Category: billboard; Katherine McDermott

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painting in paradise!

ok, so it took me two weeks and the stress is finally beginning to melt a way. A painting (commissioned one) that I started the day after I arrived is finally ready to go (no pic here as I need to add more once it’s stretched) , a second done, (Here, “Field of Dreams”, w/c on canvas, commissioned) with some labor of love and one more awaiting a canvas at home (because I made a mess of the canvas I brought to do the painting on, and now have to re-gesso it to start over.) While I was bemoaning the fact that I’d made a mess of a canvas specially cut for this painting, I whipped out a sheet of Yupo and pulled up a Vallarta sunset from seasons past. Wham, wisp, this is what came out of it( “Nature Framed It” Watercolor on Yupo (Available) :

So now, creative juices are really beginning to flow. I slept last night (and Thank you D&J) and even though the neglected dog across the street is crying and the 2 year old in the throws of the terrible twos is screaming, the rooster is still convinced it’s 6 am when in reality is 2:30 pm and the rumble of the gas truck outside is deafening……I’m typing blissfully as my newest painting dries.

I wasn’t sure I could do it. A jumble of color and line, really almost abstract, really just a jumble of poppies. I wanted to do it without a pencil altogether and on Yupo paper.

I wanted to do it with negative painting technique, basically, which I didn’t know if I could do on Yupo. I painted in the background and then painted in all the color of the composition, then I found the flowers. It was exhilarating. Yes, it took me three days, but wow, I haven’t felt this good in months! The photo isn’t great cuz I didn’t wait till it was dry after all! but you’ll get the idea! (sorry the wet paint on YUPO paper is highly reflective!)


“It’s a Jungle Out There” still VERY wet. In this climate it will take 12-24 hours to dry. And it is BRIGHT! It overwhelms the camera, especially when it is wet (the watercolor, not the camera)!

Tonight we’ll head down to CyC and hopefully meet up with some friends. In the meantime, my outlook is looking up…where it should have been all along.

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
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painting, videos and stuff

Things have slowed to a crawl here in Angel Fire, and dismay with the local newspaper notwithstanding I’ve been in painting bliss. Free speech had nothing to do with it. That they printed a blatant attack on the character of our Mayor, our new CEO of the EDO, and the hard working volunteers that are intent on improving the community, had me furious. That they devised a headline pulled from the tabloids to sensationalize it, was downright mean.

And enough on that. Thank God I had a commissioned order to fill, because it got me painting again, and Thank God that the commission was to paint on Yupo paper, because I had to rinse and wipe it off three times before I did something I was happy with. While I didn’t film the wipe off parts, I did film the final process and the “lifting” technique I used to create the daisies. You can watch the video here. (It is just under 10 minutes.)

And here is finished triptic:

Each one is 6 1/2 x 18. I’ll finish them with a white mat and black frosted metal frame. Painting on Yupo is an incredibly free-ing process to me. The brush and paint just glide across the paper, moving and blending, rich and true color. It does take a long time to dry…especially if it’s raining outside! But it’s worth the wait!

On other matters, my newsletter will be out within the next 24 hours, and I finally got the new website uploaded, complete with that shopping cart I’ve been working on for what seems like forever! At any rate..it’s “Done” (somewhat of a misnomer, since what’s on there will hopefully change on a regular basis! (as items sell!) At least I learned alot in the process. The company I bought the editor from, Ewisoft, was incredible helpful in working with me to figure it all out. I’m on a first name basis with their Tech Support!

It will likely be quiet today as the road (Crestview Drive) is being paved (YAY!!) and there is a detour to get here. We’ve waited a long time for this! I’m hopeful the paved road will be the begining of the “easy to find” improvements we (the tenants) need to help ensure our success! Yay, and thank you, Alex and Jerry!

Back to work…see ya!

Angel Fire ArtSpace,
3469 Mountain View Blvd, Suites B2-4 Angel Fire NM
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Great way to start the Day!

Wow! Driving to the gallery today I got a great surprise! I mean, I knew it was coming, but didn’t know it was here. So there I am driving along and Wowza! My eyes are caught by the sight of a new and bold billboard! MY billboard! Take a look:I hope its as bold to all the drivers heading down HWY 64 between Eagle Nest and Angel Fire so they’ll turn on to 434 (Mountain View Blvd) and to my Gallery!

YAY!

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