Diverging Paths oil on panel Artist Michael Bedard ©

Diverging Paths

Diverging Paths   Oil on panel

Roberts Frost’s Poem remnds me of these  these diverging paths I painted. I always love the adventure of hiking and finding new paths the great unknown.Maybe thats why painting is so fun you never know how your finished painting will turn out?

The Road Not Taken

   by Robert Frost 

 Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;         

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,         

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.         

I shall be telling this with a sigh

close up of Diverging Paths

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, 

and I—I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

October/ November Web Store www.bedardfineart.com

Angel of Mercy Ehpham Hanks A

Artist  Michael Bedard Art copyrighted ©

                              Ephraim Hanks Angel of Mercy   

     In the fall of 1856, I spent considerable of my time fishing in Utah Lake; ..... I had occasion to stop once overnight with Gurnsey Brown, Being somewhat fatigued after the day’s journey, I retired to rest quite early, and while I still lay wide awake in my bed I heard a voice calling me by name, and then saying: “The handcart people are in trouble and you are wanted; will you go and help them?” I turned instinctively in the direction from whence the voice came and beheld an ordinary-sized man in the room. Without hesitation I answered, “Yes, I will go if I am called.” I then turned around to go to sleep, but had laid only a few minutes when the voice called a second time, repeating almost the same words as on the first occasion. My answer was the same as before. 

    This was repeated a third time. When I got up the next morning I says to Brother Brown, “The hand-cart people are in trouble, and I have promised to go out and help them,”

     Being deeply concerned about the possible fate of the immigrants, and feeling anxious to learn of their condition, I determined to start out on horseback to meet them; and for this purpose I secured a pack-saddle and two animals (one to ride and one to pack),....... 

   I reached the ill-fated train just as the immigrants were camping for the night. The sight that met my gaze as I entered their camp can never be erased from my memory. The starved forms and haggard countenances of the poor sufferers, as they moved about slowly, shivering with cold, to prepare their scanty evening meal was enough to touch the stoutest heart. When they saw me coming, they hailed me with joy inexpressible, and when they further beheld the supply of fresh meat I brought into camp, their gratitude knew no bounds. Flocking around me, one would say, “Oh, please, give me a small peace of meat;” another would exclaim, “My poor children are starving, do give me a little;” and children with tears in their eyes would call out, “Give me some, give me some. ” At first I tried to wait on them and handed out the meat as they called for it; but finally I told them to help themselves. Five minutes later both my horses had been released of their extra burden—the meat was all gone, and the next few hours found the people in camp busily engaged in cooking and eating it, with thankful hearts.

Ignorance, Freedom and Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson
artist Michael Bedard

If a nation expects to be ignorant & free, in a state of civilisation, it expects what never was & never will be.
Thomas Jefferson

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with inherent and inalienable rights; that among these, are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.” –Declaration of Independence as originally written by Thomas Jefferson, 1776. ME 1:29, Papers 1:315?

Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath.

Thomas Jefferson

I know there  are three things that will save America:

1. Acknowledge Gods hand in its creation and destiny.
2. Understand the principles of good government the founders gave us and make
sure those we elect adhere to them.
3. Keep Gods commandments.

Is America worth saving?

Makers of Peace

Makers of Peace 

Artist  Michael Bedard ©

Jacob Hamblim, Dudley Leavitt, & Ira Hatch engaging  in what  what would be many missionary experiences

 to make peace and form friendships with the several tribes in southern utah.

     Jacob Hamblim’s eight rules in dealy with the Indians throughout his life:

1. I never talk anything but the truth to them.

2. I think it useless to speak of things they cannot comprehend

3. I strive by all means to never let them see me in a passion.

4. Under no circumstances show fear, thereby showing to them that I have a sound heart 

    and a straight tongue.

5. Never approach them in an austere manner nor use more words than are necessary to 

     convey my ideas, not in a higher tone of voice than to be distinctly heard.

6. Always listen to them when they wish to tell of their grievances, and redress their wrongs, 

    however trifling they may be if possible. If I cannot I let them know I have a desire to do so.

7.  I never allow them to hear me use profane or obscene language or take any unbecoming

      course with them.

8. I never submit to any unjust demands or submit to coercion under any circumstances,

    thereby showing them that I govern and am governed by the rule of right not by might.

    Hamblin adds, “I believe if the rules that I have mentioned were observed there should be little

    difficulty on our frontier with the Red Man.”

   Hamblin treated the Native Americans as intelligent equals. He said, "some people call the 

   Indians superstitious. I admit the fact, but do not think that they are more so than many who call 

   themselves civilized. There are few people who have not received superstitious traditions 

   from their fathers. 

   The more intelligent part of the Indians believe in one Great Father of all; also in evil 

    influences, and in revelation and prophecy; and in many of their religious rites and ideas, 

    I think they are quite as consistent as the Christian sects of the day.

Bedard Fine Art Gallery  Museum Canvas Print   Print requires NO GLASS with frame.

 29 West 200 North, Saint George, Utah  84770    www.bedardfineart.com      E-mail: Michael@bedardfineart.com 

Phone: 801-803-3415  Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday 

WATCHING TOWER snow canyon

Watching Tower  artist Michael bedard

when I did this peace it seem the sky was like water pure and clean. it was so beautiful to me and of course I love the red rock. you can see this spot as you make your way to Johnson's Arch.
prints can be purchaes at my websight store: bedardfineart.com

BULLIT PROOF GEORGE WASHINGTON

George Washington to Mary Ball Washington, July 18, 1755
Shortly after the defeat of General Braddock's army on July 9, 1755, a defeated but clearly exhilarated George Washington wrote this excited and reassuring account of the battle to his mother, Mary Ball Washington. Washington praised the Virginia soldiers for their "Bravery," but condemned the British regulars who "broke, and run as Sheep pursued by dogs" for their "cowardice" and "dastardly behavior." The fortunes of war smiled down on Washington, as the young American escaped uninjured by hostile or friendly fire, although "I had four Bullets through my Coat, and two Horses shot under me." Washington continued to serve in the Anglo-American military and was a major factor in Britain's defeat of the French and capture of Fort Duquesne (renamed Fort Pitt by the British) in 1758. Immediately after his return to Virginia, Washington married Martha Dandridge Custis on January 6, 1759.

Bullet Proof George Washington
by Michael Bedard

THIS PAINTING IS ALMOST FINISHED THE PROJECT WAS FIVE MONTHS IN THE MAKING. I will write more of this later today.  

Heart of Zion

This is a new original on Canvas I have just completed  it feels like i have found the heart of Zion it self in this painting I love it. 

March 21-31 Museum Canvas Print Sale

                                            Shoshone Indian Man  

Artist  Michael Bedard Art Copyrighted ©

 The historic Shoshone Indians of the Uto-Aztecan linguistic stock occupied territory in California, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming; although most of them seemed to be settled in the Snake river area in Idaho.  Historical documents from the Lewis & Clark expedition often refer to the Shoshone as the “Snake Indians”. The actual name “Shoshone” means “The Valley People”. The name means “inland” or “in the valley”.  The Shoshone were few in number, their total population being somewhere in the area of 8,000. 

      In 1875, resident Ulysses S. Grant established a 100 square mile executive order reservation for the Lemhi Valley Shoshone, establishing the Lemhi Valley Indian Reservation for use by the Shoshone, Bannock, and Sheepeater tribes.

Bedard Fine Art Gallery  Museum Canvas Print   Print requires NO GLASS with frame.

 29 West 200 North, Saint George, Utah  84770    www.bedardfineart.com      E-mail: Michael@bedardfineart.com

Buy any four 5in. by 7in. Museum Canvas prints at my web sight store Bedardfineart.com or spend $70.00 and receive a 5in. by 7in. Shoshone Man Museum Canvas Print FREE!

The Waiting Time

I loved drawing this beautiful woman. Graphite is so freeing: there is only values of light and dark to deal with. Kind of  like homemade bread just out of the oven and some butter. Very simple! There is great power in simplicity.

Sitting Moose

This  is a fun little painting of a moose that was sitting in tall grass we did not hang around very long to disturb him.The painting is 8 x 10 inches in size.