Get ready...there's a new Challenge starting

JANUARY 2, 2011!!

daily painting

"THE MYSTERY"

8X10"

SOLD

$99 plus $10 shipping

My favorite Taos church. Actually one of my most favorite churches of all time. Chimayo is number one and this one is number two. I love them all really - thereare so many unique little old churches all throughout New Mexico.

daily painting

"CANONES BACKROADS"

8X10"

oil on hardboard

SOLD

Okay, I decided I have got to get back into painting mode.

It's been a month and I have gotten lazy. I told myself I wasn't going to do any shows in 2012,

but I have to, or else I will just loaf around and not challenge myself at all.

This painting is from a photo taken in the beautiful little village of Canones on the backroads of Abiquiu Lake. I would love to have a little hideaway up there to escape to - just take off for a week or two and go painting. Maybe one day.

This painting was painted alla prima and I kept taking my glasses off so the image would be a little blurry. Looser brushstrokes that way. I am very happy with the result and it has given me the inspiration I need to keep going.

You may purchase this painting through Paypal - just click on the Paypal button for more information.

Buy this painting on PayPal
Price: $99.00 plus $10.00 s/h
Or, send me an email

daily painting

"CANONES"

8X10"

$105 free shipping

Okay, I decided I really needed to get back in the studio - what better way than a gorgeous photo from Canones, a little village along the backroads of Abiquiu Lake? This was painted in one sitting and I took my glasses off so it would be a little blurry, the brushstrokes are much looser that way. If I could afford it, I would have a little hideaway up here so I could head up and spend a fewdays plein air painting. This painting is available for purchase through Paypal. Please click on the button below for information.

upcoming group show

Hi all -

The weather here has finally gotten a little better, at last it's sunny outside. Still cold though.

Here is the postcard for my upcoming group show for the New Mexico Cancer Center. When I saw the other artists dropping off their work, I was amazed. It's going to be a beautiful show.

35% of the proceeds from sales go to help the New Mexico Cancer Center with their work. The show opens on December 18 with a reception from 1-4pm. I'm going to be there, so drop by, say hi, and view all of the beautiful work. There will be food, wine, and music too. And thanks to the Cancer Center for highlighting my painting "Hondo Country" on their postcard.

Okay, I'm going to try to get back to work today. I have taken a month off and it's time. I've also realized that I need a Challenge of some sort to keep me going or else I will just be loafing around. Any thoughts or ideas out there? What kind of Challenge or show would you like to see in June?

lovely day...

Good morning! We have about 5-6 inches of snow on the ground today and my garden grandma is not too happy, as you can see. And it's still snowing. Being a person who doesn't ski anymore and doesn't like snow, I wish it would just go away. I know - we need the moisture. But I don't enjoy the snow. I would rather sit by the fire with a good book and a warm blanket.

Yesterday, all of the antique stores in my area were hosting their annual Shop and Stroll. The weather was supposed to be snowy and cold but wasn't, so I ventured out. Everything was on sale and they all had goodies - posole, brownies, veggies and dip, etc. I hit a few of them but didn't have time to make them all. Anyway, this was a really pretty and unique bracelet I found at one shop. No, I didn't buy it but it definitely caught my eye. I don't usually wear a lot of jewelry, it's just not my thing. This was $75.

Look at how pretty it was yesterday. This is my little house near the Open Space area that I like to paint. Look at those fluffy clouds! This will definitely become a painting.

This is an old fashioned Christmas tree in one of the stores. Itwas beautiful and really got me in the Christmas mood. Remember those white and silver trees?

This is a view of Bert's room at the Antique Co-op. He has the coolest treasures. I always love the cupboards and things he finds from Mexico, but I can never afford them.

I hit about three shops and brought home a beautiful cross (a photo later), a vintage Christmas ornament, a book on painting, and a book on how to make a million things from dollar bills (complete with a dvd and fake dollar bills). I think I hit the jackpot.

busy weekend...

This weekend I attended the Plein Air Painters of New Mexico's annual meeting and luncheon. We have a meeting to discuss last year's events and progress, what we're doing in 2012, host new elections for board members, have a nice lunch, and then we are teated to a workshop by a well known artist. This year's artist was Barry McCuan. I believe he lives in Santa Fe, and exhibits at La Ventana in Santa Fe, Walden Fine Arts in Taos, and a gallery in Florida. He wife is also a well known painter.

To move on, here is part of his demonstration. He starts with a white canvas he has stretched himself and covers it with a thin mixture of transparent color. He then takes a paper towel and wipes out his sketch. It's quite interesting to watch.

He has his basic sketch wiped out, and he starts blocking in his darks. The small dark spots he's working on are sunflowers.

Here he has finished the darks and he has added some lights to the middle ground behind the large tree on the right.

Close up detail of adding in the yellow color of the sunflowers. He didn't finish the work by the time our event was over, but it was really interesting. He is also quite the character!

daily paintings are back

"FLORES DEL SOL"

6X6"

This painting is full of life and texture. I'm glad to be back at work.

Purchase information is below.

Buy this painting on PayPal
Price: $75.00 plus $10.00 s/h
Or, send me an email

Happy Thanksgiving!

This beautiful morning glory has given way to the first frost of the season and is now just a memory - although now the weather is pretty warm again and we are expecting the high to be 62 degrees tomorrow -just perfect for Thanksgiving in New Mexico.

We are having a rather laid back day tomorrow. I'm making a turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, corn, Italian green beans, salad, fruit salad, and who knows what else. One of my daughters is bringing homemade pumpkin muffins with cream cheese frosting for dessert. We have already made pumpking chocolate chip cookies, three batches of fudge, peanut butter thumbprint cookies, and chocolate truffles, but we sent all of those out to a few of our friends across the miles, I was not able to find any good tamales - and my old favorite place just closed, but I think I have a hook-up for Christmas. My sister-in-law knows someone. I hope so, I am already tasting the chicken ones with green chile and cheese!

I'm sure my husband will be watching the football games. I may break out one of my Springbok Christmas puzzles and just relax the day away.
On another note, I have cleaned my studio and my new paint order came in yesterday. I'm always so surprised that something I spent so much on could arrive in such a small box. My canvases are ready to go, as are my hardboard panels. So stay tuned.

I also have a new group show opening on December 18th at the New Mexico Cancer Center. I am participating in a show to benefit the center - it's called "Sight and Sound" and I will be exhibiting ten pieces. I invite you all to stop by for the opening reception. I'll keep you posted on the times and such.

So, enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner, enjoy your family, and I am ready to get back to work next week. Bye!

SOLD

SOLD

"SANTA FE SUNSET"

6X6"

oil on canvas

This was a little painting that I put up on a shelf to dry in my studio, then totally forgot about it, so it never made it to Artfest. It is $75 plus $10 shipping. If you are interested in this boldly painted sunset, please click on the Paypal button below.

Buy this painting on PayPal
Price: $75.00 plus $10.00 s/h
Or, send me an email

Regrouping

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On a recent day trip to Abiquiu (more photos below), this guy was leading his cows home. They somehow got outside of the fence and were grazing right by the highway. You just don't see this kind of scene anymore! So peaceful.

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I am still recuperating from Artfest - it usually takes about three weeks. I have a few things percolating...

I'm doing a group show for the gallery at the New Mexico Cancer Center next month. And one of my images is on the postcard - I'll post information later. The show is called "Sight and Sound" and I should have about 5-10 paintings.

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I will be splitting up my paintings from the Artfest show between the two Weems Galleries and a new gallery in Scottsdale. That's happening this week. So if you didn't get a chance to go to Artfest and would like to see my work, head on over to Weems.

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I am thinking about creating some ornaments and putting them up for auction soon.

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I also want to create some small little 4x4 paintings that would make ideal Christmas gifts.

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I will be back to daily paintings this coming week. All will be available for purchase, so if you see a painting that speaks to you, snap it up.

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I have been asked ( along with a few other artists) to come up with a concept for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Poster for 2012. The theme is "Blazing Trails." Any ideas for a concept out there?

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Look for lots of exercise, eating healthier, more plein air paint-outs and exhibitions in 2012, a series called, The Women of Willard," and knee replacements. I love this holiday season and am so happy to have this forum to communicate with all of you. Happy Autumn!

I wanted to show you a couple of the three hundred pics I took on our day trip last week. It was kind of overcast, but we saw some bBEAUTIFUL country. We went to Abiquiu and were headed to Ghost Ranch and got sidetracked. We went through some backcountry to see the side and back view of Pedernal (this photo is a side view) and ran into some little villages and canyons that were spectacular. I am already making plans to come back in the spring and fall - to see the blossoms and the fall foliage.

This is a little Catholic church called San Miguel. We thought it was cute because they had a handwritten sign on the outside fence that said "FATHER." reserved for the local priest.


Oh my gosh, I really want to live here. Better than Taos, even.

A view of the valley flanking Pedernal. We missed the fall colors by about two weeks. Darn. Still pretty spectacular, though.

The Weems Artfest show was fantastic. I sold lots of paintings, met a lot of new people, visited with a lot of collectors, and saw some people I hadn't seen in a long time. One of the nicest things about Artfest is connecting with your fellow booth neighbors that you haven't seen in a year. But I sure was tired out at the end of three days!

forgot one...

"SUNSHINE GARDEN"

6X6"

Final Artfest painting

"SWEETNESS"

6X6"

last paintings for Artfest

"HOUSE IN FALL"

8X10

"SPRING BOUQUET"

10X8"

"CALIFORNIA POPPIES"

6X6"

"MISTER COOL"

6X6"

"HILLS NEAR JEMEZ"

6X6"

new paintings!

"SECO CHURCH"

8X10"

"RAINSTORM OVER SANTA FE HILLS"

9X12"

"ORANGE SUNSET"

10X8"

"SUNFLOWER HILL"

10X8"

"PLACITAS CHAMISA"

10X8"

Hello everyone!

I am almost done painting for Artfest - I just have five little 6x6s I want to finish today.

Then I have to spend some time gathering fixtures like

lights, rugs, tables, chairs, tablecloths, step stool, etc.

After that comes all of the small stuff: sales and guestbooks, postcards, stapler, staples, drill, screws, extension cords, pens, credit card materials - and more. Ugh, that's all the stuff I could skip for sure.

I'm getting excited about this weekend's Weem's show - mostly I'm excited because I just really like the work I've done this year. And I hope you do too.
Oh, and scroll down, there are lots of new paintings below...

new paintings

"BERNALILLO ACEQUIA"

10X10"

"LITTLE CASITA WITH COTTONWOODS"

8X10"

"O'KEEFE'S HOLLYHOCK"

10X8"

"GERANIUM POTS"

8X8"

"ABIQUIU HILLS"

8X8"

new [aintings

"SOFT SKIES"

8X8"

"PATHWAY HOME"

8X8"

"SUNFIELD"

14X18"

"TAOS MOUNTAIN COLORS"

11X14"

"SUNLIT HILLS"

16X20"