Reworking Some Challenges for "Let's Paint New Mexico" From 2015

To the left is one of the challenges I painted last year for "Let's Paint New Mexico" which I reworked this past week. I kept thinking it didn't seem complete and while busy with many other things I decided to add just a few touches and am now calling this done. It is an oil on 8"x10" canvas and available for purchase. If interested please contact me.

To the right is another reworked challenge painting from LPNM 2015.
This one is an oil painting "Distant Glow" which is presented and ready to hang on 10"x10" gallery wrapped canvas. It is also available for purchase directly from me, please contact me if you are interested.

Tomorrow is a special day in Old Town Albuquerque as they celebrate Albuquerque's birthday. I was asked to participate with a few other artists who have paintings at Essence Gallery and Boutique. I already had a prior commitment though said I would try to make it happen. As I type this there is an approaching storm so let's hope that weather doesn't dampen the mood and festivities for the big birthday celebration. We do still need the rain and it already has started out to be a beautiful spring.

Here is a picture of our first oriole arriving to feed at our hummingbird feeders in our backyard.

Thank you for visiting my art blog and your interest in my artwork.

April 2016 Spring Paintings and Challenges

This first week of April I've been working on my as yet untitled original oil painting on 8"x10" canvas shown to the left. April started out being quite windy but has now settled into warmer weather which also got me into the gardening mood. I usually wait until May to spread my flower seeds but just couldn't seem to wait so last week threw my wildflower and butterfly and hummingbird flower seeds into my backyard garden. This week I've been trimming bushes and flowers preparing for new growth springing forth. It has warmed up to near 80 and with that warmth and the return of greenery the excitement and renewed motivation to paint those beautiful flowers and nature have also returned.


I wasn't thrilled with the photo sent for Challenge 4 of "Let's Paint New Mexico" and thought of skipping that challenge although I remembered making a commitment to myself to do each challenge presented to me for 2016. To the right is the photo sent me on the left and to the right in the same photo my oil painting rendition I decided to name "Modern Abstract Floral" on 8"x10" canvas (7/8" profile).


The #twitterartexhibit which opened March 31st at Trygve Lie Galleryat 317 E. 52nd Street in New York City was a huge success raising $6700 in two hours that night. This show runs through April 21st and if you are looking for affordable art that benefits a deserving charity please stop in and support Foster Pride NYC. Each postcard size piece of art sells for $35 with 100% of the profit going to Foster Pride NYC. I believe my piece of art contributed is still available for purchase (to the left is a photo of that piece of art "Welcome to New Mexico").


The opening of a new show at Essence Gallery and Boutique at 323 Romero St. NW, Suite 1 in Old Town Albuquerque is presenting the artwork of Fermin Hernandez and that show runs through April 30th. Along with Fermin's beautiful artwork I put together a photo including three other Let's Paint New Mexico participating artists whose artwork is now available also at Essence. That photo is shown to the right.


The participating artists doing the challenge paintings for "Let's Paint New Mexico" were sent five new photos for the next five challenges and although the deadlines have been removed, and in my sticking with my commitment to do each and every challenge, the photo to the left is the last photo I'll post for this update. The photo for Challenge 5 that was sent is to the left in the posted photo, to the right top is my first sketchbook painting study and below it is the second sketchbook study. These studies were done in preparing for the final painting, probably an oil painting I will use as my final submission for that challenge.