Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Rio Chama, New Mexico


6x8 oil on cotton canvas panel
$75(email if interested)
I was told this scenic drive along the Chama River in northwestern New Mexico was worth the trip. Having very sketchy directions in hand, I set out to find this dirt road. Posted at the turn off was "Private Property for the next 3 miles". So I thought I had the wrong road, I continued on. After another 5 miles I decided that was the turn off so I doubled back. For the first 10 miles, I was a little nervous being alone and traveling an unfamilair road. Finally another car passed me coming from the opposite direction. I relaxed a little and begin to enjoy the scenery. At some points the winding road was very steep and narrow. A car actually had to pull over and stop for a passing car. I believe I only met two cars during the whole trip. I was surrounded by sandstone canyons with willows, cottonwoods and Ponderosa pines along the rivers edge. It was breathtaking. At the end of this 13 mile road is the Christ in the Desert Monastery. Their solitude and quiet is assured being surrounded by the Santa Fe National Forest.

Monday, November 12, 2007

Farmers Market


16x20 oil on stretched canvas
$350 (email me if interested)

Any new place I go I am drawn to the local farmers market. I like the fact that you can not only find fresh produce and baked goods that you know are going to be exceptional, but there is always a touch of homemade crafts. The people you see at a farmers market always strike me as healthy and happy. Who else would get up in the early morning hours just to buy some apples and maybe a bouquet of flowers to brighten their day? When I saw this particular table at a Santa Fe market I was attracted to the group of mason jars on the white table cloth filled with Dahlias.

Friday, November 9, 2007

Happy Birthday to Me!


I just wanted to brag some on my very talented family. My Mom is a wonderful quilter. She has been quilting for twenty six years. She has such an eye for color that I admire. I just received this quilt from her for my birthday. It looks fantastic on my iron bed which was made for me by my husband and son. Didn't I say I had a talented family?

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Rio Grande Gorge


12x16 stretched canvas
$200(email me if interested)

I have been working on a larger piece this past week. My blog was looking a little sad with nothing posted lately so I decided to post a painting I had done at my Don Ward workshop in Taos, New Mexico. It was almost dusk and we were all set up at a road side park across the highway from the gorge. This must be a popular spot to paint the gorge because when I was gallery hopping in Santa Fe last month I noticed several paintings from this same angle. During our painting session, we had a visitor drive up and actually buy a students painting right off her easel. I was a little starry eyed then. I like this painting because I feel I captured the late afternoon colors. I love the sage green and purples together.