Summer Skies

This year I reorganized my online class schedule to better fit the course to the time of year. In the past, classes were added when a need seemed to arise and as a result some students in colder climes found themselves struggling to work outdoors. As a result, The Painted Sky is being offered again this summer (having just been taught in February). Summer is, of course, a glorious time to go skying.


Recently when I was looking through some old portfolios of drawings I came across these pastel cloud studies done in the summer of 2001 in Santa Fe. I wrote about The Summer of Santa Fe here. It made me smile to see them and think of those big New Mexico skies once again. Pardon the skewed cell phone photography.

The Painted Sky Online Class

July 26- August 23, 2013 For landscape painters, painting a believable sky means creating a sense of distance, atmosphere, light, and mood. This course is designed to give students the knowledge and techniques to paint beautiful atmospheric skies. In this course we will cover: ~ gradation of colors in the sky at various times of day ~ gradation of values in the sky ~ types of cloud formations and how to depict them ~ use of atmospheric and linear perspective to create believable skies ~ glazes and scumbling techniques ~ using a variety of edges in painting skies ~ composing skies for maximum effect Registration for The Painted Sky here Online classes are a great way to study at a slower, measured pace and on your own schedule. Participation is limited to ten students, so there is plenty of individual attention. To learn more about how these classes work, click here.

Many students find this way of learning to be challenging, effective and convenient. In any given class I may have students from throughout the US as well as Canada, the UK and Europe, so it makes for a lively, interesting learning experience. Click here to read what students have to say. And registration is here.

September in Taos

Sunset Pines
24 x 18
Available at Isherwood Gallery, Newport, RI

The first time Steve and I visited New Mexico was in the fall of 1998. I had wanted to go for a long time. My first teacher and mentor, Ned Jacob, had lived in New Mexico in his early years as an artist and his stories loomed large in my imagination about how it might be to live a life as a full time artist. We decided to visit Taos, where so many writers and artists in the early 20th century had been lured by the quality of the light, a magnificent landscape and an exotic mix of cultures. The rest is history- we spent a number of years in New Mexico part time and over five years there full time.

This September we will be back in Taos for my workshop. As luck would have it, the Plein Air Painters of New Mexico (PAPNM) are having their Juried Exhibition at the Millicent Rogers Museum in Taos at the same time - opening on September 17th. In 2004 I founded Plein Air New Mexico- now PAPNM- which grew to over two hundred members over the next few years. One of the goals I set for the group when I started it was to have an exhibition at a museum. Since my departure in 2007, the group has continued to grow and last year held its first show with a museum venue. So, it is a great pleasure to see this come to fruition, and an honor to be asked to be the Judge of Awards for the show.

September in Taos is spectacular. Changing aspens and cottonwoods, blooming chamisa and wonderful weather make it a perfect time of year to visit. There are still a few spots left in the workshop- details are at the link at the top of the sidebar.

A Workshop in Taos

As many of my blog readers know, I lived in New Mexico for over five years. Although I am completely immersed in the landscape around me now, I still see New Mexico as a beautiful, magical place. So, when I got the opportunity to organize a workshop in Taos, I didn't hesitate!



The location for the class is a beautiful private home equipped with two large studios in Ranchos de Taos. It's surrounded by the gorgeous high desert and views of the Sangre de Christo Mountains. There are affordable accommodations nearby. The workshop is scheduled for September 19-23, 2011, which should put us at just the right time to view the breathtaking color of the turning cottonwoods and aspen.


This five day workshop will combine some outdoor work with studio time. We'll draw and sketch in the field, then return to the studio to compose well designed underpaintings and learn indirect painting techniques like glazing and scumbling to create luminosity and atmosphere.

Light lunch will be supplied each day and we will also have a couple of evening sessions to talk art history and the business of art.


The workshop is beginning to fill. A $150 deposit holds your spot in the class, with the remainder due 45 days prior to the start of the workshop. Please email if you have any questions. You can sign up here (scroll down to Taos workshop).

New 2011 Workshop!

OK, here they are in their sweet little tabernacle frames. They really ought to be switched around to be hung, but you get the idea.

I am really pleased to announce I'll be teaching a five day workshop in Taos, New Mexico next fall, September 19-23, 2011. The class will be held in a beautiful private home with two spacious studios that can accommodate up to ten students. You can go here for more information or to register. This is going to be fun!

Telluride Plein Air-Day One

We're here! We had a lovely trip - spending Saturday in Santa Fe and enjoying lunch with artist friends - Lynn Windsor, Barry McCuan, Steve Worthington and Meridee Mandio. Saturday night we stayed with Nancy Silvia and Hiroshi Murata at their beautiful home just outside of Santa Fe.





Sunday we headed through our old stomping grounds in northern New Mexico- stopping in Abiquiu for lunch. We arrived in Telluride about 4:30-a half hour too late to get my canvases stamped for the event. But, no matter- had a lovely dinner with our hosts Debbie and Gary Friedman and were treated to spectacular "last light" on the valley floor.



Up early this morning, got my canvases stamped, ran into Stacey Peterson doing the same thing, and now I am on the way out the door to paint. Stay tuned!

Evening Pool

Evening Pool
10 x 12
Sold

This is one of the three smaller pieces I am exhibiting at the Albuquerque Museum Miniatures & More show. The gala opening is on October 24 and I am looking forward to a road trip over to New Mexico. I'll spend a few extra days in Santa Fe after the show.

Shortly after I started this blog over two years ago now, I did a series of small paintings called Rick's Pool. As I explained back then, the word "pool" is used in northeast Texas to describe a pond, which is mostly used to water livestock but often serves as a fishing hole as well. They are a constant source of inspiration for my work.

Home Again

We're home. July 4th in Telluride was terrific as usual. I wrote a bit about the celebration in the last post. One of the things I didn't mention, is that in addition to the fun funky part of the parade and festivities, this little town goes all out to honor Veterans. Every year, all Vets present on the 4th, whether from Telluride or visitors, are invited to march in the parade. This year my husband Steve (USMC 1967-1970) marched with about 25 others (including several artists from the show). The crowd cheers, small children shout "thank you", the band plays- it was very moving-especially since Steve and his comrades never got a parade or thank you when they came home. I was very proud.

The show ended on a positive note with another sale, and we headed home on Sunday morning. Driving through New Mexico, we were treated to what we used to call "Maynard Dixon skies" all day...



Then, a big storm rolled in and we saw this:

And, finally a moonrise through the storm clouds

Quite a show.

October Afternoon

October Afternoon
7 1/2 x 12 oil
Please contact me if interested in this piece

This past weekend I drove to New Mexico for the opening of the Albuquerque Museum Miniatures & More show. It was a quick trip- 24 hours of driving squeezed into about a 54 hour trip. But, I'm glad I went. I saw many friends at the show and I always enjoy the drive, especially at this time of year. I was more than a bit worried about how the show would go, given the recent economic news. I haven't heard whether overall things were slower, but Summer Moon sold, for which I am very grateful.

About a year ago, I was making the drive back from a show in California, and wrote about not being sure where home was. But Sunday, as the high desert of New Mexico gave way to the rolling hills of north Texas, I knew I was heading in the right direction.