I finally got away to Taos!
I rented a house, invited a couple of friends,
and spent three beautiful days there.
Retreated, painted, ate great food, saw some artist friends
and enjoyed the gorgeous scenery of Taos, New Mexico.
Oh, and took over 600 pictures.
The main thing I noticed on this trip was everything is SO green.
I usually go in October when the colors are earthy and gold.
This was all pretty new to me and let me tell you about the lilacs.
Lilacs galore.
Lilacs in every little village and everywhere you looked.
Taos was even having a lilac festival!
For some reason, this year the lilac bushes were outrageous.
All different colors, and big, fragrant flowers.
The locals said this year was a spectacular year for the blooms.
We took a sprig off of one tree,
and it perfumed the car for days.
lilacs and apple trees
the view of Taos mountain from our living room
a tree in blossom
This scene was down the street from our house - in someone's yard!
I want this little stream in MY yard.
I am going to paint this scene this week.
Beautiful blossom trees, a red roof, and mountains in the background.
The village of Arroyo Seco
Main street of Arroyo Seco
Pottery store and the mercantile
My favorite old Arroyo Seco truck
Going to paint this one again soon
El Salto Peak
Do you see the lilacs?
Caught a magpie resting on a branch
Lilacs and adobe in Arroyo Seco
Bandanas for sale in Arroyo Seco
I headed out for town the second morning
These were poppies on Ledoux Street.
The Blumenshein Museum
I was going to paint here (I am a member),
but the flowers weren't in full bloom yet.
A beautiful door flanked by light pink lilacs
A fairly new store in Bent Street
What a combination - chocolate and cashmere!
Two color of lilacs and a beautiful iris at the local cemetary.
Now, who wanted want to be a horse and live here?
All of the grass you could eat!
Another magpie
Sunlight on El Salto
Three visitors
Lilacs and aspens
This would make a good painting if I could capture the light.
Arroyo Seco main street
The old church in Arroyo Seco.
Not seen from the road which makes it even better!
The local ice cream hangout,
the world-famous Taos Cow
Funky little art gallery in Arroyo Seco
Cool garage with poppies on Ledoux Street
Inger Jirby's Casitas and Gllery
Front of the old church in Ranchos de Taos
Beautiful iris in the Ranchos de Taos plaza
Even an empty beer bottle becomes art
Road to Arroyo Hondo
So green and luscious!
The horse doesn't even have to search for water.
It comes right to him.
Cool little crosses
Another old truck
The valley of Valdez
I have painted it with golden trees.
We'll see how I do with so many greens.
Another old truck in Questa
Rebuilding the old church at Questa
the waters were flowing...
sunlight on the mountains
Taking a rest....
My two completed plein air paintings:
I had a wonderful time and can't wait to go back in the fall.
You will see some of these photos become paintings.
Until next time, Taos!
Next stop - Abiquiu, Ghost Ranch, and the monastery!
