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 ...