Painters Day OUT

 Thursday was the first plein air class meeting of the season. A beautiful day,  12 painters in the landscape, including a couple of absolute beginners, brave and enthusiastic- BRAVO!
We took it very easy.
Sometimes the adjustment from studio painting to the great outdoors - can be a jarring one - so it is good to encourage each other, and be kind to ourselves. Not too much judging or analysis going on - just a day in the park, so to speak.

Many of us will spend a heck of a lota time this summer doing chores, going to Walmart (I AM sorry about that)- taking care of business or just trying to stay out of trouble (I speak for myself here)
SO - what could be better than a dedicated time OUTSIDE enjoying our beautiful Colorado landscape?
If you are a painter, but there has never been the time . . . . .
or a beginner wanting to learn something new - come out and paint in and around Alamosa all of July and August.
Two great opportunities: Tuesday Evenings, 6:30pm to 9pm
and Thursday Mornings, 9am to noon.
It is $15. to drop-in on a class or you can register for the entire session at the Alamosa Family Recreation Center. Call them at 719-589- 2105.
Locations for WHERE we will be meeting each week will be posted on this BLOG - over to the right.

Plein Air Summer

Painting outdoors is one of the most gratifying ways to experience the amazing Colorado summer. Join a group or take advantage of a class that will get you OUT there.
This Thursday, July 6th (9am to noon) the Alamosa Painting class will start its summer Plein Air session. It is a good time to test the skills you have been honing all year and pit yourself against the ACTUAL landscape - in one of the most beautiful places in the world, Colorado.

Thursday morning class starts at 9am, July 6th and that first meeting will be at the Alamosa Family Rec Center. We will talk about supplies, do some painting and hand out schedules of all the dates and locations for where we will be painting in July and August.
Tuesday Evening class starts at 6:30pm, July 11th and will also meet at the Rec Center for that first meeting, to go over information and pass out painting schedules.

Set your sites on getting the most out of our short summer by being in the landscape.
Our painting locations are in and around Alamosa for varied views of the mountains and the river.
If learning the knack for SUNSETS is your goal- come along for the Tuesday Evening class, which never disappoints.

Painters Drop-in Fee in $15.- paid to Coni at the start of the class.
Let the SUMMER begin.

Party Time in Taos, with Louise Minks

 On June 10th, myself and several painters from Alamosa went down to Taos to celebrate a wonderful opening for Louise Minks at Wilder Nightingale Fine Art.
It was a pleasure to also celebrate her 75th birthday, eat cupcakes and finally close the show evening with a wonderful dinner in Taos, under the stars.
Louise Minks lives in Massachusetts but comes to New Mexico every spring to teach for a week at Ghost Ranch. - something to think about if you are looking for a good reason to go to Ghost Ranch . . . .
I was thrilled by her work the very first time I saw it in the gallery. I also show my work in Wilder Nightingale - and over the years have been fortunate enough to get to know Louise as a friend.  She is one of those people who inspires everyone she comes in contact with.

Her work is currently being featured at Wilder Nightingale Fine Art- on Kit Carson - and absolutely worth the drive to Taos.  There is a wonderful display of small works done en plein air and also larger studio pieces, such as the one in the photo below.
The photo above shows Louise in front of a wall of her work, together with Rob Nightingale.

 

Louise may live in the East but she captures the soul of New Mexico with a visual wisdom that is, both witty and innovative.

Thanks Louise.