Thursday, May 29, 2008

"placitas hillside"

"placitas hillside"
8"x10"
SOLD
I love this painting, it's full of color but also a little moody. I can't decide if the storm is on it's way or has already passed through. I am going to be working on a large canvas today, not sure what I'm going to paint. All of my small canvas up to 18x24 are sketched but I've been leaving the larger ones open because I want the idea to be spontaneous. I'm thinking meadows or florals or a huge Taos landscape!

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

"spring acequia"

"spring acequia"
10"x8"
SOLD
This reminds me of Taos, especially this year. The waters are running so high and the snow runoff hasn't even really started yet. This is an actual scene but I've taken a lot of liberties with the original photo. In the photo, everything is pretty much the same color green. And our Nana is watering the yard with a garden hose and the family dog is visible. This is a lot more romantic, don't you think? Enjoy your day!

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Hollyhocks

A work in progress for the show
12"x6"
I love hollyhocks. I actually have a lady who gives me hollyhock seeds every year and then she comes to buy a hollyhock painting! I have lots of photos I've taken, but only a couple with this beautiful oh-so-light pink color.

Sunday, May 25, 2008

work in progress

Aspens - work in progress
10"x8"

Amother work in progress, I'm on a roll now!
Will write more later.
Happy Memorial Day

Saturday, May 24, 2008

"may day"

"may day"
10"x8"
SOLD
My finished painting.
Today I'm headed to my husband's basketball games.
I hope to get to a painting this evening. Enjoy the weekend!

Friday, May 23, 2008

"may day"

"may day"
10"x9"
work in progress
will write more later
enjoy your day!

Thursday, May 22, 2008

work in progress

work in progress
36"x36"
This was a fun painting to begin and I'm very happy with how it's turning out. I had a helper on the underpainting - thanks Jordon! This painting is for the NM Arts and Crafts Fair show at the end of June.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

"fenceline""

"fenceline"
7"x5" SOLD
Another small work in progress for the show.
I am cleaning my studio because I have an intern coming today and we are going to work on painting a large wild painting together. She's graduating and doing a presentation project on her art experiences.
We are going to try to be very loose and spontaneous and see how it goes. I'm not going to sketch anything beforehand. It's going to be a large loose floral, and we're going to just throw the paint around. I will post the work in progress tonight. Have a wonderful day.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

"fall colors"

"fall colors"
7"x5"
Another work in progress.
Keeping busy so I'll have more tomorrow.
Have a great night!

Monday, May 19, 2008

"sunkissed window"

"sunkissed window"
7"x5"
Another work in progress - I'm trying to finish my small pieces and then varnish everything together. I tried to aim for a loose look on this painting, a goal of mine for the upcoming show.
I barely got any painting done at all today. Monday is usually my "business" day so today I went downtown to renew my business license and take care of some gross receipts taxes. I've decided I would love to have an "assistant" to take care of all the drudgery so I could just PAINT!

"WILD SUNS"

"WILD SUNS"
5"x7"
This is a work in progress for my summer show, it's almost done.
You should see my studio - it's full of canvases for the show in all sizes, from 5x5 to 48x60. I am starting with the smallest ones first. Almost everything is toned and sketched. Now I just need to PAINT them. Easier said than done!
I'm trying to be as loose as possible in my paintings for this show. This is my first attempt and I love these little wild sunflowers. I'm trying to keep my daily paintings going to, so look for one of those soon.
My gallery is asking for more work too. Sometimes I feel like I'm being pulled in a million directions. Or maybe I'm just pulling myself - I would love to just paint with no deadlines and no distractions. Have a great day!

Thursday, May 15, 2008

"Taos Purple"

"TAOS PURPLE"
9"X6"
SOLD
Okay everyone, it's 9pm my time, but I finished it!
Taos Purple (or could be Taos blue, I guess, it's a mixture) is such a rich color. I wish I had the nerve to paint all my doors and windows this color.
You see this color blue so much in Taos - on doors, windows, and trimwork.
It's just such a nice contrast to all of the earth adobe colors of houses, gates and walls. If you're interested in purchasing, the information is below.
I just found out that some of my paintings were rented today for a movie they're filming in Albuquerque called "Observe and Report." That should be interesting! That would be a blast, to see my work on the big screen.

"Taos Blue Window"

A work in progress for tonight, stay tuned.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

"ARROYO HONDO ROAD"

"ARROYO HONDO ROAD"
8"X10"
This painting was completed on a ridge somewhere in Arroyo Hondo - I can't remember the exact location, although I do remember that it was a beautiful day. I guess that's what counts!
I'm working on a purple New Mexico window with hollyhocks for auction tomorrow night.
We are having a very soft rain right now. We haven't had rain where I live for quite a while and I'm happy because everything looks so clean and green. I am cleaning my studio becaise I have an intern coming over on Friday. We are going to paint together and I have no idea what else! She is a graduation senior and I'm not sure if art is her major but she just finished an internship at the gallery and they have sent her my way. It should be fun.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

"TAOS VISTA"

"TAOS VISTA"
8"X10"
SOLD
This was my second day in Taos. It was early in the morning and I was
parked by the side of the road, painting away. This was a beautiful scene.
I'm not sure what the white buds or seed pods were - they looked like cattails, but they weren't. Hope you enjoy!
I am in "show" mode now so you'll be seeing something new pretty much every day. I have what seems like a million blank canvases staring at me every time I walk into the studio.
Pretty intimidating.

Monday, May 12, 2008

"POPPY MEDITATION"

"POPPY MEDITATION"
10"X8"
SOLD
This painting is not from Taos, this one's out of my head. I love these little meditation garden pieces, to me they are peaceful and calming. There are little bits of blue and purple sprinkled throughout the background - a good contrast to the yellows and oranges. This painting is being readied for my show at the end of June. If you are interested in purchase information, please send me an email. I will attempt another video tomorrow!

Thursday, May 08, 2008

"PILAR RIVER"

"PILAR RIVER"
8"X10"
SOLD
This quiet little river - actually it's a beautiful big river, was on the backroads when you turn off to go to the village of Pilar on the way to Taos. I started the painting on location but decided to finish it today and yeah! I got it done. I've been working on a 30"x40" painting for a big fundraising event this Saturday so I haven't had a lot of time, but this is the first of many.

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

CHURCH, RANCHOS DE TAOS

side view of the front of church
back of church
I've heard this church is the most photographed church in the world.
I'm not sure if it's true, but I think it's probably one that artists really love to paint, because of the massive forms and the beautiful shadows within the walls.
I touched the buttresses, they are adobe fortified with straw and they have a soft crumbly feel.
I thought they would be harder and have a really rough texture. I believe that the parishoners get together and re-mud it every year to keep it maintained.
I could probably try to paint this church a million times and never feel like I got it just right. If the composition is off at all, it's so easily noticeable! But isn't it just beautiful?

"My First Oil Painting""

"PILAR HACIENDA"
5"X7"
SOLD
I am SO not used to using oils!
I took some with me on this painting trip because acrylic dries so fast in the outdoors.
I'm used to painting a painting and laying it anywhere in my car.
With this one, it was like, where can I put this because it's not dry?? I was afraid to smear it.
It is finally dry to the touch today.
I love the buttery feel of oils, so I may do more small ones.
Pilar is a small village on the way to Taos. I've driven by it many times, but never turned off.
It is a beautiful scenic drive right next to the river.
Several artists and potters have their studios there.
If you are interested in this painting, please email me.
Today I clean my studio, organize my sketched canvases, and work on a large painting that I need to have completed by Friday. Have a great day!

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

BEGINNING AND END

TAOS SUNRISE: COWS OUTSIDE THE BATHROOM WINDOW!
TAOS SUNSET: YOU HAD TO BE THERE

"I'M BACK!"

HELLO! I"M BACK FROM TAOS!
I just wanted to let you know that I am back from Taos and it was wonderful. I am totally inspired!
I painted at the Rio Grande Gorge, Arroyo Hondo, Ranchos de Taos, Pilar, the Rim, etc. I also took over 450 pictures for future work.
Taos was beautiful, magical. I will load all of my photos tonight and start working tomorrow. I saw an old pink truck, tons of small adobe churches, a cow staring in my window one morning, beautiful sunsets, and I spent the whole time trying to get a good photo of a magpie, but they would never sit still long enough. I looked at galleries, ate at Michael's kitchen, and spent a good amount of time relaxing too. see you tomorrow!
'

Friday, May 02, 2008

I'M OFF!

OFF TO TAOS I GO.....
I have my car all packed up and ready - I'm taking many more panels and canvas than I can possibly use, but I would rather have some left over than get up there with such beautiful magnificent scenery and have nothing to paint on.
If I can find use of a laptop, I will send images and posts and possibly videos of my excursions, if you don't see anything, it just means I was unable to locate a way to send them.
Everything starts tomorrow morning. We're painting at the Rio Grande Gorge. Sunday, I think it's in Arroyo Hondo, Monday in Ranchos de Taos (where the second most beautiful church in NM is, I would say Santuario de Chimayo has to be number 1 for me), Tuesday in Pilar, Wednesday in Arroyo Seco. I am not sure how long I'll stay. I may get really homesick for my little adobe home, my family, and my pup. Anyway, I will try to stay in touch with you all, and I hope you wish me luck and that I come home with lots of great paintings and studies for future work. Bye!

Thursday, May 01, 2008

"TIA'S FLOWERS"

"TIA'S FLOWERS
10"x10"
A new auction painting!
I don't normally paint a lot of still life pieces.
The flowers were from an old photo I had. The pot and cloth were from my imagination. I'm happy with the way it turned out. I love the background - you can see the blue peeking through the orange and the flowers have a nice warm, cozy feel.
I'm gearing up for Taos! I will write more tomorrow, but you won't believe all the stuff I'm taking: panels, canvas, acrylics, water-soluble oils, etc. I'm excited!