Personal Art Blog

Sharing the lessons I teach at the Artist Guild and the personal discoveries in my art.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Kitchen Sink, New Mexico



Kitchen Sink, NM

8x6in oil on canvas panel  $125 SOLD

It was Lisa Graham who sent this comment on
my last post of a Chili Ristra hanging by a door.
"Whenever I see a Ristra I always think of an old
Mexican kitchen with a large window over
the sink and shutters. 
Then I want to make enchiladas."
I could see the image she created so clearly in my
mind and this is what I came up with.

Artist Note.

As this developed entirely from my imagination,
it kept on growing when I added items as I
recalled them. Most likely from the many,
many kitchens I have been in in Mexico and
El Paso.
Hand painted tile, no granite. No dishwasher.
Garlic and Chili Ristra's hanging by the window.
Tomatoes ripening on the windowsill.
Casual flowers or pretty weeds in a jar.
If she painted it...
Lisa's version most likely would have a plump,
motherly type rolling out the flour tortillas.
All painted in her wonderful unique style.
See her work HERE
Thanks for the inspiration, Lisa. I enjoyed
painting this.



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75 comments:

  1. This is SO gorgeous, Julie!! I remember seeing so many hanging garlic and chili when we visited New Mexico! Such a beautiful, colorful and artsy State... I love how you painted the kitchen sink..and wonder how you made the water look so real in the sink!!! you are so amazing..!...as far as Lisa...I think she inspires us all with her Art!!

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    1. Thanks a lot, Hilda. I had fun doing the water. Last year I did pansies floating in water and I learned a lot from that.
      I agree - Miss Lisa is very special!

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  2. Warm and lovely Julie. I would love to stand there and "smell the roses" so to speak. What's not to like about a painting of fond memories. Wonderful class today.....I am uploading pictures right now!

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    1. It is a good exercise for me paint from a visual in my mind. Doesn't always work but I still enjoy doing it.
      Love your new exercise too. Your yellow tulips are great.

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  3. This is simply beautiful. You have such a gift in making the everyday unique and special. Thank you for your kind note regarding my blog post. These posts are helping me review and remember what I have learned.

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    1. Hi Marcia - thank you for the nice complement. I enjoyed seeing your landscape and reading about it. It is a good way for you to review what you learned.

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  4. I am in Mexico..and this painting is GORGEOUS..My goodness!!! Brilliant

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    1. Hi Page - glad you like it. When are you leaving sunny Mexico?
      I wonder if your wonderful color sense will travel with you.

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  5. wow..that is truly amazing that you can paint so detailed...with no reference! wow! beauutiful!

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    1. I think (maybe) you too have sometimes done imaginary painting, Celeste.
      Your horses head is pretty amazing.

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  6. You really captured an old fashioned kitchen, a kitchen that could belong to someone. Love the colors.

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  7. Talk about everything but the kitchen sink! You've made a boring subject really exciting.

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  8. Wow! I am a newcomer to your work and your blog and wanted to tell you how much I love both. I see I have some catching up to do...I am really looking forward to reading your whole blog! I am astounded that you created this beautiful painting from your imagination.

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    1. Welcome and I am delighted you like my blog. Thank you.
      I really enjoyed yours too .
      Painting from my imagination is easy because it is mostly recalling previous parts of different sketches or paintings and adding them bit by bit into new surroundings.
      Try it with your apple - placing it on a plate - one you have painted before. Do not look at anything but what is in your memory from painting.

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    2. Thanks for the lesson, Julie. I will try this sometime...I am now about halfway through reading your blog and truly loving it. Wonderful place to have landed!

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  9. Sigh...such a homey kitchen! I just have old and dilapidated. One day maybe we'll begin to replace it...but end result? I want homey.

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    Replies
    1. Warm and homey are what most of the local style kitchens are here in New Mexico. They are even building brand new homes with the old features.

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  10. Your painting is simply amazing Julie!! You have such a great imagination.

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  11. You captured that beautifully! I have seen some Mexican sinks setups recently and this one is spot on. Very nice atmosphere that you created.

    I also hopped over to Lisa's blog. Thank you so much for mentioning her and her work. I have added her to my list and enjoyed looking at her work. So, thanks!

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    1. YOu will adore Lisa's blog and personality.

      Thanks for the visit, Libby, and I like your tree.

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  12. Julie! Wow wow and wow! You painted ALL those details from your imagination??? It's so beautiful...the sink, the pretty dishes, that sweet little cup on the counter, the tiles, the rista, the shutters...all of it. I didn't think I could be any more impressed with your skills, but I am. And thanks for the linky. You're so thoughtful.

    Now I should go and try to paint a plump mama making enchiladas. :)
    xoxo

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    1. Hi Miss Sweet Lisa. I find it easy to paint from memory. I have painted those tiles before. I did a painted style mexican sink last year. Cups, Rista,shutters,flowers - all been painted in different settings before and once painted they are never forgotten.
      Hope you do the enchilada lady. Your turn!

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    2. That is so great and now I have an idea about reusing some favorite things in my paintings too. You are awesome Julie.

      Now I MUST come up up with an Enchilada Lady. :)

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  13. This is so beautiful! And all from your imagination! You are truly an amazing artist to make me want to wash dishes :) Just gorgeous!

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  14. Julie, I've been in that kitchen, lol! Love it

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    1. Thanks Dee - looking forward to seeing your fruits and vegs for the show.

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  15. Imagination seems to be running wild these days. Yours is in top form. Great kitchen. Great painting. Very South of the border where I wish I had stayed these last months. Hasta la vista Julie.

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    1. After reading your blog I understand your comment.
      Cheers and thanks mucho for the complement.

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  16. Replies
    1. Thank you Christine. Loved the way you painted the house in your latest painting.

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  17. WoWW! Such a beautiful setting - and when I read that it was all from your imagination....omg- what a beautiful mind! You have created a whole enchanted "place" in this very painting!

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    1. YOu did a great job with your sunflowers and I love the bowl.
      I do have a romantic mind and hate all unpleasant things.

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  18. I'm amazed you could paint this wonderful painting so realistically from memory/imagination. WOW!

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    1. Thanks Bruce. Don't be amazed. I bet you could paint your glasses from memory... and place them in any setting - from your imagination..

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  19. This painting is delightful! It's such a warm, fondly familiar scene having lived in the southwest for a number of years. Makes me feel right at home. I admire and am envious of your ability to create from memory.

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    1. Glad you like it Carol, thanks. It is true living in this area these things are more familiar to us.
      I keep checking to see if you have a new painting...

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  20. Amazing how this just came from you mind !! It's so detailed and perfect , a true eye opener !

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    1. How about those great acrylics you did. You and Rita are both exploring them at the same time. So neat to see.

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  21. Your imaginary, but very real, kitchen is so wonderful I don't even mind that there's no dishwasher!

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    1. What a great line. You made me laugh.
      Love the rainy day street.

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  22. This painting is gorgeous! I feel like I could step right in to the kitchen! Your visualization is amazing.
    Teresa in California
    http://amagcialwhimsy.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thanks so much Teresa. I enjoyed looking at your blog. Unique. Congrats on the reward.

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  23. This is the most wonderful kitchen space painting... love it!

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  24. Replies
    1. I like that - thank YOU!
      The colors are really FABULOUS in your new painting.

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  25. i agree with roxanne, what a beautiful mind...

    and when i read your reply i smiled a big smile. : )

    i adore this painting, julie. the colors!! the composition, everything... and don't you just know that miss sweet lisa will whip up something delightful in response to this?!

    xoxo

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    1. Big grin here - yes, I am waiting to see if sweet miss lisa will respond.
      You helped her out with the teabag and papers. Good for you.

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  26. Now the blue door opened and I entered the kitchen! What a wonderful light and colors! A cup of fresh water is ready for me ...
    YOUR painting is poetry written with a brush, dear Julie.

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    1. Ah, dear Rita. Your words are poetry and I love to read them. thank you.
      I was thrilled and AMAZED to see what you did with acrylics - and for the first time too. More please.

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  27. Gorgeous atmosphere in this painting. I could almost like doing the dishes in a kitchen like this! :)

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    1. I understand the word almost - me too!
      Your prints are amazing. Loved the drawing of the hand too.

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  28. There you go again Julie but you have surpassed yourself - from your imagination!!! It is gorgeous! Love it....

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    1. So glad you do. I appreciate it. How about gorgeous being applied to that new grandson of yours. The photo of him is truly special.

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  29. So lovely! And I'm doubly impressed that you painted this from your imagination. My hat's off to you.

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    1. Hi Diana - thanks for the visit. And my hat is off to you too for your Ides of March painting.

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  30. wow, love the colours!

    please take a look at my blog too! :)
    http://freie-kunst.blogspot.de/

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    1. Glad you do. Thanks for the visit. I tried to visit your blog but nothing was there.

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  31. And I loved your violin and seeing a pink one too!

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  32. This is beautiful Julie! I have been so busy I missed your 600th post...congratulations!! You are such an inspiration to us all with all your wonderful paintings and writing, I am always amazed by your imagination...I could do with some of it!!

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    1. Good to hear from you karen and thanks for the congrats.
      Love your watercolor today. Fun but also beautifully done.

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  33. Julie,
    I think you mean to spell it RISTRA. But it is lovely painted by any name.

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    1. Thanks so much Donna. I am truly grateful and have made the changes.
      Spelling is not my best point and it got even more confusing coming from England.
      My best goof yet is when I got a phone call from a dear friend who told me to run, not walk to my computer to make a change...would you believe for polka dots I had used poker dots!
      Mrs Imperfect - my most lovable trait.

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  34. So beautiful and truly phenomenal that it is from your imagination!I feel like you are painting right there in this kitchen- WOW!

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  35. A wonderful painting, Julie, but knowing it came from your imagination elevates it even more in my estimation. The mark of a true artist!

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  36. This is so gorgeous! I stayed at a little Casita in Santa Fe a few years ago and loved it because of the tiled kitchen with open shelves, colored glass bottles on the windowsill, tiled bathroom and I forget the name of the type of fireplace...but it looked like an igloo shape! I did take pictures, maybe I will try painting it.

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  37. I love everything about this painting! It simply sparkles! I downloaded your art byte last week and tried it out. The first time I painted with your demo, the second time, I set up a simple still life. It was super fun - but I certainly have a long way to go! Thanks to you for all of your inspiration :)

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  38. I love the colours you have used in this painting. It is so sunny and joyful.

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  39. Hi Julie, Love to see you have so many friends and fans. It is due to your marvelous work and sweet charming self that was shown in your little video finally to those of us who haven't met you personally, yet have come to love you over the "ether". Your paintings reflect the wonderful person who paints them! I think I "tune in" as much to watch the by-play as to learn from you. Bless you, Lavon Maestas

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  40. Hello Julie:) A beautiful painting with such a nice subject. Perfect art!

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I love that you are taking the time to comment and thank you for it. I am sure other readers will enjoy them too. If you cannot comment through this format then email me at juliefordoliver@gmail.com
Cheers,
Julie