Last Days of Summer

"Thunderhead"
Oil 6"x10" Arizona Landscape:
Reminiscing when I would go out and cut our winter wood every year (20 of'em at least!) last days of summer and early autumn. We heated and cooked with wood in those days. We'd burn through about five cords = five trips. I would cut up downed cedar juniper under the last of the towering thunderheads above the vast meadows of ranch land and sunflowers. Lots of good ole crows flying every which way and little birds flittering among the brush, like this Arizona Chickadee resting on the old barbed wire fence. In half a day I'd have my truck filled up to the extended wood side rails, tools and saw all tied down and then just relax in the quiet and occasional bird chirps before the drive home.
This oil painting is up for auction here.

Finished New Shop/Office/Studio

Completed building my new shop/studio area in daughter's old room. I also took advantage to get rid of a lot of junk.
I am feeling great that finally all my 'stuff' is in one place and organized. (yes: organized...I still like using a 'Z' )

Keyhole Sink Petroglyphic Site Hike

"Hunters" - 1981 ©Claude Marion Shawbell III
Inspired by Keyhole Sink Petroglyphic Site (old Rock Tank)

I've hiked many times over thirty years to Rock Tank, now called Keyhole Sink. The U.S. Forest Service took over the maintenance, preservation and protection of the site fifteen years ago. This was great, because vandals have defaced many ancient sites over the past decades in northern Arizona. The site was a hunting and occupation site of the Cohonina People: Basketmaker III Period who roamed this area of nothern Arizona up to and including the Pueblo II Period. Read More about this site at: Northern Arizona Petrogylphic Site Treks. See also: Chronology of the Ancient Southwest Cultures