Enjoying the Beauty of New Mexico while Recuperating

I just love seeing hollyhocks dotting the landscapes of New Mexico and find it interesting that last year the ones we have in our backyard and around our fountain had flowers that were very pale pink. I thought the ones that came up around the older plants this year were probably the same color, as you can see not the case. The same thing applied to the ones in my bricked in garden area, they were pale pink last year but this year are deep deep burgundy almost black colored.

Though yesterday the winds were probably 60 mph blowing smoke in from the fire in Southern New Mexico, today is breezy yet clear with pleasant temperatures and beautiful blue skies.

Momentary Delay

Had a momentary lapse in postings and painting due to a traffic accident last Friday and felt I needed to post something to my blog to let you know.  Grateful today for life as I was broadsided and had the other person hit my car just a little further back or at my driver's side door I might not be here today at all.  Funny that the thing that upset me most after seeing my car and thinking about all the circumstances surrounding my purchasing that car was the fact that I've felt recently so compelled to paint most all the time and just did not feel like even going into my art room, much less picking up a brush or pastels.  My usual happy, optimistic personality seemed overshadowed by aches and pains, irritability with the simplest of things and overwhelming feelings of anxiety and dullness in my thinking.

The title of this post is MOMENTARY DELAY ... that's what this is going to be as I am feeling the return of my usual happy, optimistic self.  Soon I hope to be back to my daily painting and artistic endeavors.  It's amazing to me how much love and support I have gained just by entering the "Twitter World" (smile) and connecting with so many other artists.  I hope that this is just the beginning for me.  I will end my typing with the wonderful words of Julia Cameron in her book "The Artist's Way" "Our creative dreams and yearnings come from a divine source.  As we move toward our dreams, we move toward our divinity." and Louis Armstrong when he said, in the same book "What we play is life."

Painting Late Last Night - 13 May 2012

"Ochre Hills" 9x12" Oil 

Last night late as I was in my art room talking to a friend and waiting for a call back I was looking at the painting on the right I started a couple of days ago. I remember that a few years ago (May of 2000) when we were visiting my dear friend here in New Mexico we stopped at Bien Mur Gift Shop.  Next to it the Sandia Pueblo keeps buffalo and inside while browsing around I met a wonderful man, a Mr. Tom Boothe.  Mr. Boothe was so encouraging and we talked for quite awhile. He was interested that I was a fairly new artist and talk turned to the possibility of our moving here to New Mexico.  That one little conversation was a catalyst and motivating factor in our decision to move to New Mexico in 2006.  I thought it only fitting that somehow I work buffalo into this painting ... so here it is, finished now.  From time to time I wonder how Mr. Booth is and say a little prayer to wish him well.

Initial Beginnings of New Painting

My parents are from Oklahoma and I've always so enjoyed others paintings of chickens and roosters as they remind me of my grandma chasing around the chickens in her yard and yes, "wringing their necks" to prepare them for dinner.  We used to get such a kick out of grandma running around the yard shrieking and laughing at them so last night I decided to start an oil painting of my own version of a rooster.  I think this rooster is very regal and proud so I hope to incorporate all those elements into my painting. Somehow my thoughts of late have been with all those people in my life who have gifted me with so many positive and memories of a simpler life.  I feel so blessed that I have those memories and want to honor all of them by keeping things simple, even with my paintings.

Happy Mother's Day

Received these flowers from my brother yesterday with a coupon for my choice of a facial, haircut, pedicure or manicure.  Last weekend he had a minor heart attack and a stent put in which reminded me how fragile life really is.  I've had my own scrapes with mortality and many struggling with life, itself, right now.  I so appreciate my brother in my life.  He is my only sibling and the only other person in the world who knows and understands the world I grew up in.  On this Mother's Day I celebrate my own mother who is 84 years old, struggling to remain independent surviving her other siblings all but one and was the very best mom she knew how to be when I was growing up.  Bless my mom for all she has been through with and for me and for her example of solid, hardworking ethics.

Day Before Mother's Day - In the Painting Mode

"Ochre Hills" Original Oil

Original Oil "Wispy Floral"

Yesterday I woke up in painting mode after about a week of just not feeling the urge.  Had some things happening in the past week that reminded me of the necessity of taking good care of oneself.  I'm not sure if the "Ochre Hills" painting is yet finished, seems to need or lack something to me.  So for now I'm posting it and will see if something else strikes me this next week.

Springtime in Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Nature so inspires me and I couldn't believe this Swallowtail let me get so close in order to take pictures.  Beautiful and sunny this morning and now we're having thunder, lightning and I can smell rain. I love the monsoons here in New Mexico.

News last week of a family member having a light heart attack had me in the midst of family crisis again. I'm so grateful that I have all the people I do in my life and love my family and friends.  Hopefully the beauty of nature and subsiding of crisis' will help inspire me in being creative again.  I'm still re-reading my "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain".

Original Gouache, Acrylic, Pen & Ink "60's Floral" on 5x5" Tile

"60's Floral"

Have been reminded lately of the 60's and late last night found myself in my art room and because this little tile was already primed decided I'd just "let it flow".  Was a fun little project and got me back into doing creative things.  Earlier in the day I made my husband one of his favorites, a tuna casserole and caught up on phone calls.  

"Samantha's Rose" Original Acrylic Painted 29 Apr 2012

"Samantha's Rose" Original Acrylic

For her 14th birthday I asked my friend, Samantha, what she'd like and to my surprise she said a painting of a rose.  She asked me Saturday afternoon and this is the finished acrylic painting I did for her on Sunday and took to her for an early birthday present.  Her birthday is actually today May 1st.  She is a budding artist, herself, and I'm very flattered that she loves my artwork. 

Original 4x6" Mini Acrylic "New Mexico Inspiration" Painted 23 April 2012

4x6" Mini Acrylic "New Mexico Inspiration"
Original Neely Gomez Painting
Copyright 23 April 2012

Original Mini 4x6" Acrylic "A View from Afar"

I've had such a busy last couple of weeks and then received a call the other day from my dear friend telling me her husband has been diagnosed with brain cancer.  I have to tell you that I HATE BRAIN CANCER.  Another dear friend's husband succumbed to it recently, my sister-in-law is in the last stages of it, my niece-in-law also has it. 

As an artist I used to be blocked by bad news or negative thoughts but have to say that today it reminds me that I am so very blessed as well as my friends with wonderful lives, spouses and relationships and mostly good health.  This little painting became like my prayer for my friend and her husband.  I hope to always be able to convey the beauty that I feel, see and experience in my life.  Cherish each and every moment as no one is guaranteed tomorrow.

Original Acrylic "Joyful Colors" on 8x10" Canvas Panel Painted 15 April 2012

Painted 15 April 2012 "Joyful Colors" Acrylic

My husband bought me a bouquet the other day and this is my first attempt at using it as a study.  I started painting in the morning, went to lunch and spent a few hours with a friend, came home and finished it up that night, or so I thought.  Got up not being able to sleep and added the finishing touches to it.



9x12" Prismacolor Drawing "Finally Spring" with Sharpie Pen & Markers on Canson w/c Paper

Painted 16 April 2012 "Finally Spring"

This was my second study of the bouquet my husband bought me, this Prismacolor drawing was actually done on 16 April 2012.  I had thought the second would be a pastel though for whatever reason it ended up being Prismacolor pencils with Sharpie pen and shaded markers.  The bouquet is still very pretty so who knows ... maybe the next WILL be a pastel (smile).

Painted Birdhouse for a Friend "A Far Far Forest"

The back of a birdhouse I painted for a dear friend and presented to her today.  The quote on it is by someone I know nothing about tho searching for a quote I felt went with the acrylic painted scene from my imagination seemed to apply. The quote is "But I'll tell you what hermits realize. If you go off into a far, far forest and get very quiet, you'll come to understand that you're connected with everything". - Alan Watts         P.S. My friend was totally surprised & loved it!!!

Finished Prismacolor Drawing "Natural Beauty" April 8th

I started a Prismacolor drawing and blogged about it on April 2nd that I picked back up late in the evening April 7th and finally finished about 2:00 in the morning April 8th.  If you look down below to my posting for April 2nd you can see the beginning drawing and then the final to see the progression.  



"Floral Experiment" Original Acrylic on 8x10" Canvas Panel

"Floral Experiment"

Yesterday I started painting a birdhouse for a friend, something I like to do to keep doing something creative, fun and for someone else. This morning just spur of the moment I thought I'd pick up a canvas panel and try a little floral experiment. I love impressionistic style painting tho have had no instruction or experience with it.  The result was this "Floral Experiment" acrylic.  Many stressful and emotional things happening in our family and I find art a wonderful way to get some of those overwhelming feelings on the outside instead of keeping them all stored up on the inside like I used to.  What a wonderful outlet.

Framed Original Oil Painting "Psalms 121:1-2" on 8x10" Canvas Panel

"Psalms 121:1-2"

I actually forgot about this painting that I painted in October of 1999 and this morning while enjoying  what I hope is the last cold snap and snow of this season I happened upon it in my art room.  It is an original oil painting that I named "Psalms 121:1-2" framed and on 8x10" canvas panel.  Can't wait for springlike weather to get my oil paints out and paint either in my art room with the windows wide open or outside in my backyard.

Artistic Expression on the Road

"The Farmhouse - Banning, CA"

While on a recent trip to California to visit family I had moments that I was able to do some drawing in the mornings just a couple of days.  I am so grateful that today I don't feel like I am blocked by situations or events in life that used to kind of "freeze me" or leave me unwilling or unable to continue to express myself if confronted by emergencies, etc. 

The first drawing is prismacolor with watercolor and some pen and ink of "The Farmhouse" a restaurant in Banning that we frequented while living in Cherry Valley.  My husband worked with the owner's brother and we always loved going there for breakfast.

The second is the beginnings of a prismacolor pencil drawing I think of as "Natural Beauty" from a photo I saw in "Indian Country Today" magazine which I was given a gift subscription to.  Funny how, as in the past, I start out drawing or painting something from a photo and the face turns out to be, in MY drawing or painting, the person who is on my mind or in my heart at the time of it's creation.  In this case my sister-in-law, Rosa, who is in the final stages of brain  cancer seemed to emerge. A similar thing happened with my mother-in-law - I was painting a native woman and the face of my mother-in-law emerged and not that of the original. Wonderful women I have been blessed to have in my life.  Makes you think ... each day is a gift, each person.

Quick Trip from New Mexico to Nevada

Busy the past week making a quick trip over to our daughter's in Nevada.  Here's a picture of beautiful New Mexico on 13 March 2012 near Continental Divide, New Mexico. While in the Las Vegas area we visited our favorite art supply store, Dick Blick on the 15th picking up a few items before leaving for the drive home to New Mexico on the 16th.  Thankfully the weather was gorgeous both days of our traveling. Busy week ahead and the passing of current storms supposed to bring warmer temperatures and more springlike weather.

"Curious Inquisitor" Original Acrylic 8x10" Acrylic on Canvas

"Curious Inquisitor"

A couple days ago on Friday my husband and I went to the Rio Grande Arts & Crafts event at Expo New Mexico after having lunch at Sandia Resort.  I got so excited, motivated and loved talking to quite a few of the artists there. It's amazing how being around other artists just stirs up those creative juices.  This morning I thought I'd try something different and new for me and the result was this 8x10" original acrylic painting on canvas I'm calling "The Curious Inquisitor".  I am enjoying life, being creative and new and wonderfully happy times.

Original "For Eva" Painting as a Memorial

"For Eva"

I started this pastel floral yesterday, added pen and ink and did not like the end result when I thought it was finished yesterday. This morning as I sat in my art room looking at it and thinking of my friend and neighbor, Eva, I added acrylic to the background and some of the flowers and it became "For Eva" mixed media.  She died recently, only 37 years old leaving behind a wonderful husband and four children. I pray God will watch over and protect her family and bring them comfort and joy at memories of her.  I will miss her honesty, our talks, her smile. Peace be with you Eva.