Enjoying the Beauty of Nature and Ongoing Creative Projects

Green Tailed Towhee

After recuperating from our quick trip to Arizona meeting our daughter and spending some family time together I've been totally enjoying the beginning of spring in New Mexico and specifically some bird watching and flower planting in our backyard.

Finches on Thistle Feeder

Full of Hummers

Here are some pictures of some of the birds in our backyard that have been very entertaining this past week.

Oriole (female)

Oriole (male)

It's amazing to me how it seems I barely have placed the hummingbird feeders and look out to see swarms of hummingbirds appearing from
seemingly nowhere.

Almost Finished 

Mr. Hawk

I have nine projects ongoing currently and think from looking at the pictures above you will be able to see where my inspiration comes from for the items I place on the birdhouses that I individualize and give as love gifts to friends.  The one pictured here is almost complete and five other projects are about half way finished.  I love being busy and able to create and give some of those gifts that God has greatly blessed me with. Come back soon to see my progress and until then I hope you have enjoyed your visit.

Short Trip to Arizona for Rest & Relaxation with Our Daughter

In the midst of the painting projects that are still ongoing my husband and I made a drive over to Phoenix last week on Friday.

Saturday we met our daughter at the airport and drove to Sedona, had a late breakfast at the Coffee Pot Cafe and then on to the village of Tlaquepaque to see some of the beautiful artwork and natural beauty of the area.  It was a beautiful day with perfect weather and many tourists and a wonderful start to our special time we wanted to have with our daughter as well as the first time we've met her in another state to enjoy a mini vacation together.

Sunday after breakfast we went to see the N. Scott Momaday exhibit at The Heard Museum in Phoenix, sat and had ice tea in the courtyard enjoying native flute music followed by watching some folks dance to
the music of Ritmo Latino in Steele Auditorium there for a couple of songs.  That evening we went to the Comerica Theatre to a Joe Bonamassa concert together, another first as we've been to many concerts though not with our daughter before.

Monday after checking our daughter in at the airport in Phoenix we began our drive home to New Mexico finally arriving at 10pm after a wonderful planned time away from home with alot of love, laughter and sharing with our daughter. What great memories to share together.  Feeling inspired and motivated to continue on with some creative processes now though nice to have had a break.

A Few Ongoing Projects to Finish

Love Gifts

In the process of becoming aware of and accepting some difficulties a dear friend had and continues to go through I was reminded of the wonderful current friends and family members I mentioned doing art projects for.  So ... the first picture is of two birdhouses and four friendship recipe plaques that have the base color coats of paint down.  Now on to the detail work and making the birdhouses individualized for the people they will be going to.

"Santa Fe Contrasts"

The second photo to the left is from a pastel I had done a few weeks ago.  I realized this week I'd told a cousin I was going to paint something especially for her a very long time ago and she really liked the pastel so this morning soon after waking I painted this acrylic on 11 1/2 x 13 1/2" board for her.

"Easter's Scarlet Rose" Watercolor & Acrylic on 9x11" Watercolor Paper Finished this Morning

"Easter's Scarlet Rose"

I started this watercolor painting a few days ago and once I posted it to my Facebook page realized it needed something before actually finished.  Some highlights were used with acrylic paint and because I thought it was, once again, "finished" on Easter Sunday named it "Easter's Scarlet Rose".  To my surprise this morning I was back in my art studio and this IS the finished painting.

On to other paintings.  I still haven't done a painting for "Let's Paint New Mexico" challenge. I was asked to paint birdhouses for two friends, a friendship recipe painting, and two paintings.

As you can tell it seems I've been commissioned, even though I SAY I don't really like to do commissions (smile) as they seem too restrictive.  Actually I love doing these birdhouses for friends using my creativity and have license to paint whatever I think applies individually to them, they are gifts of love. The friendship recipe was a special request by a special friend and a love gift also.  A dear friend gave me creative license to paint whatever I want for her though she does want a large painting and I'm thrilled that she is my actual first paid commission.  On with my day ...

Paintings this Past Week - Two Finished and One in Process

Last week I began a rework of an oil painting done a few years ago and in that process decided to paint over it, what appeared is a floral which I'm still in the process of finishing.  I will post pictures when finished.

"Red Sky Dusky Blue"

Next I painted this original watercolor on 11 1/2x18' watercolor paper I named "Red Earth Dusky Blue".

"You Can't See the forest for the Trees"

I started the original 11x16" watercolor to the right "You Can't See the Forest for the Trees" and after letting it sit for a couple days added some pen and ink, sat for another day or two and this morning finished it with a bit of acrylic highlights.

Here is an enhanced photo I took of an aspen grove above Chama, New Mexico during our September 2012 Cumbres Toltec train ride.  The enhancement was what I saw in my mind's eye during that train ride.  I've uploaded some newer artwork to http://jo-gomez.fineartamerica.com/ where you can now purchase prints.

Translator and Links Change to My Art Blog

I've added a translator and couple new links to this art blog.  I am now using Fine Art America and have been using Twitter for awhile although just added them to the links on this page this morning.  

Busy Day Painting Yesterday (14 March 2013)

"Beauty of the Valles Caldera"

Yesterday proved to be quite busy all day and even into the evening, with breaks to enjoy some taped television shows with my husband.  First I finished off the clouds in my 9x12" original oil painting "Beauty of the Valles Caldera" shown here to the right.

"Hill Above Acoma Overlook"

Next I primed a 10x10" gallery wrapped canvas with black edges and a true blue background and painted an original acrylic "Hill Above Acoma Overlook" shown to the left.

I painted a small oil on engineered wood though not finished so I won't post a picture of it YET (smile).

"A Cup of Tea and a Good Book"

Lastly I finished an original acrylic painting "A Cup of Tea and a Good Book" on 17 inch and 1 inch thick wood round.  Not sure what this piece's future will be though it is very heavy so probably not a wall hanging, possibly a table top.  For now I will spray varnish it and put it aside.  The picture of it is to the right.

Busy Week - Helping Drive Out of State Folks to Acoma Pueblo and the tram in Albuquerque

Thursday this past week I helped drive some out of state friends to Acoma Pueblo (Sky City) about an hour and a half west of Albuquerque and went on the tour with them.  I ended up buying a beautiful piece of artwork painted by Norma Jean Ortiz "up top" and after the tour we all had lunch together at the restaurant below.  The food was wonderful, service excellent and whole day felt very special and spiritual.

Next on Friday I helped drive other out of state friends to the tram in Albuquerque though forgot my camera so a friend took a couple of pictures while we were at the top and I'll only post one.  After going up on the tram we enjoyed about 45 minutes on top walking around and then as the wind was picking up we took the tram back down and went to Old Town in Albuquerque and had lunch where it began a light rain.

Encouraged by my Artist Friends - My Entry for "Let's Paint New Mexico" Challenge 11

I've been pleasantly surprised and amazed at the connections and friends made the past few months on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn and most recently "Let's Paint New Mexico" blog.

I get so busy with life in general that I used to wonder how I would "find the time" to do my artwork ... that is funny to me now as it has become more of a compulsion and necessity rather than a luxury.  Recently in the midst of doing various artwork a friend reminded me I hadn't done a submission for "Let's Paint New Mexico". I'm so glad for that reminder from another artist who understands, so here is my submission for Challenge 11, "Let's Paint New Mexico".  This is an oil painting on 9"x12" canvas panel called "Placitas Old Loop View".

Catching Up and Enjoying Life and Painting

"Santa Fe Aged"

Friday my husband and I took the Rail Runner (train) to Santa Fe and enjoyed lunch at Tomasita's, the Art of Devotion exhibit at Peyton Wright Gallery, stopped by the Wyeth Hurd Gallery, dessert at the Flying Star at the Railyard.  It must have motivated and inspired me as I found myself starting my morning out with this Conte and pastel on 9x12" black drawing paper I'm calling "Santa Fe Aged".

"Unnamed"

Also playing around and thinking about some of the modern art at Peyton Wright I painted this small 4x6.5" acrylic that is, as of now, unnamed.

After doing this artwork I realized I had done two smaller acrylic paintings on 4x5.5" cards a couple of weeks ago.  The first is "Golden Glow" and the second "Stormy Weather".

"Golden Glow"

"Stormy Weather"

Happy Painting

We had out of state family visit over the weekend and yesterday (Monday, 18 February 2013) decided to paint this smaller watercolor "Grazing in the High Country" on 5"x7" Canson Watercolor Greeting Card.

"Cactus Blossom Splendor" is a watercolor and acrylic painting on 9"x12" Watercolor Paper started very late last night that I finished today.  It is from a photo I took a few years ago while visiting family in Arizona that I'd been waiting to paint.  I really like the way it turned out.

Happy Valentines Day - A Couple of Paintings

"Trusting the Process"

I had painted on this 12x16" glossy cardboard a month or two ago and then repainted it but day before yesterday painted again and this time I liked it better.

"Backyard Flowers"

I got this 11" octagonal frame quite awhile ago and cut a watercolor sheet to fit inside it thinking I'd do a watercolor painting though this morning I decided instead to use acrylic paints so here is my Valentines Day painting finished this afternoon.

Having Fun the Last Few Days

"Happy Easter"

Had fun over the weekend and yesterday doing a combination of different mediums the first of which was a pastel "Happy Easter" I drew on 9"x12" Mi-Teintes Pastel Paper shown at the left.

"Bird Standoff"

The second watercolor painting I did for fun I call "Bird Standoff" on 9"x12" Canson Watercolor Paper shown to the right in the photo.

"For Cindy"

The third watercolor painting I did is on 5"x7" watercolor postcard called "For Cindy", a friend of mine who loves the ocean and beach and is shown in the photo to the left.

Pictures of Handpainted Birdhouse Gifted to a Friend

I didn't want to post pictures of this birdhouse until after I presented it to a friend.  I love thinking of the person I'm painting the birdhouse for the entire time I'm painting it as their personality and what I think they might like or images that might bring them peace and serenity come to my mind.  She loved it and it was fun for me. I hope she treasures it for years!

Finished Birdhouse for Friend and Two Paintings Finished Today

Started on a birdhouse for a friend on Thursday and finished it today.  I have to say this one has some things I've not had on any other of the birdhouses I've painted with love individualized for each lady as my gift to them (one of which is a bird painting that I think came out beautifully).  I won't post pics of this one until after I give it to this special lady.

After finishing the birdhouse thought I'd try my hand at Challenge 10 for the "Let's Paint New Mexico" blog.  It was quite a challenge for me since I'm not used to painting cars and there was an awful lot going on in this picture.  I am still a work in progress but happy with the results, shown here to the left.  I am calling this one "Cruisin' New Mexico Style", it is watercolor on 5"x7" postcard.

The other painting I did tonight is "Purple Majesty" an acrylic and watercolor painting on very small 4"x5" canvas, it is in the photo to the right.

Staying Creative with a Little Doodling and Sketching

"Shiprock"

"Edwin Yanozha"

I've been doing some doodling and sketching this past week as I started feeling better from the cold I seem to have caught.  Here are some pictures of the sketches.

"Little Boy"

Today I started painting a birdhouse as a gift for a friend and once that was about half way done I did the sketch shown of the little boy.

"Let go ... Let God!" Watercolor on 4x6" Postcard

Lay down to go to sleep a couple of nights ago and thoughts kept spinning around in my head. I have learned that when I am trying to avoid feelings or thoughts this is sometimes what happens so instead of laying there I need to get up and go into my art room and write.  I started out writing and then came across a little plaque a friend gave me probably fifteen years ago so put it with a couple of other things and the little painting to the left is what that still life looked like.  After taking about an hour and a half writing and painting I was then able to go back to bed and slept like a baby.

Busy Time During the Past Week - "Beauty of the Valles Caldera" Finished Today

Last week I took this painting on the right to my friend and she and her husband have already installed it above their fireplace.  I have to admit it looks perfect there. I had also done some wedding invitation samples at the request of a friend's daughter though not my specialty and in keeping their privacy won't show pictures of the samples I created for them though they seemed very happy with the result.

Yesterday in order to get the creative juices flowing I had to paint SOMETHING but didn't really feel like working on the oil painting I started about a week ago so doodling created this little acrylic painting I'm calling "Limbering Up" in getting those creative juices flowing.

This morning have been fighting off a cold though found the time and had the motivation to finish the original oil painting on 9"x12" canvas I started last week "Beauty of the Valles Caldera".  I love this particular place in the Jemez Mountains of New Mexico and hope that love shows through in all the paintings I do of this beautiful and natural state I call home.  

Original Oil Painting "Looking Up the Hill" on 10"x12" plein air panel

This past Saturday rather than my normal routine I decided to stay home and paint.  Paint is really what I did almost the entire day.  I finished an oil painting for a friend the day before and did finalizing stuff first on that Saturday.  I then painted the oil to the left "Looking Up the Hill" and was surprised at how this vision appeared on the canvas and seemed to take on a life of it's own.  I then finished off a landscape in oil on a 12"x16" canvas paper and a fun little 4"x4" wooden block in acrylic.  Sunday I finished off the wooden block flower with some silver gel pen.

A new follower on Twitter made a comment that she'd like to sell my birdhouses.  I'm so flattered and happy that people like the birdhouses I paint.  I have to tell you I buy the wooden birdhouses at Michael's, even bought some at Walmart and Hobby Lobby.  Each of the birdhouses I've painted have been a labor of love, individualized for whoever I'm giving it to and not for sale.  I did try painting one with specifications so almost a commissioned birdhouse except it was a gift and I have to say that I felt so confined by the specifications that it wasn't as much fun, I don't think it turned out as nicely as all the ones done from my heart, thinking about that person with each paint stroke and idea.

The oil painting I did for a friend recently is actually a painting from a Walter Foster instructional art booklet that she just fell in love with.  I have gotten so used to doing my own original art that I wondered how different this one might look from the original I did when I first started painting.  It was a good experience to paint again from someone else's work and I think this turned out even better.  Also I recalled some of the techniques I learned from my painting instruction years ago and think that's why the oil painting above flowed so easily from my thoughts.

Tomorrow I take the painting to my friend that my husband lovingly framed for me today.  I'm so grateful that I get to share my love of art and gifts I've been blessed with and hope my friend enjoys this painting for years to come.

Happy New Year 2013 - Acrylic "Marie's Teapot" Finished New Year's Eve

Woke up New Year's Eve morning to snow which was such a welcome and beautiful sight and then started an 11"x14" oil painting I am painting for a friend.  As the day progressed and into the evening I went into my art studio to take another look at the painting I'd started in the morning and found myself painting the background and foreground on this original acrylic painting "Marie's Teapot".  I painted the initial teapot in November 2012, thought it was finished but as I kept looking at it realized no, it was not.  So here is the now finished painting and I'm much happier with the end result.

Happy New Year 2013!  It seems this year is starting out to be an amazing year of growth, enjoyment and personal productivity and creativity.