At the Reception

I wanted to share pictures of my recent reception at a display of some of my work.
My advice to those who actually want to see and absorb artwork is to come back after an opening when the crowds have thinned.
Openings can easily become about socializing and reconnecting with others. Or meeting new people with at least art appreciation in common.
Well- let’s not forget the treats either. As much as I like to ignore this aspect of bringing in the public, my higher aspects are often interrupted- as in;
“Look at the way the artist played with that highlight in the corner--- oh man, take a look at that brownie!”
There is also the expectation of live music and wine where permitted.
The high-end art reception incorporates a combination of the arts- visual, culinary, musical and vineyard; a sensory inundation.
And then there are my receptions……………..

When a show features me I try not to be rude as I flit from person to person or am escorted off by someone to explain something in a piece. It is a fine balance between focusing my attention on an individual and not totally ignoring someone else. To those who have felt my interaction with you too short- my apologies.
Sadly that is the nature of the gig.
Better to come and visit at the studio where we can have real quality time and really get into the world of art and what I do. And of course after a half hour or so you may decide that the brief encounter at the opening was-------- sufficient after all!

Paintings on Display, Reception Imminent!

I was invited to display some of my artwork at the Alamosa SLV Medical Center in December. When the center expanded several years ago they had the foresight to build into the design a very elegant art space. It is a sun-drenched place situated in front of a wall of windows. They call it the Artrium.

I think my paintings are at their best when viewed under natural light since they are all painted in natural light, whether outdoors or in my amply sunny studio.

After the paintings were up we decided to have an opening to take advantage of the opportunity- sort of a spontaneous response.

I also try to help out causes dear to my heart when I can. So we decided to offer a 30% contribution to our local La Puente Homeless Center for any sales that ensue.

So here is the pitch:

Artists Reception 4 to 7 p.m. February 11, 2011 at the Alamosa SLV Regional Medical Center, 2nd Floor Artrium.

Open to the public and refreshments will be served.

The show is up now and until March 20 so if you can't make the reception please come by and check it out when you can.

Painting shown "Lemon Cliffs" 18x24 oil on linen

InSpired

I have long been attracted to rock formations which are so prevalent in the dry West where the geology isn’t covered up by “pesky” vegetation. This piece portrays a famous landmark in northern New Mexico called Chimney Rock at Ghost Ranch. Can’t say much for the creativity of place-namers…. I am sure there are hundreds of Chimney Rocks throughout the country. I would love to know what the Native Americans called it; probably different names by different clans throughout time.

In looking at the attraction to these landmarks there are some obvious aspects such as an easily identifiable natural feature that you can communicate, such as “two miles south of Chimney Rock.” Then there is the piece about the imagery of free standing rock pillars.

The obvious association with rock spires is the phallus shape which conjures up things about masculinity and power. But I also think there is the hopeful recognition in the resemblance to monumental scale humans, perhaps the original inspiration for commemorative statuary. In an animistic bend we can enliven these giant formations with a living presence – the Rock People.

When I visit the area around Ghost Ranch I am cognizant of the mechanics of geology through my years of study, with the “explaining” of how the sediment was laid down, layer after layer, with each stratum telling its own tale. Then the layers being compressed underground for eons and its reemergence as it slowly gets worn down into sediment again by the wind and moisture, freezing and thawing.

This explaining diminishes the magic if you let it. Science can trivialize the wonder of nature with the notion that things happen “normally.”

Science used properly can amplify your appreciation of what you see. “This used to be an ocean beach dune and is now in the side of a cliff 2000 miles away from the sea!”
Such information baffles me back into the magic of our Earth.
Oh- and look over there at that hoo-doo- I see a face!

The painting : "Inspired" oil on canvas 24" x 18"

Like Lazarus

I have had many collaborations with musician Don Richmond over the years. He has honored me with including my artwork on four projects so far: two for his solo projects and one for a release with Hired Hands. The latest is a piece I did for his latest solo project “Like Lazarus.”

We had talked for several years about this album - as he gelled the tunes together the cover image came to him as well. Pivotal in both projects was his miraculous comeback from life- threatening cancer. It is truly a gift to us all to hear him sing and play this collection of music, much of it born from his magical adventure. To quote another musician- long may you run!
He wanted imagery relating to rebirth. The resurrection of Lazarus with the help of Jesus is a very iconic template which he refers to in one song. He wanted me to portray the newly revived Don gazing out at the world from the portal of the tomb- eyes blinded by the magnificence of a first morning.
I had a first version that was more in tune with my naturalistic portrayal of the landscape but it wasn’t quite “acid” enough- a reference no doubt to movies we have both seen.
So I cranked up the chroma and color intensity as well as the magic as well.
This allowed me to push my envelope and go where I don’t usually go.
In a word Fun.
The coyote was adorned with an aura and the halo around Sierra Blanca was revealed to all.
So enjoy this image and bug Don to see the original- its bigger than the CD cover.
Pick up this very fine collection of music and even better try and find the time to see Don perform in person. He is having several CD release events and you can check it out by the link provided. Thanks for reading!

The painting: "Like Lazarus" oil on linen 16"x20"

To check out Donnie's Doings go to http://www.donrichmond.com/

At the Oasis

I was invited to enjoy and paint the Medano and Zapata Ranches here in the San Luis Valley at the base of Sierra Blanca and near the Great Sand Dunes. This was the second year I have participated in this event sponsored by the wonderful Phillips Family and the Nature Conservancy.

They invite an interesting mix of artists from various perspectives and media. Plein-air painters, etchers, sculptors and too many more to list. The focus is to “gather material.”

This year there were 29 artists including local friends Coni Grant and Sue McCullough.
So that was the set up. I was amused to see the artists wandering about in this magical part of the world, like children let loose for recess. Lots of wide-eyed looks and statements that usually end up with trailing adjectives. Me included. Even though I live close–by, there is a special wonderment in being in intimate day-to-day relation with the meadows, cottonwoods, looming peaks and enigmatic dunes. Not so much with the mosquitos…
And the bison- 2400 of the grunting beasts, with hundreds of calves. You could drive through a herd of several hundred animals in the morning and in the afternoon return to find them gone and nowhere to be seen for 10 miles along the flat horizon. Like ghosts or dreams. The trampled ground and poop piles testifying to their reality.
Found in this terrain are campsites from 12,000 years ago, where ancient people hunted ice-age bison, twice as big as the modern animals with 6 feet spanning between their horns atop their huge heads.
There is a poetic continuity in keeping with the bison theme for millennia. The modern animals were brought in to repopulate the herds exterminated in the 1800’s- a short break in the long timeline.
I feel blessed by people with money who invest in the retention of this landscape to keep it in tune with its ancient rhythms.
I only wish I could paint it better! Oh well- one more special opportunity to wander.
Thanks.

the pictures:

"Magic Morning" plein air oil , 12" x 9"

A bison herd on the Medano Ranch

Coni and Sue painting

Painting the Land-- For the Land

There is a potent combination for me as an artist and a conservationist when you get a “double hit” on an art function. Such an event is currently on stage with the collaboration between artists and the Rio Grande Land Trust (RIGHT) to raise money for each other. The trust has been actively negotiating easements on San Luis Valley private lands to ensure they remain open space into the future.
Some of the artists involved in this multiple event project are concentrating on celebrating these protected vistas through varied interpretations. Other artists will offer their art of other subject matter. All artists are donating a piece to be sold by RIGHT and also a percentage of sales on all other works. The culmination will be the " Keep the Rio Grande Grand" art sale in South fork on August 14.
We recently had a paint-out on the Gilmore Family Ranch near Alamosa. Nearly a dozen artists showed up to paint the fantastic scenes on this spectacular property and to display available works. Shown here are two pieces I did on the ranch that are for sale.
It is thrilling to know that a century from now the artwork we produce will still depict the scenes that are there today.
There will be another on site event at the Sowards Ranch above Creede on Saturday June 12. with fellow artists participating, Steve Quiller, Sue McCullough, Coni Grant, Charles Ewing and Rita Roberts to name a few. For directions and further information go to the RIGHT web site.
TOP: "Ranch Slough" oil on linen 12x16
LEFT: " Ranch Morning" oil on linen 9x12

Courtyard

The painting featured here was done from the covered boardwalk near the historic home of Kit Carson in Taos. A pleasant spring afternoon after an overnight dumping of wet, spring snow. Many passers-by stopped to engage in discovery and sharing of experience. The painting was near completion when I felt the piece had a certain lack of energy.
As I surveyed my subject I noticed that I had left out a pair of saplings in the courtyard. I had also overlooked or had taken for granted the presence of a robin that had been lazily roosting in the tree almost the entire time.
When I put these in, it seemed the painting had more spark.

"Courtyard" 12 x 9 oil on linen