New Mexico Snow

New Mexico Snow

6x8in oil on canvas panel  $125.SOLD

Snow arrived in time for the Holidays.

We are fortunate here in Southern New Mexico
because the sun shines well over 300 days a year.
We still get a taste of all seasons though and
that makes me appreciate living here all the more.
I would go nuts with the same temps year round.

Below is the same scene during the summer
- painted last  year.

Leslie Saeta's 30 day Challenge 

starts today.

Because I genuinely believe it helps me 

keep my painting mojo in good order

 I am going to TRY to participate.

This is day1.

Snow - Painting in the Car.

Abstract. Sketch of snow shapes

and dark area relationships

6x8in  watercolor on paper 

We could not drive as fast (poor hubby)

on the return trip due to snowy road conditions.

It gave me time to really look at the color 

relationships for a gray day in snow and tree patterns.

Subdued color in the shade still 

vibrated gently against  the snow

tree branches -  using a rigger brush.

Trying to get the feeling of 

multiple branches and values.

Fall colors still around, here and there.

I loved the color of these weeds

I have started a new 

painting  - a snow scene

I felt more comfortable with it because I had 

just experienced doing the studies in the car.

I will show it on my next post.

I wish Happy New Year to you all.

I will be so glad to see this year end. 

One of the worst in my life! 

How I kept painting I do not know. 

At the same time, I recognize the full value

of "carrying on." The discipline of 

daily painting is to be respected

 even when not much creativity 

enters the stress filled mind.

The power of prayer can never 

be underestimated and the strength

that comes through it.

To my community of blogger friends, 

I thank you for the year of 

friendship and support.

A life saver!

Onward to a healthy, happy 2015 for us all.

Painting in the Car - Tips.

A Decorated Nest

6x6in Casein. Gifted.

My daughter gave me this nest earlier this year.

The bright blue coated wire,

woven into the nest, had caught 

her eye as she was doing yard work.

 I have been wanting to paint it so

 I took it on the trip to paint when we drove 

through a long, boring area.

Before this happens though we go 

thru a really beautiful area called the Hondo Valley.

Some of the Wyeth Family 

have lived and painted there.

My goal, as I pass through, is to capture

shapes and colors only. It is impossible 

to get a finished painting, but easy

to look ahead and gather enough

info to maybe use in the studio. 

Besides...time flies by when I am painting!

On the way there...

snow on way back...

Looking ahead gave me time to get basic 

shapes quickly blocked in.

When we got closer I could see tree shapes

and I scrubbed those in as we whizzed 

past at over 75mph. 

(Memory painting becomes important 

when my hubby is at the wheel!)

I found a wonderful water holder which does 

not splash around during bumpy areas.

The lids are attached (bliss) 

It has two chambers - quite marvelous!

And the lid allows the inevitable

sloshing around without spills.

It fits in the pochade box below.

(See the nest peeking at the side.)

the watercolor container

see HERE

This box is a treasure for travel.

see HERE

mine holds a 6x8 board but different sizes

are available.
Shown is a sable travel brush
(with a metal handle)
I rest the box a lap tray. One of those with a
cushion on one side. Comfy and stays put.

I will show the snow study in the next post.

Callas At Christmas

Callas for Christmas

6x8in oil on canvas $125. SOLD

Artist Note.

Such a busy time of year.

This will most likely be my last post

until after Christmas.

Is it too much to hope for 

Peace in the World?

Wherever you live -

 I know we must all wish for it.

I thank our military, and their families

who sacrifice for this ultimate goal.

May everyone's 

Christmas or Holiday

 be full of joy and love for 

those we care for, as well as those who 

now are only memories in our hearts.

Be safe, be warm and be at peace.

Blessings!

What a Difference a Day Makes

Santa Fe Arroyo - Snow

14x11"  oil on canvas  framed

M.Phillips Gallery

What a difference a day makes.

This is the same arroyo and 

Pinion tree as previous post.

One moment, the day is sunny with 

temperatures in the 60's

and the next day ...snow!

The beauty of this area

is when the storm passes...

 out comes the sun again!

Artist Note

Obviously, this view is painted from

the other side of the pinion from 

the previous post and this time

is facing the hills of Santa Fe. 

I only did a few color notes on the canvas

and took photos because 

although it was sunny, my feet

got darn cold!

I am never a happy Julie with cold anything!

Santa Fe Arroyo

Santa Fe Arroyo

9x12in oil on canvas panel
M.Phillips Gallery  SOLD

Artist Note.

I love this spot and have painted 

it many times in all types of weather. 

 The far mountain range,  

named the Jemez Mountains,
(pronounced Hay-mez) 

and over 11,500' high,
is also where Los Alamos Laboratories
are located.
From this spot the Jemez range
can appear almost a cerulean blue 

under certain light conditions.

 With snow it is extra stunning.

Scurrying Clouds

Scurrying Clouds, NM
6x8in oil on canvas panel $125. SOLD
To Purchase  click HERE

If you like lots of green trees then
this is not the view for you.
Personally, I find I love
the long view...
where trees do not block the view.

Artist Note.
I used an angle
brush to form my basic shapes
of color
moving into palette knife work
to add texture for an interesting
surface.

Calla Lily Study

Calla Study

12x9in oil on linen  Sold

I took some of the calla lilies out of the 

previous rose and lily bouquet 

to do a separate study. 

This one was done on

a sheet of Senso - a wonderful, 

clear primed linen -  

leaving the natural color as 

part of the background. 

Artist Note

When I do a study using "paint",

I quickly try to

grasp the essential essence 

of my personal response to 

what I am 

feeling 

as well as what 

I am seeing. 

If I am tackling 

a brand new subject,

I like to do a detailed 

exploration where

I  start with a tight 

and accurate drawing. 

I have many, many 

calla lily drawings.

Love their grace.

Callas and Roses - Correction Made

Roses and Callas

12x9 watercolor on Yupo paper

Artist Note.

It was good to read all the positive 

comments on my last post

and I thank you for them.

I agree and do believe that there 

may have been more 

energy it that version, but once I saw 

something 

I did not like, I had to make the change.

Culprits... the two

facing callas, left and right,

I thought of "horns" when I finally "saw" them

(see below)

To make the change I became cautious.

I painted some paper I matched with 

the general background

 color and hovered over the two shapes

to decide which one I would change.

The dominant right one had to go

.

Hats off to clever Sea Dean who 

spotted my  problem with the first

version. Sea put it this way

" PS I bet it's the clone Callas left and right,

 but sometimes these aberrations are what gives

 the painting it's quirkiness and prevent the

chocolate box effect. 

That's where artistic license comes in.

Excellent -  Now I have to figure out

if they are  too chocolate boxy 

Any thoughts anyone?

Check out Sea Dean on DPW

Precious Flower Gift

Roses and Callas

12x10 watercolor on Yupo paper

not quite finished...

I had a birthday recently and my daughter

and her hubby sent flowers - 

gorgeous flowers. 

(She knows what I like to paint.)

Thanks a bunch, Rainy and Eric.

I had a wonderful time looking, and painting.

Artist Note

I thought this was finished, but,

sigh... I just noticed something 

 I have to fix. 

Put it up on the screen,

 and something not right, jumps right out.

Frustrating, but very helpful.

Does this happen to anyone else?