A Few Hours in my Art Studio Painting Yesterday 18 November 2012

Yesterday I enjoyed a little time in my art studio doing some reworking of a couple of oil paintings and painting a small postcard sized acrylic painting, finishing it off with pen.

The first rework I did was a painting that started out in an icon workshop I decided to take.  We carved the board and talked about the significance of certain practices with traditional icon painting.  We arrived at a point in the workshop where it was mentioned to make an alter and place your icon on it around which candles should also be placed and then to worship and pray to this icon.  I had some issues with doing that part of the class and made my feelings known and withdrew.  The icon starting out was to be of Gabriel and that is what was carved onto the board there in the workshop.  As you can see my painting is of a woman so I consider this to be a "painting" of an angelic woman rather than an icon.  Also considering I used oil paints rather than traditional organic materials and painted my own version, the interpretation is strictly my own.  Even though the texture is rough I am quite happy with the result and now considered this to be "finished".

The second rework is of "San Antonio Church" an original oil painting of a church in the town of Placitas, New Mexico.  I believe I talked a little more at length about this painting in a previous posting below.

The last painting I did is on a small postcard sized piece of paper and is an original acrylic finished with black pen.  I had alot of fun just relaxing with this little painting even though not sure what I'll call it right now.

This morning I woke up feeling invigorated and decided it was time to get back on my treadmill and start getting in better shape.  I will ease back into this routine tho it feels better than I can say to feel healthy, happy and mostly recovered from the traffic accident which sidelined me awhile a little over six months ago.  Life is very very good and I'm so grateful I am here to enjoy every moment of it!

Having Fun in my Art Studio Sunday, November 12, 2012

Yesterday I started out in my art studio reworking an earlier oval floral and then just felt like goofing around and having some fun doing some drawing and painting small postcard sized acrylic paintings, finishing them up with pen.  Here are some photos of both.

It has been cold here in New Mexico, think the temperature was 15 degrees yesterday morning.  I get excited when I know these temperatures and wintery weather have returned because the sandhill cranes that migrate to and winter here in our area are usually found in the open fields along Highway 313 on Sandia Pueblo lands and also at the Albuquerque Open Space area made for the cranes off of Coors in Albuquerque.  I love the times of snuggling with my husband and drinking some hot chocolate or chai latte tea, knowing that biscochitos are not far off in celebration of Christmas.  We finally, this year, may visit El Modelo in Albuquerque for some tamales also.  I hope that wherever YOU are, you are enjoying this season and I pray that all those affected by the recent storms and horrific weather events receive all the help, hope and love in being supported by others through their struggles in recovering.

Submitted Artwork to #twitterartexhibit and Wonderful Day of Art Today

This morning on the way to enjoying a day of art at Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque we stopped by the post office to mail my submissions to the #twitterartexhibit.  One of the submissions is shown in a previous posting on this artblog below in October and the picture to the left is a postcard size acrylic I painted this morning as my second submission.

What a wonderful day of visiting artist friends and viewing such beautiful artwork.  We started out at the show for the Pastel Society at Expo New Mexico, then walked a short distance to Weems Artfest and I have to say this was the best time I've had at this show in the years we've been going. After Weems we went to the African American building toward the front of Expo New Mexico and viewed all the entries for RGAA's Encantada art show.  That wasn't even the finish of our day as we were given a tour of the theater in the same building by two very informative and wonderful gentleman who explained the different jazz artists and movie showings and venues that are presented in this beautiful theater.

On the way home I was taking pictures as it was such a beautiful day, quite crisp and fresh after a light rain the entire time we were walking around Expo New Mexico, and the shadows were just gorgeous on the Sandia Mountains just north of Albuquerque off of Interstate 25 on our way home.  You can judge for yourself with the picture I've posted here.  What a wonderful end to a glorious, fun day being motivated, encouraged, inspired and grateful to be alive and living in such a beautiful natural environment.

November Update

October was a busy month for me and November is already becoming a bit busy too.  I raffled off an original 5"x7" original acrylic painting on wood board I call "Experimental Abstract Still" toward the end of October.  Here is a picture of it to the right.

So grateful to be released by my chiropractor this past week with clean bill of health from the traffic accident I was in way back in May of this year.

The painting to the left started out in an icon workshop I was attending.  We got as far as carving the board and life got busy and I left the workshop.  About a week ago I picked it back up and decided that rather than using organic materials as was suggested in the workshop I would paint my own version using my own colors and oil paints.  This is obviously a work in progress.

I've been connecting with other artists and enjoying some interest in my artwork from some local businesses.  This is so exciting for me as it helped me to get out of my comfort zone and self promote which I am not used to doing or real comfortable with.  While reading Julia Cameron's "The Artist's Way" one of the things I discovered about myself is that rather than having a huge fear of failure as many people do, I tend to have a fear of success.  That has been an obstacle in many ways in the past tho I feel like in connecting with other artists and putting myself out there and acknowledging that I, like my artwork, am a work in progress, that I just get to be myself and paint what I love and enjoy the process of self discovery.  I feel very blessed and grateful to have been given these gifts and do intend to paint as my way of giving back to my creator.

Finished 30"x40" Original Oil Painting "#480 Cumbres Toltec Old Fashioned View of New Mexico"

I started this painting quite a little while ago and thought I was finished.  Every few days or whenever I felt unsettled by it I found myself redoing parts of it.  I did the last of the revisions this morning, I THINK (haha).  I'm calling this finished as I need to now move onto to other things and I do feel like it is more to my liking now.  I would love to see this displayed at the Oshier Station of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Rail Road though I have plenty of time to figure out the best options in talking to them and of seeing my vision fulfilled.

Small Drawings and Painting Painted a Few Days Ago

Doodling the other day with Sharpie pens I made this little postcard size (4"x6") drawing.  This saying is something I paint onto the birdhouses I paint for friends sometimes.

This is also postcard size on Strathmore Watercolor Postcard with Sharpie pen used to highlight the floral. I painted the watercolor after being invited to participate in the #twitterartexhibit as practice as you are to submit a postcard size original work of art.

In updating this on November 9th, I will add that I did submit this postcard sized watercolor to the #twitterartexhibit along with one other entry I will post above on the 9th of November as this was the date I sent them via mail to Los Angeles for the exhibit.

Beginnings of "San Antonio Church, Placitas, New Mexico" Original Oil on 5"x7" Wood Panel

I have had a package with grids in it for quite a few years and had not used it.  We came to New Mexico, I think it was twelve years ago, rented a car and drove all over the state but particularly loved Placitas and this little church in the picture to the left.  Last night I decided to finally try using the grid system so sketched the grid and this morning began this little oil painting below the picture about 6 a.m.  I only had about forty minutes to paint before getting ready and going to the dentist to have a crown put on.  I'm so excited now at this new process and can't wait to get on with this painting, however, I have a full day today and only time this morning to post this picture before spending time with dear friends.  I hope to return to this maybe this evening or tomorrow afternoon.  It feels like a new phase for me ... how exciting!

This little painting started out beautifully and then somehow along the line when I thought it was looking wonderful I invited someone to look at it and got some suggestions ... my first mistake was my invitation.  I thought I would have learned by now that I should trust my own gut feelings about my artwork more than midstream suggestions.  So, I redid it and then was so upset with myself that it was not the beautiful little painting I was inspired to paint.  I have to say it's okay and I know that not everything is going to look wonderful.  I have learned a lesson AGAIN and hope I don't make that mistake anymore.  Here is the finished little painting.  I had to just let go of all the expectations I had had and finish and move on to something else.  

When I planted cosmos and wildflower seeds three or four different times in early spring I was hoping for a burst of color but have been pleasantly surprised by the variety and abundance of blooms we've been enjoying in my backyard.  Cold weather is upon us, I think, so am enjoying this last blast of color, so inspiring for me!

"Underwater Calm" Original Oil Painting on 5"x7" Wood Panel

Painting quite a bit yesterday and the picture to the right just somewhat came out of my thoughts as I sat down in front of the small wood panel.  I named it "Underwater Calm" as I find the colors and feeling of calm I had while painting it came through rather nicely.

Two Drawings/Paintings Done Last Couple of Days

The drawing to the right is oil pastels on Strathmore Art Papers and just a way of getting my creative juices flowing as the concept came from my head.  Sometimes I like to paint from a still set up in my studio, others from photos, and then these from my thoughts.

This small painting I did this morning. It is a watercolor with Sharpie Pen on Canson Watercolor Greeting Cards paper.  Have not thought of the name for this one.  I am happy to return to brighter colors and lightness of strokes and look forward to playing around in all different kinds of mediums in expressing myself the next few months while confined more to my studio and being inside.

Reworked "Red Bouquet" from 2005 on 11x14" Canvas Panel & "Time to Open the Boxes" Acrylic with Pen on 5x7" Wood Board - 7 Oct 2012

Funny that one of my fellow artists tweeted me yesterday to "paint, paint, paint" and that was exactly what I did.  I started out in the afternoon around 3:00 and the last time I looked at the clock early this morning when finished I think it may have read 3:30 (and YES, that's a.m.).

The first painting is an original oil painting I painted in 2005 on 11x14" canvas panel that I happened to see yesterday afternoon and decided I would redo the background.  This one I named "Red Bouquet".

The second is an original acrylic embellished with pen on 5x7" wood panel which I've named "Time to Open the Boxes".  If you look closely you'll notice the box on the left has written on it "Hopes and Dreams" and the one on the right "Gifts and Blessings".  Tho small all of the fine detail was time consuming and yet I feel very good at the final result and thank my friend who suggested yesterday morning that I paint, paint, paint!

"A Hint of New Mexico's Beauty" Original Oil Painting on 5"x7" Wooden Board Painted This Morning

Wow, I got on a roll today and painted most of the day.  Put some finishing touches on a large 30"x40" oil painting I thought I finished a couple days ago, painted this small 5"x7" oil painting and then put all the colors on another birdhouse I'm painting to mail to an out of state friend I promised a birdhouse to. It certainly feels good to have the motivation, positive energy and desire to just paint, paint, paint!

Photos Taken September 27th on Drive to see the Fall Colors

We decided to take a drive yesterday into the Jemez Mountains of New Mexico to see the fall colors.  Higher up almost to the Valle Caldera it did seem to be starting to change colors tho think we're a little early.  Here is a sampling of some of the beauty in these mountains I will post.  We took the road through Los Alamos into Pojaque and over to the Santa Fe Bypass and took some beautiful pics of the fall color of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains above Santa Fe.  We hit a few wonderful showers of rain tho it was brief and light.  The beauty of New Mexico is such an inspiration to me and reminds me of how much natural beauty lies within it's boundaries.  I hope you enjoy this brief visual visit.

Another Birdhouse Painted for a Friend - Front View

Finally got to give my friend the birdhouse I painted for her a few weeks ago yesterday.  Here's a picture of the front of it.  I love doing these for friends and try to make them individual and personal for them.

Finished another birdhouse for a friend and even though I haven't presented it to her yet, think it's okay to post a picture of it since she is not online.  The picture will be to the right.    

Inspiration and Motivation through Friends

Just a quick update to let all my friends, especially those that are also artists and new friends gained through Twitter and networking, how much your encouragement, creating and displaying your own artwork and wonderfully accepting and helpful comments and support help me.  I feel even more supported and encouraged since getting on Twitter. Funny how some folks think I'm trying to get a gazillion followers .... NOT! I love being so connected with other creatives. Someone in the entertainment industry recently asked me what my interest was and honestly it's not their notoriety or being well known as much as just loving to know what inspires, motivates and grows other creatives. I have always enjoyed biographies and autobiographies in discovering the real commonality and genuineness of others.

I woke up this morning early, went and got my one hour massage and chiropractic adjustment and am enjoying being alive, able to paint, visit with my friends, consider some new opportunities with my art and generally living to the full.  I have finished painting two birdhouses for friends and started on a very large one to send to an out of state friend. I am so honored with the friendships I have here in New Mexico.  Stand by for updates as I continue this growing process and thank you for taking the time to visit my art blog.

Quick Diversion from Large Oil Painting in Progress

Since our recent RV trip to Northern New Mexico and train ride on the Cumbres Toltec, a friend moving to another state gave me a larger 30"x40" canvas she had begun painting on.  As I began painting an oil on the canvas I realized that the painting underneath can still be seen and that I need to go back to the way I painted in the beginning with oils and paint thin to thick.  So in order to build up the painting to the texture I want and cover the painting beneath I now have painted twice and this process will be a little more time consuming than what I've recently been used to.  I will post when this larger painting is finished.

The photo to the right is of a watercolor and colored Sharpie markers with acrylic background I titled "Pink Peony", an original painting I did last night as a diversion and break away from the larger oil painting.

"Melancholy Floral" Original Oil Painting on 11"x14" Oval Canvas Finished Yesterday

The original floral painting to the right looked very different from this finished version.  It seems that in the midst of painting this I started looking at other floral paintings of friends and in that process of comparing myself and my artwork to others I got caught up in that grey space.  I know better than to do this tho sometimes it just seems to happen, a reminder that I am very much a human being and very much still in the process of evolving as an artist.  I could have scratched it all and started over but decided that no, even though I kept going back and forth with the thoughts of "oh, I really LIKE this to no, I DON'T like it" it is what it is and in the end, yes, I DO like it as it is uniquely me and it's okay that I am who I am and don't need to try to be any other version of myself..  

Funny that on typing these comments and being true to myself and honest about those feelings I have lifted myself out of that space and even tho a bit overcast today in New Mexico am going to fully enjoy this beautiful day that is before me. No painting today even tho I did start on something that had been sitting around for awhile barely started ... will leave that for ANOTHER day (smile).  Beauty awaits!

Beautiful Roses from my Husband -- A Painting in the Works ???

My husband and I were at the local supermarket last Friday when the lady at the flower counter let me know that their roses regularly $13 were on sale for $7 ... so, being the lover of nature that I am, I decided I would buy not one but two of the bouquets.  I did need to do the floral arranging myself tho they provided the roses, the preservative and the yellow/gold material.  I think I did a fairly good job at arranging and took a few pictures of my arrangement ... now comes the decision about a painting.  Stand by for upcoming pictures of another floral.  I'm having alot of fun these days painting and enjoying nature.  What a gift we are given by the creator of all the beauty to behold if we just open our eyes and make the time to SEE.

Original Acrylic "Fire on the Mountain" on 11"x14" Canvas Panel

While on a little mini RV vacation to Heron Lake in Northern New Mexico last week I painted this original acrylic on canvas panel I'm calling "Fire on the Mountain" and then embellished it with gold pen before calling it finished.  We had a wonderful time, there were no fires that I know of around us and while there from Sunday until Thursday we enjoyed a train ride from Chama, New Mexico to Antonito, Colorado on the Cumbres Toltec Railroad, had an excellent dinner at High Country Saloon and Restaurant in Chama and watched our neighbors set up their easels and start a couple of landscapes while I painted this painting inside our RV.  What a wonderful and relaxing time away.

"Happy Birthday Jessi" Original Acrylic on Wood Board Painted 25 August 2012

Although I only had an hour and a half before going to see friends I decided on Saturday morning that this wood board was calling me to paint something on it ... hence, my original floral "Happy Birthday Jessi" I painted on August 25th.  I still made it to see my friends and later on that day posted this to my Twitter page.  Considering it was painted in an hour and a half I think it turned out exceptionally well and I am very happy with the results.

"Nature's Gifts" an Original Oil Painting on 5"x7" wood panel

Last night as I walked through my house before going to bed I found myself in my art room painting the mini oil painting to the left on a prepared 5"x7" wood panel.  I love when that happens, kind of like I'm drawn to that room, think for a minute "oh it's late, I probably should go to bed" and next thing I know I'm totally into creating a piece of artwork and you know what? It's okay because hey, I'm retired and I should be able to do my art whenever I want, wherever I want and just enjoy! So I DID.  

"Magnolia New Mexico Style" - Original painting on 9x12" w/c paper

Yesterday a friend came over and as she painted a birdhouse for a friend of hers I finished the painting to the right. It started out with acrylic paint on 9"x12" watercolor paper then the blossom and leaves were done in watercolor and all finished up with various colored gel pins. 

Mini RV Vacation at Jemez Falls Campground, New Mexico Recently

What fun we had this past week RVing at Jemez Falls Campground in the Jemez Mountains only about 45 minutes from our house.  We did some dry camping with all the conveniences of home provided by our fifth wheel, enjoyed some beautiful weather with it thundering, lightning and cooling us off with rain showers in the late afternoon/evening before we left.  Tent campers on each side of us had just pitched their tents before it started raining.  My husband and I got in some games of Yahtzee which is always fun for us.  My creative juices seemed to be flowing.  I started out doing the Prismacolor pencil drawing "Squirrel with Shimmering Tail", then painted the acrylic painting "Jemez Falls New Mexico" and finished as it was storming and light was going away of "God's Light Shines on Us All".

Front of Birdhouse I Painted for a Friend - Keeping Creative

Didn't realize when I took the picture of this birdhouse I painted for a friend that the lighting wasn't as good as I would have liked, it is actually brighter and there are different flowers, sayings and embellishments on each side.  I enjoy thinking of the person I'm painting it for and trying to paint things I think they would enjoy.  I couldn't believe how very excited she got looking at it and jumping around telling me how much she loved it and "oh wow, you know me so well."  Very satisfying for me and painting these also keeps me being creative in a little different way.

I am enjoying a new sense of gratitude and joy in my life and hope to add more things to my page here as my urgency and motivation for painting and creating return.

Fun Revisiting a Few Oil Paintings Last Week & Here are Results

Spent a day last week revisiting three oil paintings I'd done and reworking them. One is shown below this post "He's a Handsome Boy", the first painting on the left here is "Garden Flowers" and the second one "Below the Snowline". I also finished preparing my original oil on canvas panel "Old San Ysidro" as a donation for a drawing for a local non profit event coming up in Albuquerque.

I am enjoying a return of enthusiasm and creativeness. Soon you can visit a new Facebook page devoted solely to my artwork.  Life is SO GOOD. Thank you for visiting my art blog. I hope you return soon (smile).  

"Old San Ysidro" Reworked Original Oil Painting on 11"x14" Canvas Panel

This past Friday seemed magical and wonderful as I painted most of the day. The painting on the right I reworked and like it much better now.  I had actually painted the "framing in gold" for another painting I was anticipating doing for a friend.  She had sent me an old postcard with some folk painting on it tho after researching I found that the artwork was copyrighted back in the early 1900's and didn't want to do copyright infringement.  The original painting of this church had a pretty consistent purple sky and the church and trees somewhat nondescript and color a bit dull.  I love all the bright colors I find in New Mexico and the artwork here.  I am enjoying all the beauty, once again, that I find myself surrounded by and hope to also be painting much more in the coming months.

"He's a Handsome Boy" Original Oil on 9x12" Canvas Panel

I started this oil painting about two months ago before I had to take a break from almost everything recuperating from a traffic accident where another person broadsided my car.  I am grateful today to all my friends and family that have understood I've had to curtail my regular routine and things I enjoy while healing. I hope that my renewed sense of appreciation of life, of the beauty in the world and especially the wonderful state of New Mexico that I live in somehow are inspiring or motivational for anyone else who has crisis sneaking around the corner and dealing with it in a positive and proactive way.  I hope that I can use the rest of this summer to paint, paint, paint and to also find that wonderfully serene and peaceful, purposeful balance of being an artist with all the other aspects of my life.

God has gifted me in so many ways and I only wish to share those gifts in showing my appreciation to God.

Beautiful Day in New Mexico Yesterday

It was a beautiful clear and exceptionally hot day in New Mexico yesterday.  I took this picture near Sandia Resort and Albuquerque. It has been over 100 degrees every day for the past week or more. Everyone hear is awaiting our seasonal monsoons that bring with them gorgeous sunsets, much needed rain and cools everything off.