Tubac Wagon

another Vintage Vehicle, not really a truck, but I have always loved the way that other artists have portrayed these old Conestogas. This one lives in Tubac, AZ and it was late in the January day, 2005. The story of the wagon breaking down near Taos with the founders of the Taos art colony has become a defining story as part of their important history. It made them stop and pay closer attention, a good thing (if not the best thing) for artists. Countless pioneers giving up everything they knew for the hope of something better. Hope is our best survival instinct.

El Jebel Truck-done!

loved finishing this one! Any "thing" that I haven't painted before seems "hard" but intriguing to me. Especially if people know what they are "supposed to look like" as in trucks, people, pets, flags, etc. I can paint landscapes until the cows come home (and cows)because they are so generic and you get the light right and the edges right and boom you have a tree or a mountain. I never understand the people who think landscapes are hard. Maybe because I know them so well, they are a joy. Anyway, the flags were fun!

Palisade Truck-done!

Finished by adding more detail to the background (peach trees) and the truck.

El Jebel Truck (first stages)

this was a 2007 find while training a new home care nurse from Glenwood. She wanted to stop for a bathroom break at the Wendy's next door and I grabbed my camera. I had friends who lived near here years ago and this truck was parked in front of the old YesterYear shop, which I was so pleased to see again. Moral learned: always carry your camera, and when you are almost finished with a painting, start another. It saves the risk of overworking the first one because you are having so much fun, you don't want to quit. It allows you to stop at a reasonable place, because you have somewhere else to go.

Palisade Truck-step 2

it's always hard to tell how much more to do once I get to this stage, but I will apply some soft edges and subtle detail to the landscape as well as sharpening up the contrast and detail on the truck, the main player in the painting.

Ribbon of Light in progress

I always wanted to do one of those alpenglow sunsets and had a 12 x 24 board. Looking through my photo references, I had an almost dark sunset one where 11-mile reservoir really stood out. I decided to push the colors so you could really see that alpenglow that photos (and late timing) miss. This is my attempt, still needs a few details to be finished.

Palisade Truck in progress

Still having fun with the trucks, this one in Palisade. (all those wonderful peaches!)I found a great photo reference from Glenwood (its next), and one through Unaweep Canyon on the way to Grand Junction from Norwood. I'm so glad I got to travel before driving became torture.

Salida Truck

Truck #2 I found in a back alley of Salida. 11 x 14 oil.

Taos Truck

My first truck! I finally started my series that has been in my head for years. I have always found an exceptional antique truck in every small town I visited. They are all so unique, and deserve a second look. I am compelled by the shapes, especially the bent out of shape shapes. They have years of history of sheepherding, hauling produce, etc. The contrasting colors of the rust, faded colors, and highlights on the metal is the real appeal. My blog will be a truck a day for awhile.

Taos House

I reworked this one from a painting I did after a trip to Taos in November 2001. Snow had fallen the night before, and as usual, melted the next day. The entrance to Mabel Dodge Luhan's estate, fascinating. I had read the history of these interesting pioneers and artists who established the Taos Art Colony in many places and told in many ways. I'm getting tired of working from photos, my work is fresher and less noodley when I paint on location. Still working for the day when I can put in just enough detail (the important stuff) in just the right places and leave the rest out. I was there in 2004, I painted a lot on location that year. I'm looking forward to painting plein aire again when the wind stops blowing snow. Even my dog didn't want to go out this morning. Springtime in the Rockies=snow and mud. And the occasional break when you just have to get out there and enjoy it!

Mountain Lake

Another example of a rework. I've been pulling out some work that "bothered me" for one reason or another, this one had a fisherman in it who just had to go. He was competing too much for the scene. My original thought was that he led into the scene, and he really was there! I decided this mountain and lake needs to be enjoyed in all its solitary splendor.

Spring Marche

Did a painting I had wanted to do for a long time. Spring Marche is from a photo reference in 2005 trip to Aix-en-Provence. Spring Market with all its colorful baskets was a good place for my mind to escape winter. Still love the snow, but am looking forward to spring. 12 x 16, $400 or $450 with 3 inch frame.

Autumn Leaves

This could be titled "Autumn Leaves, and Winter is Here, but where is Spring?" It's spring break this week, so I'm going to paint in short spurts in between dr's and therapy appts. Travel is out (since I'm only able to drive or sit for 15 minutes at a time), and its cold and snowy here. Spring in the Rockies is unpredictable: its warm, then things start to grow, then it snows again. Still hoping to get some walks in this week. The painting is one I had started and looked at undone for months. Thinking, I will finish it one day. Instead of starting a new one, I'm finishing my unfinished work and those I've thought, "there's something not quite right with this one, but I don't know what it is yet." Usually, with the passing of time, I can figure it out. Hindsight is 20/20.The photo reference for this painting I took while visiting Union Printers Home at the corner of Union and Pikes Peak. The grassy lawn covered with leavs and the morning sun shining through the turning leaves with a mist (rare in Colorado) reminded me of fall back in the Midwest.

Old Work is Still Good Work!

I have been inspired in the past few weeks by my patrons, including some new ones! Thank you all for your encouragement and helping me take my art to the next level. The ultimate appreciation for an artist is to have someone love your work so much they want to pay for it and take it home as part of their art collection. I have as an artist, taken some of my older works for granted. Some of them I still am amazed by, and others I think, "I could have done this or that to make them better." A jaded eye can set in. My own personal favorites are not for sale, as they are in my private collection. Usually they are views that remind me of a special memory or a breakthrough in technique or style. I have to remember that my favorites are not always those of my viewers/patrons. They see their own view of my work, with not such a critical eye. They remind me why I painted that painting in the first place. They give me a new appreciation of why I paint. Just because I have painted Pikes Peak a dozen times, it doesn't mean its not worthwhile. Cezanne is known for his numerous paintings of Mont St. Victoire, which I have seen in numerous collections and museums worldwide. Like an old friend. I have looked at the real thing every day since 1984 and am awed by my fortune. I miss it on rainy/snowy days. I can't wait until the next cloudless morning when in reappears in dazzling snowy splendor. I'm like those cloudy days now, working behind the scenes, and preparing for my next paintings, when my body is ready to sit or stand for longer periods of time. Seasons, and time. It's all good.

recovery

After much pain from nerve pressure on sciatic nerve and working hard on recovery, I am posting to say I'm not forgetting about painting. Still selling work, just not actively painting for awhile. Working on the art of living and recovery. Hopeful that it will happen, soon. It takes time and energy. Still teaching part-time at the college, everything takes energy and I only have so much available. Pain takes a lot of energy. Time management and self-care, all lessons in life.

Creative Work and Self Care

Living an artist's life(synonymous with a good life, a creative life)is about balance. I must care for myself in order to produce work as an expression of the joy of life and celebrating beauty. Self-care for me can be spending time with friends, creating affordable healthy meals (egg salad in pita pockets) quesadillas with corn and fresh cilantro) homemade split pea soup with Yukon Gold potatoes and carrots. It is also resting when I need to rest, walking when I need to walk. It is knowing my limits, which are different and changing after my car accident in August and being in constant pain. It is not easy, but important. Sharing my struggles with others is difficult for me, but struggles are part of everyone's life, and a common thread to our humanity. Asking for help is even harder, but I respect those most who know what they want and ask for it specifically. I need what I need and it changes (like life itself) and I want to be honest in all of life, not just my paintings. Honesty and the present is where life is. If you are reading this, I ask that you would wish me the courage to be present in the moment with whomever I'm with.

"Where the Eagle Flies" is a painting I did on location as part of a weekend paintout in Victor, Colorado. People often ask me how I create my paintings, many are done on location to capture the lighting and color accurately. The ones I do from photo references are planned ahead, and I compose the photos with the painting in mind. These are ones from locations where the lighting and color hits me with inspiration, and I create a composition by eliminating unnecessary elements and simplifying the scene to include a point of interest, and move your eye around the scene. This painting won me an award and was sold the same day. An artist's best case scenario. We love to share our work and have others appreciate what we do. Most work is created in isolation, but art is about communication and sharing beauty.

Using a Scanner

Using a scanner to record images of small works (9 x 12 or smaller, or however large your scanner bed is) gives a much more accurate image than using a photograph, even with a tripod. I had to wait until the oil painting was dry, of course, but compare this image of "Barns in Winter" with the one from the previous blog post. It really gets the colors and textures. This painting is sold, but there are more available (all are one-of-a-kind originals!)See previous posts or my website for paintings for sale. Or call me for a particular subject or commission.

Finishing Touch

this is an example of a watercolor that looked unfinished to me. I did it on location, and the edges seemed "mooshy." When I got home, I added the definition of ink pen and liked it so much better once defined. I always did ink and watercolor sketches on travels, and this way, although "backwards" works very well. I have transformed many of my watercolors from several years ago with this "finishing touch." Turtle Rocks at 11-mile canyon, $175 framed to 11 x 14.

Old Town clock

This was done in fall on location as part of the Art on the Avenue event in Old Colorado City. I sold it at my Annual Studio Sale. My favorite pieces usually sell first, and its a wonderful affirmation to have this happen. I had to move the mountain (Pikes Peak) to fit it in the scene, which meant I had to move my easel and use several on-location references to accomplish the desired effect. Plein Aire painting is the best for lighting and even though the light changes quickly, it gives you the accuracy for color notes that really make the scene shine. Colorado light is brilliant, and fall colors are spectacular!