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".

Transitioning to Change and Reenergizing

I made a trip to El Paso, Texas with girlfriends the week before Memorial weekend and returning home Sunday heard a tornado was in the area of my mom in Oklahoma.  Luckily it took a turn a little bit north and she called to tell me she had gone to a storm cellar and safe though shaken. Monday the tornado that hit Moore, Oklahoma had me on pins and needles again having an aunt and cousin with family who live there and also family all over Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and other states affected by bad weather. Happy to hear that though some damage to vehicles from hail everyone in my family were safe with no other damage.

Blue Grosbeak

Oriole

Making changes to my schedule and routine have
helped me to take better care of myself. I'm getting up early with my hubby, enjoying our yard, our time in the morning to sit on our back patio with coffee and conversation and enjoy the birds and life going on in our backyard after a treadmill walk. This may seem trivial to some though after a traffic accident last year getting back into a regular exercise routine has been harder than I'd imagined it would be and adjusting my schedule throws off my creative schedule also.

"Jemez Cholla"
Acrylic with Silver Pen
on 11"x14" Wood Panel

Happily last night I found myself back in my art studio painting late into the night.  I am still in the midst of quite a few ongoing art projects but waiting for a shipment from Dick Blick to finish those. So ... here is my latest creative burst of energy I finished early this morning.  I call it "Jemez Cholla" and it is a bit different than my usual paintings in that I wanted to accentuate the cholla in the foreground and used some silver pen embellishment as well as highlighting colors to give some dimension.

Quick Drive to Jemez Mountains and Momentary Delay to Ongoing Projects

We made a short trip driving up to the Jemez
Mountains a few days ago, what a great break in routine and revitalizer for me ALWAYS. Here are some of the pictures taken during that trip.


Finished and delivered one birdhouse love gift for a friend and one friendship recipe plaque and ran out of my usual BLAIR retouch varnish for last finishing spray so went shopping locally. I couldn't find the BLAIR and got another brand of retouch varnish spray and so dissappointed after spraying it that all the Sharpie pen writing smeared. Had to repaint much of it and put all of my ongoing projects on hold until I could find what I always use.  Went on Twitter and sent tweets to a few art supply companies with only Dick Blick responding and quickly that they have the exact thing I need in stock.  I just LOVE Dick Blick art supplies and once again am amazed and grateful for their wonderful customer service, inventory and attention to detail.  I WILL be ordering from them and finish the ongoing projects in another couple of weeks.

This may give me the break from these ongoing projects to do some oil, acrylic and/or watercolor painting in the meantime. 

Happy Mother's Day - Catching Up

Finished one birdhouse for a friend and delivered it to her yesterday. So happy that she loved it and the fact it has her kids pics on the sides.  I am not the best at portrait work though I thought they came out pretty good. I will post some pics of that first.

Also happy I could deliver it before Mother's Day and though some parts didn't come out as well as I would've liked, it is what it is and a gift of love from my heart to a dear friend who has been through alot.

Next a picture of the pretty little bicycle plant holder with flower and plant my hubby sent me for Mother's Day, I just love it!

The last pictures are of various birds we enjoyed watching this morning in our backyard.  My favorites of the photos really is the robin bathing in our backyard fountain.  He seems to so enjoy splashing about and I'm so grateful I grabbed my camera to take the pictures.  The raven that comes arrived this morning with SOMETHING and we later saw a tail hanging out of the side of his mouth so apparently a lizard ... poor little guy though that is nature for you!  

Enjoying the Beauty of Nature and Ongoing Creative Projects

Green Tailed Towhee

After recuperating from our quick trip to Arizona meeting our daughter and spending some family time together I've been totally enjoying the beginning of spring in New Mexico and specifically some bird watching and flower planting in our backyard.

Finches on Thistle Feeder

Full of Hummers

Here are some pictures of some of the birds in our backyard that have been very entertaining this past week.

Oriole (female)

Oriole (male)

It's amazing to me how it seems I barely have placed the hummingbird feeders and look out to see swarms of hummingbirds appearing from
seemingly nowhere.

Almost Finished 

Mr. Hawk

I have nine projects ongoing currently and think from looking at the pictures above you will be able to see where my inspiration comes from for the items I place on the birdhouses that I individualize and give as love gifts to friends.  The one pictured here is almost complete and five other projects are about half way finished.  I love being busy and able to create and give some of those gifts that God has greatly blessed me with. Come back soon to see my progress and until then I hope you have enjoyed your visit.

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 ...