Ghost Ranch, New Mexico

It doesn't get more scenic than this. I am looking S/E across the lower conference grounds toward the dining hall and Kitchen Mesa which is the large mesa on the left. As soon as I get it photographed I will post my painting of said dining hall and mesa.

More Ghost Ranch, New Mexico

My view from in front of the Ghost Ranch Conference Center. The landscape is very warm and the day was perfect and cloudless. I think this is a keeper.

The Pedernal or Georgia's Mountain

A landmark in this part of the country, the Pedernal was immortalized by Georgia O'Keefe who is said to have claimed ownership of it - but I doubt the natives would concur. Everyone paints it and I have see Ann Templeton do at least 5 demos of it. Cliche it may be, but you have to paint it at least once, and I don't know how many times I've done it.
The cottonwoods are usually brilliant at this time of year and almost glow from within.
The top photo is an 8x10 I did about 4 years ago on an overcast day; the bottom version is a 6x8 I painted on Monday of last week and it was a sunny afternoon.

Ghost Ranch Holiday with High Desert Painters

Ready or not- there I went and arrived at Ghost Ranch Sunday afternoon to meet up with Ann Templeton and the High Desert Painters. We are an international group of 7 painters from all over the country and Nova Scotia, who sometimes travel together, but meet every year at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico.

Run, Painter Run

I got home from Art for the Sangres in Westcliffe and hit the ground running. There hasn't been a time to catch my breath since July and this weekend I head down to Ghost Ranch for a week of painting with Ann Templeton and the High Desert Painters. Well, sometime at the beginning of the week a birthday snuck in - Hey, I think it was mine; there was something about cupcakes and red wine.
Let's see, I am all out of painting panels and looking at my gallery wall to see which pieces can be pulled out of frames and painted over.
Wednesday some of the SLV Painters group went to LaVeta to paint; charming as ever but as it is the end of the season, not much is going on there. I was miffed because our favorite little bakery is only open when the wind blows a certain way, or almost never - and it wasn't on Wednesday either. Boo! Who cares about painting locations when there is no place to get an espresso. LaVeta pass was beautiful tho'- peaking, as they say and gold everywhere. Of course, we weren't painting on the pass.
Rescue for my panel dilemma came today in the form of a delivery guy from Colorado Moulding (where I buy the gatorboard for my panels). He shows up at my studio 3 hours early and I am busy teaching class. Recess. . .
But, now I may have something to paint on, and one more thing to do before heading to Ghost Ranch; I may not go with any clean laundry but I will have panels.
Fall marks the end of the season and I am feeling more of the blues than the golds. Autumn is so magical but soon turns maniacal because there is SO much to do, to paint, and SO little time. We are literally chasing the color. And I am tired.
Just add "whining" to the label on this post - Oops - No time for that I only have tomorrow to get it all together and hang my one man show at the San Luis Valley Medical Center. Check it out (after Saturday) SoulView, Impressions and Expressions of the Valley. Good thing I didn't paint over anything, I may need it for the show.

Class Notes, - Colored Glass- What?

Two takes on colored glass. Key in both is the clear factor. Unless the glass is opaque you still have to be able to see through it. What stumps the beginner is how to make the glass look clear and still show the color. The painting on the top is probably closer to reality but the lower one also "communicates" colored glass with out the color inside.
Personally, I believe that communication is one of the primary, if not THE primary function of the painter, right up there with expression, so I am willing to go with simply communicating the subject. Any more explanation can be beautiful - or just redundant. They both work because they are both clear, shiney and show some color in the glass.
Stay tuned for cut glass.

Art For The Sangres

This weekend I am headed up to Westcliffe for the 12th Annual Art for the Sangres fund raiser to benefit the San Isabel Land Protection Trust. I was invited to be one of the 27 artists participating in the show and sale on Saturday the 27th at the Pines Ranch at the base of the Sangre de Cristos. We will be painting in the afternoon and that work will be sold at silent auction. It is open to the public from 1-3 p.m. Buyer's preview is from 3:30 - 4:30, a reception beginning at 4:30 and the fixed price lottery sale at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 each; go to www. sanisabel.org for more information.
The Trust helps protect the Wet Mountain Valley open space and wildlife habitat, and assists ranchers and landowners in protecting their land from development.

Class Notes, Stems in the Glass

This week's take on the 'glass' subject included some flowers and water. Liquid or an object inside the glass gives you new ways to communicate clarity and play up distortions. The water line gives another excuse for a highlight; this might even be too much water line. Note that most of the edges of the vase are indicated by value changes rather than any line or even a highlight.

SLV Painters are going to LaVeta

Wednesday, Oct. 1st, the SLV Painters headed to LaVeta. We met Kathy Hill at the Space Gallery and she led us up to Sulphur Springs outside of town a few miles. Lots to paint even though the color had not peaked in LaVeta. It was still beautiful.

Autumn is Really Here

it 's here and the color is coming on fast. On Wednesday a group of us from Alamosa went up to the Conejos and were rewarded by a beautiful day and lots of color. Thanks Josie, for the great day and wonderful lunch.