Category: Jacqui Binford-Bell

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Getting Ready for ArtsFest

I’ve been working hard to replace some of the paintings that I sold (unexpectedly) on Facebook. Tough to decide whether to show them in advance or not, but here’s what I’ve decided to do (with help from hubby, John). I’ll put them up here and on Facebook, for you to see, but they will not be available for sale until 6pm on July 9th. So…To buy, you need to come to the ArtsFest Premier (hee hee.) I will also take calls on my cell so if there’s something you really love and really can’t get to the show, you can call with your order, but not until 6pm on July 9!

So here are a few, actually one “series” that I just finished. Painted all day at the Angel Fire Retail Association Sidewalk sale. Thank goodness I was inside, as the weather was cold and rainy. That said, I was pretty much alone all day, so managed to complete two more. So, here is the series:

“Sun’s Up” “Taking a Bow” “Lit Up” “Siblings” “The Welcoming Committee”

I also need to get new photos of them. My camera was acting up and it picked up alot of glare from the reflective paint. The first three are 6 x 6, acrylic on cradled panel. The next one is 8 x 8 and the final is 12 x 12. The biggest dilemma I have is just how to hang them on the propanel that I’ll use for the show. I only have the velcro hooks right now, and these don’t have or need wires, so won’t hang on those hooks. Jacqui and I have been chatting about that. Maybe Jen has an idea. I’ll ask.

I have more in process and 3 more 12 x 12 to do. Guess I better get busy. See you on July 9!

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

December 16, 2003. In many ways, it is so far away it doesn’t seem like I was there. Yet some months before that, the path was set before me…and Vicki. So much has happened in the life of the gallery, in that time. Artists come, stay, come go and come again and some, come and go. In 6 years, of the original 10, there are 5, sadly. Happily, there are more than 25 more now. And of those who have come and gone, well, certainly my life is richer for having known them, represented them, or tried to.

To Vicki, I never would have done this without you.

To Jim, Mona, Susan, Jo & Kevin, & Patricia ; You taught me things you’ll likely never know and they have all together woven new threads in the fabric of my life.

Susan, Shirley, Jane, Ami, Ginto, Barbara C. Barbara B., Nieta Fran, Sue, Kathy, Yvonne, Chuck, Margi and Sue, Tom, Teri and Teri and Terry, Cecelia, Mason and Robin and Danny…wow. I can scarcely believe the works you do, the places you are and are going. I’m thankful to have been witness to the creative in you, and hope I’ve encouraged you along the way.

And, now…to all of you who have entrusted a piece of your futures with me, by trusting me with your work, to Jacui and Jennifer and Sylvia, Martin and, Kevin and Scott, to Roy and Ralph and Steve and Sasha, John and Colin and Ed, Wanda, Margaret, Barbara S., and Gary and Laurie, Pamela, Rhonda, Nancy and Sylvia and David and Smith and, now, Lang and Rocio……am I blessed, or what? May this next year, bring great success to all of us. Thank you, thank you all, for six years, and counting. Merry Christmas!

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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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
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Been a while, but got a new video!

Hi. I know, it’s been a while. I normally post on Sundays, but the past few I’ve been traveling. Playing catch up now. At any rate, I did manage to get a new Watercolor Technique video out. Jacqui Binford-Bell stopped by the gallery to show us how she pours watercolor on canvas…and believe me, it’s not what you might think! Take a look:

She’s already sent me photos of her progress and process so there will be a follow up shortly so you can see the finished piece. In the meantime, catch Jacqui at the New Mexico Arts and Crafts Fair and the Expo New Mexico State Fair Grounds, this weekend. I imagine she’s already this piece popped in a frame to have on display at the show.

Also, this Friday is the monthly Fourth Friday Reception. I’m featuring the work of local Shirley Ellingboe, the newest addition to my gallery. I still recall the days when she was giggling through watercolor class…and then she just took off! Now she’s mostly working in oil and that’s what I have for the show. If you’re in Angel Fire come out on Friday, starting at 5.

Also new at the gallery is some really awesome new abstracts from Kevin McDermott…and no, we’re not related, at least as far we know. Take a look. They are all unique, and interesting and beautiful, if a bit fragile (at the corners.) I really love this one:

Isn’t it gorgeous? It is 24x 18, and framed. Mixed Media and acrylic. He’s really pushing the envelope and each one is better and better. And this one, on the right is stunning as well. The depth of color and textures and simply delicious! Believe it or not, he brought me a dozen new works in this genre!

Please feel free to comment on the video …and anything else here! See ya next time!

Angel Fire ArtSpace,
3469 Mountain View Blvd, Suites B2-4 Angel Fire NM
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Been a busy bee this morning!

Rising out of the funk I seem to have been in. Not sure what put me there, but I’m done with that now that I see it. Yesterday was cathartic. I did the laundry, mowed the lawn, pulled the weeds, watered, and trimmed the dead branches from the rose bushes and potentias. I think the winter killed the giant chamisa next to the house…sad about that. I’ll find a way to chop out the dead in hopes the roots will thank me. In the mean time, John and I sat outside on the porch, sipping drinks for the first time this year. The dog (Grace) went for swim in the neighbors pond and we all went to bed last night with a smile and slept! Yahoo! You never appreciate a good nights sleep till you have one after a long spell of being awake from 2am -4am every morning.

Real Spring is finally here (now that the calendar says it’s almost Summer!). The aspen are leafing out with that brilliant chartreuse of spring green. The breeze is finally almost warm and the columbine are a few days from blooming. Ahh.

So this morning, I realized it had been more than a month since I updated my squidoo lenses. Spent a few hours doing that. Check them out: http://www.squidoo.com/katherinemcdermott
http://www.squidoo.com/ArtSpace http://www.squidoo.com/AngelFireNM

We’re still in a quandry what to do about the cell service since T-Mobile lied to us about being able to use their service and now they are cancelling our contract. Talk about bad business!
We’re working with our Village Councilor Stuart Hamilton to try to find a good solution. It’s not just important to us…but to the whole community and to our customers, our visitors and those who own second homes here. It’s a common complaint. “My cell works everywhere but here”. AT&T is apparently our best hope. There is room on a cell tower on the ski mountain….Please, please, AT&T…put your cell on it! I’d bet that the vast majority of cell phone users here would switch in a heartbeat. We (John and I) are not the only ones being cut off by T-Mobile. I know dozens of people in the same boat.

In the mean time, now that my head is out of the fog I’m working on catching up all the web 2.0 stuff, and giving the gallery a thorough once over and cleaning. It smells good too! It’s been completely rearranged. If it’s been more than a few days since you were here, you’ll hardly recognize it! The MVAC’s Reflections show is up till June 22. It looks great! Thanks to all the artists who entered, and congrats to the lucky (skilled) winners! Second Place went to a cool photo by Michael Blassone, from Taos. It was the first time he ever entered a show! Way to go! First Place winner is Jeanne Green, a lovley work on canvas “Reflections of a Coot”. And Best of Show went to our own Jacqui Binford-Bell, for “Past Reflections”, mixed media on canvas. Take a look at that one! It’s Stunning!

Wow, this post has turned into a book! At any rate, Kat is Back! Yay!

Angel Fire ArtSpace,
3469 Mountain View Blvd, Suites B2-4 Angel Fire NM
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The sun is shining!

Here I am on Sunday morning. The sun is shining brightly and the temperature is rising. You have to dash under the portal of the building because the accumulated snow from the last storm is sliding off and there’s steady drip of water pouring down as well. The sides of the highway and running like a river and my hopes for Spring have returned! I got happy when the sun came out yesterday, and got busy with the next video. Here it is:

It’s been a long time since I was at the gallery on a Sunday. Figured it was time to see if there is anything going on on this gorgeous day that might bring people out. We’ll see. Haven’t seen anyone yet, so spent some time figuring out “My Perfect Day” and writing it out. It was way easier than I thought. I don’t know why it took me so long after Frank Kern first told us what a powerful tool it is. I’m not going to share it with you just yet. I’ll wait till I see it out in my life then share it to demonstrate it’s real power.

For those of you who have read the current issue of Land and Home, yes, that really is my house, and yes, I really did build it. Don’t be too impressed, it was one of those “no viable alternative” situations. I will confess that’s when I’m strongest. Tell me I can’t, then watch me do it. I believe it is within all of us to rise to the challenge, to live beyond the confines of what constrains us. I’ve been doing that for as long as I can remember and don’t see it as anything but ordinary. You can see the article (photos and all) online at http://www.sangrechronicle.com/LandAndHome_Spring08/homefeature.html

Check it out and then post here and tell me what you think! I keep saying that…and I really mean it! I want to hear from you! It can be very quiet and lonely in these mountains. Especially this time of year when I generally sit in the gallery by myself for 8 hours a day! Now you know why I have limited hours in the shoulder season!

Oh, and in case you haven’t done so yet, sign up for my email newsletter with the button on the right. I the current issue there is info about the upcoming season of Angel Fire Mountain Theatre and Angel Fire ArtsFest. Click the links to read about them directly.

Angel Fire ArtSpace,
3469 Mountain View Blvd, Suites B2-4 Angel Fire NM
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Not Quite Really Spring

Just as I was prepared to take the snow image off of this blog, I woke up this morning and lifted the blinds only to see snow flying yet again…and accumulating, though as the day wears on and the temp slowly rises, it’s muddy slush now. Whew, that was a mouthful! Sorry. Guess I find myself in a reflective mood, writing is almost as soothing painting. I’ll get to that shortly too. In the mean time, for those of you who are my students…or will be, I’m wondering something. My DVD, “How to Paint a Poppy That POPS” is selling, albeit not as quickly as I hoped. I’m hoping that you’ll post some comments here so that I can figure out what you would like me to do next. Is the DVD too specific for you? Would a more general painting or drawing lesson be better? I have all kinds of ideas, and I’ll likely make some new videos that are short lessons in both…and post them here so you can watch them FREE. Before I figure how to do that (make the camera watch me paint) I’d really like to know what you’d like to learn? Some options are: Learning to draw what you see…not what you think you see; How to let the paint lead you on Yupo paper; Painting a floral in two minutes or less on Yupo paper; Painting watercolor on Canvas; Fun painting with stuff from your kitchen. I could keep going… but I’d like to hear from you.

On other matters, I got the schedule for Angel Fire Mountain Theatre from TTU last night. It is now up at www.angelfiretheatre.org/Season_XII.html

It looks like a great line up. We’re also moving full steam ahead with the 27th Annual Angel Fire ArtsFest. The show is full and we have artists coming from literally all over the country! This small but rich show just keeps getting better every year. Check out www.morenovalleyarts.org/ArtsFest.html for more information about that. Artists: mark your calendars for January 15th and head to that page to download the application for next year. We don’t mail them anymore…too expensive. Shoot me an email from the site above to be added to the email list for notification.

In the meantime I’m still up to my ears in homework and assignments for the now infamous Maven Bootcamp I attended in Orlando. I can hardly believe it’s been nearly two months. Maybe that’s because I barely get one assignment done before the next one comes down the pike! Talk about intense! At least it keeps me distracted during the long quiet days at the gallery this time of year.

Oh, yeah….video! Need to get that done too! That’s fun for sure! I think I’ll shoot Jacqui’s work next. It’s nice and bright, with a bit of mystical whimsy. It’ll look good on camera, I think.

In the meantime…..post your comments! I want to hear from you. Like that old movie..don’t even recall the name of it…..”input needed!”

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

I know it’s been a few days since I was here. Had to be out of town for a couple days and then there is always the catch up from that. Got back on Thursday afternoon just in time for a Chamber Board Meeting and then spent Friday preparing for my Fourth Friday Reception. Whee! Passed myself coming and going!

This is Sunday, my day off, and I’m having fun. I was building a new web site for the Northeast New Mexico Arts Alliance that will become the primary site for disseminating information about the upcoming Art Trail that you may have read about. I don’t remember if I wrote about it here or not, but our press releases were picked up by the Raton Range and the Sangre de Cristo Chronicle.
Anyhoo….I got the website essentially built and then started learning about how to use Google Maps. Way Cool! and so very easy to learn! Wahoo! Check it out at www.nenmarts.org
and be sure to click on the tab that says “3Ts Art Trail with clickable map” It’s too cool!

Now that the trail is moving ahead (almost taking on a life of its own) I’m breathing easier. If you are an artist, artspace or gallery along the trail, be sure to download the application after reading the eligibility requirements. Get those applications completed and in as soon as possible! We’d like to be ready to work on promotional materials for approved sites by May 30! (yes, this year.) I know it’s a tight time frame, but required for our start up funding.

So, did I say I’m breathing easier? That was dumb. I’m still up to my ears in the Maven bootcamp materials and now I’m trying to digest Butterfly Marketing all at the same time. Have I lost it? Not likely. Just madly driven. I’m learning so much it makes me hungry for more! Education is a good thing! (too bad I didn’t figure that out in school!)

So, the next video I’ll do (I hope tomorrow) will feature the work of Jacqui Binford-Bell. A local to this lovely valley and a huge support to me, Jacqui is a fabulously creative lady. I’ve talked before about her masks (from which she retired, but I still have a handfull) and her new bright and somewhat mystical paintings. They are getting better all the time. I think you’ll enjoy seeing it so I’ll try and keep the camera still!

The snow is melting here, and the spring winds have returned. I’ve still got 4 feet or so of snow outside my living room window, along the north side of the house. As it slowly melts I’m optimistic about a plethera of columbine waiting to sprout underneath it. Take a look at this pic taken in January. Now you can see that it will take some time and warm temps to melt this pile of snow!

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