'Hearts and Stars' in Taos

The second annual Hearts and STars Miniature Show and fund raiser for the "Coalition to End Homelessness" in Taos was last Saturday nite, December 15th. A wonderful show at the Wilder Nightingale Gallery; great party, the BEST food and it was supported by artists from all over Colorado and New Mexico. My favorite piece was by Peg Immel, a Taos artist I admire. You see here my small piece,6"x4" of a San Luis Valley view called "Cottonwood Spring", framed oil on linen, $225. - And it is still available.

Daily Painter Goes to ST.Thomas

The holidays usually means giving- at least I hope so- but for the professional artist donating art- is, well, let's just say- very little of the food ends up on my plate. So I try to choose wisely as to who and what I donate to at this time of year. SEE POST: Holidays Hit The Daily Painter Broadside.
For the last 2 years I have participated in the St.Thomas Episcopal Art Auction that Katherine Benke (my rep) puts together to help support the building restoration of the Historic Episcopal Church, here is Alamosa. I was very happy when my 6"x8" piece, "Valley Morning" sold. It got me started thinking more about doing small works from larger pieces. 'Valley Morning', 6"x8"in oil. SOLD.

More Small Pieces from Coni

This first piece is from Rock Creek, actually, a small version of a 4'x5' work I did for "PLEINBREW",the SLV Brewery Show. Most plein air artists take small outdoor "sketches" and work them up larger; in my opinion, seldom to good effect. For me the greater discipline is taking a large work and trying to reproduce it small.
The second piece here is from one of my favorite views of the river, in a spot near my house.'Little Tree'-SOLD and
'River View'-SOLD

Holidays Hit the Daily Painter Broadside

And that's no joke!
Everyone wants donated work. And some actually get it. Well, I turned down the chance to paint a FULL sized fiberglass grizzly bear for the Bear Project fund raiser for Valleywide. And not without some second thoughts but the time frame was too tight, the bear TOO big, and my life TOO short. If you haven't had a chance to view the finished pieces around town, there are, I think, 10 representing many valley artists. Each one is amazing!
KRZA Art Auction This to support our local public radio station- which, by the way, I only can get in my car-
where is KBEAR when you need it?
Anyway, all the artist were given a 6"x6" canvas to do whatever.
Thanks to Marian Schlagbaum for all you did. Directly above is "Autumn View", done on a newsprint ground. I am happy to say it was purchased by Randy Pijoan. I only wish I could afford to have purchased his piece. Thanks Randy.
'Autumn View'- oil on canvas. SOLD

Coni's Daily Paintings

'Tea Bag', 16"x12", oil.

Coni's Daily Paintings

Daily Painting for July 26th, done in class. We all had different items and approached them almost as if we would a portrait. Lots of intense looking. '7up', 11"x15", oil.

Coni's Daily Painting

A variation on the 'Pear' theme.

Coni's Daily Paintings

These were painted over, probably several old paintings. I recycle old canvases by applying a coat of gesso so the (most recent) work has liveliness and a wonderful texture that could not be had on a fresh canvas.
Shakers by Coni Grant 8"x6".

Coni's Daily Paintings

A way to look at light on cylindrical shapes- and a good conversation starter.
'TP',12"x16", oil.

Coni's Daily Paintings

The white enamel cup which finds it's way into so many of my setups. I can't resist it.
'Stuff and CUP', 16"x12", oil.

Coni's Daily Paintings

A study in glass; the flowers are superfluous.
'Glass in Class', 12"x16", oil.

Coni's Daily Paintings

This set up was a combination of items with a 4th of July theme. There is also a Canadian flag in that bunch and the hat is from the Air Force Academy Graduation in'06. If you look closely you can see remnants of a previous painting. I love working with a color under-painting but one of my favorite things to do is paint directly over an old painting.
'July 4th', 12"x16, oil.

Daily Painter

Extreme eggs from class on Tuesday nite.

Daily Painter

The cup in all it's glory.
Enamel Cup by Coni Grant 16"x12".

Daily Painter

A Class setup that includes the infamous CUP.
'Flowers and Cup', 16"x12", oil.

Daily Painter

I do a lot of still life work in my class because we almost always paint from life. To encourage students to loosen up I work to push my painting as far to the "edge" as possible and maybe take risks that would be harder in another situation.
'Onions', 6"x8", oil.

Daily Painter

Another view from LaVeta painted from a photo. As very often happens- it got too tight for my taste. I almost always prefer the down and dirty quality of a plein air piece.
'Kathy at the easel, 14"x11", oil.

'Tuesday Morning Pick-up', 8"x10' oil.

'The Back Way', 8"x10', oil.