Lexi in Studio

Lexi at Play

Whenever I'm in my studio, both of my miniature long haired dachshunds are with me.  They  usually chase each other around or sleep in the bed I have for them there.  Lexi, the younger, frequently plays with toys while she is on her back.

In February, the Phillips Gallery in Las Cruces, is having a show called "For the Love of Dogs" during the city art month.  Several of us from the Guild have asked to submit paintings.  I have enjoyed painting these and will share several with you in the following posts.

Lexi in Studio

Oil on Canvas board

9" x 12"

$250

Delft Vase with Apples

Once again I found myself roaming the house looking for something to put into a painting.  You may have noticed I like blue and white china.  This particular vase, or pitcher, was purchased during my first visit to Delft in the 1980s.   Then Delft was less touristy, buses to be sure, but far less than when I returned to visit a few years ago.  The prices have skyrocketed too, but I always buy a few small pieces to add to the collection.

Delft Vase with Apples

12" x 12"

Oil on Canvas Board

$375

Lemons in Blue Bowl

The problem with hanging your own art in your home is you find faults with the paintings constantly.  I can't count the number of times I've repainted paintings from years ago.  Sometimes I can't save them and they end up in the trash.  This one was in a pile of "redos" I thought I might attempt.  Hope I continue to find ways to improve what I've painted before.  

Lemons in Blue Bowl

14" x 18"

Oil on Canvas

$450

Blue Vase with Yellow Flowers

I was roaming through the house a few weeks ago looking for something to paint.  I found a blue vase with yellow artificial flowers my daughter-in-law, Lelia, had given me years ago for my office.  I have always loved it.  

I never know where my composition will go, but I love the journey.  When I was in Las Cruces with the guild, Julie suggested I try using a stencil for the background.  What fun! I've used in another painting and love the energy it gives to the painting.

Blue Vase with Yellow Flowers

Oil on canvas board

16" x 20"

$620

Backyard View ofJuarez

I love the view from my kitchen window!  From it, I can see Texas, New Mexico and Mexico. The dominant vista is the mountains in Juarez.  When they catch the morning or sunset light, they glow.  There is a moment in the evening where everything turns a "watermelon" red; so brief yet magnificent.  I just can't believe how lucky I am.

"Backyard View of Juarez

16" x 12"

Oil on Canvas Board

$390

Celebration of Our Mountains

For the last 15 years, El Paso has celebrated the mountains that surround it and divide the city in half.  From August through December, hikes, lectures and other events are offered to the public to better acquaint everyone with the environs in which we live.  One of the events is a Juried Art show at Ardovino's Desert Crossing where regional artist are invited to submit their art to a jury for display at Ardovinos September 24 through December.  

As an artist, I am not drawn to landscapes.  But last year in the Artist build of Southern New Mexico, I began experimenting with the palette knife to create mountains.  I actually did 3 paintings of "Neon Desert".  The first one was in a mentoring class, the second in an art workshop and finally the one I entered was done in my studio.

"Neon Desert"

12" x 16"

Oil on Canvas Board

The second one selected was one that sat unfinished on an easel in my studio for months.  I decided to try my knife work on it as well.  We had been to Big Bend earlier in the year and I found the desert beautiful there.  This was from a photo looking into the gorge where the Rio Grande cuts through the mountains.

"Big Bend"

12" x 9"

Oil on Canvas Board

If you are around the area, the opening of the show if Thursday, September 24, 6PM to PM. The show runs through December.  Hope you can find a way to celebrate our mountains!

Seeds of the fruit

I can't believe how fast this summer is flying by!  Life has been interesting and very busy.  Painting happens most days, but it seems I'm not liking what I'm producing.

This painting is of my favorite fruit to paint, pomegranates. We have a tree out back which give me lots of references.  I always paint with a brush first and finish with a knife.  

Hope to get more consistent posting to this blog.  The Southern New Mexico Artist Guild is meeting now, so maybe I'll get more productive under the tutoring of Julie Ford Oliver! (lucky me)

Seeds of the Fruit

10 x 8

Oil on canvas board

$250

Distant Mountains

No matter where I look in the distance there are mountains.  I once had a friend who lives in the northeast say, "yes, but they are so ugly. Nothing is growing on them".  How wrong she was. While we don't have trees covering our desert mountains, we have a lush variety of cacti, creosote, and mesquite.  In the spring they erupt with flowers on the various cacti native to the area.  Never mind all the animals living there.  Can you believe we have large deer invisible, but abundant?  We also have fox, coyote, mountain lions, raptors and owls.  Plus, we have the best weather in the country.  I love the desert.

Distant Mountains

Oil on canvas board

12" x 9"

$250

Fruit Bowl from the Isola di Ortigia

I can't believe it's been over a month since I posted to the blog.  April was crazy and exciting.  My husband, my Uncle Tony and I rented a car and traveled around the island of Sicily.  We had so much fun, despite the fright of driving a car in Italy!  I had briefly visited Sicily, but had never spent time getting to know the island.  The views of the Mediterranean from everywhere were breath taking, the Greek ruins rivaled Athens and the food was always delicious (I LOVE Cannoli fresh from the bakeries).  

We stayed at a wonderful hotel in Syracuse , Henry House, on the Island of Ortigia.  Every morning the breakfast was a vast array of items to select from.  And every morning a delightful bowl of fruit was on the table.  Lemons and oranges were in season, so they were always included with the bananas and pears. 

Fruit Bowl from the Isola di Ortigia

Oil on canvas board

9 x 12 inches

$250 

Purchase through the Daily Paintworks Gallery

Tres Peppers

Wow, life is getting busy!  This Friday, April 3, Las Cruces has its monthly art ramble.  Our gallery, in coordination with The Big Picture, is having paintings of roosters and chickens.  Since I love painting them, I have 14 to display.  That meant I have to varnish, frame, name and get ready to display all 14.  I have also tried to paint everyday.  Even though I did, I haven't liked anything I've painted in two weeks.  So frustrating!  On top of all this, on Wednesday my husband and I are going to Sicily for two weeks with my uncle Tony.  We just picked up our Global Entry Card on Sunday so hope it saves some time in lines.  Because this isn't a tour, but a drive around the island on our own, the logistics of hotels and  rental cars has been time-consuming.

This painting is one I have painted in the fall when I was in my black canvas phase.  While I loved painting it, I don't think this the style I am after.

Tres Peppers

9 x 12"

Oil on canvas

$225

purchase through Daily Paint Works

Tuscan Rooftops

So I paint everyday for at least an hour and as of today, I haven't completed one in two weeks.  I have 6 paintings in various stages, some waiting for the paint to dry a little, others where I don't know the best way to complete them.  I'm am so happy this is an advocation and not a vocation.  If I don't have anything finished and for sale, but it isn't a problem.  It's a luxury I enjoy; to explore the process of painting.

This painting is from a trip to Tuscany.  I love the rooftops with all the various colors.  I'm getting ready for a trip to Sicily in a few weeks and can't wait to see the contrast between Tuscany and Sicily.

Tuscan Rooftops

12 x 16 

Oil on Canvas Board

$400

Go to Daily Paint Works to Purchase

Rio at Big Bend

Big Bend is a beautiful wilderness.  It is part of the Chihuahuan desert, the desert I live in in El Paso. The colors of the desert change with the seasons and the light.  I never see the bland sand colors but bright vibrant colors the sun paints the mountains and landscape.  I'm trying another style, simple shapes and vibrant colors.  Still looking for a style I like best.

 Rio at Big Bend

Oil on Canvas board

11" x 14"

$300

Purchase through Daily Paint Works

Late Summer In Durango

This painting was from a photograph of Durango in winter, with snow and all.  I didn't like it as a winter scene and it took 18 months of "playing" with it to get it to something I was finally happy with.  I always have a pile of paintings I plan to get back to.  I also work on 3 - 4 paintings at a time.  What a luxury to have the time to learn and play.

Late Summer in Durango

20 x 16"

oil on Canvas

$525  Purchase through Daily Paint Works

Wild Blue Yonder

Every Sunday, Daily Paint Works posts a challenge.  Last Sunday, they challenged us to paint a bird in flight.  Well, I'm a week late and not at all apologetic as I spent the week trying to repaint some old paintings (1 to go from my pile).  I only used four colors: white, Ultramarine Blue, orange and turquoise.

Wild Blue Yonder

8 x 6"

Oil on canvas board

$80 

Rocky Mountain Sunset

I first want to thank George Coll, a Colorado painter, for this reference.  I took a class with him several years ago and am now on his email list of references he shares.  He is a sweetheart!

I haven't painted landscapes for about a year now.  It used to be all I painted.  I've decided I have to get back into painting them, and also feel comfortable about it.  It's like of forgetting how to ride a bike.  Painting is such a difficult art to master!!!

Rocky Mountain Sunset

10 x 8 "

Oil on canvas board 

$200

Purchase by going to Daily Paint Works Link on right