Author: Katherine

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Must be Fall

The leaves have just begun to turn. I don’t know how long they’ll last or if they will all turn before they fall, thanks to the early snow we had. For sure the nights are cold enough to turn them all, but we’ll see soon enough. I know it’s fall even without color on the mountains…the gallery is still and quiet.

This evening we (the two galleries) are hosting a private reception for some traveling writers who are vising the area on a “famtour” (familiarization). Following the reception, I’ll join them for dinner. I’m looking forward to all of that, but in the meantime it is really hard to sit here and have the gallery open with me, myself and I to chat with. I already cleaned up from last night’s fourth Friday event, and the gallery looks beautiful, if I do say so myself. I need to paint, but I’m wearing these fancy clothes so I don’t have to go home and change before the reception/dinner. I’m a messy painter, so I won’t risk it.

The Artisan Expo I went to last Sunday was a blast, thought I spent my accumulated wad in a heartbeat. I bought all the supplies I need for the new class that is coming up beginning next week…and then I bought a moderate supply of a brand new product…Ultra Soft Pan Pastel. Check it out here….it’s going to be a blast to play with! (and paint with). I’d probably be getting dirty right now, but they were sold out before i got there. They are shipping me what I ordered…and I can hardly wait!

Guess I’ll go play on facebook for a bit. See ya!

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

It’s quiet again at the gallery, at least most of the time, so I’m trying hard to get some things caught up, some things under way and some things thrown out. I know I didn’t post last week, as I was sitting on the floor, fingers freezing, working on a new project (more on that later) as I was looking for customers at the MVAC Illusions show. The bank had the air conditioning on and it was raining and 58 degrees outside. BRRRRRRRRRRRR. Still the Illusions reception was nice, and congrats to my friend Jacqui Binford-Bell for taking yet another Best of Show!

Yesterday I painted. I had to do something to divert my attention from the portrait I’ve been working on. I can’t continue the portrait until I get a new brush, which I will do tomorrow, but in the meantime if I work on it I’ll overdo it. So, I pulled out a tiny artist panel that I bought when Artisan’s had a great sale on them. it is only 6 x 6. Inches, that is. 6 x 6, cradled artist panel by Ampersand, my favorite purveyor of paintable surfaces. Not to diminish my love of Yupo paper, but they (Ampersand) do a nice array of different kinds of media. So, anyway, I played. I ended up with sort of a flower, sort of not. I’m calling it “A little a-MAZE-ment” Take a look and you’ll see why, oh, and it’s acrylic!

Tomorrow I’m going to the Artisan Expo in Santa Fe, where I’m sure to encounter more fun! I’ll pick up the supplies for the next class that begins on Sept. 30th. I have 3 signed up and we’re going play with oil pastel (no worries, Jennifer!) so I need to pick some up, along with “stuff to paint on”. We’ll see what I find at the expo. Basically, I’m excited to be getting out of town, if only to Santa Fe and only for a day. I’ve not been anywhere other than to Taos since May!

Then, it’ll be back to work editing video for Katherinesarttv.tv I’m getting so close to a full launch, yet it feels so far away. Let’s hope I can be productive, finish editing, get the site fully operational and live, finish the portrait , do the next commission and have a blast teaching a class…all before November 1! That’s my aim…oh and the brick floor too.

Angel Fire ArtSpace,
3469 Mountain View Blvd, Suites B2-4 Angel Fire NM
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Better Now…Yay

I’ve often told other artists at shows that “one customer, and 5 minutes, can change the outcome of this”. And so it was today. I was literally packing up, loading things into the back of the truck, when another car pulled in. I glanced up, and smiled, seeing one of my clients walking around the back of her car, with daughter and mother-in-law in tow. 20 minutes later they were happily climbing back in their car, with a cadre of unframed, un-mounted, un-matted originals in hand. See my smile?

So now, the truck is loaded with what is destined for Angels Attic. There are a few things left that I really want to sell. You can find a list here. Pass it on…I’ll be adding more soon!

Angel Fire ArtSpace,
3469 Mountain View Blvd, Suites B2-4 Angel Fire NM
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big sale blahs & yays

It’s 1:49pm. The day started with a drizzle of rain, then a bit more then moved off to warm sun and cool breeze. When I opened the door this morning there were half a dozen cars in the driveway. I sold the Ladder and the glass blocks straight away. A bunch of brand new, never worn socks that just would not slip around the poor feet and up J’s immobile ankles.

Some people who said, “oh, Katherine McDermott, I’ve heard of you!”

One man stopped in, who was investigating problems with the fact that the shoulder on highway 64 ends conspicuously about 6 feet before our road. It has been a nightmare since the shoulder was laid in some years ago. A friend of mine was hit by a vehicle trying pass while she was stopped, blinker on, to turn left. The other car tried to pass, ran out of shoulder and abruptly turned to get back on pavement and rammed into the side of her car. If she had not been there, he would have plowed into oncoming traffic, as some others have done, at least one that I know of , with tragic results. Maybe he’ll get something done.

I think I’ll be loading up the truck and visiting Angel’s Attic real soon now. small sigh. I don’t mean to be ungrateful. yes, I’d hoped for more. More people, more sales. But then, I should have seen it coming.

Arts About Town, yesterday, was good. And about half or less of the traffic we had last year. Maybe it’s because Labor Day is a week later this year, somehow, a week later than the past few years. Last year we did the event on August 30th. And the year before that, similarly. hmmmm. I dunno. I kind of refuse to just blame it on the economy. Things have been going well at the gallery, for a change! Interesting experience to me. Lots of room to make up for the past still, but I’m kind of amazed, and thankful!

So, here I am. Sitting in a chair in the driveway, posting on the blog. go figure. Angel’s Attic, here I come.

No time to rest, gotta get moving tomorrow for the Illusions show next weekend. We’ll hang it on Friday. Reception on Saturday (September 12) from 5-7:30 or something like that. Hope that goes well.

Well, guess I’ll start boxing stuff up. Doesn’t look good for more customers. Next time, it will 7:30 to 11. that’s it. Live and learn (at least I try to.)

Angel Fire ArtSpace,
3469 Mountain View Blvd, Suites B2-4 Angel Fire NM
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Fall approaches, BIG Sale coming

Well, it’s beyond overdue. I know, I’m not done with the brick laying and painting, not finished cleaning gutters or anything outside. But it’s on to the garage before it’s too late. We started organizing today..backed the car out, got out the broom and vaccuum and set to it. Cleaning the debris last winter left behind and then raiding shelves and closets and such to debate what we shall let go of this time. (whew) Already, half the garage is stacked and laid out with treasures (and stuff) from the past. The car will live outside for now. I think the left front tire looks low.

I’m debating…sell the hammered dulcimer, or not? Sell the camping stuff, definitely, the books, for sure. Husband decided to let go of the vintage engineers tools he inherited from his grandfather. Tools I’ve looked at off and on for 20 years….it’s a big deal. Some of it made in 1924.

On the “walls” I used to use at shows, hang the evening gown, some suits (mine) and some skirts. The walls are for sale too.

I have a table for the Nikon package and table for the books and games. Yet to come are a table for the computer equipment, an area for the excercise machine, a dresser drawers and some unframed originals as well as framed originals that have never been seen at the gallery. Pots to plant in, and pots that are home to plants that I have no room for anymore. Pots with raspberry plants (assuming I get that done) and some with Jade Plants (gotta do that too). Oh, and my drum machine.

Everywhere I turn my head I find something else. Some tupperware. some forks and knives and spoons and good heavens, where did all this come from? It seems to me it multiplies when we close the door on the closet, leave a room quiet for a while.

Anyway, we might have it put together in time for the sale. Sunday, September 6, 9 am to 4pm. No earlybirds. I’ll be busy on Saturday with Arts About Town.

Angel Fire ArtSpace,
3469 Mountain View Blvd, Suites B2-4 Angel Fire NM
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Finished the Next One

I know it’s not Sunday (my usual day to post) but I told you I’d post a photo of the commission I was working on, when it was done. I just finished it. All that’s left is put a wire on the back for hanging. I also made a video of most of the process, though I ran out of battery at a critical moment, I can recreate that with voice over and a photo. I’ll get to work on that next week.

Anyway, so here it is. 24 x 18 Watercolor on Canvas. The owner loves it. What about you?

Angel Fire ArtSpace,
3469 Mountain View Blvd, Suites B2-4 Angel Fire NM
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Painting up a storm


It’s been only a week or two, maybe not that long, but once I got back in my studio this past weekend, I painted like whirlwind. One is finished, one is almost finished.

I decided that this year I would paint something for the Music From Angel Fire Benefit Auction. I’ve never done that before, but just donated something from my inventory only to see it go to one of my customers for substantially less than retail. Although, in the past two years or so, my work has regularly sold for retail or higher at the auction. That is what prompted me to paint something specifically for it. Not something that’s been hanging on my wall. So, that’s it there in top left corner. 18 x 24 watercolor on canvas. Gallery wrap, painted edges….no frame required.

Then I got to work on another commissioned piece. It’s not quite done. Just some tweaking here and there. I’ll post it when it’s finished cuz I just realized I haven’t photographed it yet.

I’m at the gallery now, awaiting the first customers. Thought I’d take a minute to post. Oh, and by the way, if you haven’t signed up for Arts About Town yet…get those applications in! We want to cover the town in artists! The Resort has gotten on board too, offering participating artists a $10 discount to attend the Bikes, Blues and Brews concert event that will follow Arts About Town. It’s a win/win!

This year we have indoor spaces, outdoor (protected under a portal) spaces and outdoor tent spaces. Put a note on the application about where you’d like to be:
El Centro Plaza under the Portal
Frontier Square under the Portal
The Cove Art Center under the Portal
The Inn Center: Inside
The Inn Center: Outside with a tent.

We’ll do our best to accomodate you. Sign up NOW!

Angel Fire ArtSpace,
3469 Mountain View Blvd, Suites B2-4 Angel Fire NM
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August, must be madness

It’s my birthday. 08-08. I’ve written this post over and over and over. Long gone are the days when birthdays were exciting. Get up, make the coffee , make the breakfast, feed the dog, go to the gallery, water and care for the plants, sweep the floor, mop the floor, open the new space, hang the prints, move out the print bins, open the windows (or I’ll suffocate), dust, vacuum the other rooms..wait it’s almost 9:45, turn on the lights, turn on the music, and, turn on the open signs, it’s 10am.

breathe.

oh, boot the laptop (this takes forever—it’s Vista) download the email (this takes forever, too.) check the website (s).
Check the phone for messages. Figure out what’s left on the desk that needs attention.

breathe.

feel guilty. didn’t get the robie cleaned (the irobot that vacuum’s the house for me). guess that won’t get done today. oh well. I did manage to get a load of laundry in. didn’t walk the dog. didn’t……ad infinitum.

breathe.

I notice that lots of my Facebook friends are leaving birthday greetings on my page. It makes me smile. I write back, still smiling.

Customers come in. We talk. Some buy, some don’t, but they all say “happy birthday”(because, of course, I told them it was my birthday). Some comment that they didn’t know there was a gallery in Angel Fire..(never mind that there are two). They live here.

breathe.

The country is a mess. That’s what I hear.

breathe.

My mom calls. I smile. My mom-in-law calls. I smile.

Then she tells me someone walked into her house and stole her wallet. Yes, she (mom-in-law) opened the door, and welcomed ‘her’ in…mistaking her for someone else. (shame on you, whoever you are. ) I’m shaking my head, feeling the slime. shake it off. or try to. shaking my head. unbelievable…or status quo. refuse to ponder that right now.

Breathe.

Missed by sister’s call. Sad..but we’ll connect later.

And, I celebrated the fact that I’m ‘only’ 48. I know, it’s bizarre. I didn’t know how old I was. I got stuck somewhere. husband had to tell me. Made me laugh, really deep, really long, really funny. Nice to be 48.

Angel Fire ArtSpace,
3469 Mountain View Blvd, Suites B2-4 Angel Fire NM
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Painting till My Head Spins

Wow. I can’t believe it’s been a month since I last posted. That will tell you I’ve been moving at the speed of light. Between then and now, we pulled off another ArtsFest…and according to artists and patrons alike, it was “the best ever”…at least as far as the quality of the art and beauty of the displays. The arts council is already putting our heads together for next year…and big changes lie ahead where the Premier Reception is concerned. The cost of promotion, food and security forced a higher ticket price, which left us throwing food away and losing money on the event. Now we’ll have to find other sources to fund our youth arts education programs. At least our mystery auction did well, with a number of items going for retail and even higher.

As soon as we rolled out the displays we rolled in the Children’s Theatre Workshops…literally the next day. And in the midst of that, I took action on what I’d been planning for weeks….a complete renovation of the gallery. That involved moving two rooms completely around which relocated my “office” and made room for my studio and classroom space! Painting ceilings and walls, moving furniture and paintings, and oh…I can hardly wait for our 4th Friday so everyone can see the new space. Even painted the hallways outside the gallery with the ok of the building owner. It looks fantastic!

So, why all the commotion? Here it comes….I’m opening additional space across the hall. Get ready for the all new ArtSpace TOO! Cards, gifts, prints, and CHOCOLATE! I’m going to carry the Endangered Species Chocolate…mostly dark. YUM! Now if I can manage to not eat all my product that will be wonderful! I’m intending to open it on Friday…this coming Friday…for the 4th Friday Reception that will be ON after all! We’ll go from 5-7 so Theatre lovers can head to the 2nd showing of Dinner With Friends, the Pulitzer Prize Winnning Play by Donald Margulies. Curtain is at 8pm at Frontier Square between Avalon’s and the CVB.

AND, update on the brick laying project…which was on hold waiting for me to apply a moisture, vapor and air barrier to the walls in hopes of preventing any further moisture issues with the adobe. I got that started today..first coat of 3 or 4. It’s a by-product of the Space industry. Last summer I put it on the Garage doors and the door between the house and the garage…and raised the temp in both the garage and the hallway (which was always freezing in the winter) This past winter there was no blast of cold air emanating from that door! So, since it worked so well, I decided to try it on the adobe in what was the hot tub room. We’ll see how it goes. Two coats of the “barrier”, then these tiny little beads that you stir into your paint before you apply it. It makes an imperceptible texture…but it does a great job of keeping the indoor temperature stable and dry.

Oh, and I finished four of the commissions I had. The customer was delighted and I was elated. Here they are:


All are 20 x 16 Watercolor on Canvas.

I’ll get back in the studio soon. I still have four more commissions to paint. Unfortunately my time at home is limited this time of year..and there is the garage to clean out, the weeds to pull the laundry to do and the room to finish. I’d love to have all that done before snow flies. At least the laundry!

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

It is 76 degrees with a crystal cerulean blue New Mexico Sky. Great day to be outdoors! I must confess my arms are sore though…I weed wacked all the weeds creeping onto the driveway, into the edge of the garden, along side the rasberry patch and around the back “lawn”. We have 7.5 acres of “natural” grasses, wild iris, blue flax, indian paintbrush and scores of flowers whose name I don’t know. In the front, I’ve carved out an area in the “L” of the house and it is teeming with columbine, iris, roses and some giant, about to burst peonies. Except last night somebody (deer? elk?) ate the flowers off of some of the columbine. If they try again tonight they’ll get a nose full of, um, wolf urine. It worked last year. We’ll see.

This morning we wandered up to Red River to personally congratulate my friend and gallery artist, Jacqui Binford-Bell. She won “Most Colorful” and (drum roll) Best of Show at the Red River Wine and Art Festival. The Best of Show is a big deal, because it was judged by one of New Mexico’s best known and legendary artists, Ed Sandoval. Well done, Jacqui! Way to go!

And now, I’m loathe to go inside…it’s way too nice out here to be in there…laying brick. I should also be painting. It’s supposed to thunderstorm again tomorrow…there will be time for painting and brick laying. It’s the first day of summer…and the weather today makes me believe it. Think I’ll pour a glass of wine and let the birds and the wind serenade me.

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