Author: Katherine

Posted on by

A New Year..A new effort to Post!

The New Year crept in and before I blinked here it is the start of the second week!  Wowzers!

Although I hear lots of naysayers regarding the coming of 2012, I find myself focused like a laser beam on growth.  Growth for the Gallery, growth for me on every level: Mind, Body, Spirit, Relationships and Finances.  I’ve been studying regularly, and (delighted to have a Kindle of my own now) and find my optimism growing daily.  I am an Affiliate of the Global Information Network and though I’ve not taken the step to join yet, I’m filled with gratitude for the massive information available to affiliates and members.  To learn more about that, click here. It is very exciting and I’ve met more than a few spectacular people!

While the gallery has short hours in the winter (Open Thursday-Saturday 11-5) that hardly means I’m not working.  In fact, I generally accomplish more when I’m not there than I do when I am!  That said, it has been a blessing to have studio space there now.  I have managed to get some nice paintings done there though I still prefer my home studio for dedicated painting time.  I am, of course, always open by appointment.

Here’s a peek at the new work:

So, here’s to 2012!  May the year bring your dreams into reality.  May you prosper in life, health and financially. I’ll be painting more and smiling ALOT!  Happy New Year!

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

Thanksgiving and Gratitude

As the official day of giving thanks approaches, it is appropriate to share the gratitude that pours from me.  While I try to maintain an attitude of gratitude on a daily basis, sometimes I know I get overwhelmed by everything else.  So let me put it down where I can go back and see it again and again. 

I’m thankful for the daily blessing that flow through my life.  For the growing strength of my sweet husband, and the healing wounds of my loyal and loving Grace.  For the way that showers of supply seem to come just when I think I’ll give up.  For my warm home, loving family and faithful friends. 

I can scarcely believe we’re about to celebrate the 8th Anniversary of the Gallery.  And grateful for that too.  Immensely grateful for my customers, so many of whom have become my friends, for all of you who collect my work.  For all of you who collect the works of any of the artists in my gallery.  That leads me here, I’m so thankful for you, the artists who trust me with representing you, who supply the gallery with the beautiful pieces you bring in.  Without all of you, there would be no gallery.


I’m grateful for all of you and the many ways you have all blessed and impacted my life.  May the coming Season bring you joy that will walk with you every day of the future.  

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

Streams, Rivers and Tears

I know I haven’t posted in a while, and get ready for a stream.  So much is flowing through me right now, I’m not sure where I’ll go with this post.  November 5.  10 days since Grace, my beloved dog was attacked.  We think it was a bear.  We’re so very grateful she got away, ran home to safety.  Knowing she was, in her mind, defending me (because that is her nature, though I never really saw it, she knew it was there.)  10 days of caring for her, delving into things in the physical that I literally gag at, and overcoming to be the rock she needs right now.  A whole new course in life as it were.  No opening the door and letting her out (into the fenced area, 1/2 an acre or so.)   No walking out the front door with her with no leash.

Seems the cleaning of wounds leads to examining things hidden deep within.  And in the physical, cleaning up too.  Sorting through papers left in piles, filing, storing and throwing away trash.  Separating things long unused to donate from things that should be used.  Delving deep into closets, drawers and all the similar spaces of the heart.  Prone to tears, and gut level laughter.  Listening to music, instead of the TV on.  Eating broccoli and spinach and miso soup.  Some kind of deep healing going on, mine, hers, ours.

I have not ventured into the studio, been writing, in one or two or three of the many journals I’ve discovered I’ve been keeping over the years. Start one, stop. Start another. Stop.  Kind of like I do with this blog.  Start. Stop. Start……hmm. Share, hide, share, hide.  Patterns that weave through my life.

Looking into everything around and within.  Sort of as if seeing it for the first time.  What happened to those years?  What did I do with that? 

I rather feel as though I was sleepwalking for a while. Like I woke up recently and found everything in disarray..but just as I left it.  Crazy talk?  Maybe.  I’m still digging out, though I actually thought, earlier this year, that I was done. Not.  Everywhere I look, inside and out there is another space to explore and clean.  It’s not my favorite thing in life, and clearly, have avoided it in the past.  Even now, I open a door (physical or not) and say, “um, maybe tomorrow”.  Sometimes I seem to face a wall of inertia, on multiple levels. Sometimes I want to turn and walk away, but I know that is not within me.    
 Grace is sleeping beside me.  It’s snowing like it means it, outside.  The wind blowing makes the trees appear to dance.  It is nearly a black and white moving photo outside.

I know the sun will shine tomorrow.  I will continue on this path, learning and listening more. Slowing down and getting back to what I’m made for.  What is that?  While I know it deep within, I’m learning better how to express it.  Not like I have before. Live, love, give.  I’ve not been very good with the love part.  Who can teach it better than a dog?

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

Ready or Not, Here Comes Fall!

What a blur the summer was.  Didn’t it just start last week?  That is how it seems to me, after running through July, August virtually vanished (though I did have a fabulous 50th birthday) and here we are now in September.  Unbelievable! Yesterday was the MVAC’s Arts About Town.  Not so much about town, as there just weren’t enough participants to fill out multiple locations, it still turned with great crowds and reasonable sales for all.  By late afternoon vendors were wrapping themselves in the cloths that had been on their tables, as temperatures fell, the wind began to gust and then, right on cue at closing time (and packing time), the sky opened.

Today, the clouds are hanging so low it looks like a black and white photo outside.  Sprinkling giant drops of water now and then.  The outside temperature is 54 degrees at 11:26 a.m.  I actually have a sweater on! It’s a quiet day for rest and rejuvenation.  Grace is asleep at my feet and the heavy cloud cover makes it seem extraordinarily quiet.  Makes me glad the show (Arts About Town) was yesterday!

Guess I won’t be out doing the outside work on the house I need to do.  Hmm. Sounds like an opportunity to paint! 

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

I love the rain

I know, I’m not a great poster.  I get so involved with life and living, I forget.  Usually it takes something to get my attention to make think “I should post that!” 
So, what snapped my attention today?  Well it started with the first clap of thunder.   A week or two ago we grew weary of the frantic running and barking that signaled the start of monsoon season.  Drugs, even “natural” ones were scary and left us uncomfortable, with our beloved Grace wandering drunk-like and bleary eyed, too tired to bark or eat or anything.  We saw an ad for the Thundershirt and decided to try it.  It came last week.  I was working everyday, so it was left to hubby to try it out.  First cool thing was that he was able to get it on Grace without a battle royal.  Next cool thing was that he said, “It works!”

My first experience with it was today, at the first clap of thunder, I called her from her running bark and she came and stood in front of me, expectantly, like she was asking for the Thundershirt.  I laid it across her back, velcroed the pieces that go across the front, then velcroed the pieces under her and around her chest, then used the flap to snug it, all while she stood patiently while I did it.

Then, she wen to her favorite window at the end of the kitchen, and laid down.  And so, that is where she has been.  When I moved to the chair to write, she followed me, and laid down.  It is raining steadily and the thunder is crashing regularly, but not a sound from her.  Every now and then a low rumble of “grrrrrrrrrr” comes from her…but that’s it.  Hubby went to nap and she followed and they are both now sound asleep.  I love it, love it, love it.  Thank you Thundershirt!

Angel Fire ArtSpace,
3469 Mountain View Blvd, Suites B2-4 Angel Fire NM
Posted on by — 1 Comment

Jumping thru June

Ok, so not exactly.  But when my husband came into the kitchen where I was finishing up the dishes and said, “I have an idea for you…’Jumping through June’ ….since you’ve not posted since ‘Meandering into March.”  “very funny” I smirked.  “you know how hard it is to type with one hand!”  Of course he does, since his hands are so disfigured by R.A.  None-the-less, he was right.  One handed or not, it is way past time to post.  So, here’s the story.  Short version.  I got my right leg tangled in a cable and when i moved forward, it did not go with me, knocking me off balance.  I reached for the couch to catch myself, but the couch slid and I was headed for the brick floor.  The sliding couch had sort of torqued me around and i was falling backward.  Somehow i got my left hand behind my head just before I bounced on the brick,instantly writhing in pain. Broken bones?  no.  Crushed knuckles. Crushed, mangled muscle,tendon and cartilage in the main knuckles of my thumb, index finger, middle finger and ring finger, pinky to a lesser degree.  It happened May 17 or 18..I’m not entirely sure which.  I did mange to get my rings off before my hand grew fat and puffy.  Black, blue, green and yellow.  Now its mostly normal looking, though puffy between the knuckles and between the index finger and the thumb.  Still sore, and weak, though I try hard to keep my fingers moving. Pressure, lifting, twisting or pressing all hurt.  So here I my still handed.  Jumping? Definitely not.

Despite that, life goes on.  newest news is that I am working with the Veterans Healing Retreats that are running in Angel Fire this summer, teaching watercolor as relaxation tool.  It has been fun and incredibly rewarding. Speaking of which, I need to get ready to go.  I’ll try to be more reliable here.  Thanks for hanging with me!

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

Meandering into March

I can’t believe it’s March and I haven’t posted anything since the new year.  Good grief.  I’ll admit, the new year started off rough, but that is no excuse.  It’s likely more accurate to say I’m easily distracted. Well, maybe not since most people know me as tenacious as a bulldog chasing a rabbit.  Either way, here I am back at it.  Honestly, it’s more like I didn’t think I had anything to say and not being familiar with being at a loss for words, I left it alone.

At any rate, here I am at the gallery, watching the blue sky give way to gray and seeing tiny little flakes float gently to the ground.  I actually wish it would just let go and snow…really snow so all the lovers of Spring skiing will have more fun.  Spring break is not all that far away.  So, let it snow. 

It has been actually a very mild winter…albeit a couple weeks of outrageous cold wrecked the heating budget.  The coldest morning, I looked at the thermometer with shock.  It read “error”.  “Error?”  Turned the battery on the transmitter just couldn’t handle it.  I guess I don’t blame it…I didn’t want to crawl out of bed.  -47.  Good heavens.  It brought back memories of high school and Delta Junction, Alaska.  “No thanks”, I said.  “I’m not going anywhere”.

I have been in the studio in my silence.  A few nice pieces came out in the end.  Here’s a look:

Acrylic

Acrylic (Sold)

Scratch board
Pastel

At least I was productive!  The next studio time comes on Sunday.  The first thing I’ll do is finish the scratch board roses.  Facebook friends voted to leave them white, so I’ll just add a few blue hues in the shadows and green in the stems and buds. After that I have 4 paintings to do for customers.  So, I’ll be busy for a while! Nothing wrong with that picture!  And, I’ll do my best to get back here before another quarter passes!
Angel Fire ArtSpace,
3469 Mountain View Blvd, Suites B2-4 Angel Fire NM
Posted on by

Happy New Year…It’s been too long!

It’s not that I don’t think about it.  I do, and alot.  So many things have intervened since the last post, it’s hard to remember them all.  Part of the delay was surely the laptop, which I breezed by in the last post. Out with the old, in with the new.  It still amazes me how long it takes to make that transition, but it is done and I love my new HP, though I’m not wild about the touchpad.  That said, it’s pretty much the only thing I’d change on the machine, and it is so light I actually don’t mind carrying it around! 

Then, Wooosh, the holidays were upon us.  Time literally seemed to fly.  The 7th Anniversary of the Gallery, that was in the planning for 7 months (or more) came off quite well, even though there were far fewer in attendance that I expected, it worked out well given the small size of the current venue.  I posted video on facebook, but here it is again, just in case you don’t do the fb thing.

 Not sure we could have packed in any more folks as it was!  The musician is Tom Perry and he was great!  So, that was December 17th, and then the march was on to Christmas.  Then New Years.  Now it is the 3rd of January and tomorrow is my sister’s birthday.  Happy Birthday Beckles!  I won’t whisper her age, cuz I’m much older!  

Ok, so I’ll be 50 this year.  I can hardly wrap my brain around it.  Likely though, it won’t be much different than being 49. I spent most of this day painting, and that was wonderful.  Particularly since I’ve kind of been putting it off.  Dily Dallying around.  Doing the drawing, throughing it away and doing it again. It’s a commission, for a friend of mine.  Those are generally hard anyway, but this involves the human form and though I know “how” I’m reluctant to delve in.  It’s his dad.  The complication is that I don’t know his dad.  Painting from a photograph is ok if it’s a flower, but people, well, it’s more complicated…or at least it can be.  I procrastinated, and last night, when John said, “are you going to paint tomorrow?” I hedged.  I finally said, “I’m struggling with this one”.  He said, “I noticed”.  

Then, this afternoon, something happened.  The house was quiet.  The studio, recently cleaned, bekoned. And there, on my table was a blank canvas and a drawing on paper next to it.  When I do detail on canvas, I do the drawing on my computer (in Corel Painter) and then print it, and if happy, transfer to the canvas, so that I don’t damage the canvas with erasures and extra graphite.   I got out my transfer sheet, traced the image on to the canvas, opened my watercolor palette and wet the paint.  I sat down, and painted. Didn’t look up, didn’t hesitate for a moment.  Lost in the painting and time did not exist.  When I stood up and stretched, I glanced at the clock. Two hours had passed.  I’m not sure it’s done, but I think it’s close.  Very close.  


I love it when that happens.  Happy New Year!

 

 

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

Sharing Gratitude on Thanksgiving Day

I can scarcely  believe it already Thanksgiving day.   The last post was on November 1….wow did time fly.  When I woke up this morning my first thought was gratitude and that kind of surprised me. Not that it should, but it did.  When I hit the “get mail” button on the new (more on that later) laptop I followed a link to the blog post of a friend of mine. Sort of.  I doubt he knows my name, but I have been following and learning from him for a few years now.   His name is Jeff Walker and he wrote a post called “The Discipline of Gratitude”.  Worth the few moments to read it.

So in response to that, here in black and white is my list, of what, really I am thankful for this morning.  Though they are numbered, there is no real order in them.  They are really, mostly, all #1.

1.  This comfortable chair in which I sit is in our amazing home in the beautiful Moreno Valley of Northern New Mexico.  My mortgage is current, the heat is on and the lights too.  The well gives water and the coffee I just brewed is ready.  I’ll pour a cup before I go on. 

hmmm. Is that one or three?  Anyway:

2. Though my sisters and Mom are far away, I can hear the happy sounds of their voices in my head and I know they are well and like most of us, busy.  I’m thankful for all of that.

3.  My husband of  21 years is still glad he’s married to me, and he tells me so.  It goes both ways. In this day that is something to be particularly grateful for.

4.  Seven years ago, on this very day, I sat across the table from Vicki and Larry and we toasted the decision to go forward with what seemed almost a ridiculously absurd idea to open an art gallery in Angel Fire.  Let me shout gratitude for that.  While the journey has been fraught with tears, I never would have done it without them.  Many know that I later bought them out, but there is not an inch of doubt in my mind that I would never have taken that leap on my own.  How far, how very far I have grown.  Grateful I am, for all of it, and for the venture began, 7 years ago today.

5.  On that topic, Angel Fire ArtSpace Gallery, what a ride, and wow am I grateful to all of the hundreds of people, friends old and new,who have wandered through my life.  Some have wandered through and on, while others have come again and again, honoring me with their support and encouraging me on.  Thank you. Thank you, thank you.

6.  Now some specifics, my gratitude to and for the following people is so deep in me it tingles my toes.  John, Diana, Melissa.  Thank you is not nearly adequate and I am blessed by your love, friendship and partnerships.  Janet & Dick, still…..and ongoing….thank you.  Anna, always there, unafraid to tell me the truth, even and especially when it hurts.  There are many more.  If I didn’t type your name it doesn’t mean you are not in my heart.

I think I’ll stop there, the writing part anyway.  Jeff, your post is well taken.  Thank you for prompting me to dig a bit deeper and put it out to share it.  You’re right, it is so good to take a look around and count the blessings.  I intend to look around more regularly.  It is so easy to get inundated and overwhelmed.  In looking around, I found my faith.  I didn’t realize I had lost it, and clearly I didn’t, but it was misplaced.  Should have been right there, and in fact, it was.  I just didn’t see it.

Thank you.  And Happy Thanksgiving all.

Angel Fire ArtSpace,
3469 Mountain View Blvd, Suites B2-4 Angel Fire NM
Posted on by — 1 Comment

Can’t believe it’s November

Cerulean blue sky and brightly lit clouds float along like candy cotton in the air.  Beautiful.  Most of the Aspen are bare now, but it was interesting to me as I drove from Albuquerque to Angel Fire this weekend (following the delightful week in NYC) that many areas along the way are still green.  Kinda weird, but maybe attributable to the rather warm fall here.  While it is a scant 34 degrees here right now (10:31 am) the only sign of coming Winter is the snow on the highest peaks around us.

I loved our time in New York, but I must confess I was ready to come home.  The bright lights and constant sounds of the city made me appreciate the dark skies and silence of home.  Forests of trees in place of forests of buildings is a stark contrast to the way of life we enjoy versus life in The City.  That said, the multitude of choices for dining, shopping and entertainment were certainly refreshing.  Since we had an apartment, we actually enjoyed shopping for groceries and cooking.  The wide variety of produce, deli items and prime aged beef were a gastronomic delight.  We won’t eat that richly again for a who knows how long!

Does make me long for a first class grocer though.  Not that our local market doesn’t try, but the availability of the items is surely a factor.  In New York, imagine it and you’ll find it.  Fresh seafood, Fresh produce, beautiful bakery goods and prime aged meats all carefully laid out in tiny spaces tucked into the corners of vast buildings.  Don’t pay attention as you’re out walking and you might miss it. It’s mind boggling in a way.  Here, there are wide open spaces.  Can’t really walk anywhere and even in urban areas the distances between shopping areas require a car.  You can see for miles.  There, you can see across the street, or down the street, but you have to stand on the coast to see any big distance, or perhaps from the top of the Empire State building or the Sears Tower.  It’s so totally different.  In the end, for me, it’s a great place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there.  I guess it’s true….

there is no place like home.

 

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