Strange phone call

I received a phone call yesterday morning that really shocked the hell out of me. I can't really be specific about who it was since I promised I would keep it secret for now. Basically, this someone read my art story and related to it on a very personal level. This person let me know that history was repeating itself (doesn't it always?) and that I was right about everything I had ever told them. The best part of the phone call was being told that I was right! Now, of course, everyone likes to be told they are/were right, but in this case, it REALLY FELT GOOD!! This is something I've been waiting for and never thought would happen. At the same time that I'm happy about being right, I feel bad for this person having to go through what they're going through. No one should have to go through that! Life is hard enough without having deal with the person you love screwing you over. In case that person is reading this, I just want them to know I am here for you. Heck, I'm here for anyone. I like to think of myself as a good person, and a good friend. So, if you read my art story and have your own story to share, feel free to drop me a line sometime!

On a lighter note, I am so excited! I was able to find my hubby a piano for free!! He has wanted a piano forever but we could never afford one. So, I signed up for a yahoo group called Freecycle and after about a month, I found Aaron a piano! Freecycle is a group that was set up to promote recycling instead of dumping in landfills. Follow the link to find out more. It is a wonderful group of people!

School started today, so I finally have the house to myself during the day again! I should now be able to get back into my groove and start painting, posting, listing, etc, etc. Keep checking back as I plan to have new stuff up here as well as on the website and selling sites. I have some new things I've been working on and I'm looking forward to getting some feedback. Hope everyone has a wonderful day! I will most definitely be posting more often now. :)

Summer break is over

Sorry about the gap in postings. I was enjoying the last week or so of summer break. My hubby goes back to school today and the boys go back on the 10th and 14th. So, back to work/play I go! I have lots of organization to get done today and probably for the rest of the week. I will be looking into a new selling website called ecrater. An ebay powerseller friend of mine told me about it. All the listings are free unless you use the featured listings. We shall see, I have to do something different, ebay is killing me with all their fee increases!

I am now making frames in addition to mats. I was lucky enough to buy out the equipment from a frame shop that went out of business. I am hoping to target other artists who need framing but hate to pay frame shop prices. Since I work out of my home studio, I don't have all the overhead, so I can offer wholesale pricing. I will also ship anywhere, so keep an eye out for my new frame listings.

Another new thing I started last week is painted boxes. I really enjoyed making them and I hope to list them in my etsy.com shop by the end of the week.

My boys came home from their visit with their dad yesterday. It is so nice to have them home. Now I don't have to worry about them anymore!

I may post more later once I get my thoughts together.

too much to do, too little time

It has been too long since I've posted anything here. Since we came back from Utah and Rigby passed away I have been busy, busy, busy! Plus we are enjoying our last few days before the boys come back from their dad's in Arkansas. We spent Monday thru yesterday up in the mountains at hubby's family cabin. It's always nice to go there and relax. It rained and was no hotter than 70 degrees the whole time we were there. We also visited with some old friends that live in Ruidoso that we haven't seen in way too long.

Summer is winding down. We have received the registration information for the boys and by the 14th of August they will be back in school. I love the summer, but I always look forward to getting my quiet time back during the day. Maybe then I can get back to some kind of routine and do some painting!! I have many paintings swimming around in my head right now. Can't wait to get them out!

This week is also a somber one as a very good friend of mine lost her dad earlier this week. I wish I knew what to do to help her out. I'm not very good at dealing with death.

Anyway, by next week I hope to be back on some kind of schedule and post more regularly here. Until then.........

Arches National Park

Ready to post the photos I took in Arches and Canyonlands. The trip was absolutely amazing, we hiked over 9 miles and I took around 75 photos. I could have taken thousands and it would not have been enough to capture the beauty and size of the rock formations. I would have to recommend going there in person as that is the only way to fully appreciate the experience! I plan to do several paintings of different arches, I can hardly wait to get started! We purposely didn't see all of the arches, that way we HAVE to go back! Besides, after the first 8 miles, my knee started bothering me so we were unable to hike further. It sucks to get old.

I am working on putting together a collage of our greatly missed puppy dog, Rigby Roo. Most of the photos I have of her are on regular film, so I have to scan them all first. I will post it once I get it done.

Below are a couple sample photos from the trip, I will post more later.


Delicate Arch, taken from across the canyon. By the time we came to this arch, I was unable to hike so we viewed it from the opposite cliff.






North and South Arches, the rocks are watching you!

Back home

Back at home late this morning. Had a great trip, inspired beyond belief! I will post more photos on Monday.

Today when we came home we had to deal with burying one of our beloved pets, Eleanor Rigby. She was almost 14 years old and lived a long, good life. My husband had her from puppyhood and I was lucky enough to be her human mom for 11 years. We have been expecting this for about a year now, but that doesn't make it any easier to take. She was part of the family and we will miss her tremendously!

Mesa Verde Cliff Dwellings!

Fortunately, it turns out there is wireless internet in the room! Today was an absolutely amazing day! We made a great start with our first stop being Mesa Verde Cliff Dwellings in SW Colorado. I have wanted to go here for many many years. My mom told me today that I had been there when I was 8 years old. Don't remember that at all! So, anyway, it was an absolutely stunning place, I took some cool photos, I'm posting a few here and now, I will pick the best later and write more about the trip. Tomorrow we hike in Arches National Park here in Moab, Utah! I can hardly wait...I need to sleep!!

Summer has now taken over!

In case anyone was wondering or cares, summer has taken over and I am having a hard time fighting back anymore! It has been a struggle but I have decided to just let go and relax!

My mom and her husband have invited my husband and I to take a trip with them to Moab, Utah next week. Tuesday, my boys leave to visit their dad and Wednesday we leave for 4 days/3 nights in Moab and then down to Durango and Mesa Verde Cliff Dwellings. I have been to Durango before, but never to Moab or Mesa Verde, so I am soooooo excited. I plan to take the camera and laptop, so I will come back with many pictures to share. If the hotel has internet connection I may post some before I come home. I'll have to wait and see.

Anyone who knows me just a little will know that Moab and Mesa Verde are like candy to me, I can hardly wait to see the rock formations and cliff dwellings!

I think the best part is getting away from home for a little while and hopefully I will be inspired to come home and paint, paint, paint!!! I seriously need a change of scenery and some inspiration!

So, depending on the internet situation, it could be a week before I post again. I promise to get into a more regular posting schedule when we return. Until then.........:)

Summertime.......

Just realized it has been over a week since I posted here. We spent the first half of the week at my brother's house in Las Cruces. Aaron and Travis spent time in the recording studio playing around and writing a song. They have been talking about doing that for years. So, while they did that, I took a drive around town, drove out to the mountains and took some photos. I will post some here once I get them downloaded. Update: See below Other than that, I sat around the house and watched tv.

While we were gone, we finally had some much needed rain. Actually, it was more like hail mixed with rain. All the plants have been beaten up pretty bad. Our shed, which is under ground, was flooded with around 8 inches of water. It took Aaron all day yesterday to shop vac it out! The good news is, we really needed the rain! Maybe now they will open up the hiking trails again!

Yesterday was my great aunt's 90th birthday! Day before was my mom's birthday. So, we had the family over for dinner last night. Aaron made peach cobbler for dessert. It was very yummy, too bad there is none left!

So, today, I have to get back to work. I have some orders to get out and I should clean the studio so I can get back to painting. I have been having a very hard time getting motivated.

Oh, and thanks to everyone that has been commenting on my blog, it's nice to know people are reading it!

New Spiral Flower Abstract

This is the newest painting in my Spiral Abstract Series. "Daisy" is a watermixable oil painting on canvas measuring 16 x 20"(inches). The sides are painted so it may be hung as is. The inspiration for this painting is the beautiful Daisies that my husband planted for me in the backyard. I plan to continue this series of floral abstracts indefinately. It may sound sappy, but flowers make me happy!

This painting will be going up for auction Saturday on eBay. I will add a link once the auction starts.

Artists in Times of War

I just finished reading a great short little book by Howard Zinn titled "Artists in Times of War". He talks about how it is the artist's responsibility to speak out against war. Historically artists have been the ones to speak out.

I agree with this wholeheartedly! Problem is, I'm torn between knowing that I have to speak out and do something and being afraid to speak out and do something. In reality, feeling afraid to speak out just makes me angry and makes me want to do even more.

Is this not the greatest country in the world after all? Are we not free to speak our minds? I don't like to write about politics on this blog, mainly because I am a visual person, I am not a writer. I don't really know how to put my feelings and beliefs into words.

I do know that I am tired of all the crap going on in this country and I am tired of all the ignorant Americans who continue to believe we are in this war for good reason. I am tired of the propaganda and the use of the media to distract us from what is really going on.

Why is peace such a difficult concept? Why does greed run this country, this world? Why are so-called Christians(not bashing all Christians here, I know there are good and bad) so gung-ho for war? I mean, isn't 'Thou shalt not kill' one of the ten commandments? I have often wondered how a person can be against abortion but for war? It is murder to kill a fetus, but sending my 18 year old off to die is patriotic?

And my ultimate question.....WHY CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?!!!!!

Let there be peace on earth!!! I think it is time for me to pick up where I left off with my peace series! Painting is the only way I know how to contribute my voice and make it heard (or in this case, seen!)

In what ways are you making your voice heard?

photos of ruins available

I just finished putting these two photos up for sale in my etsy.com store. They are 7 x 10" images in an 11 x 14" mat. They are priced right at $9.99 plus $5 shipping. Follow the links beside the photos.


Quarai Ruins


Abo Ruins

Trip to the Salinas Ruins

This last Saturday, the 10th, was mine and Aaron's 9th wedding anniversary. We had hoped to spend the day hiking to the top of the Sandias, but thanks to stupid people and high fire danger the mountain is closed! How can you close an entire mountain?? So, instead of a hike, we took a short drive southeast of Albuquerque to check out the Salinas pueblo ruins.




We visited two different sites, there are 3 total. But, since we have recently visited the third site on Memorial Day, we decided to skip that one this time. These pueblos were occupied up until the 1600s when water was scarce and most of the people moved closer to the Rio Grande river valley and the more modern pueblos. I'm posting some of the photos I took there.



I plan to do some paintings from some of these as well as making prints from some of the photos themselves. I just love visiting these sites, they are so mysterious and beautiful! I always feel a presence when I am there. I am sure there are still many spirits living there. These pueblos did not escape the oppression of the Spanish explorers, as all three of the sites have both Spanish mission churches and Kivas.
It is obvious why they were abandoned, there is no sign of water anywhere and man is it hot! So, check back soon to see the paintings that will inevitably come out of this day trip!

Lazy Days

I am enjoying vacation time. Yesterday was Aaron's birthday, Saturday is our anniversary. 9 years of great memories. We usually take a trip at this time of year, but Nathan had to go to summer school, so we couldn't go anywhere. Maybe later in the summer. I really want to go down to Mexico to meet the Mata Ortiz potters. I sold a bunch of my pottery prints to go into the museum down there and was invited to go down for a visit. I would love to see how the pottery is made and watch the artists paint the wonderful designs. One of my dreams is to learn how to make my own pottery.

I have been doing a little bit of work here and there. I finally cleaned up the studio. We had a huge dust storm a few weeks back and I never did get around to cleaning up after it. Until this week! So, my plans are to get back into the studio and paint! I have one painting started right now, I need to stretch some more canvas before I can do more.

It has been unbelievably hot here recently. I think that is the main reason I'm having trouble wanting to work. Of course, our swamp cooler isn't working right now!

Over all, I have decided that I need the vacation time to recharge. I am catching up on my reading. We went to the library yesterday to pick up more books. I'm reading about Leonardo da Vinci right now. In fact, I think I'll get back to that!

Too long

I know it has been a little while since my last post. Have I mentioned how hard it is to get things done with everyone home from school for the summer? I know, I'm whining. The main reason for this is that I just want to be on vacation too! So after fighting it for over a week now, I've decided to take it easy and have a little vacation time. I will still process any orders that come through and answer my email, but I'm going to give myself a little slack in the work department.

In case you didn't know this (if you know me you should), I am a workaholic. If I'm not working, I'm feeling guilty about not working. Basically, all I ever think about is working. OK, most people would say that I don't really work, because I'm an artist and I do what I love. This is true(that I do what I love), however, being an artist is more than just painting! There is a LOT of business related work to be done in order to make a living as a full time professional artist. People often ask me how I have made it this far, how am I able to work as a full time artist? First off, I have to admit, I have a wonderful husband who supports me AND pays the bills! So, just because I spend my full time as a professional artist, does not mean I make lots of money at it.

What has been most important for me is perserverance AND hard work! I have a business plan that I review yearly. Believe it or not, I actually spend more time on the business side of things than the art side. I have read that it takes 50% of your time on business, but I think that should be raised to at least 70%! If only I could spend ALL my time painting and creating!

So, now that I finally completed my newsletter and sent it out, I'm going to spend the next couple weeks working on art and only art! I will try to get something new posted here soon. Until then, I hope everyone is having a great summer, whether you are on vacation or not! :)

First day of summer break.

I guess I didn't need to complain about everyone being home for summer. The boys are teenagers so of course they were out of here pretty quick to go hang out with their friends.

Today I have been working on getting my website updated and also finishing up my latest newsletter. I have been working on it for far too long. I just want to make sure it's good.

At the beginning of May I started selling on a new website Etsy.com
It is a cool site that only allows handmade items. So, unlike ebay, I'm not in competition with a bunch of mass produced prints and such. There are some really great handmade things on Etsy, great place to go for gifts or for yourself.

I have also been surfing on blog explosion a lot, working on getting more traffic to my blog. I have found some cool new blogs to read and hope to get the links added here soon.

This morning I spent some time cleaning the studio up. The dust has been blowing incessantly and I have to clean more often so I can work! I wish there were some way to have a totally dust free home! You would think I would be used to it after living in the desert most of my life!

This pottery watercolor is my most recent painting. The design is completely my own. I have wanted to do a series of pots using my own designs for many years. Only recently do I have the confidence to actually go through with it! I plan to do a complete series of these pots. If you are interested in buying this painting, click HERE.

What European city do I belong in?

This is a quiz I took, kinda fun.

You Belong in Barcelona

When it comes to Europe, you don't want to decide between culture and fun. You want art by day and a big party by night. Barcelona is ideal for you. You can check out some Picasso, eat some tapas, take a siesta, and then dance all night!

What European City Do You Belong In?

Summer Break almost here

The newsletter is still in the process, should have it done by tomorrow for sure.

I'm somewhat in a panic mode, trying to get as much done as I can before summer break gets here. Don't get me wrong, I love summer. The problem is, summer means my boys and husband will be home everyday, all day! Not that this is a bad thing, but it means I will be easily distracted and it gets even more difficult to get anything done. Not to mention it is really hard to work when it is so beautiful outside!

I think I may spend some time this summer painting en plein aire (sp?). For anyone who doesn't know what that means, it basically is painting outside on site instead of in the studio. I haven't been out of the studio to paint in way too long!

I hope to have some new paintings posted here by tomorrow. That is, if I can get into the studio to paint! Enough said, I'm off to paint!

newsletter coming back

I just realized it's been over a week since I wrote here. I am busily putting together my first newsletter in over three years. Anyone who has been on my mailing list for that long may remember that once upon a time I sent out a print newsletter every three months. I couldn't tell you now what caused me to stop. I'm sure there was a valid reason years ago, but now, time has just gotten away from me and it has been way too long. I am still trying to decide how to send the newsletter. Most probably it will go out by email now. So, I hope that by this time next week I will have it complete and ready to send out.

I had an ok Mother's day yesterday. My two youngest sons wished me a happy mother's day and even gave me hugs!!! (gasp! hugs from teenage boys!!!) My wish for mother's day was to go on an all day hike in the Sandias, but alas it was not to be! The hiking trails were all closed because of high fire danger! I just want to hike, not start a forest fire. Oh well, it has been raining a little today, so with any luck the trails will be open again soon. We are so far behind in rainfall this year it is a little scary. Anyway, so after the failed hike attempt, we went by my mom's house and wished her a happy day, I gave her my "Two hearts are One" painting. She seemed to like it. Tonight, my oldest son and his girlfriend are taking me out to dinner for Mom's day. He had to work yesterday so it had to be pushed back a day.

So, I guess I'd better get busy with that newsletter! I will put all the art news in the newsletter, so I hate to repeat things here that will be in the newsletter.

Happy Monday!!

Painting Frenzy!

I’ve spent the past couple of days in my studio, it’s been a painting frenzy! I love it when painting comes this easily. It doesn’t always flow like this, so I’ve learned to take advantage when it happens. I finished two paintings and started two more! See the finished paintings below. The first one is a continuation of the rock series, ‘City of the Rocks II’ and the second one is a new spiral abstract, ‘Red Sunflower II’.

Both of these paintings will be up for auction starting this weekend. I will add links once the auctions begin.

City of the Rocks II,
watercolor, 14 x 21 inches
Auction













Red Sunflower II,
oils, 20 x 20 inches
Auction

One down, two to go!

Yesterday my oldest son moved out of our house, for the second time. He is 20 now so it's good that he is on his own. Hopefully this time he can keep up with his bills so he won't have to move back again. Yesterday was quite a day. Bryan was supposed to have packed everything on Sunday, actually, he had 2 weeks to get packed! So, yesterday I had to help him pack AND help him move everything because Aaron and his brothers were at school. In the middle of the day I get a call from my youngest son's school. Nate was caught smoking with some friends so I had to go pick him up because he's been suspended for 3 days! Anyway, to make a long story short, I was ready to go off by the end of the day! Actually, I did go off! The good news is that Aaron came home from school around that time and he helped Bryan finish up while I went to a friend's house and chilled out.

Needless to say, I didn't get any work done yesterday! One of these days I hope to get a little time to myself so I can finish a painting that has been sitting on my drawing table for over a week. My goal when I moved the studio back to the house was to paint daily. That still isn't happening, but I'm getting closer. The new fad with artists online these days is the painting a day blogs. I like the idea, but I don't know if I will ever get there. I won't give up trying though!

Maybe next week!

Today is my day to take my great Aunt for an outing. I just love spending time with her. She's so feisty and full of life, it's hard to believe she's almost 90 at times! It makes me happy to take her on outings, because it makes her so happy. She says I'm good to her, how can I not be? It makes me feel good to make her happy.

So, tomorrow I will get back to work. Today should be a great day!