Eggs

EGGS
6 x 8 pastel on sanded paper mounted to foamcore

I decided I needed a break from painting landscapes, and eggs have always been a challenge for me and it was time I really challenged myself. When painting eggs, there is not much room for error. If not painted correctly, they won't look like eggs, but like blobs. Landscapes are much easier; who's to know that rock was moved? or that mountain is shaped just a little differently? or the tree should be a cottonwood? or the stone cliffs were left out altogether? With eggs it's important, necessary, that you get it right.

I set up five organic brown eggs on a tea towel, with light coming from a north window on the right. Then took photos with my "old" camera (which never did give me accurate color or values) and picked what I thought was the best shot. When I set out to paint, however, the spaces between the eggs seemed odd, and it looked like the top egg was "floating" above the ones below. Ahhh, another challenge, how to correct this? And how to put in the necessary very dark values between the eggs without destroying the patterns in the cloth? Those dark values are needed to give dimension to the painting.

After much revising, repainting, redrawing, repainting (again!!!), I'm pretty happy with the end result. I hope you like it, too.

Road to the River

Road to the River
Pastel on sanded paper, mounted to foam core
9 x 12 unframed
$325

Here we are, on one of the dirt roads leading down to the Missouri River south of St. Louis. The soil here is generally clay, dusty on the surface and hard as rock underneath, and often with a reddish tint. This scene is typical of a summer day, possibly August, when it is hot and humid and the air sings with the sounds of insects and birds. Not much breeze blowing this late afternoon, with the sun heading down toward the bluffs on the other side of the river. Doesn't it almost make you want to go down this road to the edge of the river and get your feet into the cool water? Or maybe pull out your fishing pole and see if they are biting, while you sit in the shade of the trees that line the bank?

SANDIA ROCKS

Sandia Rocks
9 x 12 Pastel on sanded paper mounted on museum board
$325 unframed

Painting rocks has always been a challenge for me but there are so many wonderful rocky landscapes here in New Mexico, that it was a challenge simply begging to be overcome. So, last fall when my daughter was visiting, we took a walk in the foothills and I took several photos of rocks of all shapes and sizes. This particular painting depicts and emphasizes the intense light of early afternoon, bouncing off the sandy ground and the rocks and shrubs, hence the lack of strong, lengthy shadows. This is looking north from a trail on the west side of the Sandia Mountains.

Sandia Foothills Trail #2

Sandia Foothills Trail #2
9 x 12 pastel on sanded paper mounted on museum board
$300 unframed

There are so many wonderful trails in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains near Albuquerque. They start at an altitude of approximately 6500 feet and some go to the top of Sandia Peak at approximately 10,700 feet . That's a hike that takes the better part of a day if you are in top physical condition. Not a senior like me; I stick with the lower elevations and still get out of breath. Parking is close to the trail-heads (with signs warning to look out for rattlesnakes....but they are harmless if you don't bother them.)

This particular trail is called the Pino Trail and is accessed from Elena Gallegos Park and Picnic Area, about 10 minutes from our home. It's a 4.5 mile trail, lots of flora and fauna, and it is beautiful; takes your breath away in more ways than one. Coming down the trail back to the parking lot, you get stunning views of Albuquerque in the valley below. It's located in what is known as Albuquerque's Open Space, land set aside for enjoyment of the outdoors in and around the city. If you would like more info about ABQ's open space, click here.

We walked this trail with my daughter when she came for the Balloon Fiesta last October.

More open space trail paintings coming up soon.

In the Jemez

In the Jemez
9 x 12 pastel on UArt sanded paper mounted on museum board
$300 unframed

Jemez Springs is about an hour from home, in the Jemez Mountains. The drive to reach it is wonderful; part of it is through the Jemez Pueblo where there is a very nice visitors' center and museum, and across the roads the residents set up booths selling food and hand made native crafts. Further up the road is access to the Jemez River, and then further along is the town of Jemez Springs, with the river, hot springs, funky restaurants with some really good food, and of course, nearby are the trails going into the forest. This painting is just a sample of the kind of beauty to be found in this area.

If you are interested in knowing a little more about this area, click here for the link to take you there.

Ken and I have both been busy with our painting and pottery, so more will be coming soon.