The Capricious Painter

Works in Progress

2012-02-05T12:17:00.001-06:00

I really need to finish one of these......

Early Morning Smoke

2012-01-18T16:12:00.003-06:00

9x12 Oil on hardboard panel
$85.00 + $10.00 shipping (unframed)

This was an experiment of sorts. If you look close you will see that the board was heavily textured before the painting was applied. Its a different approach than I have used before -
Although this painting is dark it is very rich in color. Reminds me of early morning when the sky is waking up.

Ranchos de Taos Church - Darkest Hour

2011-12-18T14:24:00.001-06:00

SOLD
8x10 Oil on Canvas panel.
$100.00

St. Rose of Lima Chapel

2011-12-15T08:59:00.005-06:00

11x14 Oil on stretched canvas
$200.00 (unframed)

This is a little something new for me...but I think I really like it.
I was sitting in the waiting room at a doctor's office thumbing through a magazine and I saw this tiny photo of a painting. The image was about an inch square; a corner of a barn with minimal landscaping around it. The painting was done in what I call (because I don't know the correct term) color block style.

As small as this image was it immediately caught and held my attention. The barn was bright yellow, the sky was a shocking blue and the ground was flat (I guess you realize I don't remember the color of the ground...but it was flat).

I knew I wanted to give this a try and I knew what my subject matter would be. This little chapel is a landmark in my home town. Sadly, today only portions of the wall exist, the rest has succumbed to time and weather. But its design its very basic and boxy and that "squareness" is echoed in its gate. Perfect!

Commissioned work

2011-11-29T15:50:00.002-06:00

Commissioned painting
12x16 oil

Normally I wouldn't do a painting of something I had already done. But I had a special request for this. A dear lady had seen it on my site and pleaded with me to do one for her so I did. I have to say - it was a very interesting experience.

What happened was that I was able to see my growth by doing this painting. My perspective is 100% better - my texture int he stucco and the wooden window frames is much better and I even like my hollyhocks better.

All in all - I'm really glad I did this.

Pumpkin 2011

2011-09-27T13:13:00.002-05:00

Pumpkin 2011 - 8x10 oil SOLD

Last year I painted a pumpkin and sold it - thought I'd see if lightening would srtike twice - lucky me - it did.

Pear Study...for breakfast

2011-08-25T15:32:00.007-05:00

This is a little gem I did yesterday morning at the breakfast table.

Next painting!

2011-08-11T14:32:00.003-05:00

I sketched this out on an 11x14 canvas board today - its the beginnings of a study for a painting.

Blue Door and Chamisa

2011-08-10T10:56:00.003-05:00

8x10 Oil Painting on canvas (SOLD)

Small "bluffs" study

2011-08-09T11:28:00.005-05:00

(SOLD)
Here's a small 4x6 study I did on canvas board - I liked it so I framed it! By the way - I now have a PayPal "Buy it now" button. I will offer my posted paintings for sale on my Blog for three days before moving it to auction on eBay.

"Bluff Study" - sold framed (small scratch on the bottom of frame as seen in photo)
$25.00 plus $10.00 shipping and handling.

Today was a good day...

2011-08-08T16:37:00.002-05:00

Another turning point - a fork stuck in the road......

2011-06-30T23:27:00.004-05:00

I have spent so much time feeling sorry for myself because I have to work for a living and saying how stressful my job is and that since my heart attack I am so weak that all I can manage is to go to work - crawl home - eat supper and go to bed. Weekends were for errands , laundry and housework as well as a small part time job. No time to paint or write or do anything that resembles creativity.

BLAH BLAH BLAH - I was not only depressed but also boring.

Well - to quote the Green Day lyrics - "time takes you by the wrist directs you where to go."

Last Friday at 4pm the president of the company I worked for (for over 5 years) met with us to let us know that our program had been de-funded in Washington - one quarter of the staff lost their jobs effective immediately. Guess which group I fell into?

But here's the strange thing. It was totally unexpected but immediately recognizable for the opportunity of a lifetime. While everyone else was wandering around wiping tears from their eyes I was busy packing up my office and thanking my director - no sarcasm here - I appreciate the opportunity I had to work for that company and will miss the job and coworkers but.....

It was all I could do to contain my excitement.

With my severance and unemployment I will for the first time in my life have the chance to see what I'm made of. To paint and write and market myself...and still pay my mortgage - WOW!
How lucky am I?

I spent this first week wrapping up loose ends - taking advantage of insurance before it ran out (which it did June 30th) I painted my bathroom and got new carpet, met with a contractor about a small remodeling job in the kitchen. I have company coming for the 4th of July but when they leave it will be time to launch my new career as a full time painter and writer.

Did you hear what I said? Forgive me while I say it again for my own enjoyment....I'm self employed as a painter and writer...... full time....ah, I love the sound of that.

"So make the best of this test and don't ask why...it's something unpredictable but in the end is right....I hope to have the time of my life."

A real painting ..for reals

2011-03-20T12:04:00.005-05:00

Red Hollyhocks 4x6 inches oil on canvas

Loosening up my brushes (finally) This was a quick little painting of my all-time favorite - red hollyhocks and yellow stucco. I have been studying Stapleton Kearns blog - tons of wonderful information. Like taking a workshop. I enjoyed using some of the things I learned while doing this piece.

A new confession...

2011-02-06T09:17:00.000-06:00

The reason I haven't been painting much is because I've been writing.

For some reason its easier for me to paint a picture, good or bad, and post it on the blog for the world (yeah, right) to see than to admit that I am also a hopeful, maybe a capricious, writer.

I have no illusions about my artistic ability - I have moments when my mind seems to be able to clearly communicate to my hand what it wants out of the paint and brush and for that I am very grateful. I also have many moments when my brain and my hand don't appear to be on speaking terms. That's just the way it goes for me.

But the truth is I think I'm a better writer than painter. I'm an unpolished stone in that I lack a lot of formal training in grammar and punctuation but I think I have a talent for conveying whats in my mind and heart onto paper with far more accuracy than canvas. Now lest you think that last statement reeks of ego let me tell you something, I have far more insecurity about putting my written work "out there".

Seriously, I have had my first book written for a long time and can't seem to manage to finish the editing in order to have it read by those who's opinions I trust. And that's a shame because its a good and fun little story. I'm also about half way through the second book which is a little gem but again - can't seem to get on with it. The format for the third book is already laid out.

I don't know what my problem is, I'm open to suggestions.

I don't know if its lack of focus, lack of discipline, exhaustion stemming from poor health and working both a full time and part time job.....

When my first marriage was breaking up my then husband asked me to go to marriage counseling. I agreed and he picked out a therapist and off we went. After a couple of visits my former husband realized that the doctor wasn't going to take his side and make me behave so he quit going but I kept on. I had always laughed at folks who went to therapy but I have to say, it was one of the best things I ever did for myself.

The reason I'm telling you this is because it was this doctor who first alerted me to the possibility that I lacked the backbone to put myself "out there" and that was the real reason why I never seemed to finish up my book (s) or the half painted canvases that are laying around my studio or the half crocheted tablecloths in the closets.

And here's the hard part. I know better. I have sold my paintings. Won ribbons in shows for both my painting and my crochet work (are you surprised?) Recently I sold enough of my handmade jewelry to help finance my trip home for Christmas. I receive a steady stream of confirmations from a variety of people in a variety of fields encouraging me to write for a living.

So what's my problem?

In the meantime while I'm writing, editing and trying to sort it all out and find my backbone I'll entertain you with some more photo's that I've taken and kind of like...a lot. Feel free to critique my issues - apparently I need to get used to it and overcome my insecurities.....

I'm still here

2011-01-10T20:56:00.000-06:00

I'm not ill I just haven't been well lately.

Dana took me home to New Mexico for Christmas in hopes of giving me a spiritual shot in the arm. Although winter, I took lots of pictures and this is one of them. Look for upcoming painting (I promise) coming along soon.

I know, these aren't paintings....

2010-08-28T10:06:00.002-05:00

...but they're nice to look at anyway. We've had a couple of beautiful weekends and these are some of the photo's I've taken to capture the mood.

Desert Blossoms

2010-07-24T08:18:00.005-05:00

Oil on gallery wrapped canvas - Damar Varnish for a high gloss finish.
5 inches by 5 inches square - painted wrapped sides - 1 1/4 inches wide.
http://team.etsy.com/images/downloads/buttons/as_seen_on.jpg

I don't paint flowers - love them, but no good at them. Then several weeks ago we got a new channel on our cable line up. A great channel called "Create". There's a program called Passports and Pallets and two Saturday's ago they ran a marathon of that series. One of the artist was from Santa Fe and she painted flowers in her garden. I watched and studied and said - I think I might be able to do that.

I was surprised at the results - very surprised and very satisfied. (Nice combination) I decided to but a coat of Damar on this little jewel. I used to put it on all my paintings but stopped because of the drying time. As soon as I opened the bottle the smell enveloped me .... I had forgotten how much I like that smell. It brought back the memories of studying at the Southwest School of Art. That studio always smelled like Damar.

Coming soon -

2010-07-22T19:09:00.000-05:00

I will be posting a new painting this weekend - something special..at least to me.

Believe it or not!

2010-06-06T18:02:00.005-05:00

Pine Tree Branches in Winter 9X12 Oil on Canvas/ Palette Knife

TOTAL SIZE: 12X14

This is a odd canvas. Today you see many "wrapped" canvases that allow you to hang a painting without a frame. This is along the same lines only instead of a 90 degree angled wrap this canvas curves back. For the record - I didn't like working on this canvas - it was difficult because the edges are still too much of a part of the painting. The color is a little off in the photograph. This painting is much warmer than it appears. I tried to fix it but couldn't.

This painting had been sitting on my easle for months. Started in the dead of winter I forced myself to finish it up this afternoon. Hard to get in the mood to do a winter scene when its sweltering outside. But I have other things I want to paint and wanted to finish this up before moving on.

Its been a very long time since I have painted. I got way too busy with my job and some other things and lost my way for a while. Last Thursday I had a total melt down at work. I was asked to take on yet another task and I lost it. The task itself was small and insignificant but it was the straw that broke the camel's back. I left my office and went to Sonic to have a little break. I called my Dana on the phone and cried so hard that the poor car hop stood as far as she could away to hand me my order - she was really freaked out but that's okay - so was I.

One of the things that came out of that good cry (which my sister Vicki would call a "soul cleansing" - great name for it) was that I refocused on the fact that I need to paint even if its just a stroke a day - I NEED to paint.

Believe it or not....

2010-06-02T06:21:00.003-05:00

....I'm finally back at the easle after a long absence. I have been incredibly busy at work for months. Many nights (most night and weekends too) I brought home a card board box full of paper work to work on here at home. But we (my agency) completed our daunting task and now I have time to breath. Hang in there, I should have something posted by the weekend.

A work in progress

2010-01-24T14:12:00.002-06:00

Patience has never been a virtue I was familiar with. This morning I found the time, energy and drive to do some painting. I have to say I really excited about the painting so far.
I stopped myself even through what I really wanted to do was put the snow in and the dry grasses. For a change I was able to control the impulse knowing that the white would never stay white when the rest of the work was wet. I'm just as proud of my unusual discipline to stop working as I am the work that I did do.
(There is a glare on the left hand side of the painting due to a hasty photo)
I'm going to be away for a few days so I won't be able to finish up this painting until next weekend when I lay the snow in and cut the sky and branches back in. Still, I wanted to let you have a peek at what I got accomplished.

Neat photo and inspiration for future painting

2010-01-10T11:49:00.003-06:00

This morning I decided to venture out into the snow and head over to the park to get some winter reference photos. I happen to see this group of trees and shot the photo from inside my car - through the passenger side window. Just a quick shot to get started, nothing special...

When I got home and downloaded it to my computer I decided to play with it a little.
My computer has a neat photo program with special effects and this is what I ended up with. I love this - love love love this - I saw no potential at all in the original photo - nothing inspiring - but now....

I realized that I'm too immature as an artist to see the potential in a scene - I think I'll be using this photo program to help me isolate shapes and colors instead of choking myself with details.
Look for this picture to end up in oil very soon.

Simply Moonlight (finished)

2010-01-03T11:56:00.004-06:00

Simply Moonlight (SOLD)
11X14 inch original oil on stretched canvas

Ta Da! Here it is - finished and I really like it. As I mentioned before I intend to do more night skies. I'm a little obsessed with other artist who do them so well. I thought I'd try my luck at a few.

For my first completed work of 2010 I feel like I'm getting a pretty good start.

This year I also intend to change the way I market my work. I will post my paintings on my blog along with a purchase price and if anyone is interested they can contact me directly. After a week or so I will move them to eBay. This give those who follow my blog first chance to buy and avoid the whole bidding process.

I also intend to take a class on website building so I can establish a website for my artwork. I had some great advice from Donna Clair. She recommended I start doing some larger pieces and develop a website.

I also intend to "try" to be more focused and disciplined....quit laughing....seriously - I need to be more structured.
So now you know some of my goals for 2010 - wish me luck!

P.S. Just a note to let you know this paint sold shortly after being posted - my sincere gratitude to the buyer - Thanks so much and enjoy.

Something different...sort of....

2009-12-26T12:47:00.005-06:00

Framed Miniature - $25.00 - free shipping

I was straightening up my studio and I ran across some watercolors in the bottom of a box. I never had the knack for working with water colors but I decided that I could keep them in the kitchen and when I'm sitting around the table I can play with them a little. This was what I came up with - obviously a repeat of my most recent oil but I really liked the feel of it.

Its a tiny little jewel. The watercolor itself is about 2 inches by 2 inches and framed its about 4 inches by 4 inches.

Simply Moonlight (not quite finished)

2009-12-24T19:29:00.003-06:00

I have suddenly decided I like "night time" paintings. This is my most recent attempt to convey this new interest. Those of you who are familiar with New Mexico will recognise the famous Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Rancho de Taos.

I still need to correct a small patch over on the left hand side but other than that its almost done. Forgive my impatience but I really wanted to post something this evening.

The Road Home

2009-12-05T12:54:00.003-06:00

This is a painting I did several years ago. I reminds me of home.

Cerrillos Daisies (Sold)

2009-11-21T20:32:00.005-06:00

TWO PAINTING IN ONE MONTH - I'm on a roll!

When I was home on vacation I took this photo and knew that I would be painting. I also knew that it reminded me of Dee Sanchez (who's blog is listed on the right) and I love what she did with it. Make sure you visit her site and give it a look.

My painting is 9x12 inches and may end up being one of my personal favorites.

Back to painting.....finally!

2009-11-16T21:38:00.001-06:00

Wonderful things - balms for my painful spirit.

2009-09-21T19:33:00.005-05:00

Wonderful performance

Watched the Georgia O Keefe movie Saturday night and again Sunday afternoon ( another wonderful thing) - I want to go back in time and have Mable Lujan to invite me to rest and recover my soul at her her house.

I'm back (from New Mexico)

2009-09-01T19:52:00.003-05:00

This is a photo, not a painting but it will be a painting one day soon. I have posted it mostly for Dee Sanchez - it reminds me of her work.

I went home for a rest and did everything but rest. I think I was foolish, came back very tired and have been a little extra fatigued every since.

But it was good for my soul and I enjoyed every minute of it. Hope to put brush to canvas soon to show you what I saw and experienced.

"In The Swamp" by Thomas Lewis 40 years ago today

2009-07-19T21:35:00.005-05:00

I am very fortunate to own this painting. This 8x10 inch jewel was purchased by my father for my mother on July 20th 1969. My father gave it to me in September or 1978 - two year after my mother had passed away.

You may wonder how I can be so sure about the date - it was purchased in Taos, NM from the artist who signed it.

Especially for Naoma Zinck / Moon Landing Day 7-20-69 / Thanks Thomas Lewis

Have you been wondering about me?

2009-07-06T18:58:00.002-05:00

Something from very long ago - early 1980's

Hi guys. I know - it's been a very long time since I posted anything and obviously a long time since I have painted anything.

I'm tired, tired and sad. I do nothing these days but work and sleep. And even in that I find no peace. Constantly dreaming about things that slip from my memory when I open my eyes but then haunt me all day long. Seriously - bit and fragments come to me all day long. I almost grab hold of them and they vanish. It's been going on for a while now and its driving me crazy.

I dream a lot about buildings and room and hallways and passages and I wake knowing that there was something or someone there in the dream but I just can't recall enough of it to sort it out. I think that's why I am sleeping so much - I'm trying to catch hold of it and pull it forward so I can work on it.

In just about a month I am going home to my beloved New Mexico for a couple of weeks. At the risk of sounding like I'm losing my marbles I will say that I almost feel like I'm being summoned to return. I can't hardly wait - its about all I have right now that makes each day worth stumbling through.

I almost feel like I am needing to return home to find something.

Hopefully when I return I will be renewed and ready to go again. Hopefully I will paint dozens of canvases when I get back. Hopefully I will once again be a painter...

GREAT NEWS!

2009-04-10T12:50:00.002-05:00

After a rather uncomfortable MRI last Tuesday I just got word that everything is fine. YEA!
Thank you to all of you that left messages and kept me in thier thoughts and prayers. I love you all.

So have a Happy Easter - I know I will!!!

Headed to the studio right now - so stop nagging Bill!

2009-04-04T11:52:00.007-05:00

My good blogging friend Bill is a nag. Thank Goodness!

I know I have been gone for a while but March came in like a lion and stayed that way - at least in my life. Terribly busy both at home and work. We have had lots of company and had to throw a mattress in the studio but it now its back to normal.
I recently went to the doctor and finally accepted a little chemical help for what ails me. He put me on an antidepressant (fast acting - thank you very much) and I can already see an improvement. And no Bill, I won't share.
Then last night I got home from work and there was a message on the answering machine from the doctor. "There's an.. (how did he phrase it...oh yes) an abnormality on the mammogram...set you up with an appointment with a specialist...call me back..at home..."

Well son of a bitch...

TA - DA!

2009-02-26T20:50:00.007-06:00

"San Geronimo Whitewash"
12x24 inch oil on canvas
SOLD

I normally photograph my paintings outside but we have had rain all day so I couldn't. I was anxious to get it posted on the blog so I went ahead and took this photo - it has a spot of glare that I couldn't avoid but I wanted you all to see it anyway . As soon as I get a chance I'll re-shoot it and post a better pic -

SURPRISE!!!

2009-02-25T09:02:00.003-06:00

I finished the painting last night! Really, I did! I'll be posting it as soon as I have a chance to photograph it. It turned out very nice and I'm happy I went back to it instead of tossing it into that black hole of a closet where I hide my frustrations.

The other good news is that my recent health problems turned out to be nothing more than a incorrect dosage of Thyroid medicine. Once we got that figured out I started feeling better.

I'm very anxious to post my new painting I call "San Geronimo Whitewash" in hopes of redeeming myself for such a long absence.

Something interesting happened on my way to a resignation...

2009-02-03T12:48:00.005-06:00

...life called me by my first name.

For quite some time I have been intending to post to this blog and let you all know that I would be taking a break from painting and from The Capricious Painter...I just couldn't find the right words to say...

January proved to be a stressful month for me. For reasons I can't explain I reentered a serious grieving period over my son. It hadn't been that bad for a while but suddenly its like he died yesterday.

My direct supervisor resigned effective just before Christmas break. To his credit he has moved on to be part of a group that is establishing a brand new company serving the disabled. He will be very good at that but I can't help but wonder if he really knew how good he was at this job and how much we all needed him. Still, he shouldn't let any thing hold him back least of all sentiment. My company has split his job and hired two wonderful people but still, they aren't him now are they? Then two weeks later my counter part resigned his position for a great career change. I'm very happy for both of them but I miss them both. Besides, you know what a drag it is to train a new supervisor...ha ha!

My health has also been an issue. I have struggled with unusually strong palpitations which, believe it or not, leave me exhausted. Saturday night we went to a friends for a gathering. As I was walking across the street with a casserole dish in my hand I was suddenly over whelmed with fatigue and had to hand the dish to my Dana just so I could make it back to the car. Weird huh? So now I'm sentenced to wear a thirty day event monitor so they can try to figure out whats going on.

Speaking of Dana, he has been ill also with a very serious upper respiratory infection. Things at my house have been a continuous cycle of dragging ourselves to work and then back to the house where we both sleep the hours away trying to wake up feeling somewhat normal again.

In the mix of all of this I had been working on a painting. I was struggling with it and was losing the joy of it. I really attribute this to my fatigue. It just felt wrong to me...it began to look horrible to me. I was very unhappy and had decided that my ability to paint was so poor, so without any merit that I should just give it up once and for all. I was unhappy with my inability to break out of my routine use of color, my routine brush strokes, my routine everything. I can't see any growth and don't feel like I have the time or money to devote to improving my skill level. Out of sheer frustration I was just finally done!

.......So I said to my sister LaVonne on the phone the other night in regards to an issue she was dealing with that "if you don't listen to life when it speaks to you it's forced to raise it's voice"......

I had not been upstairs in my studio for weeks, too depressed to go back. Sunday night, no it was actually Monday morning, at 4:11am I heard the biggest crash upstairs. Like things being knocked over and falling to the floor. We had a guest sleeping upstairs in the other room and I was concerned that he had knocked a lamp off of the night stand. I lay there for a while but there was no other sound. The next day neither he or Dana reported hearing the crash. So last night when I got home from work I climbed the stairs up to my studio and opened the door to see if the sound had come from there. It had. Something big fell of the wall where it has hung for a very long time and when it fell it took two other things with it, although nothing was broken. I picked everything up to make sure all was okay and when I turned around there was my unfinished painting on the easel looking back at me. It was a sudden confrontation, I hadn't consciously thought about it before I saw it. My very first thought was "Damn, that's not a bad painting and the sky is beautiful."

I kind of scooted around the room and backed out still watching the painting as though it was going to jump off the easel and follow me down the stairs.

Its not going to win any national juried shows, its not going to be a gallery door buster, but its not a bad painting...and I like it. I like it.

A View From The Top

2009-01-09T21:34:00.002-06:00

This is an old painting I did back in the late 1980's. It was always my son, Andrew's, favorite. I've posted it before but I wanted to put it up again tonight because he's heavy on my mind.

I had lots of company over the holidays and my nephew was camped out in my studio. In order to accommodate everyone I pushed all of my studio furniture to one side and we put a bed into the room for Ted. Yes, he's been gone for a while but I have been so busy and so tired that I haven't been able to rearrange my studio. I hope to get it done this weekend so I can start painting again.

Don't give up on me!

Two favorites in one design

2008-12-23T18:44:00.002-06:00

Two of my favorite things. A dragonfly and the color green. I found this wonderful pewter dragonfly and then at the same store (Michael's Arts and Crafts) I found this gorgeous green cubic zircon faceted drop.

My secret obsession

2008-12-08T21:03:00.003-06:00

Sometimes when I'm not painting I bead. I love to bead jewelry and spend way too much money on beads. Its like an addiction. Michael's Craft Store in Columbia recently remodeled and they put the beads right by the front door so there is just no way to avoid having them call my name when I go in buy canvas and oils.

I've been tagged and he didn't even buy me dinner first!

2008-11-25T19:37:00.019-06:00

My new good friend Bill Jones has tagged me. Obviously its his punishment for my not painting lately but the jokes on him, there's only one thing I love to do more than paint and that's write That's right! ( sorry couldn't resist).

So there are three the rules as I understand them.

#1 - You list a link to the artist who tagged you and that artist in turn sends you a thousand bucks and a few left over tootsie rolls. (Ha ha! Just kidding with you Bill)

But seriously, please do visit Bill at http://onpainting.wordpress.com/ where you will enjoy not only his art but also Lisa's. Both are phenomenal artists. In addition they will keep you laughing as they both have the funniest blog I've read in a while.

Rule #2 - Tell seven things about yourself that no one knows.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? If you've been a reader of my blogs for any length of time you already know all about me. But....here are a few extras in the spirit of the game. In no particular order...

1.) I have an obsession with boxes. I can't throw away a good sturdy well shaped box. I have actually thrown away a box only to go dig it out of the dumpster a little later. I can't help it, I always think I might need it someday...

2.) I was married for twenty five years to my first husband who was a cop, a sniper on the SWAT Team at one time..... Then I met Dana...he's a biker....go figure.

3.) I would give anything to spend all my time writing and painting but unfortunately I have a real job in order to pay the bills. My full time job is as a student advisor for Columbia's YouthBuild Program. A national program for "at risk" youth between the ages of 16 and 24. I truly love it and work for the best company (JobPoint) I have ever worked for in my life. I have a second part time job as a commercial custodian. (Now you know why I don't have a lot of time to paint)

4.) I grew up in a haunted house.

5.) I finished writing my first novel about three years ago but have yet to edit it. I have a full outline and several chapters of a second one stuffed in a drawer somewhere.

6.) I skipped third grade and consequently graduated in 1974 at 16 years old. As my year book proves I had a pretty good time in high school.

7.) When I get to Heaven if they aren't serving Enchiladas I'm not staying. And yes, I put chile on everything..well okay not on pancakes but even then I like Blue Corn Pancakes with Pinon.

Finally, Rule #3 - Tag seven other artist you admire. ( I admire so many that I had a hard time choosing so I just picked seven at random - all of them are wonderful artist as are the other s listed on my blogs)

Ron Morrison

Dee Sanchez

Todd Bonita

Rob Ijbema

Dusty Duck Tales

Christopher Greco

Grave Reflection

Thanks for visiting and I hope I entertained you for a little while.

"The Watering Can" (better photos)

2008-11-13T20:08:00.004-06:00

SOLD

I like these photos much better. They accurately portray how dark the darks are. This is a beautiful little 7x9 inch oil study of my favorite watering can full of flowers.

These two photos show the brushwork on the can - I really had a great time with this one.

Just to let you know I'm still working...

2008-11-11T20:19:00.002-06:00

"The Watering Can"

Guys this is a terrrrrrrible photo but I wanted to post it anyway just to prove I'm still painting (and to get Bill off my back - ha, love ya Bill).

Any advice out there for photographing paintings without a bunch of ritzy gizmos? I have a 4.0 Olympus Camedia Digital Camera. Normally I snap my photos outside - early morning - out of direct sunlight and that's been very productive. However, we have had cloudy weather for days now and I can't get an outside photo.

I'd love any tips you can share. But in the meantime, this will give you a suggestion of my newest painting. Oil on a 7x9 inch stretched canvas entitled "The Watering Can". This photo misrepresents the white lilacs, making them look more pale pinkish - violet. (Yeah right, run out and get a tube of that why don't cha?). But in person there is much more white in the lilacs. The background is also much much darker. A better transition from the back of the table to the distant wall....I just have to get you a better picture, then you'll get it. I'll keep trying -

Cinderella Pumpkin (for Bill)

2008-10-18T14:30:00.006-05:00

SURPRISE! I finally found my way back into my studio...and yes, it felt very good.

Now don't laugh but I don't ever remember seeing this type of pumpkin any where but in a story book before now. My friends called it a Cinderella Pumpkin and they are beautiful.
Here's my beginning. A wash of Burnt Sienna and then a wipe out of my image. Then I went back in and darkened some areas with more Burnt Sienna.
I begin my darks - Sap Green with some Burnt Sienna. Its always at this stage that I feel like I have no talent what so ever and wonder what ever made me think I could paint. Does that ever happen to anyone else?

SOLD

Finally my little 6x8 inch painting emerges and I am satisfied...well sort of...I'm one of those painters who can't find a stopping point. I need to hire some one to come in and physically remove me from the studio in order to not "Tickle" a painting to death. Is anyone else like that???

Its funny how I'm never really happy with a piece of work but sometimes I can be happy with bits and pieces. I absolutely love the stem and the that background....

I know, its almost time for the guys in the little white coat to come get me....

Thanks to all of you who have been so patient and encouraging - I love you guys!

Hello Bill.....

2008-10-14T18:35:00.003-05:00

...and you know who you are.....ha ha!

I apologize for my long absence and thank all of you who have kept in touch. I have not been feeling well and feeling pretty sorry for myself on top of that. Lately I have dragged myself to work and then home again to climb into bed, fall asleep and then wake up the next morning and start it all over again. And that has me feeling very blue...

One up beat thing though, last weekend I attended a wonderful wedding in a suburb of Detroit. On the way home we found our way to Lake Michigan. My first ever visit to the Great Lakes. It was unbelievable...

The weather was wonderful all weekend and I thought I'd share some of the photo's with you. And yes Gerald, I was uncomfortable with such a large body of water but still glad I saw it.

I promise I'll start painting soon....promise...really.....

Adios amigo - Vaya con Dios

2008-09-27T11:31:00.000-05:00

"Hollyhocks in the Alley" 11X14 oil on stretched canvas

2008-09-03T20:54:00.009-05:00

SOLD

I love this painting! I took dozens of photos but none of them told the whole story. The darks are not dark enough and the lights aren't photographing strong enough. This one comes closest.

The detail are much sharper in the painting.
Normally I photograph my paintings outside in order to get the most accurate picture. But it has rained all day and been too gray. I will wait a couple of days to see if the sun breaks through. If it does I'll try to take a better picture to list this on eBay.

Remember this?

2008-09-02T22:56:00.004-05:00

Of course you do! Its the under painting that was on my easel when I gave you a tour of my studio a couple of days ago. Well, its finished and I hope to post it tomorrow afternoon.

By the way, I was being sarcastic when I asked if you remembered seeing it. You see the one side effect I have since my heart attack is a mild short term memory problem.

You see the one side effect....just kidding...

So last Friday I went to see my cardiologist to complain about feeling like a zombie and to negotiate with the devil to get him to adjust or, better yet, take me off some of this damn medicine I'm on. In the course of the conversation I mentioned this memory problem to him and asked if that's a side effect of the medicine and without missing a beat (and might I add with little emotions) he says to me "That just comes with being dead."

Excuse me? He repeats himself. "Cara. you were dead for over 30 minutes...we're lucky that's your only problem."

Is that not the greatest line ever? From now on that's going to be my answer to everything. "For the love of God man, I was dead for over thirty minutes...I can't possibly be expected to do laundry...or report to work on time...or balance my check book." Boy o' boy - I'm gonna get some mileage out of this one.

Confession is good for the soul

2008-08-27T22:04:00.001-05:00

This is what I do when I should be painting.

Messy Studio Tour

2008-08-26T18:19:00.005-05:00

Here are the two under paintings that are sitting up there calling my name..."Cara, we're lonesome, come work on us..."

Here's a photo and a memento of my attending a workshop with Ray Vinella
Another photo and memento of a workshop with Amado Pena Jr.
And now for the mess...

My work area..don't be scared...but you have had a tetanus shot haven't you?

My studio was a spare bedroom. The other side of the room had a treadmill and stacks of canvases, some blank and some not. But in this little tight space are my favorite things...my books, photos, important tidbits on my bulletin board (more photos and lots of jokes).

There, and now you know.

Full Moon

2008-08-24T15:12:00.003-05:00

Just a little something to be able to say I was painting over the weekend. Actually, this started out as a way to use up a badly gessoed(sp?) canvas for practice and ending up being a neat experience in window frames.

Tomorrow if you promise not to call the health department I will show you what is on my easel as well as a peek at my studio.

Sometimes the word "Talented" isn't big enough

2008-07-31T19:46:00.004-05:00

Marble Trio by Jeff Hayes 2x2.5 inches
You read right - I did say 2x2.5 inches. I can't even sign my name in a space that small.

Knife, Wineglass and Peeled Lemon by Jeff Hayes is another true wonder that the mere word "talent" doesn't begin to describe.

The rendering of the glass with its etched design and the masterful highlights is pure poetry. The reflections, the shadows...my gosh, how does he do it?

And because I have no shame I have posted below my first attempt at painting glass as inspired by daily viewing Jeff's blog. Now, do yourself a favor and click on his name to enter his blog for a real feast for the eyes.

By way of an apology...

2008-07-12T14:12:00.003-05:00

Dear friends - Sorry, still no painting to post. I went back to work on July 1st and at the same time they changed some of my medicine so I have had a hard time doing much of anything. I promise, I'll get back to work soon but until then I thought I'd post the best 6 minutes of YouTube I've seen in a long time.

After all - they say laughter is good medicine.

It's a little wet out here!

2008-06-30T14:39:00.003-05:00

This morning I happened to mention to Dana that being from New Mexico I had never seen a flood. So he took me for a short drive down Highway 24. I thought I 'd share these photo's from our drive just 40 miles west to Brunswick, MO.

Water approaching the road - still hasn't crested.
Pecan Orchard.
The river has risen over its banks and flooding parts of Brunswick, MO.
Railroad bridge normal very high above a small creek.
Flooded farmlands - this corn is between 4 and 5 feet tall when not covered with water.

Gate with Yellow Iris

2008-06-26T11:32:00.007-05:00

SOLD

This 11x14 inch oil on stretched canvas is reflective of common scenes from home (yes I am still homesick). Massive adobe walls covered with wonderful stucco provide the framework for massive wooden gates. Weathered by time and the elements, the gates have so much personality. I have to confess and say that this particular gate is taken from a photograph I took of the old church in Truchas, NM.

Anyone who has ever been to New Mexico will understand that the adobe wall longs for the companionship of a hollyhock. And irises, well they are the true symbol of endurance in the rough dry landscape.

Happy Birthday to me!

2008-06-11T21:01:00.004-05:00

Today was my birthday - I woke up thinking that I almost missed this one, but I didn't -
Today was a great birthday, I saw my Doctor and he says I'm doing great and I get to go back to work soon and I'm very happy about that.

One more time...

2008-06-07T18:08:00.007-05:00

SOLD

I like this much better, and its much closer to the original chapel built by don Celso Baca to honor his mother. Although I couldn't determine an exact date that the chapel was build, Celso Baca is credited for founding Santa Rosa (New Mexico) after he settled int he area in the early 1860's. Unfortunately this little gem has succumbed to the elements. It's remaining walls can still be viewed on State Highway 91 that winds through Santa Rosa on it's way to Puerto de Luna.
This photo dates back to about 1930

Details of the brushstrokes used to render the church.
So, did I save it? I think so - I love it.

Moment's of Genius...but only moments

2008-06-05T19:35:00.004-05:00

So I was working on this painting and thought I was nearing the finish line when I took a very good look at it.
Nope! No cigar!

I love the church. It was my moment of genius. My strong artistic moment. I also like the Poplar Trees. But that's it. So it will be back to the easel tomorrow to paint over the foreground. It's just wrong - not speaking the same language as the rest of the painting.

How does this happen to me? Do I get tired, too hot, hungry? Why do I have moments where it's all clicking and then it's like I just go brain dead -

Just Because...

2008-06-01T17:38:00.001-05:00

A tiny little exercise with surprise results -

2008-05-17T15:42:00.003-05:00

This was an experiment on a little 4x5 inch canvas board. I painted the entire board that "cloud red" color and then worked backwards to cut the sky back in around it. Maybe you guys have been doing it that way all along but it was new to me. I loved the results. Its also the way I did the sky scape on my last painting of Nuestra de Senora Refugio, the one with the massive thunderhead cloud. Then I quickly blocked in some mesas to establish proportion. This was very quick and lots of fun.

First trip back into the studio.

2008-05-15T19:47:00.008-05:00

SOLD

Click to Bid

Well, here it is....my first painting after my heart attack. A pale attempt but at least I did it. I climbed the stairs to my studio (with my Doctor's permission) and had to sit and rest for a while. I was too tired (maybe lazy) to find a picture to work from or worse yet set up a still life so I just dipped my brush and winged it...making it up as I went along.

An Apple a Day

2008-05-08T19:19:00.002-05:00

I had every intention of going back into the studio and doing some painting but was hit with a very sudden wave of exhaustion. So with your forgiveness I'll post an old study from the past.

I saw the doctor yesterday, they say I'm doing well on all my new meds - man, there are so many, it seems my entire day is made up of swallowing pills.

Its such a bizarre feeling to not have the control of your health and body that I always took for granted. After yesterday's doctor's visit I woke up this morning feeling good and thinking that today would be the day that my new life would really take off. A little over ambitious I guess, I was back in bed right after lunch.

I know my strength will return but I'm at an uncomfortable crossroads - I'm still too weak to do much but have recovered enough to be getting very bored.

This has been a very long week not including the 30 minutes I was clinically dead.

2008-04-26T09:32:00.005-05:00

Some of you may be wondering where I have been. You're never going to believe this story.

I had to attend a job related conference in Rendondo Beach, Californian April 16th and 17th. As many of you know, I don't fly. It freaks me out. For the first year of my employment with my current company they accommodated my fear of flying. That ended last fall when they made me go to San Antonio. And now recently I had to fly into LAX.

The trip home was extremely stressful. We had to leave the conference during the afternoon break (2:45pm) in order to catch our flight to Denver where we would change planes. As we disembarked our first flight we heard them announce the final boarding call for our connecting flight. We were at gate 21 and the departing flight was at Gate 42 so with luggage in hand we hoofed it to catch the next plane and fly into Kansas City. We landed a little after 11 pm, looked for our vehicle in a dark deserted parking lot and finally got on the road about midnight where we would then begin our two + hour drive home in a rain and thunderstorm to C0lumbia. Stopping briefly to grab something to eat in Blue Springs as we had not eaten since lunch earlier that day. It was well after 3am when we arrived in Columbia and I still had a 45 minute drive home to Moberly. I got into bed at 4:15am and had settled in just in time for our 5.2 earthquake at 4:35am.

This brings me up to 4:35 Friday morning. I didn't go back into work that Friday although I had been told that I was expected but could wait until noon since I had "a late night".

Now here's where it gets interesting....

Saturday (April 19th) evening about 6pm I was sitting here at my desk and working at my computer when all of a sudden it felt like someone had sat a cinder block on my chest. No pain, no sweating, no racing heartbeat - just as this strange sensation of weight. I went outside and told Dana that I thought I needed to go to the hospital...

We got to the emergency room and although it was Saturday night there wasn't anyone in the waiting room. I walked right in, went through the triage where they add insult to injury by weighing you , and was put in a gown and sat on a bed. Dana sat down in the chair along the wall. The doctor came in and introduced himself to me and asked me to sit forward so he listen to my heart and lungs. When I did I said, "wow - I'm having a really bad dizzy spell." And that was it!

The next thing I was aware of was waking up in Columbia Missouri, tied to a bed on a ventilator. I could hear people around me talking and saying I was waking up and Dana came to my side and asked me if I knew where I was? I shook my head no and he proceeded to tell me that I had suffered massive heart failure.

I don't remember anything significant here's what I have been told. Although the signs started at home, it was when I sat up and complained of a dizzy spell my heart had stopped. They doctor told me that I has "dead" for over thirty minutes. They did constant CPR , and I have the broken ribs to prove it, shocked me with the paddles three times and still couldn't bring me back. Dana had left the room to give them all space to work in , he tells me there were over a dozen people in that room trying to keep me alive. The doctor gave up and sent the nurse to bring Dana in to say goodbye and they tell me that although it defies reason, the minutes he stepped into the room and I heard his voice a nurse yelled out, "WE'VE GOT A PULSE!"

After being stabilized I was air - lifted to Boone Hospital Center in Columbia where by the time Dana and twenty or so other friends and family arrived I was undergoing surgery to have a stent inserted to repair an artery that was 85% blocked.

The rest, as they say, is history.

I'm doing well, moving slow, lots of pain from the CPR but it beats the alternative. The doctor says I can't do anything for several weeks and then I can begin Cardio - Rehab. Back to work way down the road, way down. Doctor "Cutie Patootie" (he really is) says it will be six months to a year before I'm completely done with my recovery.

Now to answer the $64K question. No, I didn't see a light. And thanks to God my heart stopped in the hospital so I never had a drop in circulation consequently there is no brain damage (that was the phrase that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up). And no, I didn't see Andrew - its a good thing, I would have stayed.

I told someone recently that my heart quit beating 18 months ago, it just had to have a heart attack and die for anyone to notice. For the last 18 months I have repeatedly said I wanted to go and be with Andrew, but when my time came....I didn't go.....

I will spend the rest of my life figuring out why. I know this is that life changing moment that everyone talks about, or one of many in my case. But you know as well as I do that I have some work to do now.

Recovery work, spiritual work and creative work. My clock stopped ticking and someone hit the snooze button and got me some more time. But its no time to sleep - there's work to be done.

Blah in Moonlight

2008-04-14T20:52:00.003-05:00

I really like this tree. Really I do. What I don't like is the rest of the canvas. At first I had a crazy notion to put in these flowers (see photo below)...what was I thinking? Then I took them out. Better but lacking. I'm stalled - I haven't got a clue where to go from here. Still, I like the tree.

I'm headed to California for a conference - maybe the west coast air will blow out the cobwebs. Later -

A little something for fun

2008-03-31T20:08:00.003-05:00

Evening Rain

2008-03-25T18:34:00.005-05:00

SOLD

10x20 inch oil on stretched canvas. This is painting of a wonderful thunderhead cloud looming over the Puerto de Luna valley (New Mexico of course). You can see the beautiful Nuestra Senora de Refugio Church in the distance.

I had a blast with this sky scape - which is what the painting is about. I learned a lot from this painting and hope to do more skies in the future.

Click to Bid!

The Cream Pitcher

2008-03-22T13:31:00.003-05:00

Click here for eBay link

Now here's a little story....about a year or so I did this painting of the cream pitcher and it was on a horrible brown background and I was so unhappy with the piece that I tossed it in my slush pile and wrote off my effort as "a valuable practice session" - valuable in teaching me what not to do!

Then last weekend I was working on a piece that I needed to let dry and glancing at the clock I knew I didn't have time to really get a decent start on a new piece before we had to leave to meet friends for dinner but I still wanted to paint so I grabbed this little guy out of the slush (more like sludge) pile and decided to repaint the background a darker - richer color to see if there was any hope. Once I did that I liked the painting a whole lot more.

But then I realized my biggest problem was my bad planning when it came to the position of the subject matter. I knew I needed to balance the canvas so I decided to try my hand at a piece of glass - specifically a mason jar just for fun. I loved it - now I could be hooked on glass - hum...glass jars stuck in Chamisa bushes...what do you think? Ha!

It was so much fun and a great exercise. I intend to do more so stay tuned - Cara

Chamisa - More of the same

2008-03-19T18:39:00.005-05:00

SOLD

I love this little painting! I had to show it to you again, this time in a frame. I've also included a close up of the details.

Chamisa Study

2008-03-17T22:30:00.008-05:00

8 x10 oil on panel. For some reason I have become obsessed with Chamisa bushes. Probably because I'm so homesick and Chamisa reminds me of home. This painting is being offered on eBay.

Click to Bid

Nuestra Senora de Refugio

2008-03-13T20:05:00.006-05:00

More photo manipulations - I think I'm hooked!

Electric Church

2008-03-10T22:33:00.002-05:00

I've been doing a little playing around with my photo's from vacation ...tell me what you think....

Abandon Sunset

2008-02-21T17:08:00.004-06:00

Today I was in my studio looking for a reference for clouds (yes guys, I'm painting today - yea!) and I ran across this old picture that I took in the early 1980's. It was in the New Mexico State Fair Amature Photography exhibit too.

I thought I'd post it - this sunset was shot through an adobe wall of a long ago abandoned building in El Cerro , New Mexico.

Puerto de Luna (8x10 inches)

2008-02-18T17:52:00.010-06:00

SOLD

This is my very first painting on a panel as opposed to canvas. The surface was challenging to me ay first but after it was all said and done I think I like it.

This is a scene from Puerto de Luna of the south side of the church - I love all of the old abandoned buildings in this area.

This painting is currently being offered for auction on eBay and I would gladly put up a link if I only knew how...

2/24/08 Update: My dear friend Lilli from BookBabie has taught me how to make the eBay link - it was so easy once she told me how. A million Thank You's Lilli!

Click to Bid

Stolen Painting!

2008-02-09T16:13:00.001-06:00

Thought you might enjoy seeing an old painting I did from an old photo from my home town of Santa Rosa, New Mexico. When I finished the painting an aquaintance asked if he could hang it in his business and I agreed. Next thing I knew the business was closed and he and my painting were no where to be found. Oh well, live and learn I guess.

Sunflower

2008-01-21T22:39:00.000-06:00

Just playing around with a photo I took when I was home.

"Poppy"

2008-01-11T17:57:00.000-06:00

SOLD

Are you surprised?

Dear friends - for some reason, I can't quite say why, it was very hard for me to step back up to my easel. So many of you have been so wonderful to drop me little messages of encouragement. Several nights ago I called my sister LaVonne and the last thing she said to me was "Get into that studio and straighten it up so you can start painting again."

Normally I never do what I'm told. As a matter of fact I usually do the exact opposite just to be difficult. But for some reason I did exactly as I was told. I went to my studio which had turned into some kinds of disastrous "catch all" over several months. (I swear I think I saw a FEMA business card stuck in the door.)

Then last night I took myself into the studio with the intent to prime a canvas and stopped to consider my limited selection of acrylic paints. I don't care too much for acrylics, they dry too fast and my talent tends to be the slow and reworked kind. But I was in the mood for something...I didn't know what...and I wanted to feel that illusive feeling of "completion" (you all know what I mean - its that feeling you get when you're ready to wash out your brushes) So I did a very small and very quick poppy. a red poppy.

I was out of practice and felt clumsy and stiff - but it did feel good.

So here it is, thanks to all of you who have written, questioned, suggested, implied and down right ordered me to get back to work. I love you all!

My favorite photo of the church

2007-12-17T22:19:00.000-06:00

Nuestra Senora de Refugio

2007-12-09T16:07:00.000-06:00

The beautiful Nuestra Senora de Refugio Church in Puerto de Luna, NM

Nuestra Senora de Refugio Sunset - Puerto de luna, New Mexico

2007-11-11T20:14:00.000-06:00

This is another wonderful New Mexico Sunset.
I know, I know - I've been really bad because I haven't been painting...hope this makes up for it a little. October was harder on me than I thought, those of you that read my other blog "The Zen of Paco" will understand.

The Last Sunflowers of the Season

2007-10-03T21:42:00.000-05:00

While touring New Mexico we took a trip up to Tres Ritos, New Mexico where as children our father had taken us for vacations. A little further north, and about 25 degrees colder, we arrived at Sipapu Ski Lodge. The ski lodge is the oldest in northern New Mexico and is about 22 miles NE of Taos.

I remember that over 40 years ago this ski lodge had a small roller skating rink where our parents would take up to burn off excess energy. I distinctly remember my two older sisters, ages 15 and 17, performing a dance routine for the crowd to the music of the Venture's "Tequila".

There is no more skating rink there now...that performance may be why...

But this day we were freezing and paid dearly for tiny cups of coffee and walked around remembering those old days with fondness.

Next to the cash register there were these sunflowers. Too beautiful to be over looked.

Rio Grande Gorge

2007-09-24T20:47:00.000-05:00

While in Taos we visited the Rio Grande Gorge. Its so amazing. As you can see you're riding along fairly flat terrain when suddenly you find yourself crossing a bridge over an incredible crevice.

We listened for the infamous "Taos hum" but all we heard was the beating of our hearts, the song of the wind and the screeching of my sister as a heavy truck passed over the bridge causing us to bounce slightly and causing her to proclaim she wasn't going another step.

The views both north and south are phenomenal. Its only fitting that this awesome treasure is tucked away up the Taos area.

This last photo was one I manipulated digitally so it would resemble an old linen postcard. Enjoy, we sure did!

Hope this makes up for my absence!

2007-09-15T13:23:00.000-05:00

BEAUTIFUL NEW MEXICO SUNSET - ROAD TO PUERTO DE LUNA, NEW MEXICO

Sorry I haven't posted for so long. I have been on an extended vacation to my home state of New Mexico. I was there for several weeks, took over 300 photos and came back with tons of reference material and fresh motivation. Ready to begin again. I love New Mexico! I want to return so please send all your prayers and good thoughts my direction in support of returning to The Land of Enchantment.

In The Garden

2007-07-11T21:20:00.000-05:00

I loved this painting!

The Redeeming Quality of Robert

2007-06-19T20:40:00.000-05:00

I have been so busy that I missed father's day when I originally intended to post this painting.

I did this painting of my son Andrew and his father, Robert, about twenty years ago and is my only attempt at figures. The photo was taken at my mother in laws little farm in Los Lunas, New Mexico.

A Complete Success and a great party!

2007-06-13T21:14:00.001-05:00

Just a few pictures from the bike show. We raised lots of money for The Brick Scholarship Fund.
We had a great time and one heck of a party after words. I would have posted photos of that but no one was willing to be identified.

I'll be back on Monday

2007-06-07T21:33:00.000-05:00

I'll be away from my computer for a couple of days. Each year Dana and I put on a bike show with the proceeds going to charity. This year its for The Brick Scholarship Fund. We are very excited and proud to do this for our community. But the real bonus is that its a good excuse for all of us to get together. We will have several clubs represented as well as all of our friends both from Moberly and all around. We always have a great time. This is just a small sampling of our group. The photo was taken a few years ago, you'll notice my son Andrew on the end of the row, right side. His girlfriend Jamie is standing to my right (your left). Everyone else are the very best friends a person could have. I love them all.

So I'll be too busy to check back but guess what? When I return on Monday, June the 11th, it will be my birthday! YEA!!! And a big one too. Somewhere between 49 and 51..can you guess! With one major exception the first half of the century has been great, can't wait to see what the next half holds.

Not a good idea!

2007-06-03T19:38:00.000-05:00

See, this is why you don't drink and drive...even if it is your birthday!

No name for this one...

2007-05-24T22:17:00.000-05:00

Another oil on watercolor paper

2007-05-16T20:21:00.000-05:00

The colors in this one took on a life of their own. I mean it, they tied me to a chair and ran amuck across the paper. You believe me don't you?

Don't click to enlarge without safety goggles...

Oldie but a goodie...

2007-05-09T19:10:00.000-05:00

I have to be honest and say that I don't have much heart yet to post too much. So I have decided to show you something I did a million years ago. This was oil on watercolor paper. Interesting effect but not enough forgiveness in it for someone as inexperienced as I was (and still am). Once I put a color down it had to stay, no do-overs.

I need do-overs!

Sean Kelly Hart and his son Tyler

2007-05-02T10:28:00.000-05:00

Dearest friends and family, I will be away from my blog for the rest of the week. My 28 year old step-son passed away this morning in his sleep. He had a heart condition and was in the process of being evaluated for a possible transplant. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers.
Labels: Sean Kelly Hart and his son Tyler

The Patio

2007-04-25T21:51:00.000-05:00

This is a painting I did while attending the Scottsdale School of Art in Scottsdale, Arizona (well that was redundant wasn't it?)

This was a week long workshop with Ray Vinella. I loved studying with him and had the good fortune to do it twice. Google his name sometime, he's my favorite artist.

Lara LaVonne Jordan

2007-04-17T19:55:00.000-05:00

This is the very first colored pencil drawing from my sister, LaVonne. Isn't it great?

She did this as a birthday present for her husband Dave. I think she has so much talent and I have encouraged her to keep it up. This is new to her so please feel free to leave words of encouragment in the comments sections.

Brass Bowl

2007-04-04T21:48:00.000-05:00

SOLD

Small 5 x7 inch study of my grandmother's brass bowl.

Underconstruction!

2007-03-26T20:46:00.000-05:00

I realized several things today.

#1 Although it was a good use of time to paint in my office on my lunch hour it's not the best idea. First of all now my desk has paint on it and my room smells like chemicals but mostly I learned that even though you sign out unless they see you get in your car and drive away fast they still bang on your door.

#2 I quickly figured out that my previous "Estebans" were large, 24 X 36 inches, and there was more freedom to swing my brush and give him the curved brushstrokes that his world is made of. This smaller version , 8 X 10 inches, was very constrictive. I like the opportunity to create smaller pieces that are done quicker but I'm going to have to adjust my process.

This little Esteban is under construction. Poor guy, one leg is painfully skinny. I'll post him again when he's done.

Back from Bike Week

2007-03-20T22:26:00.000-05:00

Well we had sun but as you can tell by the way I'm dressed it wasn't very warm. Doesn't matter, the sun and clear skies were a blessing. We had a great time riding but now its time to get back to work.

Headed for sunshine!

2007-03-01T22:30:00.000-06:00

Just wanted to let you know I'll be gone for almost two weeks. I've had as much of this cold weather as I can stand. Tomorrow we leave for Florida.

The picture I posted was taken on one of our beautiful Missouri fall days but that was so long ago I can barely remember what it was like. By the way , did you know you can't get Jack & Coke at a winery? Who's idea was that anyway?

Now back to the present - we have had ice in the drive way for over a month. I'm freezing!

So tomorrow we all head out for Bike Week in Daytona.

A week in the sun (I hope). I really need this - its been a tough winter.

I'd say I'll take pictures and share them with you but..you know how it goes..what happens at Bike Week...never happened! Ha!

See you when I get back.

"Choices Made" - Esteban Series

2007-02-22T21:19:00.000-06:00

I have been busy lately preparing for a trip I hope to be taking next week. So since I have nothing new to post I thought I'd share a couple of paintings from a series I did some years ago. My "Esteban" series was one of my favorites, as a matter of a fact, I intend to do some more before long. They are so different from my other work but so much fun.

This particular painting from the series is my very favorite. Its a commentary on a relationship that took an unexpected turn. Simple but still it tells the whole story.

These two painting seem to defy time as they have recently taken on a totally new meaning. Especially "A View From the Top" shown below.

A View From The Top

2007-02-22T21:16:00.000-06:00

Again, from my Esteban series. This particular painting was my son, Andrew's, favorite of anything I had ever done. Here you go son -

The Old Home Place

2007-02-16T19:13:00.001-06:00

9x12 inch oil on canvas

One day we were riding down back roads when I spotted this long abandoned property. I loved the red roofs peeking out of the over growth.

Currently being offered for auction on eBay.