perils and paintings

The Perils of Painting a Truck

Man, I had a heck of a time with this truck painting.

This is a photo of an old truck from Corrales.

I hate lines. And perspective. And composition!

I don't like to grid anything.

I hardly like to sketch anything.

But when I'm faced with a building or a vehicle,

I freak out.

And I don't want to figure out all of those little

details that make a painting spectacular.

I just want to record my feelings and memories about 

my subject immediately using the biggest brushes I can.

I will probably paint this old truck a few more times

this week. 

I know I can do better.

It does look kind of chunky and whimsical...

Here is the original image:

So now you see what I mean!

After I finished painting the truck, I was determined to create 
something using the last of my paints before squeezing
out a new batch.

Since it's almost spring, here is "FONTINA", 10x8" oil:

To view these paintings and all of my 150 CHALLENGE

paintings, CLICK HERE.

new 150 CHALLENGE paintings

Hi all,

Here are my two newest 150 CHALLENGE paintings.

It is nice to get back into the groove.

I have 50 paintings to complete, but for some reason,

it doesn't feel like a lot.

I'm not under a deadline and I can paint whatever and whenever I want.

Yesterday, I really felt like I had to paint a still life.

I don't know why - I was just drawn to painting flowers and vases.

I finished CORNER WINDOW, and I was really happy

with the sunlight playing through the window and around the flowers.

Then Jemez called to me.

Maybe because I am itching to take a little day trip there

but I'm waiting until I can see at least a little

green in the landscape.

I hope you enjoy these two and today,

the door is open for me to paint ANYTHING!

I have a new Challenge image for our group,

"LET'S PAINT NEW MEXICO!"

It's an old truck, so I may paint that.

Here is the image:

Here are my new Challenge paintings:

#52 "JEMEZ BACKROADS"

8x10"

oil on cradled board

$150

#53  "CORNER WINDOW"

8x8"

oil on cradled board

$150

P.S. If you are interested in purchasing either

of these paintings, you can click on the link HERE.

new paintings, new challenges....

My newest 150 CHALLENGE painting:

HAZY MOON

8X8"

oil on cradled board

I love this painting.

I don't paint Canyon Women very often, 

but I love this one!

These women are walking to the top of the hill 

to get a nicer view of the beautiful full moon.

The oranges in the landscape contrast nicely with

the blues of the women.

I have 53 CHALLENGE paintings to complete

and I am taking my sweet time finishing them.

I am also working on some gifts and commissions.

My next project is in the planning stages and I

will let you know as soon as I know for sure!

In other news, I already have a show scheduled for 2018.

Keeping it under wraps for a while.

And BIG NEWS!!!

I am hosting an ART PARTY in later Spring!

I'm working out the details now,

but I'm thinking the middle of May.

This will be a free event limited to the first 75 registrants.

The food will be free (you can bring a dish if you like),

the food will be Mexican and the fun will be fantastic.

Carlos and Mezcla Latina will be playing again,

there may be dancing,

and I will also open up the studio for a special

STUDIO SALE!

 stay tuned for more details and get ready to PARTY....

For purchase information on the HAZY MOON,
CLICK HERE

catching up

Hi everyone,

I don't know where the time has gone, but it is almost spring.

I've been busy but not blogging as much as usual.

And that's sad, because blogging is one of my favorite things to do.

So, I am catching up here today.

I just finished my taxes and what does an artist

do after she finishes her taxes?

She takes a drive to Corrales, of course.

It is still technically winter

but I found a couple of signs of spring.

Or things that made me think of spring.

I had no idea that in some places,

the forsythia is already blooming!

And this this beautiful wall with the cool mailbox and sun shadows

is right around the corner from me.

Check out the hubcap mailbox stand.

A view of my favorite cornfield is below.

This cornfield and I have a history.

And what made me very sad today is that

it has a FOR SALE sign on it.

NO, NO, NO, NO.

The sign says that 12 acres are for sale.

I can just picture a big developer coming in and 

creating an urban-looking subdivision.

I want my cornfield.

I photograph and paint this field in every season:

 Winter

 Spring

 Plowing time

 Red chile time

 Corn growing time

 Early morning time

 Duck time

 Crane time

 Anytime

 Morning glory time

Sunflower time

I have even painted this field a few times

One of my favorites

I guess you can't stop progress.
BUT - I can't imagine losing all of those sunflowers,
 morning glories, cranes, ducks, and harvests.

I hope they grow corn this year.

If they do, I'm going to take photographs every day

and paint it at least ten times.

Meanwhile, I came across a couple 

of cool bike photos:

I've also been busy painting:

And these are from Taos.

These paintings make me think of spring 

and plein air painting.

And Taos!

Going back as soon as the blossoms are out!

I've also been painting for my facebook group:

"LET'S PAINT NEW MEXICO!"

I didn't care for the composition in this one,

so I painted another:

The concept is I post a photo of somewhere or something

in New Mexico and a group of artists from all over the 

US and Canada paint their version of it.

It's such fun and it's so cool to see how the

artists interpret the photo.

You can check out the LPNM blog at the end of this post.

And boy, do I want spring to come soon.

We didn't really have much of a winter,

but spring is my thing!

Day trips, paint outs, and green things!!

I will write more tomorrow.

To see the LPNM blog, CLICK HERE.