Original 4x6" Mini Acrylic "New Mexico Inspiration" Painted 23 April 2012

4x6" Mini Acrylic "New Mexico Inspiration"
Original Neely Gomez Painting
Copyright 23 April 2012

Original Mini 4x6" Acrylic "A View from Afar"

I've had such a busy last couple of weeks and then received a call the other day from my dear friend telling me her husband has been diagnosed with brain cancer.  I have to tell you that I HATE BRAIN CANCER.  Another dear friend's husband succumbed to it recently, my sister-in-law is in the last stages of it, my niece-in-law also has it. 

As an artist I used to be blocked by bad news or negative thoughts but have to say that today it reminds me that I am so very blessed as well as my friends with wonderful lives, spouses and relationships and mostly good health.  This little painting became like my prayer for my friend and her husband.  I hope to always be able to convey the beauty that I feel, see and experience in my life.  Cherish each and every moment as no one is guaranteed tomorrow.

Original Acrylic "Joyful Colors" on 8x10" Canvas Panel Painted 15 April 2012

Painted 15 April 2012 "Joyful Colors" Acrylic

My husband bought me a bouquet the other day and this is my first attempt at using it as a study.  I started painting in the morning, went to lunch and spent a few hours with a friend, came home and finished it up that night, or so I thought.  Got up not being able to sleep and added the finishing touches to it.



9x12" Prismacolor Drawing "Finally Spring" with Sharpie Pen & Markers on Canson w/c Paper

Painted 16 April 2012 "Finally Spring"

This was my second study of the bouquet my husband bought me, this Prismacolor drawing was actually done on 16 April 2012.  I had thought the second would be a pastel though for whatever reason it ended up being Prismacolor pencils with Sharpie pen and shaded markers.  The bouquet is still very pretty so who knows ... maybe the next WILL be a pastel (smile).

Painted Birdhouse for a Friend "A Far Far Forest"

The back of a birdhouse I painted for a dear friend and presented to her today.  The quote on it is by someone I know nothing about tho searching for a quote I felt went with the acrylic painted scene from my imagination seemed to apply. The quote is "But I'll tell you what hermits realize. If you go off into a far, far forest and get very quiet, you'll come to understand that you're connected with everything". - Alan Watts         P.S. My friend was totally surprised & loved it!!!

Finished Prismacolor Drawing "Natural Beauty" April 8th

I started a Prismacolor drawing and blogged about it on April 2nd that I picked back up late in the evening April 7th and finally finished about 2:00 in the morning April 8th.  If you look down below to my posting for April 2nd you can see the beginning drawing and then the final to see the progression.  



"Floral Experiment" Original Acrylic on 8x10" Canvas Panel

"Floral Experiment"

Yesterday I started painting a birdhouse for a friend, something I like to do to keep doing something creative, fun and for someone else. This morning just spur of the moment I thought I'd pick up a canvas panel and try a little floral experiment. I love impressionistic style painting tho have had no instruction or experience with it.  The result was this "Floral Experiment" acrylic.  Many stressful and emotional things happening in our family and I find art a wonderful way to get some of those overwhelming feelings on the outside instead of keeping them all stored up on the inside like I used to.  What a wonderful outlet.

Framed Original Oil Painting "Psalms 121:1-2" on 8x10" Canvas Panel

"Psalms 121:1-2"

I actually forgot about this painting that I painted in October of 1999 and this morning while enjoying  what I hope is the last cold snap and snow of this season I happened upon it in my art room.  It is an original oil painting that I named "Psalms 121:1-2" framed and on 8x10" canvas panel.  Can't wait for springlike weather to get my oil paints out and paint either in my art room with the windows wide open or outside in my backyard.

Artistic Expression on the Road

"The Farmhouse - Banning, CA"

While on a recent trip to California to visit family I had moments that I was able to do some drawing in the mornings just a couple of days.  I am so grateful that today I don't feel like I am blocked by situations or events in life that used to kind of "freeze me" or leave me unwilling or unable to continue to express myself if confronted by emergencies, etc. 

The first drawing is prismacolor with watercolor and some pen and ink of "The Farmhouse" a restaurant in Banning that we frequented while living in Cherry Valley.  My husband worked with the owner's brother and we always loved going there for breakfast.

The second is the beginnings of a prismacolor pencil drawing I think of as "Natural Beauty" from a photo I saw in "Indian Country Today" magazine which I was given a gift subscription to.  Funny how, as in the past, I start out drawing or painting something from a photo and the face turns out to be, in MY drawing or painting, the person who is on my mind or in my heart at the time of it's creation.  In this case my sister-in-law, Rosa, who is in the final stages of brain  cancer seemed to emerge. A similar thing happened with my mother-in-law - I was painting a native woman and the face of my mother-in-law emerged and not that of the original. Wonderful women I have been blessed to have in my life.  Makes you think ... each day is a gift, each person.

Quick Trip from New Mexico to Nevada

Busy the past week making a quick trip over to our daughter's in Nevada.  Here's a picture of beautiful New Mexico on 13 March 2012 near Continental Divide, New Mexico. While in the Las Vegas area we visited our favorite art supply store, Dick Blick on the 15th picking up a few items before leaving for the drive home to New Mexico on the 16th.  Thankfully the weather was gorgeous both days of our traveling. Busy week ahead and the passing of current storms supposed to bring warmer temperatures and more springlike weather.

"Curious Inquisitor" Original Acrylic 8x10" Acrylic on Canvas

"Curious Inquisitor"

A couple days ago on Friday my husband and I went to the Rio Grande Arts & Crafts event at Expo New Mexico after having lunch at Sandia Resort.  I got so excited, motivated and loved talking to quite a few of the artists there. It's amazing how being around other artists just stirs up those creative juices.  This morning I thought I'd try something different and new for me and the result was this 8x10" original acrylic painting on canvas I'm calling "The Curious Inquisitor".  I am enjoying life, being creative and new and wonderfully happy times.

Original "For Eva" Painting as a Memorial

"For Eva"

I started this pastel floral yesterday, added pen and ink and did not like the end result when I thought it was finished yesterday. This morning as I sat in my art room looking at it and thinking of my friend and neighbor, Eva, I added acrylic to the background and some of the flowers and it became "For Eva" mixed media.  She died recently, only 37 years old leaving behind a wonderful husband and four children. I pray God will watch over and protect her family and bring them comfort and joy at memories of her.  I will miss her honesty, our talks, her smile. Peace be with you Eva.

Original Acrylic on Watercolor Paper "Sonoran Desert Museum AZ Parrot" Painted in 2004

Original Neely Gomez
Painting Copyright 2004

So this morning thought I would get back into the swing of things by doing some artwork, a couple of different projects.  What I discovered is that I'm still extremely tired from our whirlwind trip from New Mexico to Oklahoma and back and not quite in the ZONE yet.  Looking at this original acrylic painting I did on watercolor paper in 2004 after we made a trip to the Sonoran Desert Museum in Tucson, Arizona I really like the color and style.  Not sure what my "style" really is yet but I'm definitely still a work in progress and I AM progressing (smile).  I usually have delayed reactions to things so think I need some more time of just rest and relaxation.  I will keep you posted.

"Tulips with ALOT Going On" Multimedia Original

"Tulips with Alot Going On"

Amazing that whatever is going on with me internally always seems to come out when I'm creating something artistically.  This started out as a simple watercolor and then it seems more and more was added to it until it almost seemed a little TOO busy.  Still that's kind of what's going on in my life right now so rather than not show it or try to hide that I'm a normal human being who sometimes has got an awful lot going on I've decided to post it. Life is good!

"Dormant" Original Acrylic on 8x10" Canvas Panel

"Dormant"

Had fun and enjoyed doing this acrylic painting. It's amazing to me that in the midst of winter here in New Mexico tho it is cold and things are dormant, to be warm and cozy in our home looking out with the brightness of brilliant sunshine and things on the verge of coming back alive it's hard to remember it IS winter.  Soon it'll be spring with new life bursting out everywhere.

"A New Pair of Glasses" Prismacolor on Blue Pastel Paper

"A New Pair of Glasses"

Yesterday first thing in the morning I went into my art room and started "doodling" with my Prismacolor pencils.  I am finding that I do seem to look thru a new pair of glasses and have a different kind of perspective these days.  I'm blessed with so much that sometimes it feels like the creative juices are "busting out at the seams (smile). I'm definitely a work in progress as is my artwork.

Jo Anne Neely Gomez Now on Twitter

A new phase being new to Twitter I ask for patience as I navigate and make mistakes as I go.  I love the opportunity to be able to try and convey the beauty and amazing gifts God has blessed me with through my art and would love it if you would "follow me" on Twitter ... will you join me on this journey too??? I am @neelygomezart

Original Pastel "Old San Ysidro Revisited" on 8 1/2 x 11" Brown Pastel Paper

"Old San Ysidro Revisited"

Have been doing more consistent artwork and enjoying watching progress tho discovered this morning after finishing an oil painting and relaxing at home for the day trying to get over a cold that as I picked up my pastels it seems that pastels have become my new favorite medium for the time being.  Amazing the discoveries I make.

December 24, 2011Original "Simple Pastel Bouquet"

"A Simple Bouquet"

Bought a bouquet of flowers while shopping the day before Christmas and when placing them in the vase realized the vase was a bit large for this small of a bouquet -- I LOVE SIMPLE so decided to name this pastel drawing "Simple Pastel Bouquet".  As a note someone liked this pastel drawing so much that it was sent to them in Killeen, Texas January of 2012.

Original 4x6" Canvas Panel Old Style Mini Gouache Still Life Painting Dec. 23, 2011

"Old Master's Style Still Life"

Thought I'd try painting an original still life on mini canvas panel (4x6") in the old master's style as a bit of an experiment.