I am working on a series of small church paintings for a Weems Uptown Gallery show that opens this month.
The photo above is going to be a painting of Chimayo with a cross and roses.
I have been procrastinating (major), waiting for the kitchen to be done so I can feel like I'm not a stranger in my own house, but I finally decided to start working.
So....I start painting today and right when I'm really getting into it (let's really get that cerulean going on the sky), my husband comes home and wants me to go with him to drop off the sink at the fabricators. They need to make a template. So I put my brushes in the spirits (a no-no), and took off to run errands.
We did that, then we went to look at portable buildings, then grabbed something to eat at Long John Silvers.
They are in with an A&W, so we shared an old time frosty mug of root beer..
When we got home, I ran (well, not literally) to Curves to do a workout before they closed. 
I came back home and glory be - Southwest Art magazine and Art News had come in the mail today, 
so I sat down for a few to flip through them.
Then...I must have dozed off for a few because when I woke up, it was dark outside. Darn!
So here I am in the studio again.At 7:34pm. And the Bachelor comes on at 8pm.
I just sighed, cleaned off my brushes and put everything away until tomorrow.
I do like the way this one is going though..... 

Now this one....our group of artists, "LET'S PAINT NEW MEXICO", is working on Challenge 10 - creating a painting of an old cruiser rumbling down the Rim Road near Valdez, NM, which you can reach on your way to Taos Ski Valley.
The photo is courtesy of a friend and fabulous photographer, Steve Bundy.
Okay, this painting is going to be hard, I already know. I'll tell you how I know...
We usually have about 10-12 artists complete each painting, even though we have over 30 artists on our roster.
I have received about 6 images so far. And I usually do mine right away. but I know it's not going to be easy, so I am waiting til the last minute. I sketched it yesterday and the car looks really boxy. In the photo is it wider, a little more whimsical. I shall adjust while painting. So, wish me luck on this one!
The countertop/backsplash guys are supposed to be here tomorrow. If all goes well, they will complete their work and it will be gorgeous. Then Wednesday, our friend Greg will come and install the sink, faucet, garbage disposal, overhead light, and ceiling fan. 
AND IT WILL BE DONE.
I am so tired of eating out, I can't even tell you. I yearn to make my own salad.....

sunflowers...almost complete

I am almost finished!

I've been working on this commission for some time now.

The collectors haven't really been in a hurry, so you know me - 

I wait until I have just enough time and then I get inspired and work nonstop.

This one will be framed in an antique gold speckle floater frame.

Close up of sunflower detail.

On another note....

Those of you that know me know that there's a field and a house that I like to photograph

and paint through the seasons. It's called Alamo Farms and it's right by my gym. 

So I went to photograph it day before yesterday and when I pulled into the parking lot, 

this is what greeted me - about 150 to 200 cranes. 

I think they might be sandhill, but I'm not sure. 

Maybe someone knows?

 They were just moseying around, eating from the field.

In the background you can still see leftover snow from a few days ago.

 They didn't seem to be too bothered when I moved my car slowly, trying to get good photos. 

This one did give me the evil eye.

 Aren't these guys just beautiful?

The remind me of flamingos.

They were very hungry...

 On my way home, I usually go what I call the "back way" or "scenic way" home.

It's a slow drive through the little neighborhood to the southwest of me.

I spotted these cats in a window, and thank goodness I had my camera with me.

I screeched on my brakes and found a spot to turn around in.

It has been so cold here, and I think they were snuggled, just trying to get warm.

Love the light and the face of the cat on the left.

I was shooting through a fence, so you can see the shadow of the links on their fur.

I wonder if the big one is a momma cat?

And on one more note....

 This is how my kitchen looked day before yesterday.

The sheetrocking is done.

The holes and gaps are being filled in.

 They are putting new saltillo tiles in the space where there is concrete in order to 

have the floor be on the same level and have the cabinets fit properly.

I think our previous owners put in the floor around the cabinets.

It's getting there.

 This is what I call the woodstove area.

Right now it's kind of a catchall for everything - tools, plugins, etc.

You can see the door to my studio off to the left.

I don't know if you can see it, bu tthere's a sign behind the stove

that says,"BEWARE, MEAN WIFE."

That's me.

Yep, bought it for myself. Beat my husband to it.