Ten Days in Taos

We got back home about a week ago and have feverishly been trying to get caught up and back down to earth (literally, from 9,000 ft to about 400!). It was an exciting trip with lots of wonderful interludes- seeing old friends at the PAPNM show, the workshop, meeting new friends, and visiting with family. As usual I failed miserably at taking enough photos. No photos of Steve's "gumbo night" party, Kyoko's tempura feast, and a dozen other things. But, here are a few.

first sunset

PAPNM awards ceremony

class photo

teaching

field sketching on the Rio Grande

visit to the Millicent Rodgers Museum & my work

family fun

last sunset

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).