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A HILLSIDE BUGLE Behind K Ranch on Hillside Drive, at approximately the 3-mile mark, is a breathtaking view of Watertank Draw mixed in among the San Juan National Forest in Colorado. Pennsylvania artist and elk hunter, Blain Blakeslee, captures a Hillside Bugle next to the aspen tree with Al and Joan Cannon's initials carved into it.
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TOP PRIORITIES What we take time to do in our life is usually our choice. Blain's choice here is to go hunting with his girls. This painting shows him in a situation where he needs to make a choice. Should he wake them up to shoot at the gobbler or allow them to enjoy their peaceful nap against him? Blain knows what his Top Priorities are - the peace and tranquility of spending time with his children.
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CHANGING TRADITIONS Excitement was in the air on this last day of rifle season at camp. The freezer will finally be filled with wonderful, fresh venison. All the relatives breath a silent thanks to Grandpa, who built the cabin in the mountain setting. The memory image of Grandpa stands on the porch, watching his family enjoy themselves. Two deer are silently moving through, and glance curiously at what is going on. They will continue on their way to keep our ever-Changing Traditions alive for the future. Animals in the picture: raccoon, owl, rabbit, mouse, skunk, cardinal, chickadee, 3 of Blain's sports squirrels and 7 deer.
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UNCLE TOM'S As we began hunting we all had that special relative or friend we looked forward to being with during hunting season. That person made our time at camp or afield that much more special. The original of this print was painted by Blain for his Uncle Tom. May the tranquility of this picture help to keep that special memory stirred up in our heart for many days to come.
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BEEN THERE As hunters we've all had memorable times in the woods. Some have had rewarding outcomes, others were just learning opportunities. We have all been distracted at one time or another and missed one of those great chances. You can say we've all Been There.
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MOUNTAINS MAJESTY Through the valley walks this mighty elk, the guardian of its grand domain, surrounded and protected by majestic mountains. Our Creator - the giver of all good gifts - has given the elk its life and purpose just as He has given us ours. The Mountains Majesty will always surround us. The mountains in this picture were painted to form the image of the crucified Christ.
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FIRST DRAW The youth, after many hours on the target range, gets his first chance at a buck, with Dad there to observe and to help lure in the deer. The youth is nervous, but always on his mind are the many stories from his grandfather about all the deer he had taken in his days of archery hunting. That will give the youth strength and determination as he pulls his bow for his First Draw at a deer.
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FIRST DAY’S NIGHT Nestled somewhere in Pennsylvania’s hills is a hunting cabin built by the grandfather of the youth pictured here. His father is passing on the tradition of hunting to his lucky twelve-year-old, who shot a spike buck on the first day of antlered deer season. On the porch is the memory image of the grandfather, who has passed on. Beneath the rack which is still there today, hangs the memory image of the drop-tine buck, shot by the grandfather on the day he introduced his son to hunting. Traditions like these give us memories that witness the future.
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SPLIT-SECOND MEMORY A youth gets a first chance at a spring gobbler. The outcome at the crack of the gun is still unknown. The father, who has bagged many of his own gobblers, is more than happy to call and witness his child’s first hunt. In their minds is Grandpa’s story about his own triple beard bird, shot in Pennsylvania’s very first spring gobbler season in 1968. This new Split-Second Memory will last for many generations to come.
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