"Hummingbird Tribute" Small 4"x5" Acrylic Painting for the Little Hummingbird that Didn't Make it

The other evening I found myself in my art studio doing some writing and happened to remember I'd prepped a small 4"x5" canvas with red background and picked up my paints and started painting.  The painting at the left was what came out of that spontaneous action.  Yesterday morning I picked it back up and finished it off, realizing that to me it represented that small hummingbird spirit I hand fed last Sunday morning that didn't make it.  Even though sad I know it is nature and all of my heartfelt concern and help sometimes cannot override what happens naturally in nature guided and nurtured by the Great Creator.  I was honored when a distant cousin remarked that she loved this little painting so much she'd even consider getting a tattoo of it (smile).  I have no tattoos myself though I felt VERY honored by her comment.

Honorable Mention Ribbon Received from New Mexico Art League "Celebration of Summer" Event

Pleasantly surprised yesterday at the New Mexico Art League's "Celebration of Summer" event to find a ribbon next to my watercolor painting "Abiquiu Summer" with an honorable mention award.  My husband and I actually arrived late about 5pm (the event was 3-6pm) to an ongoing wonderful celebration with painting demonstrations, sales of plants, soaps, and coffee cart with specialty drink and items.  The artwork and raffle items were beautifully displayed and a friend and I, even though last minute partakers of raffle tickets, won raffle items which just topped off a fun, beautiful and friend filled day.

The morning started out with my hubby finding a hummingbird struggling in our backyard after apparently falling from the feeder (maybe a frenzied attack from another hummer, we don't know).
Here are some pictures my husband took of me gingerly feeding the little guy some sugar water in the hopes that it would recover and fly off.  That didn't happen and we were a bit sad in the afternoon when we found it didn't make it so we buried it in our garden area not far from where our beautiful australian shepherd rescued dog lies.

The surprise of the award and seeing friends and laughing and sharing really helped remind us that there is always beauty to be found, even in the midst of sadness and nature sometimes taking it's course.

The artwork displayed at the New Mexico Art League in Albuquerque will remain on display and for sale for a month, I was told. Starting bids are $25 for children's artwork and $75 for adult artwork. There is some beautiful artwork there to be seen so if you are in the area please stop by and see it!!!

Finished "Abiquiu Summer" Watercolor on 8"x10" Ampersand Aquaboard to be Auctioned Sunday, June 23rd

"Abiquiu Summer"

I hope my friends and supporters join us this Sunday, June 23rd from 3-6pm at the New Mexico Art League for their "Summer Celebration" and auction where my original 8"x10" watercolor "Abiquiu Summer" on Ampersand Aquaboard will be auctioned off.  I'm very excited to have been invited to participate in this and my first such event in New Mexico since moving here seven years ago.  To the left is the finished painting, the foreground was worked on a bit since the original painting was done.

"Storm from Shore"

Here is another 8"x10" painting I did this past week though this is an original oil painting "Storm from Shore" on canvas. Through connecting with other artists and seeing some of their beautiful seascapes this painting came out of the blue as I've not painted a seascape in a few years focussing instead on the beauty that is New Mexico. I couldn't get a better picture of this painting yet so there is a small glare on the upper left, sorry about that. Hopefully I can get a better photo with truer light and color sometime soon.

Another Busy Day of Painting

Here are some pictures of paintings I've done in the past several days as it seems I've "been on a roll" with painting (smile).

"Overlooking the Canyon"

To the left is my original acrylic and oil painting "Overlooking the Canyon painted on 18" x 24" canvas, started a few weeks ago and finished June 14th.

"Puesta del sol cobre las Colinas"

To the right is "Puesta de sol cobre las Colinas"
translated into English "Sunset Over the Hills" an original watercolor painting on 8" x 10" Ampersand Aquaboard.

By the way, I absolutely LOVE the Ampersand Aquaboard and have already ordered a few more from my favorite art supply store, Dick Blick online.

Busy and Productive Day Today

I started my day out today watering my garden very early since records were set yesterday for high temperature of 100 degrees, followed by a 45 minute walk on the treadmill, making spaghetti for dinner tonight so that I wouldn't have any excuses in getting in my art studio and painting.

"Untitled"

The first painting I did today is an oil painting, as yet untitled, on 8"x10" canvas pictured to the left.  Next I did another oil painting, same size and thought it was finished but after looking at a picture of it decided that it isn't finished yet after all (smile). I then started some flower painting on a terra cotta flower pot for my neighbor and continued an oil painting (larger sized) of cranes for a friend.

"Abiquiu Summer"

I thought I was finished and my husband and I sat down and had spaghetti for dinner and watched the news, keeping an eye on the fires burning here in New Mexico.

After dinner and the news I found myself back in my art studio and here is the watercolor painting (to the right) I'm calling "Abiquiu Summer" I did in just a few minutes on 8"x10" Ampersand Aquaboard.

Need Better Photos though Posting Quickly

"Jemez Rocks Red"

Yes, I do know I need better photos though these were taken with my IPhone hurriedly to post quickly the art I've been doing the past few days.  To the left is a 4"x6" acrylic with Sharpie pen painting on wood block I did last Friday.

Saturday was a busy day filled with lots of friends, a picnic with bake sale (which I was in charge of) and games.  Loads of fun and a great beginning to the summer.

"Summery Chimayo"

To the right is a fun little 8 1/2"x11" pastel I drew yesterday while resting after my 30 minute treadmill walk and catching up with old tv show (I began watching it while walking and wanted to finish the episode).  This drawing strictly for fun and just to do something creative.

Still got my thinking cap on for a "summer theme" 8x10" painting for the New Mexico Art League and am on a bit of a deadline (has to be finished, framed and ready to hang by June 20th).

One of the Reasons I LOVE New Mexico -- See for Yourself

"Rio Rancho, New Mexico Sunset"

This sunset photo was taken last night from our backyard.  It reminds me of just one of the reasons I love New Mexico, it's beautiful sunsets. It was a beautiful evening with scattered clouds and thunderheads leaving casts of yellows, pinks, blues, purples all across the sky - very peaceful and serene.

Excited Over New Opportunity & Inspired

Excited to get a phone call from the New Mexico Art League asking if I would donate a "summer theme" 8x10" painting for their newly renovated building reveal June 20th. Of course I WILL!

"Storm on the Rocks"

Yesterday I stopped and picked up art supplies. I guess my new pallet knife inspired me because I picked up a small 4x6" oil painting on wooden block I'd started and here is the finished result to the right.

Next time you visit I hope to have paintings and finished project pictures to show you of what inspires and captivates me in New Mexico and my world.

Beauty of the Sandias and Yard Sale Finds for Creativity

"Sandia Mountains from Plactias"

I took this picture to the left yesterday as I was leaving a gathering and potluck with a group of friends in Placitas about twenty minutes from my house.  I love how the Sandia Mountains turn green at the top in summer here and even though we are having the worst drought in all the United States, I am hoping to see a return of our summer monsoons to keep things green and gorgeous.

"Modern Vision"

Saturday I picked up a handmade gallery wrapped 11 1/2"x13" canvas that had been painted on to reuse the canvas.  Last night I painted late into the night and the picture to the right is the result. It is acrylic with pen and I'm calling it "Modern Vision".