DP3 "FIRST SNOW"

"FIRST SNOW"

8x8"

oil on hardboard

 Available at little Luna Gallery
Madrid, NM

I don't paint snow.

Throughout my art career I've probably painted snow five times.

It scares me.

Snow is supposed to be white - right?

But it isn't at all.

If you really look at snow, it has blues, purples, pinks.

I mean, depending on how the light and shadows hit, snow could be any color.

And that's the scary part.

Portraying snow in its reality and still making it look like snow.

I may just paint snow all winter and maybe, when spring rolls around, I can say,

"I know how to paint snow."

In other news, I went to the Presbyterian Ear Institute's beautiful event last night.

It was a little weird because I didn't know anyone, other than the nice lady

who approached me about painting the chair.

My knee was killing me but I didn't have to walk far.

And the pathway was lit with flickering luminarias. Nice.

Inside, Los Poblanos had the fireplaces lit with warm glows and

the silent auction room was decorated really pretty.

They had jewelry, our painted chairs (7), and lots of beautiful Christmas

wreaths that were decorated by groups and individuals.

My favorite was the angel wreath by the wood carvers in Cordova, NM.

Beautiful. And alas, I forgot my camera.

They also had little appetizers and vegetarian tamales that were yummy.

Truthfully, I left about halfway through.

It just felt too weird being there alone.

I hope they raised a ton of money. They were auctioning off

some fantastic fishing, wine tasting, and retreats trips

all over United States and Canada.

Today, it's varnishing and painting!

The Chiefs aren't playing, so I have no excuse not to work.

Fall Is Here

 My painting Challenge is over and I am feeling fine.

Rested up and ready for another adventure.

In the meantime, autumn has arrived here in the Land of Enchantment.

 This tree was bright green only a few days ago.

 I love this photo. It's a little branch off of the cottonwood tree, 

a dried bean off of the locust tree,

river rock and gravel, and a few tiny leaves sprinkled throughout.

It looks like a puzzle, it looks like a painting, and

Mother Nature just does it so well.

 I don't know what this tree is, but it has major thorns and 

all of these berries will be eaten by birds and the residue thrown to the ground.

 The "thorny-berry" tree against my other autumn trees.

 This is my swan.

He's made of wood and was found in the mountains years ago.

I painted him brown but all the color came off with the weather.

He likes it better natural anyway.

 The mint is still going strong.

 I love this plant.

I think it's called plumbago, but not 100% sure.

It blooms purple thoroughout the summer, then turns a pinkish red in the fall.

I love flowers that look pretty all season.

 This is Virginia Creeper that has creeped where it's not supposed to!

It's supposed to be creeping on fences and looking beautiful and has sneaked into

the flower bed, along with wild grass and little elms that need to be removed.

Go away, creeper!

 Crysanthemums - I hope that's how it's spelled.

Love these colors.

And now...on to art

 The chair I'm painting for the Presbyterian Ear Institute.

They are having a fundraiser in November at Los Poblanos and 

asked me to paint this lovely little chair, which will be auctioned off.

This is the chair with my standard toning color, red and burnt sienna.

The seat of the chair will look like a Taos Gorge painting.

 The sides will have pretty flowers.

 The back of the chair rungs will have three different birds.

 The front of the chair rungs will be a sunrise, sunset, and moonrise.

 Beginning stages....block in of major shapes.

 Starting to take on a colorful stance...or should I say sit?

 Another side view

 Detail of back chair rungs...

One last look at fall colors.

Man, I love this time of year.

Here's to a Happy Fall,

pumpkins, red chile, Halloween, aspen trees,

Thanksgiving, fudge, family, and love.