Monday, January 27, 2014

"BRIGHT BEAUTIES"
6x6"
oil on hardboard
available at Farm and Table Restaurant
  

I am really in the mood to paint flowers.
I think it's because I want spring to be here NOW.
Then I think about the folks up north who are experiencing so much cold, snow, and ice
and I am happy that I live in New Mexico. I hope winter ends early for everyone....

This is a crazy still life - a pretty bunch of wildflowers in a blue vase.
I wanted to just let go and let the brush direct me.

Now, I think I'm ready for a landscape.

On another note, I am going to lunch with Tom's daughter today.
We haven't really had a chance to talk since her dad passed away and 
guess where we're going? One of Tom's favorite Mexican food restaurants.
They have the best cheese enchiladas, fried potatoes, and sopaipillas.

I will take pictures so you can drool from afar!

On another note, I am gearing up for the Retro Challenge:
organizing, ordering supplies, designing the postcard, setting up show details, etc.

More on that soon.

Have a great winter day!



Sunday, January 26, 2014

daffodils...

"HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL"
6x6"
oil on hardboard
$99
SOLD


My first painting in quite a while since one of my best friends passed away,

I really have not felt like painting.
He had such a beautiful soul and I haven't met anyone who loves my artwork as much as he did - 
including my family and friends.

It has been cold here but no snow or really bad weather
and I am sure spring is just right around the corner.

Spring brings daffodils and crocus and once you see them,
you know that lilacs and roses are not far behind.

I always think to myself -
the reason we have winter is to make us appreciate spring and beautiful weather.
So come on spring!

Thanks to all of my readers who sent me nice messages about Tom.
I really appreciate them all.


Thursday, January 23, 2014

THE BEST OF FRIENDS

I have not been able to paint.

A very close friend of mine passed away on January 11.
He went in for major heart surgery and just never woke up.

I met Tom in 2007.
I had just started offering my paintings for auction and sale on ebay.
He bought a few, we connected on an emotional level and became fast friends.

Tom was born in New Mexico, but moved to California 
about twenty years ago to pursue his architectural career.
His ex-wife and children also live in New Mexico.

Tom called me one day and said he was coming into town and 
would I consider going out to dinner and meeting him and his family. 
I get requests like this from time to time and have met lots of interesting people this way.
I said sure and my husband and I met Tom and his family at El Pinto restaurant.
What I didn't know was how much I would grow to love Tom and 
how much he would impact my life.


After meeting Tom, I got to know him.
He would come into town about every three months and we starting taking
day long trips all over New Mexico.
My cousin Goldie and my mother-in-law Dolly often joined us.
We explored Jemez, Tesuque, Abiquiu, Ghost Ranch, the Monastery,
Taos, Santa Fe, Chama, Placitas, Bosque del Apache, you name it.
We looked for interesting sites, great Mexican food,
 and had fun no matter what we were doing.

Tom got to know all of my family and would bring them all 
Ghiradelli chocolates every time he came to town. 
He lived just a couple of blocks from the factory in San Francisco and
I think he was on a first name basis with all of the employees.

We've rented houses together in Taos and he has come to almost every big family event
and art event that I've had in the last six years.

I will never forget the first time he came early to a show I was doing at Weems Artfest.
He helped us unpack 110 paintings and he and his
grandson Andrew stayed to help hang every one.
He was like a little kid in a candy store!

In fact, that is how Tom lived life.
Like a little kid in a candy store.

He was the most positive person I have ever met.
He loved green chile and any kind of Mexican food.
He loved art. He loved Chimayo.
He loved experiencing new things and seeing new places.

He lived life BIG.
Now, some people might see that as a problem.
Living life big and doing things over the top.

But how many of us go through life living it with gusto?
Most of us just go through the motions.

Tom was also in a lot of pain.
He has back surgery several years ago and almost died.
He walked with a cane and a back full of steel rods.
But he always said he was never going to let pain stop him from doing what he wanted to do.

And what he wanted to do was experience life.
And love.

He loved my family and they loved him.

Tom, you were one of a kind and I will miss you forever.
You were getting ready to retire here and wanted me
to teach you how to paint.
You wanted Esta to teach you to make pottery.
You wanted to find a house will enough walls to display all of your artwork.
You wanted to experiment and do something creative.
You wanted to sit on your new back patio and drink tea and enjoy the sunsets.

I am sorry that you will not experience any of those things.

And I will think of some way to honor you every year 
and keep your memory alive.

Tom, may your spirit soar...I love you
and may you continue to inspire me.

I have a new challenge coming up soon and I will dedicate it to you.


Wednesday, January 01, 2014

  ***NEWS****NEWS****NEWS****

 coming January 26, 2014 

THE RETRO CHALLENGE!!
2014
___________________________



150 -  8x8 and 8x10 Old School Retro style framed acrylic
with ink paintings for $150 each           

25 -    larger Old School Retro Paintings 

An online wet-off-the-easel countdown and new blog starting at Painting #150 and ending with Painting #1

A huge PARTY  Friday, September 26, 2014, on opening night with food, music, and fun  

___________________________

For all of my clients and collectors who have been
asking for new acrylic and ink paintings - it's time!

I was trying to think of something new and interesting
to do for 2014, and something that would REALLY be a challenge for me.

I really love painting in oils, they are my passion.
BUT - I miss my lines sometimes.
Lines are tedious and time consuming for me - thus the challenge.

What better way to really create a new challenge for myself 
than go back to the beginning?

Artists always like to keep moving forward, trying new things and not becoming stale in their creativity. 
I have been painting in oils for so long that I often wonder
if my old school style paintings would be any different from the past.
I guess we will find out!


Here's a sampling of Old School Retro:










I hope you will all be as excited as I am to begin this journey.

The Way It Works:

 - I paint the paintings
 - you watch online
 - If you see a painting you like, you call or email with your info
- If no one else wants that painting on opening night, it's yours
 - If two or more want the same painting, we do a drawing
 - We pick your name, the painting is yours 

So, it doesn't matter where you are, you can still buy a painting!

MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW