2021 Artists in Residence Exhibit: Sandra Harris

“If I had to sum up in one word my experience as a Brinton Museum Artist in Residence, it would be “exhilarating”!  And if this story had a title, it would be “Fire and Ice”.

From the moment I drove through the artistic gate at the beautiful Third Cut Ranch, I knew this would be a creative journey I would never forget.  After being met with a welcoming smile and hearty handshake, I began to explore this awesome gift of two weeks of inspiration.

And boy, it started out with a bang! 

Driving down from my Montana home on September 2, I noticed a plume of smoke off to my left, rising up out of nowhere.  As I got closer to Sheridan, I began to see the haze of smoke begin to fill the air.  Something was brewing.  I arrived at the Third Cut Ranch close to suppertime, and the first thing I grabbed out of my car was my easel.  Unpacking would have to wait, I was determined to capture the fast-changing sky and many colors.  The fire was growing in the mountains, and my small plein air study went through many changes over the course of the hour.  Pretty soon it was just a hopeless crazy-quilt mess  as I worked fast and furious, and the smoke was rolling in closer.  Finally, I just stopped painting and surrendered my senses to watching the transformation of color.  It was mesmerizing.. the beauty and awe unfolding in front of me as the sun turned salmon pink and thick violet smoke filled the air.  I found more inspiration those first hours of my residency than I had experienced all year. I finally unpacked my car after it was dark, and couldn’t wait until dawn to get back outdoors.

Every day I was up before dawn with my easel and a small box of panels, wandering around the beautiful property, keeping good company with the wild turkeys, deer, and other critters.  My favorite critter was Nelson, the beautiful family bird dog.  Each morning he would come outdoors to explore, faithfully walking on a leash, looking like a champion silky setter.  Later, he would fly past my easel , full speed ahead, a complete mudball, eyes sparkling, tail flying, and tongue flapping in the breeze!  He lit up my day with his joyful presence, and he became one of my favorite models.

There was so much to take in!  I loved painting the mountains, the hay bales and  tractors; the stately trees, stream, and that fabulous red barn with the running horse weathervane.  Every sky looked like a masterpiece painted with God’s own paintbrush.   The sunlit round hay bales looked like magnificent golden sculptures.  Every day I painted in the great outdoors until it was dark.  Every day held meaningful stories that I will keep in my heart forever.  The days spent at locations outside the ranch were just as meaningful..painting the brilliant flowered gardens, creek, and majestic Bighorns at the Brinton; the historical buildings, clear pebbled creek and beautiful horses at the Eaton Ranch; the Bighorns, beautiful horses, and fascinating,  compassionate owners of Hannah Creek Acres;  the picturesque  Big Horn ranch where a kindhearted, lovely young lady and her family welcomed me for modeling sessions.  My creative spirit  was filled, and my soul was nourished sharing meals with new friends.

For me, the land and the people who dwell in it are deeply connected.  So my inspiration was made complete by the wonderful people I met along my two-week journey.

And now to get back to my Fire and Ice experience…here’s the Ice part of the story.

Six days after I arrived and the mountain was on fire…I heard there was a snowstorm heading our way!I got so excited anticipating the big event, that I got all my warm layers, long johns, hand warmers, gloves, down coat, hat, and snow boots ready by the front door.  I saw dark, low indigo and pink clouds moving in close to the mountains and quickly painted a plein air study that evening.  Then I got up before dawn, put on my several layers for the 20-something degrees, and headed out into the pre-dawn darkness.  At first the indigo blanket huddled close to the mountain, then as day started to break, so did that cover.  Suddenly, almost without warning, there was a break in the cloud covering, and the cliffs broke through like icy spires to the heavens!  They jutted out so brilliantly from their dark surrounding,  I think I literally gasped in sheer delight.  I furiously painted four studies during that timeframe and still wonder how that happened without my fingers freezing stiff!  To this day, I remember those fire and ice moments as if they are still happening.  It is inspiration that will last a lifetime.

 I’m forever grateful to  Ken and the outstanding team at the Brinton Museum, and  Lisa and Tom, the gracious, generous owners and hosts of Third Cut Ranch, as well as Lenard, their friendly and helpful ranch manager, for making this gift of a two-week residency a reality and blessing!  I came away from this residency with 45 painting studies, inspiration for much more work to come, and new friendships.

I am blessed.  Thank you!”

Sandra Harris

“My favorite way to begin each day was to get up before dawn, grab my easel and paints and wander outdoors into whichever direction the land was beckoning me. In that early hour, even the air seemed more still. The wildlife was venturing out from their nighttime habitats, and the whole earth seemed to stand still.
This open space facing a lone tree was a favorite place to stop, pray and meditate on the day ahead.
My spirit felt rested and well-grounded as I watched the expansive cloud formations take their place into my world, then move on, and changing their spectacular appearance for the next lucky passerby.” Sandra Harris

“Six days after I arrived and the mountain was on fire…I heard there was a snowstorm heading our way!

I got so excited anticipating the big event, that I got all my warm layers, long johns, hand warmers, gloves, down coat, hat and snow boots ready by the front door.  I noticed dark, low indigo and pink clouds moving in close to the mountains and quickly painted a plein air study that evening.  Then I got up before dawn, put on my several layers for the 20-something degrees, and headed out into the pre-dawn darkness.

At first the indigo blanket huddled close to the mountain, then as day started to break, so did that cover.  Suddenly, almost without warning, there was a break in the cloud covering, and the cliffs broke through like icy spires to the heavens.  They jutted out so brilliantly from their dark surrounding, I literally gasped in sheer delight!  I furiously painted four studies during that timeframe and still wonder how that happened without my fingers freezing stiff.

To this day, I remember those fire and ice moments as if they are still happening.  It is inspiration that will last a lifetime.” Sandra Harris

“Driving down from my Montana home on September 2, I noticed a plume of smoke off to my left, rising up out of nowhere. As I got closer to Sheridan, I began to see the haze of smoke begin to fill the air. Something was brewing.

I arrived at the Third Cut Ranch close to suppertime, and the first thing I grabbed out of my car was my easel. Unpacking would have to wait, I was determined to capture the fast changing sky and many colors. The fire was growing in the mountains, and my small plein air study went through many changes over the course of the hour. Pretty soon it was just a hopeless crazy-quilt mess as I worked fast and furious, and the smoke was rolling in closer.

Finally I just stopped painting and surrendered my senses to watching the transformation of color. It was mesmerizing.. the beauty and awe unfolding in front of me as the sun turned salmon pink and thick violet smoke filled the air. I found more inspiration those first hours of my residency than I had experienced all year. I finally unpacked my car after it was dark, and couldn’t wait until dawn to get back outdoors.” Sandra harris