Busy Beginning of Spring 2016

I've had a busy beginning of Spring 2016 and happy to say that after my husband and I being sick for about a month beginning around Christmas time last year and then losses of dear friends and family it's good to be in the season of renewal and new beginnings.

Since my last post I finished my original oil painting "Birds of a Feather" on 10"x8" canvas shown to the left. I actually started the painting and was hoping to have it ready for opening and show with bird paintings and jewelry for the month of March at Essence Gallery and Boutique though missed the deadline for that. This week is the last week for the show at the gallery in Old Town Albuquerque, if you get a chance to stop in and check it out I would encourage you to do so. There will be an opening for a new show in April for the works of Fermin Hernandez April 1st from 5-9pm with the show continuing through April 30th.

My husband installed new shelving in my art studio for me and I
began the process of cleaning and reorganizing along with my receiving art supplies I'd ordered from Dick Blick Art Materials. Here are some photos of part of our reorganizing. We are hoping to install new floor covering and paint sometime this summer also.

March 12th I began a little study series of this special little teapot
that I received from my dear friend who lost her mother in January. The photo to the left is the beginning and to the right is the finished watercolor and acrylic painting on 5.5"x8.5" sketch paper finished March 15th.

Next painting was for Challenge 4 of "Let's Paint New Mexico"
2016. First to the left is the photo that was sent to me by LPNM and to the right is my oil painting rendition and interpretation of that photo. I have to say I was not thrilled when I got the photo and thought of skipping this challenge, then reminded myself of my commitment to paint every challenge. I titled this "Modern Abstract Floral" and it is on 8"x10" canvas (7/8" profile) and available for purchase directly from me (contact me via email if interested).

Just last week my husband and I made a surprise visit to my mom in Oklahoma just before Easter and here are some of the things we saw on our trip.

We enjoyed a wonderful day Easter Sunday with dear friends who have become our adopted family here in New Mexico in Corrales.

Coming up later this week will be the opening of the #TwitterArtExhibit at Trygve Lie Gallery in New York City 31 March 2016 from 6-8:30 pm. The exhibit and show run through 21 April 2016 if you're not able to make it to the opening. This year they surpassed their wildest dreams and have postcards from artists around the world available for purchase for $35 with 100% of the funds benefiting Foster Pride NYC (a very worthwhile charity for foster children).

Yesterday we also put out our hummingbird feeders and outdoor furniture in welcoming spring in New Mexico. As is typical of New Mexico springtime we are also preparing for blowing dirt and dust with high wind speeds. Until my next update I thank you for your interest in my art and for visiting my art blog. Please come back again and my website at www.neelygomez.com is now working again also.

Feels Like Spring and "Let's Paint New Mexico 2016" Challenge 3

To the right is my oil painting submission "Hovering Beauty" for challenge three of "Let's Paint New Mexico 2016" on 10"x8" canvas. Due to many newer participants in our "Let's Paint New Mexico" group the administrator decided to continue sending us photos for each of us to paint our rendition in whatever medium we choose though we will not be held to a deadline.

It has been warmer the past month and definitely the trees and birds think that spring have arrived. Here is a photo of our resident hawk who now visits daily along with many other birds.

I'm happy that my painting "Stormy Sunset" sold from Essence Gallery and Boutique in Old Town the beginning of February to a woman from California. I also sold my painting"Sandia Sunset" to a dear friend who has already placed it in a place of honor in her home.

I just received an art supply order from Dick Blick yesterday and today began reorganizing and cleaning my art studio. We bought some shelving and my husband installed some new shelves yesterday also. Today I enjoyed restocking my books and inspirational artwork and gifts, etc. onto those shelves.
Here is a photo of my inspiration wall and book shelves. Hopefully this summer we can paint with a beautiful light umber color as I fell in love with I.E. Couse's studio wall color in Taos, NM when we toured there a little over a year ago.

If you are local to the area or will be in town please drop by Essence Gallery and Boutique in Old Town Albuquerque for their show which opens tonight "Feathered Friends". Various artists will be exhibiting paintings of various birds through the month of March.

The #twitterartexhibit will open this year in New York City March 31st 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Trygve Lie Gallery, 317 E. 52nd Street, New York, 10022. The show runs March 31st through April 21st. All postcard submissions will be sold for $35 each with 100% of the proceeds going to a chosen charity. This year that charity will be "Foster Pride" and their "HandMade" program, in which young women in foster care learn to create and market a unique line of crocheted goods.  It is always my honor and privilege to participate in the Twitter Art Exhibity and I am exceedingly happy to hear this year they have exceeded their expectations already receiving 1,000 registered making submissions.