Sunday, June 29, 2008

Painting Demo

I did a painting demo yesterday and I really got lost in the "zone." I forgot where I was and just painted. It was fun. I can't wait to take this piece home, finish it, and add my lines.
Today's the last day of the show. I'm just going to relax and enjoy the people, and hopefully, sell a few paintings. I can't wait to sleep in on Monday morning!

Friday, June 27, 2008

Four pics of show

"Cosmos Meadow" 40"x40"
"Tuscan Suns" 40"x30" upper left

It's Showtime!

"Sandia Sunset" in the center
"Confetti with Poppies" on the upper right. "NM Harvest" on the far right.
A few smaller pieces
It's finally here...it's always exciting and kind of breathtaking to see all of your work displayed in one setting, against the black walls with nice bright lighting. Now the rest of the show is just play for me; talking with old friends, collectors, and making new friends. I saw several artist friends today. I said this was the last year I was going to do this show, but it's such a great show. And the fact that it's all artists from New Mexico is very special. So, I'll ask myself about that a little later. Gotta get some sleep because it's along three days!

Thursday, June 26, 2008

"three free"

"three free"
8"x10"
I just finished a couple of last minute paintings, yesterday was such a busy day! Getting paintings done, picking up paintings at galleries, taking paintings to be photographed, making sure that my booth walls and color were up. Today, I am loading up and heading to pick up paintings at a couple of different places, then on to EXPO NM, where the show is being held. I hope to get my booth set up and decorated, hang everything, and still have time for a shower before opening at 6pm.
I invite you all to come and visit me, I will have about 50 paintings on display, all different sizes. My favorite part of the show, aside from selling my work, of course, is seeing old friends and talking to new people, seeing artist friends, just hanging out and having a good chat. Thank you all and I will be taking photos, so I will upload tonight if I have time. Wish me luck!
Tonight: 6pm - 9pm
Friday, 10am - 8pm
Saturday, 10am - 8pm
Sunday, 10am - 5pm

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Hi guys!
No, I didn't disappear from the face of the earth...just getting last minute details down.
I will write and post tonight!

Saturday, June 21, 2008

show time


It's starting to look like a show in here!
I'm getting excited, although there's still a ton of stuff to do. I can't wait to see all of these in full color, with trac lighting, on a black wall.
I was planning on staying in the studio and working all day but I got sidetracked for awhile. I am back, going to eat lunch and then get back to work. Have a wonderful weekend.

Friday, June 20, 2008

Almost finished with this one!
40"x40"
Click on the image for an "up close and personal" view.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

church in progress

church in progress
SOLD
Today was spent addressing 400 postcards, and putting stamps on 400 postcards. Enough said. My mind is fried. A little outlining and that's about it. It's too hot here to do anything outside but I am going to dinner tonight with my favorite cousin. Tomorrow morning it's back to major work. Countdown: 7 days!
SOLD

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

taos cows

taos cows
8"x10"
This is a work in progress. It's not quite finished and I still have to varnish. For some reason, it's showing up on my screen a little grainy and it really doesn't look that way at all. I will varnish tonight and repost tomorrow. I also finished an Arroyo Seco church and am working on the outlining on my big 36"x36" floral. Tomorrow's gonna be a busy day.
IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE A POSTCARD FOR THE UPCOMING SHOW,
PLEASE EMAIL ME WITH YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.
I WILL POST THE CARD TONIGHT

untitled

untitled
12"x6"
I am working crazy now. I feel very focused and in the zone. I hate to be distracted and could just lock myself in the studio until the show and not come out. I am varnishing my remaining large pieces, and still have at least two large paintings I'd like to have done before the show. I know why they call artists "loners", at least this one! I think you have to at least enjoy being alone, because the ideas are just flowing now and that's all I have on my mind. Some of my best work comes out of these stressful but "so good" days.

Monday, June 16, 2008

all but the varnish

all but the varnish!
I finally finished outlining at about 11:10pm last night. Tomorrow I will start what I call "finessing", which means completely going over thw whole painting again to make sure every single line is complete and connected.
outline detail
Especially with aspens, when I start to outline I have to tape off areas in order to make sure I don't miss things. Also I have to get up and walk away after awhile because my eyes don't focus anymore.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

flower field

This is a 40"x 40" work in progress. I'm liking it!
This is for you, Jordon

Friday, June 13, 2008

"fields" work in progress

"fields"
30"x30"
ANOTHER work in progress! It would be nice if I would actually finish these...just kidding. Today is my "finish" day, which means I have six works in progress and hope to at least complete the painting process today on some of them. I took my postcard to the printers yesterday so that should be done next week. Now, the only thing I DON'T have yet is walls for my booth. I usually rent pegboard from the show, but it's so shoddy and warped, and I've been saying for the last three years that I wasn't going to do it again. I'm going to call a couple of exhibition places today and see what I can come up with. Enjoy your day!

Thursday, June 12, 2008

something different

untitled
24"x24"
Normally I sketch with very loose paint, block in my colors, and then work in the background.
My friend Jordon came over to work with me yesterday and I decided to do a more detailed sketch. We worked on completely blocking in the background first with a mixture of prussian blue, burnt umber, purple , and red. I'm not used to working this way at all, so those flowers are intimidating to me right now! I'm going to work on it more today and hopefully will have an update tonight.
I apologize for not having more little daily paintings to offer you right now. I am in "show mode zone" and am feeling that upcoming deadline. I may surprise you in the next couple of days, though, because I really miss them! Hope everyone is well and thanks for watching.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

work in progress

hollyhocks in progress
16"x12
I was driving down Central Avenue one day and came across an old hotel that had these beautiful hollyhocks out front. I circled around the block, pulled up, jumped out, snapped a couple of photos and went on my way. When I got home, I realized that the contrast in colors between the pink hollyhocks and the old wooden "Taos Blue" wall were great. I am still working on this one and may end up doing more than one for the show. Lots of work to do today!

Sunday, June 08, 2008

aspens in progress

Here is a 30"x 24" aspen piece I'm working on. This is the completed underpainting.
I'm in the process of outlining a big 36"x36" wild floral, so I won't be able to work on this one until late tomorrow afternoon. The show is coming along well. I wish I had about 3 extra weeks!

Friday, June 06, 2008

"profusion"

"profusion"
12"x6"
This one makes me happy!
It was painted loose and free.
I just wanted it to radiate spring and I especially like how the little tendrils ended up floating near the sky.
Tomorrow I start work on a big aspen painting and I also have a 30"x30" inch "harvest"field that I think you'll like.
I went over to my neighbor's yesterday - he has the most beautiful garden. I spent the morning taking pictures of his beautiful roses with raindrops on them. And larkspur - everywhere! I'm going to print off a couple of those, possibly to use as future paintings.
I'm going to a party tomorrow evening for my niece, who's turning one and is SO adorable. Anyway, I will work up until about 2pm, then close up the studio for the day. I will try to post something before then. Good night!

canyon women - work in progress

"the harvest"
12"x12"
I am off to run errands and just finished outlining this painting. I didn't want to take the time to take a photo so I just stuck it in the scanner for you to see. This is the jist of the painting, but you are missing several inches on each side. I started off with no idea in mind other than I wanted to paint canyon women. I have to say that I'm really happy that it turned out this way and the composition seems to work.
Should I paint more? My daughter calls them "weird women!" I have collectors who love them and my gallery calls them "weeble women." Bah, I like them so they shall continue, at least once in a while! See ya tonight...

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

"mountain canyon"

"mountain canyon"
10"x8"
SOLD
I just finished this painting and was thinking about what I wanted the title to be. It's a big jumble of flowers but I think the mountain provides such a nice solid backdrop that the title has to relate to it.
I am painting like crazy now, getting ready for my show June, 27, 28, and 29th. After that, I have a one day crazy show at the new Weems Gallery in the middle of July. We open at 10am that day and people start lining up at about 4am in the morning. Sometimes we have poeple spend the night in front of the gallery. Everything is $285 or less. By noon, the walls are empty.
And I mean EMPTY. It is wildly exciting!
Then I am taking a break. Not a break from painting (I will never do that), but a break from deadlines. I will be doing an exhibition with the Plein Air Painters of NM in September, and a paint out on Canyon Road in Santa Fe on October 18, then Weems Artfest in November. And then NOTHING until May when I will have a big new solo show at the new Weems Gallery. They have so much room now that I am doing some huge new works that I'm really excited about. I will be taking day trips all around NM, painting on location in oils, which is something new for me. And of course, I will continue with my daily paintings online.
Anyway, I just want to thank everyone for watching my site, for giving me feedback, for buying my work and supporting me, and I am so happy that I've made so many wonderful friends - at shows, online, just everywhere. You all make it worthwhile for me to continue doing what I love to do. And I hopeyou'll keep watching - Thank you!

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

sunflowers

sunflowers
40"x30"
This is a painting I've been working on for awhile. I am happy with the purple background. I just need to finesse the sunflowers and outline. Should be finished tomorrow. Hopefully!

Monday, June 02, 2008

work in progress

"corrales cornfield"
10"x8"
SOLD
I will post this finished painting tonight. I'm going to try to get a ton of work accomplished today! Wish me luck.