Schlueter Gallery

04/23/2026

Here's something a little different. A dark and rainy night. High water, and the cows came home. if this looks familiar it is. I did a small study of this scene and gave it to the person that took the photograph for permission to use their photo. Generally I do not work from other peoples photos. Unless of course it's a commission. It is a long story with many facets, for another time.
The cows come 18x24 oil on panel

04/22/2026

Sometimes a simple scene can be rich with a lifetime of memories. This backroad we have traveled every year for well over a half of a century. We have grown up with this place as it has grown up around us.

04/04/2026

Come join the fun this Saturday night, ArtsAlive! 6-9 p

Come immerse yourself in beauty at this week’s Arts Alive! 🖼️🔮🐉✨
We’ll be playing Irish tunes with Chris Hinderyckx this weekend at the Schlueter Gallery in Old Town & we’d love to see you there!
💕🎶🎻🥰

03/12/2026

Borrego 26

A new dawns. It’s Friday and I’m alive. Considering yesterday, that in of itself, is an accomplishment. This is the last day to paint, everything must be turned in to the gallery by the end of the day. Remarkably, I feel good enough to work. I have a couple of spots in mind and am off at first light. Every once in a while a painting leaps off the brush. Idea and ex*****on merge, paint flows like an easy river, mind and hand reach out into the landscape and somehow bring it back. Font Point Wash was one of those. Maybe the glorious joy of still being alive and able to do at least one more was a factor. I was able to do two 11x14’s and finish a 9x12, and turn them in with time to spare.

03/12/2026

Borrego 26

Late Wednesday night I started not feeling so good and by morning I felt horrible. Food poisoning I believe I will spare you the grizzly details. I drove off into the desert as to not make a mess of the ranch and the small confines of the trailer. After a bit of purging I tried to paint and got the horizon established on a 9x12 panel. That became too much, but from here I could finish it back at the ranch. I returned to my nest, curled up in a ball and hoped it would get better. For a while it did. I worked in fits and starts on the mornings painting. Then was hit by a whole new stage of misery. Once again I’ll omit the details. I ended up under the covers in the middle of the afternoon, in the desert, shivering uncontrollably. Even I could recognize this is not a good sign. I thought I was goin to die. And wished I could. I had however been drinking as much water and Gateraid as humanly possible under the circumstances and just enough stayed with me. I was dangerously dehydrated, Scary stuff. It makes one realize how important every day is, and how fortunate we are to be well. Each day is truly a gift. Through all this I managed one painting. That old thing about suffering for art, is not what it’s cracked up to be.

03/08/2026

Borrego 26

Wednesday was Paint Out day. We all go to a single location and the public is invited to come and watch us work. This year for the second year in a row we are at the Rams Hill golf course, It is a beautiful place with plenty of vistas and overlooks in all directions, Not hard to find a good spot to paint. I chose a shady area under the overhang of the clubhouse. They call this a “Quick Draw” and this one was quick. An hour and thirty minutes from first brushstroke to the last, and paintings setting on easels for public viewing. It is different because you have a large crowd that is encouraged to interact with you while you paint. Long ago I learned that it’s not about me, “I know it’s hard to believe” It’s not about the painting or gallery or art, big picture or small. This is for them. I make sure to take the time away from my “Masterpiece“ to welcome them and make the experience a pleasant one. These are the people that care enough to come support us. It is good to show them some love.
This all started at 8 AM. I had already been up at the crack of dawn finishing the 11x14 of Indian Head that I started the Morning before. Then it was out to coyote canyon to finish the 12x16 I couldn’t wrap up yesterday. I like to finish them in a single session but they don’t always behave. I did what I could and kept form going backwards. To finish off the day I drove up past Yaqui pass to the San Felipe Valley to a place I like where the sun sets over the western mountains, and nearly finished 9x12. Made for a long day.

03/07/2026

Borrego 26

Tuesday; up before the sun hoping to get the first light on Indian Head mountain which is often a magenta mauve and usually lasts in varying tones, for less than a half hour. I am there early to get it scrubbed with a shop towel getting the basic color and values in somewhat the right place. I had scouted this location, with a cluster of palms making a nice design against the mountain. I knew the light would hit them just right. I took it as far as I could until the light completely went away. I don’t mean getting dark I mean getting too bright and loosing all intensity.. Good start and will finish up tomorrow.
After that, I went out to Coyote canyon where there is actually water running on the surface before it drys up and fades into the desert sand, I’ve painted here before it gets hot and windy but with the creek near by I can fill my hat with water put it on and radiate a cooling action. I worked once again until the light changed so much that I was likely to make things worse than better. It is a larger size for plain air so I will come back tomorrow. Traditionally we have an artist get together at Carlee’s restaurant and bar on first Tuesday. We get a huge table and sit around telling stories while we enjoy a fine diner. Here are the two paintings for the day

03/07/2026

Borrego 3/2/26

I’m such a slacker. I left for Borrego last Wednesday and am just now setting down to relate the journey. This the first day of the annual Borrego Springs Invitational Plein Air event. This is the twentieth year, and my 14th year participating in the event. It is indeed an honor to be involved. I can remember when they first acquired the property where the beautiful gallery now sits. They were so proud and excited to have their own space. That we had our orientation diner on the property huddled behind a cinder block wall being welcomed in proper desert fashion with a fine wind storm. It is amazing what a few years and a lot of good people can accomplish.
I told you I was a slacker I jotted down this first bit the day I got here, but rather than finish the post after the long trek down the full length of California, I went out a scouted places to paint. We kicked off the event Sunday with our traditional orientation dinner at the gallery. It’s great to meet new artist and catch up with old friends, many of which have done the event several times in the past 20 years. This is a milestone.
Monday we are turned loose on the Anzo Borrego Desert, sending jack rabbits, and coyotes scurrying for cover. The sun lingers below the horizon then leaps into the sky like a samurai warrior charging into battle. I am ready for it. Here is the first day.

03/06/2026

Looking for something fun to do this Saturday in Eureka? We’ll be playing some uplifting Irish music at the Schlueter Gallery from 6-9pm. 🎶☘️ Alina Larson on pipes and whistles, Blake Ritter on fiddle and concertina, and Chris Hinderyckx on bouzouki and mandolin. 🎻🖼️ Come immerse yourself in beauty, and enjoy the company of some origami creatures Blake made that are currently on display!
🦄🐉✨

02/06/2026

Happy Groundhog Day to one and all. My favorite holiday has come and gone but that is no excuse to ignore it. I have to give kudos to a critter that knows nothing about meteorology getting people to follow his lack of knowledge. Makes more sense than some. We are off to a new year. Here is another big sky painting. 48x48 oil on canvas.