May 19, 2003
Bailed into painting on Sunday morning. Did one of the hardest concepts first: Outlaws Will Carver, Sam Ketchum and Elzy Lay limping over the top of the mountains in a lightning storm. Used a Remington nocturne for the color scheme (Scare In The Pack Train, 1908). Green and fuzzy, as night vision tends to be, especially in the rain. Had a pretty good downpour effect going but, of course, strangled it with too much detail. Now it’s merely sprinkling, but the lightning is pretty strong. Hard to do, especially in the mountains with distant peaks. Need to give depth and the value changes can be quite subtle. Too subtle for me, but it’s done and I’ve got to move on (2:18 PM).

Climbed right into Elzy Lay getting it in the chest and shoulder, down by Turkey Creek. Had excellent reference of Jake (Tommy’s friend), which I shot last weekend in Flagstaff. Good water reflections and tangle of reeds and vegetation creekside. Don’t tell anyone but I still make gunshot sounds as I work in the puffs of smoke coming off the body. Oh, go ahead. Tell everyone. It’s not like anybody is going to be surprised.

Thought about swimming some laps. Technically I’m not supposed to (the Coumadin Nurse forbades me). Nah, chickened out. Water too cold (85 degrees). Ha.

Woke up this morning at 5:30, had coffee, came out to studio at 6:15. Want to finish three of the paintings: Will Carver in his sniper’s nest and Elzy Lay getting it. The lightning storm is done. Need to photograph them and run film up to Foothills Photo in Carefree.

I have a doctor’s appointment today at one, then one with the hematologist on Wednesday and one with the Coumadin Doctor on Wednesday afternoon.

"I tell you, with my doctor, I don't get no respect. I told him I'd swallowed a bottle of sleeping pills. He told me to have a few drinks and get some rest."
—Rodney Dangerfield