Month: April 2007

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Reflections

What a Spring this has been. I’m sure you can see its been a couple weeks since my last post. Spring is generally seen as the coming forth, and new life rising from the frozen death of winter. This Spring has been, for me and my (extended) family, a new level of understanding of new life.

March 12, 2007, my Dad, Richard Crabb, passed from this life, in death defeating the foes that he grappled with. Only 68 years old, the legacy he left us is only now coming into view. I used to think all I inherited from my Dad were issues that I considered I would be better off without. It is only in his death that I have come to see there is a richness and indeed what many consider positive aspects of who I am, that are mine, from my Dad. I’m thankful to those who have shared with me, how they saw my Dad, how my Dad impacted them. You knew him in ways that I never did. How bittersweet it is to know those things…why could I not know it while he lived? Such is the nature of Spring, perhaps. The flowers that will bloom after the heavy snows and harsh winds of Winter will fill this valley with color we have not seen in years. Is it that the harshest Winter brings forth the brightest life that awakens in Spring?

My Dad’s death was not to be the end of it. April 25th, my Uncle, Dr. Francis Wall, joined my Dad on the other side. So fitting, yet so ironic. A giant chasm existed between the two men for decades. Though some level of reconciliation had happened in recent years, it is profound to me that little more than a month separated them in the final reconciliation. I’ve no doubt the passing of the two of them will bear fruit in the lives of their children, me, my sisters, and my cousins. It is a perspective that humbles me, and compels me…not a moment to spare in really loving those we are connected to, be them family by birth, or by choice.

I’ll be honest here, really putting myself out there for those I love, is not something I’ve been good at. Letting them in, really in, something foreign to me. May I learn to do that. To participate in relationship rather than to simply be there. Now, I think I’ll hit “publish” before I change my mind at being so frank. Besides. the washing machine is calling.

Angel Fire ArtSpace,
3469 Mountain View Blvd, Suites B2-4 Angel Fire NM
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Looking up & Forward

Ever have one of those days when everything seems to be against you? The wind blows the car door shut on your leg. You trip over your shadow and the mail you just collected from 5 different boxes goes flying. Once safely esconsed at your desk, you find that the latest blue screen crash made more of a mess than you thought and you can’t open Quickbooks. Nor can you open Corel Draw. In the middle of typing, no words appear, because the batteries in the wireless keyboard have died.

Such has been my day. Beaten? Well, bruised, but not defeated. But I’m too stubborn to give up now. Though these April days are quiet (save the wind), and our locals who sought respite in the warm breezes of destinations further south are just trickling in, I am busy working on preparations for the chaos of summer. Specifically, laying the groundwork for the big events of July.

Progress on the advance work for the Moreno Valley Arts Council’s 26th Annual ArtsFest is nearly complete. The Premier Reception on July 13, will be catered by The Roasted Clove, and Christoff Brownell will make you want to tapp your toes as you wander the booth’s of this year’s juried fine artists from around the southwest. For more info about the Arts Council or ArtsFest, please visit www.morenovalleyarts.org

The big job is getting everything ready for Angel Fire Mountain Theatre. This year the Resort cleaned out the ski school for us (YAY!) since hauling skis, boots and snow boards out and upstairs nearly was the death of me last spring! Ads are placed, housing to arrange, volunteers to coordinate, and on and on and on. We have a great line up shows this season (our 11th) opening on July 5th. Please go to www.angelfiretheatre.org for details.

Then theres the “sprucing up” of the gallery. New Artists, new art. I’ve been rearranging, and though I won’t likely get the floor repainted, it will sparkle when the next Fourth Friday Reception opens at the Angel Fire ArtSpace. If you’re in town, head for the gallery at 5:30 on the 27th for tasty treats, fine art and fun. Did you know that we have literally 100s of items under $100? And I just signed artist number 31! (Yes, I’m out of my mind).

Word is that my video is progressing and ready for a first pass approval next Thursday. I’m really excited about this…it was way fun filming it. Right up my alley, you know. Two disciplines that I love…painting and performing! It makes me smile to think about it.

I just finished another painting on canvas…watercolor. Another Poppy. I couldn’t resist. There’s just something about how they “put it all out there” when they bloom. Here’s a photo of it. I love painting on the canvas. It’s way more versatile than traditional paper…and I’ll finish it with a coat of acrylic varnish to protect it so it can actuall be hung with out a frame. It’s painted around all the edges.

It’s time to close the gallery for the day. Closed, but you can always visit the online gallery. www.angelfireartspace.com Happy painting!

Angel Fire ArtSpace,
3469 Mountain View Blvd, Suites B2-4 Angel Fire NM
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Sunday Afternoon


It’s Sunday afternoon and the wind has turned a perfectly beautiful day to driving one indoors. Wind, not breeze, chills the air and runs it straight through you. I’m off today (yes, the gallery is open, 1-4 on Sundays) and preparing to go to my studio.

Before I do, I wanted to remind you (or tell you if you don’t know) that the Inventory reduction sale is still in process at the gallery, or online. 20-30% off selected works of mine from mid 2006 and prior. “Daisies II Peekaboo” (on the left) is 30% off the listed retail price. If you’re interested in a piece (www.angelfireartspace.com/McD/mcd.htm) simply click the Contact button and fill in the form with your name, email and the title of the piece. I’ll let you know which discounts apply. 20% off early 2006, 25% off 2005 and 30% off 2004 or earlier. This is not a sale which happens regularly…it’s just that I’ve been prolific recently and need the space!

Check it out now and get that piece you’ve been pining after!

I hope to see you soon.

Angel Fire ArtSpace,
3469 Mountain View Blvd, Suites B2-4 Angel Fire NM
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Bright Sunshine

Wow, what a difference 12 hours can make! Though it was a frigid start (19 at my house) the wonderful New Mexico sunshine is warming the air and melting the snow. I’m back at the gallery and preparing for a class this afternoon…”Pouring Watercolor and Innovative Masking”. Should be fun, albeit a tad messy.

If you are one of the many who says,”I could never learn to paint…I can’t draw a straight line”, then I have news for you! Drawing a straight line has nothing to do with learning to draw. Coming soon, I’ll be releasing my FIRST video! “How to Paint a Poppy that Pops” is a step by step guide to learning to draw and paint that painting that you’ll be proud to frame! I’ll also have an e-book version ready at about the same time (I hope). Sign up to keep up with the blog and you’ll get early notice of the launch date. You can also head to www.angelfireartspace.com
where you can sign up for my email newsletter. It’s free, and is the only place to get first notice of gallery specials.

Time to set up tables and lay out supplies. Happy Painting!

Angel Fire ArtSpace,
3469 Mountain View Blvd, Suites B2-4 Angel Fire NM
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Hello Everyone!

Well, I’ve gone and done it! Perhaps a late bloomer but here goes with the blogging thing. As I type this first post it is snowing like mad…mostly horizontally from all the accompanying wind. April 13th and ooohh for spring time to really arrive! The gallery is quiet, the streets bare sans the blowing snow and ice. Once I press publish, I think I’ll venture out and head home for a quiet evening with husband and dog.

While I’m new at this, I surely have plenty to say….those who know me, know that well. I am an artist, gallery owner and passionate about the arts. My gallery is the only one in this tiny but growing resort town, some 8500 feet in the mountains of Northern New Mexico. This winter (supposedly past, but reluctant to release us from its frosty grip) was a series of blasting storms. Great for skiers? Yes, if they could get here…or get out of their driveways. The first hit dropped some 58 inches and if you were here, you were stuck, if not, you couldn’t get here. Winter roared in like a lion…and hasn’t really been satisfied to a purr…at least not yet. What’s good for the mountain is apparently not good for the gallery. To say it’s been rough would be an understatement. Three weeks in January we were closed simply because no one could get here to open!

More on that later. Time for me to turn out the lights and head for home. If you find this, then please check out my gallery website at www.angelfireartspace.com

Angel Fire ArtSpace,
3469 Mountain View Blvd, Suites B2-4 Angel Fire NM