THREE NEW 145 CHALLENGE PAINTINGS!

To view, click HERE.

"SUMMER BOUQUET" SOLD

"SUMMER BOUQUET"

8X8"

SOLD

A commission for Tracy - thank you!

Funny - I just noticed the dark spot at the lower right hand of the flowers -

I'm not sure I like that. 

 It's strange how you sometimes don't notice things until you see them 

nice and bright (and large) on the computer.

NEWS

Today is May 1st and my SWEPT AWAY Challenge starts in only 8 days!

To follow this 145 day Challenge, click HERE.

I'm still waiting on 122 6x6" panels to arrive.

 I ordered 145, they shipped me 17 and back-ordered the rest. 

They should be here before the Challenge starts - I'm hoping.

If not, I have back-up!

I also wanted to let everyone know that the Corrales Studio Tour is this weekend.

If you're out and about, be sure to check it out.

It's a fantastic tour and I'll be out and about, visiting artists, myself.

Also, I have a painting in the upcoming exhibition "SEEDS - A COLLECTIVE VOICE"

"SEEDS" opens this Saturday from 4-8 at the Downtown Contemporary Gallery.

This is going to be a spectacular exhibit.

I will post more information on this one tonight.

Gearing Up for a Challenge

CLEANING THE STUDIO

To me, cleaning my studio is like cleaning and clearing my mind.

Getting ready to start something new and fresh.

Here are a few photos of my studio in the throes of messiness:

 Things are kind of a disaster in the studio right now - I just got a big order of paints in, 

you can see them on the counter, some boxes are opened, some are not. 

There are papers everywhere, boxes on the floor, my photos are unorganized.

I'm not looking forward to this.

No, that's a lie.

I am looking forward to this.

Because once it's done, I will be able to just sit and focus

and think about the upcoming 145 day Challenge.

What subjects am I going to paint?

What day trips do I want to take?

Are people going to be interested?

What kind of yummy food am I going to serve for the meal

at the end of the Challenge?
Hmm, that will take some heavy-duty thinking....

 A close up of my new oil paints - Gamblin of course. 

The only kind I use except for Old Holland's Violet Grey and Winsor Newton's Permanent Rose.

You can also see the containers of Gamsol, Gamblin's odorless mineral spirits.

Couldn't live without that stuff.
And on the floor, is my small carry tray thingy filled with
all of my plein air supplies.
When I'm ready to go, I just grab it, a chair, an umbrella,
and I can be off.

 This is a shot of my ornaments in baskets on the floor that I keep saying 

I'm going to paint and never seem to actually find the time to do. 

Maybe one of these days.

You can also see the small easels I use for daily painting 

(I have three of those and eight other easels).

Then, there are the boxes of Wipees I use to clean EVERYTHING, the purple latex gloves, 

and the Kleenix (although any brand will do) that I use for wiping my brushes when painting. 

And the mess of paper I always have laying about.

 Aah, better.

The panels are organized, the brushes are laid out.

The two large red canvases are going to be skyscapes for an

upcoming show at Weems Uptown gallery.

My roll-around cart of photos for subjects is basically straight.

I'm just waiting for 132 panels to come in and

145 custom ordered antique silver speckle plein air frames.

My car is ready, I will be on the road soon.

 Paints are all organized and set up from light to dark.

 One more view of my clean studio.

Sometime during the Challenge, I'm going to paint it a beautiful grey-green.

This is my ever-faithful cd cabinet.

It doesn't close all the way, so I have a hair tie looped around the two knobs.

The cabinet is packed with cds inside.

I don't think I will ever have a shortage of music.

Also, my Wolf Kahn calender for inspiration.

I think I'm almost ready.....

only 15 days left until my new Challenge begins....May 9, 2013

THE CHALLENGE IS BACK! 

Guess what? I am doing another Challenge!

This one is new and different.....

REASONS

I have really really REALLY missed my plein air painting - 

going on day trips, photographing, screeching my car to a halt, jumping out,

and painting what's right in front of me.

I also promised my family I wouldn't do any physical shows in 2013.

Doing three large shows back to back last year was killer.

But I always want to do something that connects 

me with my love for the New Mexico landscape and 

brings me closer to my clients (and friends).
It also has to challenge me at the same time.

And one of my goals this year was to help animals. So...

I am doing a 145 day Challenge -

145 paintings in 145 days and all will be $145 each
You won't have to wait until the end of the Challenge to get your painting this time!

This Challenge will include all of my "themes" and some new subjects.

And at the end of the Challenge,

I am having a wonderful dinner at my north valley home, 

complete with New Mexican food, great music, and even a painting demonstration!
There will also be a large painting giveaway at the end of our meal.

The dinner is $49 per person and a portion of the proceeds

will go to New Mexico Dogs Deserve Better, a very worthwhile group that rescues

and cares for animals that are chained, or abused. 

So come on out and join us under the cottonwoods, enjoy some great food, 

and help out a great animal charity at the same time!

Here is your personal invite - 
I have also sent out over 850 postcards.

I hope you will watch the process of the creation of 145 paintings.
May you find one (or more) that speak to you.
I also hope you will join me for dinner!

CHALLENGE #1

This is the first image for the new artists' group, "LET'S PAINT NEW MEXICO!"

We have almost 30 artists!


Each artist will create an interpretation of this image in their own way 

and I will post the artwork on the new blog. 

To check out the blog, click HERE.

Also, I am starting to post my new work 

for the upcoming Balloon Fiesta that is happening in October.

The paintings are available for early purchase and will have the price posted -

 if I feel I have time to paint another before the show.

 Also, I am planning to paint 50 ornaments in about 8 different styles.

 These will also be available for early purchase for $45 each if time permits.

Hope everyone is doing well and I am slowly getting back in the groove.

Thanks for watching!