come see the paintings - two days only!

GARDEN TOUR

The garden Tour is over.

And man, it was a blast!

A few scenes:

 Here I am painting in Garden #6.

No trees on this property, but lots of cool flowers, pathways, and sculptures.

I am using a new box and I really likes it.

It's called a Z Box and it worked just fine for me.

Paints "worms" on the two sides and the inside tray for mixing.

 This was the scene I chose to paint.

Blanketflowers intermixed with purple.

 My initial block in.

I was not thrilled with the outcome of this painting, which is why I'm not showing it here.

The sun was in my eyes and partially on my canvas.

Not a good scenario.

 "FLOWER POTS"

8x10" oil on panel

 "CLEAR DAY"

8x8" oil on panel

 "THE POND"

10x8" oil on panel

 "AMONG THE BEES"

8x10" oil on panel

I found out that this beautiful pink/purple flower is called Sand Penstemon.

Gotta get me some....

 Okay, this is not art - 

But it really is art.

Look at the creativeness!

 Private reception at the old church yesterday.

This is a view of some of the paintings of the old church.

 Closer view.

 Our wonderful guitarist.

He played a lovely variety of music - 

my favorite being Norwegian Wood by the Beatles.

 Paintings of the Corrales Winery.

 Winery paintings.

 Posters for the Garden Tour.

My friend Carol Hopper is the artist.

 These are two of Carol's beautiful garden paintings.

 The thick adobe walls of the Corrales church.

 Beautiful painting of one of the gardens.

 Garden #2 paintings

 My painting of Garden #1 in the upper left hand corner.

 Different view of exhibition

 Beautiful old beams of the Corrales church.

 Sitting at the table - our fearless leader, Sue Winstead.

I have never met a nicer, more welcoming, professional, and so effective, leader.

Thanks Sue!

At left is artist Carol Hopper.

 Another view of exhibition.

 My painting "THE POND" on the lower left.

 Beautiful thick-walled window with stained glass.

THE GARDEN TOUIR PLEIN AIR PAINTING EXHIBITION

is open to the public today (Tuesday), from 10-2pm.

Tomorrow (Wednesday), is the last day and the exhibition will be open

from 10am - 5pm.

Come by and see these beautiful paintings 

and gorgeous old church!

and the winner is....

The winner of the voting for the best painting

to exhibit in the "CORRALES PLEIN AIR 2013" exhibition is

"OUT TO PASTURE"

8x8"

oil on hardboard framed

$250

Thanks to everyone who voted!!

Sometimes, as an artist, I am so close to the work that 

it's really hard to make a choice, especially when choosing 

which painting to put in an exhibition.

On one painting I might like the final product, 

on another I may really like the way I laid down

a particular color - or just the way two colors look next to each other. 

Painting is Corrales for almost a week was a lot of fun.

There are a lot of painters that like to paint in groups.

Talking, chatting, sharing ideas and critiques.

I am not one of those. 

Dee definitely needs her space (I like to speak of myself in the third person).

I tend to be a loner and need focus and concentration.

This week, I wanted to pare down my gear to the bare essentials.

This is what I took with me:

a carry all that hold everything

my small pochade box (Judson Outfitters)

a box of Kleenix

a container of Wipees

a plastic trash bag

two brushes

a small jar of turp

grey palette paper cut to fit the box

paint laid out on the palette (no extra paint)

I took a chair but never used it, because...

I painted in my car!

Painting in your car is almost as hard as NOT painting in your car.

I had to drive around, pick out a scene that I could see really well - 

nothing too far away or too linear.

I moved the seat back, propped the box in front of me,

loosely sketched and blocked in the subject,

and painted as quickly as possible.

Sometimes I would look up and two hours had passed without me realizing the time.

That is the beauty of plein air.

Mixing colors is also much different on location than in the studio.

And I had to deal with bugs and flies, 

people walking up and asking if me if I needed help,

having cars go around me and drivers giving me strange looks.

But I got to explore a lot of Corrales I hadn't seen.

As a artist, I drive around and look for scenes or experiences

that I can turn into paintings.

Like the man clearing weeds by the church - 

I took a quick photo of him and will make him the subject 

in a future painting of people harvesting fields of green chile.

Or I may just turn this scene into a painting.

It's kind of a drag to go anywhere with me - I am always

using my mental "viewfinder" - what would make a good painting?

How can I change this scene around to make a better composition?

I tend not to enjoy outings so much, because I am always looking....

Artist's eyes get tired.

Trust me, it's hard living with an artist.

Heck, it's hard BEING an artist.

But I am one.

And I'm never going to change.

Oh, and there are perks.

Tonight I am going to a gala event in Corrales and I am just going to relax

and enjoy the experience, the people, and the food.

Oh wait, where's my camera?

See, here I go again.....

"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.