"The Watering Can" (better photos)

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I like these photos much better. They accurately portray how dark the darks are. This is a beautiful little 7x9 inch oil study of my favorite watering can full of flowers.

These two photos show the brushwork on the can - I really had a great time with this one.

Cinderella Pumpkin (for Bill)

SURPRISE! I finally found my way back into my studio...and yes, it felt very good.

Now don't laugh but I don't ever remember seeing this type of pumpkin any where but in a story book before now. My friends called it a Cinderella Pumpkin and they are beautiful.
Here's my beginning. A wash of Burnt Sienna and then a wipe out of my image. Then I went back in and darkened some areas with more Burnt Sienna.
I begin my darks - Sap Green with some Burnt Sienna. Its always at this stage that I feel like I have no talent what so ever and wonder what ever made me think I could paint. Does that ever happen to anyone else?

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Finally my little 6x8 inch painting emerges and I am satisfied...well sort of...I'm one of those painters who can't find a stopping point. I need to hire some one to come in and physically remove me from the studio in order to not "Tickle" a painting to death. Is anyone else like that???

Its funny how I'm never really happy with a piece of work but sometimes I can be happy with bits and pieces. I absolutely love the stem and the that background....

I know, its almost time for the guys in the little white coat to come get me....

Thanks to all of you who have been so patient and encouraging - I love you guys!

"Hollyhocks in the Alley" 11X14 oil on stretched canvas

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I love this painting! I took dozens of photos but none of them told the whole story. The darks are not dark enough and the lights aren't photographing strong enough. This one comes closest.

The detail are much sharper in the painting.
Normally I photograph my paintings outside in order to get the most accurate picture. But it has rained all day and been too gray. I will wait a couple of days to see if the sun breaks through. If it does I'll try to take a better picture to list this on eBay.

One more time...

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I like this much better, and its much closer to the original chapel built by don Celso Baca to honor his mother. Although I couldn't determine an exact date that the chapel was build, Celso Baca is credited for founding Santa Rosa (New Mexico) after he settled int he area in the early 1860's. Unfortunately this little gem has succumbed to the elements. It's remaining walls can still be viewed on State Highway 91 that winds through Santa Rosa on it's way to Puerto de Luna.
This photo dates back to about 1930

Details of the brushstrokes used to render the church.
So, did I save it? I think so - I love it.

First trip back into the studio.

SOLD

Click to Bid

Well, here it is....my first painting after my heart attack. A pale attempt but at least I did it. I climbed the stairs to my studio (with my Doctor's permission) and had to sit and rest for a while. I was too tired (maybe lazy) to find a picture to work from or worse yet set up a still life so I just dipped my brush and winged it...making it up as I went along.

Blah in Moonlight

I really like this tree. Really I do. What I don't like is the rest of the canvas. At first I had a crazy notion to put in these flowers (see photo below)...what was I thinking? Then I took them out. Better but lacking. I'm stalled - I haven't got a clue where to go from here. Still, I like the tree.

I'm headed to California for a conference - maybe the west coast air will blow out the cobwebs. Later -

The Cream Pitcher

Click here for eBay link

Now here's a little story....about a year or so I did this painting of the cream pitcher and it was on a horrible brown background and I was so unhappy with the piece that I tossed it in my slush pile and wrote off my effort as "a valuable practice session" - valuable in teaching me what not to do!

Then last weekend I was working on a piece that I needed to let dry and glancing at the clock I knew I didn't have time to really get a decent start on a new piece before we had to leave to meet friends for dinner but I still wanted to paint so I grabbed this little guy out of the slush (more like sludge) pile and decided to repaint the background a darker - richer color to see if there was any hope. Once I did that I liked the painting a whole lot more.

But then I realized my biggest problem was my bad planning when it came to the position of the subject matter. I knew I needed to balance the canvas so I decided to try my hand at a piece of glass - specifically a mason jar just for fun. I loved it - now I could be hooked on glass - hum...glass jars stuck in Chamisa bushes...what do you think? Ha!

It was so much fun and a great exercise. I intend to do more so stay tuned - Cara

Chamisa - More of the same

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I love this little painting! I had to show it to you again, this time in a frame. I've also included a close up of the details.

No name for this one...

Oldie but a goodie...

I have to be honest and say that I don't have much heart yet to post too much. So I have decided to show you something I did a million years ago. This was oil on watercolor paper. Interesting effect but not enough forgiveness in it for someone as inexperienced as I was (and still am). Once I put a color down it had to stay, no do-overs.

I need do-overs!

The Patio

This is a painting I did while attending the Scottsdale School of Art in Scottsdale, Arizona (well that was redundant wasn't it?)

This was a week long workshop with Ray Vinella. I loved studying with him and had the good fortune to do it twice. Google his name sometime, he's my favorite artist.

Brass Bowl

SOLD

Small 5 x7 inch study of my grandmother's brass bowl.

The Old Home Place

9x12 inch oil on canvas

One day we were riding down back roads when I spotted this long abandoned property. I loved the red roofs peeking out of the over growth.

Currently being offered for auction on eBay.

Marigolds and Blue Kettle

12x16 Oil on Canvas -

This blue enamel kettle was an unexpected gift that rocked my world. Its funny when you get something you would have never thought of purchasing yourself and you end up loving it. I actually wore this kettle out. Lots and lots of tea…

Currently auctioned on eBay.

Yellow Bowl

SOLD

8x10 Oil on Canvas

This sweet little still life was literally a part of my kitchen preparation for dinner. The yellow stoneware bowl is one of my favorite dishes. Placed against the red of the plump tomatoes it called out to be painted.

This painting is currently being auctioned on eBay.

COme Around Through the Back

SOLD

This was one of my all time favorites and I was lucky enough to have it purchased by someone I thought a lot of. Its always nice to see you work go off to a new home but its especially rewarding when its someone you admire who wants your work.

Hollyhocks

SOLD

Bright bold hollyhocks leaning against a plastered adobe wall are a common site around New Mexico in summer.

Bougainvillea

SOLD

This was a study done in Scottsdale while I was attending the Scottsdale School of Art.

What makes this funny in a very sad and expensive way is that I had gone there to attend a workshop given by an artist I had just discovered by the name of Ray Vinella.

Little did I know until I got there that Mr. Vinella lived in Taos and regularly taught workshops in Santa Fe, just 60 miles from where I lived at the time.

Never mind, I loved Scottsdale and loved the class.

Winter Trees

This little painting was my first attempt at plein air painting.

This piece was done...hum..I'll bet this was done at least 15 years ago. I was driving along the Turquoise Trail when I pulled over and set up. My son was with me and he played in the arroyo and chased rabbits while I painted.

I have always been sentimental about this piece and have never had the heart to part with it.