is an equally beneficial discipline to slow yourself down and create a "slow painting" once in a while. That is to say, take your time, make sure your composition works, observe your subject, look for subtleties, tackle a difficult lighting situation and focus on light values, ponder each stroke, scumble, glaze and enjoy the process. You will probably be very pleased with the result!

"THE RECALCITRANT" - New Original Oil Painting by Mike Callahan

"The Recalcitrant"

20" x 30"

Oil on Linen

Here's one of my most recent cowboy paintings I've been working on. I shot the reference for this painting at the ranch rodeo in Cedarville back in late August and the background is from out in the Winnemucca Ranch area. When my son was just a little tike, I used to read him a story titled, "The Recalcitrant Calf" and ever since I've thought that the word "recalcitrant" is a very appropriate one for calves!

"MUSTANG" - New Original Oil Painting by Mike Callahan

"Mustang"

20" x 16"

Oil on Canvas

This painting was commissioned by a friend of mine as a present for his wife. This is something that I often see out in the Winnemucca Ranch area whose landscape is seen in the background of this painting. You may possibly see more mustang paintings this next year as I really enjoyed painting this one.

QUICK TURN - New Original Oil Painting by Mike Callahan

"Quick Turn"

18" x 24"

Oil on Canvas Panel

Last spring I went out to Winnemucca Ranch to gather some reference for some paintings and who do I see but my old buddy Dennis McCroskey chasing this little cow around! His activity provided me with this great little shot...I really enjoyed painting this piece; it was a fun one! ...Enjoy!

"RANCH HOUSE" - New Original Oil Painting by Mike Callahan

"Ranch House"
16" x 36" oil on canvas
"This is an early morning view of the house at the Marshall Ranch out in the Winnemucca Ranch area. I painted it from a different view last year for the Winnemucca Ranch show at Patagonia. At any rate, I was intrigued with this view so typical of these old Nevada ranches where years ago ranchers planted rows of Cottonwood trees around their ranches which is not only practical, but impressive as well. Enjoy!"

"INDIAN PAINTBRUSH" - new original oil painting by Mike Callahan

"Indian Paintbrush"
10" x 8" oil on canvas
Sometimes when you are hiking in the desert, something catches your eye and repositions your view from wide angle to close up...that's what Indian Paintbrush flowers will do; they are such bright, energetic and unexpected flowers usually growing where nothing else will...enjoy!

"COWBOY'S RIB" - New Original Oil Painting by Mike Callahan

"Cowboy's Rib"
16" x 12" oil on canvas

"This painting is the second to last from the Tule Peak/Winnemucca Ranch series I've been doing...it's called 'Cowboy's Rib' because that's the name of the ridge that we climbed to get to the top of the peak. This is a view looking up the canyon that runs along the rib near the base of the mountain before things started getting really steep...enjoy!"

"Dogskin Peek" Original Oil Painting by Mike Callahan

"Dogskin Peek"
12" x 24" oil on canvas
"This is Dogskin Mountain with the spring's last dusting of snow on it peeking out behind the foothills a few weeks ago. I just loved how the sun kept highlighting certain features as it broke in and out of the clouds early one morning. I've tried to capture it here for you...enjoy!"

"Tule Peak" original oil painting by Mike Callahan

"Tule Peak"

Oil on Canvas 11" x 14"

This is the only remaining piece that's still available from the Winnemucca Ranch / Citizens for Sensible Growth Benefit show! The show was a near sell out for me! You have one last chance to see this piece as the show is coming down on Dec. 6th. Erik Holland will be at the Patagonia Service Center from 3-6:30 pm tomorrow, December 5th, so if you want to see it or the other great art in the show, hurry over there! The directions are below!
You can see a larger version of this painting by clicking here.


Patagonia, 8550 White Fir, November 29th, 5 to 8:30 pm.

Directions: Take 4th street west of Reno to Woodland ( just beyond Mayberry intersection). Turn left on Woodland and cross the RR tracks. The first right is White Fir. Take White Fir around to just before the Truckee River Bridge, and turn left into the parking lot.

"Winnemucca Ranch Road" - New Original Oil Painting by Mike Callahan

"Winnemucca Ranch Road"

Oil on Canvas 12" x 16"

I've been busy working on a commission recently, so I probably won't be posting too regularly till after I'm done and on to something else (the commission is a present and I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise!)
The painting shown above however, will be featured in a show and you are all invited to the opening reception this Thursday, the 29th from 5-8:30 PM! I'm sorry for the short notice, the show kind of crept up on me...the announcement with directions follows below -
You can see a larger version of this painting by clicking here.

Press release:

Winnemucca Ranch Art Show
AT PATAGONIA, NOVEMBER 29TH 5 TO 8:30 PM

On a sunny day in October, 16 artists gathered to paint the beauty of yet another area slated for sprawling development. The Winnemucca Ranch and the adjacent Marshall Ranch, thirty miles north of Reno, are soon to be covered with 14,000 homes. This is just the tip of the iceberg of sprawling development schemes that include the Ballardini Ranch, central Storey County, the east Truckee River canyon, the hills above south Reno, and incursions into Washoe Valley. Someday we’ll have to add an extra “D” to those trucks that drive around the area emblazoned with the slogan,” We love(d) this place”.


The “paint in” includes Jean LeGassick, Pat Wallis, Craig Mitchell, Patti Christensen Woodard, Chad Sorg, Tyler Sorg, Ann O’Lear, Ray Freeman, Crystal Harling, Karen Kreyeski, Erik Holland, Carol Foldvary Anderson, Renate Neumann, Brian Amme and Shawna Baker, and Mike Callahan.

Paintings produced ranged from intimate scenes of cottonwoods in full October glory to sweeping views of the valley looking down towards Sparks. Fifty percent of sales will benefit Citizens for Sensible Growth to support efforts in concert with other groups to promote a more sustainable growth pattern. We look forward to making this a yearly event, with a focus on a different threatened area every year.

An opening is scheduled at Patagonia, 8550 White Fir, November 29th, 5 to 8:30 pm.

Take 4th street west of Reno to Woodland ( just beyond Mayberry intersection). Turn left on Woodland and cross the RR tracks. The first right is White Fir. Take White Fir around to just before the Truckee River Bridge, and turn left into the parking lot.

Abandoned - original oil painting by Mike Callahan

"Abandoned"
Oil on Canvas 20" x 20"
This is a painting I just finished. It's of an old building out by Winnemucca Ranch Road which will probably be torn down very soon to make way for some major housing development...who's going to live there, I'm not sure...you can see a larger posting of it and follow along with the painting of it by clicking here.