Month: October 2008

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Painting on a wet, grey chilly afternoon

Well, it’s not Sunday, but close enough and I need to let my painting dry. May take a while since its watercolor on canvas and its’ pouring a cold rain outside. Relaxing though. Actually, just cold enough to make long for the encaustic again. There’s really just something about that hot, brightly colored wax that makes me smile. Yes, I’ll be doing it again, just as soon as i can figure where and how. The hot pigment (sometimes toxic, like the cobalts and cadmiums) waft into the air. Can’t do that in the gallery, where I generally end up painting, since more oft than not its where I am. Not at home studio either…not good enough ventilation to counter the fumes. But it calls me…so I’m sure I’ll figure it out!

So, back to watercolor it is. Besides, I’ve been working on this project for about, hmm, four months or so. It’s a Diptich, but vertical this time. Two 24 x 18 canvases. Hollyhocks. The tall, leggy, big bright blooms lend themselves to a vertical diptich. It’sbeen fun, but so much layering to get those bold colors, it’s taken a long time. Getting there though. Will be done within a week or so I think. YAY! I’ll post photos, but no video this time or it would suck away tons of bandwidth and time! I spose I could speed it up…that might actually be comical!

To be honest, I’m on pins and needles. Today is the 11th of October. I’m headed South soon, to paint in Mexico (have you signed up for the class yet? There is still room….click here.) So why the pins and needles? Because I have asked to be let out of my lease for the Gallery.
I sent my notice on September 30th. I’ve heard nothing. Silence. Limbo. Cross your fingers, and pray for me. I’m determined, but stuck. I’ll let you know what happens as soon as I know. I’m hanging on………… If I move I can save ALOT of $$$. It’s scary and overwhelming. My lease is not up till July, but I don’t think I’ll make it till then if I don’t make some serious changes. Like moving. It’s a visibility thing, but more, it’s a $$$ thing. Economic disaster isn’t trickling down, but rather, pouring, like the torrent of rain outside. But I do have options…IF I can move, but here’s the clincher…I need to do so by October 24. AAAAAAACCCCCCKKKK! Speaking of moving, maybe it’s time to move South permanently. The headlong hurl toward socialism has my stomach churning and my heart burning. NO! NO! NO! The two national parties look pretty much the same to me. Only left and lefter. I know I’m pretty much an anomoly, an advocate for the arts, an artist, a gallery owner and NOT a Democrat (read Socialist).

Thomas Jefferson, if only you were here now. Or would your voice only be drowned out in the cacophony of naysayers and liars that call themselves the media? I’m sick of it. Period. Now I’ve got myself all worked up again. Better go see if that painting is ready for more.

Angel Fire ArtSpace,
3469 Mountain View Blvd, Suites B2-4 Angel Fire NM
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Sunday, October 5 and Reflecting (

Wow. Can’t believe it’s Sunday already…and already October 5th. I’m shaking my head, can you see it? I lean back, head against the chair. Partly exhausted, partly refreshed. I just laid my brush down. Drying time required. My eyelids are heavy..from lack of sleep and intense activity.

The conference was good…part of me regretting that I was there. First the Grace debacle (described below) then the endless “I should be……” stuff. At any rate I did finally relax into the rhythm of the conference. Met some great people, had good conversations and found myself pulled outside the normal context of Angel Fire. That was good. Back now and contemplating how to be a catalyst for creative tourism. We’re so much on the cusp of so much! There is so much inertia to overcome! At this juncture I don’t even know if I have the energy to pull it off anymore….but it’s likely I’ll find it. I can’t imagine not.

Forecast for today was snow…and while it’s 53 degress as I type, Wheeler peak is dusted white. Here it comes…slow or fast is anyone’s guess. And so much yet to do. ack. skip that thought. It’ll just depress me.

So, back now to encaustic (mentioned in the last post). If you haven’t googled it yet, it’s basically painting with pigment infused into melted wax. Way fun. Toxic though, so make sure you have good ventilation and a mask if you’re going to try it. I’m still digesting the process (not literally, of course) and will likely revisit the topic, but for now it’s back to watercolor and my soothing stress relief with a brush. The camera is in the truck, and I’m frankly too lazy to go get it and set it up, so no video right now.

So quiet here. it’s type, nap or paint. hmmm. think I’ll paint.

Angel Fire ArtSpace,
3469 Mountain View Blvd, Suites B2-4 Angel Fire NM
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UNESCO Santa Fe International Conference on Creative Tourism

Well, I said I’d try to post…so here it is. It’s been so very busy and for me, just a tad chaotic, but here is the overview so far. (One more day to go)

First, Grace. Yes, my beloved dog. Poor thing. I stayed with her all day the day of arrival, walking with her, comforting her. I mentioned that last time. Monday I went and came back on a break, and calmed her, played with her. Monday afternoon I had an “away” workshop (more on that) and was gone all afternoon. When I returned, an employee of the property said, ” that dog barked nonstop. The dog catcher came and was gonna fine us.” Shocked, I said, “I’m so sorry, I’ll take care of it”. But How? What was the deal? Next morning I forewent the morning sessions, packed her up, and drove her home. Frantic I called my neighbor who immediately stepped up to take care of her. Tears streamed down my face all the way. I so wanted to have her with me, to have her happy. So many noises, dogs, cars, people, sirens.

I came back and came to the condo first, to freshen up (four hour round trip). While here I heard the banging, the machinery, the sounds of construction. No wonder she was upset! Not Fair! I thought…but too late now, and back to the conference it was. Sigh.

So, the conference. Much to my delight it “smaller” than I imagined. Maybe they planned it bigger, but this works for many of us who wound up here. People from 21 countries, all wanting to “join the conversation” so to speak. It is been a valuable interaction, particularly when then leave us to our own interactions, some orchestrated, some not. The keynote speakers have been great…and genius to put them first thing in the morning, when we’re fresh and awake, and not at 4:00 when our brains are receiving no more than our derrieres can endure!

My favorites so far? Charles Landry. I’d love to have copies of his slides. Great presentation!

Best workshop, well, tough to say. I had an absolute blast learning Encaustic. Yes, it’s an art medium, not a philosophy. It was so much fun! Melted wax mixed with pigment, painted on board. Exhilarating, and more on that later. The Eric Maisel Creativity Workshop was equally as fabulous, yet totally different. And the studio tour in Eldorado was as enlightening as it was fun. There is actually alot more to say about all of that, but I’m tired and hungry and I think I’ll go find some dinner.

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