Organ Mountain Sunrise

Organ Mountain Sunrise

6x8in oil on canvas panel  $125. SOLD

Artist Note.

This is a "site specific" landscape.
The Rio Grande with the Organ Mountains
in the distance.
The Organ mountains are the
jewel of the southernmost part
of the Rockies and are 9,000 ft high.

I cannot fudge and be my own landscaping
company with this one.
This is the only place where the river
bends to have the mountains as a backdrop,
otherwise, it always runs parallel.
After painting the previous two landscapes
in an abstract manner, and having leeway to
place masses for design impact -
I had to stay true with this one.
Fortunately, it is a view I love to paint. 

New Mexico Vista

New Mexico Vista

8x10in oil on linen panel   SOLD

I have painted this magnificent vista several times.
It is northwest of Albuquerque on the way to Santa Fe.
I am looking past the hills of pinion bushes, down onto the
green ribbon of trees which follow the banks of the Rio Grande.
Behind the mesas are the Jemez mountains.  A volcanic group
which holds Las Alamos National Laboratory , Bandelier
National Monument, two pueblos, hot springs and countless
hiking and climbing opportunities. During late summer, the
clouds gather and the New Mexico skies grab my heart
with their beauty.

The Old School Bus

The Old School Bus

5x7  Oil on canvas Board    90.

This is down by the Rio Grande River. The building appears to be a repair shop as several old vehicles were parked there. My interest was captured by the yellow roof of the bus and the tin roof of the building, reflecting so brightly in the mid-day sun.

I painted this plein air during the late summer when there was still water in the river.
The mighty Rio Grande is reduced to a thin, winding, ribbon of silver during the winter, courtesy of the Elephant Butte/Cabillo dam, further upstream. Water is a real issue here in the Mesilla Valley because of the drought. We are hoping for heavy snows in Colorado.

Artist Note:

Bright, overhead sunlight means the verticals carry the shadow patterns and only the top areas catch the light. Even something in a very light color has to move towards a middle value in its own shade.

Ray of Light on the Rio.

Ray of Light on the Rio   SOLD

6x8in oil on canvas board   100.

Another view from the Mesilla Valley; also, another one painted when the late afternoon sun was setting. This time I am facing the north and the sun is catching our barren hills with a beautiful glow. I always wait for the ray of light to fall on the Rio Grande as it cuts between the hills. I have painted this place quite often and during the early winter is the only time this light happens.

Artists Info:
I had a limited palette of cad yellow light, cad orange, alizarin permanent, Ultramarine and titanium white, and used both painting knife and brush on this painting.