Artistic Mailboxes

Artistic Mailboxes

6x8in oil on canvas 100.

This is the close-up view I painted of the Galisteo mailboxes. The community has to be a fun group for them all to have painted their boxes this way. There had to be at least 12 boxes - all painted, all different.

Gourds are growing at the base and wild flowers were scattered about. The adobe behind the boxes had painted water spouts from the roof in a bright pink. FUN!!!

Galisteo, NM. Mailboxes

Galisteo Mailboxes

8x6in oil on canvas 100.

When I was on my painting trip to the Santa Fe area we drove to Galisteo, a beautiful small village outside Santa Fe. Judging from these colorful mailboxes quite a few artists live there.

It is quite a juxtaposition - the earth color of the adobe and the brightly painted boxes. My favorite was the blue one. You cannot tell from the painting but they had painted a big rain cloud with drops descending. Wishful thinking here in the desert.

This was painted from a photograph as there was nowhere to set up and paint except on the road. I have a close up painting of the boxes and will post it tomorrow.

Palette Knife Callas

Palette Knife Callas

6x6 oil on canvas 80.

It is fun painting a series and trying different techniques. Here the palette knife produces a whole different feel/appearance. With a white flower like the calla the color of the sky, as well as the surroundings areas, influence the the purity of the white. I didn't even have to look carefully because the blue jumped out at me...both from the sky peeking between the leaves and its absorption onto the white of the calla.

We are working with a limited palette at the guild this month so this was painted with Primary Yellow, Permanent Alizarin, Ultramarine Blue and Titanium White

Clouds Over the Organ Mountains, NM.

Clouds Over the Organ Mountains, NM

6x8in oil on canvas 100.

This time of year brings wonderful, cloudy skies in the afternoon. Normally we would get rain but, alas, not this year. The drought is taking its toll here too.

This is the view from my studio and I feel very blessed to be able to be able to stand outside my door and paint away.

I was told they are named the Organ Mountains because of the pointed rock formations reminded early settlers of an organ's pipes. Not easy to paint.

Almost Twins

Almost Twins

8x6in oil on canvas 100.

After doing a series of Calla Lilies from life I went back to my photos from Portland

and found these two proud specimens. Very similar in size and shape.

The neat thing I like about these plants versus the store bought Callas, are the leaves.

I love to paint all the leaves with their curvy lines as they make the perfect compliment to the simple, pure elegance of the Calla.

Pastel Calla Study

Calla Study
8x8in pastel on paper


I was visiting a friend who works in pastel and she pursuaded me to try her pastels.
I find them messy to use but enjoyed the companionable time together.
I liked hers a lot better than mine!

Red Calla Lilies

Red Calla Lilies

6x6in oil on canvas Sold

These smaller calla lilies are the type you buy from the grocery store as a plant. They come in a variety of colors and this particular one has rich, yellow streaking though the red.

I wanted this painting to be rather colorful, playing off the yellow and red in the callas with a yellow vase and an accent of blue by adding the pansy.

Callas With Red

Callas with Red

8x6in oil on canvas 100. SOLD

A dark background sets off the white flower beautifully but I found it had no spark... so after doing my series of red it was a natural to try a bit of red behind the Callas.

Using a different approach helps me determine my personal response to the outcome of these small paintings. I find it interesting how I can enjoy the actual act of painting all of them but only be satisfied with parts of the finished products.

Calla Landscape

Calla Landscape

8x6in oil on canvas 100.

Trying a different approach and out of my comfort zone. I went for simple shapes and not too much detail other than in the Callas. The master of simple shapes was of course, Georgia O'Keeffe. It was the rhythmic shading within those simple shapes where the real beauty and skill took place.

Calla Lilies - Study

Calla Lilies - Study

6x6in oil on canvas 80.

A friend arrived bearing the gift of calla lilies. It has been a while since I painted them so it was an enthusiastic session in the studio. I will do a few paintings while they are fresh.

They will be opening up a lot more and make very interesting shapes and grow a deeper cream color. .