Category: Katherine McDermott Artist

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At a Crossroads

Standing at a crossroads.  It’s not unlike writers block except that I’m hoping I can ask you to help me decide which path to take.  My goal is to take my work forward, kick it up a notch or ten, reach higher, so to speak.  My challenge is that I am not sure which road to take.  I work in multiple media and differing styles.  Really just two styles, but radically different.  What I’ve sold over the years is predominantly what I call “interpreted realism”. In other words, there is no doubt what you’re looking at, but it is exaggerated in some way, such as in value contrasts, color, intensity and boldness.  On the other hand is the highly realistic work, which I tend to do in pastel or watercolor.  Some samples are below.  I’d love to know what you think.  Pursue more detailed realism or focus on how I interpret realism.  The first four are more traditional realism, the last four are more interpreted realism, but you can see, there is a difference.  It’s not that I would never do one or the other again, but that I want to focus on  developing one style or the other. I’d love your feedback, and thank you.

 

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New Work Added

It was a startling discovery.  I had been painting alot since I closed the physical gallery (Angel Fire ArtSpace), but until I made the decision to make this site my “studio” plus Music From Angel Fire, and the occasional estate art sale, I really didn’t realize that I spent all my time updating the pages of every other artist…and not my own!  So, after the monster task of taking off most of what I spent a year putting on, I spent much of today adding in what I’ve been up to, and there is more to go!  It’s funny, I didn’t really realize that I’ve been on a tear with pastel!  I do love doing pastel, there is something that links back to the charcoal stick in my hand when I was 10.  I only posted one pastel, but there will be more..it’s a matter of getting them framed.  It’s very dicey to sell and or ship unframed soft pastel, so I prefer to frame them before I put them here.  As  I look around my studio, I see at least 6 that are awaiting frames!  Egad!  All the more reason to get all the other works in acrylic online now, since they mostly don’t need framing since most of them are on cradled panel with painted edges.  Good to go, hung on the wall or set on a shelf, to brighten your room and and your smile!

Anyhoo…that’s it for today.  Eyes are tired and so am I.  More soon, so check back![recent_products per_page=”12″ columns=”4″ orderby=”date” order=”desc”]

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Tech Savy and Art: An awkward combination?

So, after a year or so, okay, emphasis on the “so”, I moved my old blogspot blog to this site, en toto.  I did the first steps all by my not so big self, though it did require an hour and some minor cursing from my tech guru husband.  At any rate, it’s done! Wahoos are in order for me, as I left the old blog unattended while I was working on this website. So, for those of you who were following the old blog via RSS, the links in RSS will now bring you right here, and you can even look at the old posts and photos contained in them.

Now, with a few more tweaks, I can return to painting.  Yes, being an artist is hard work. While skill and passion is a known requirement, these days, so is discipline and marketing savy.  Ouch.  It’s a work in process.  Of course.

There will be some notable changes coming here.  While the emphasis of being a gallery has lingered, it will be changing soon, to my personal work. However, there may be “popUP” times when I’m promoting someone else.  We’ll just have to see how it goes. I get it, you follow me for me. For who I am and what I do, and from here, I’m beginning again, starting anew. I hope you’ll come along.  And let me know what you’d like to see?  I’d love that!  Thank you!

 

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A New Year, A New Start

Wow, so much happened in 2012, and it whizzed by.  Clearly I was so wrapped up in all of it, I stopped posting by the end of January and poured all my energy in trying to preserve the Angel Fire ArtSpace Gallery.  If you follow me otherwise, you already know that by July, the handwriting was clearly on the wall.  Traffic in the gallery dropped by 90%, year over year.  That was a downturn that was flatly unsustainable.

From there, I chose to develop a new business plan, and transition the gallery from a physical store to a functional online store.  I have to.  I’m absolutely passionate about Art.  It’s more than just the creation of it that compels me.  It’s the conviction that I can provide beauty and food for the soul for the Art buyer, compensation for the artist and also for me.  It’s way more that “making a living”.  It is to me, life itself.

So, I closed the physical gallery on September 13, 2012.  Scantly 3 months before my 9th Anniversary in business.  And I celebrated that on December 16th.  9 years under my belt and heading for 10, just differently.

If you haven’t done so yet, check out the new site.  I still represent myself and others, and am adding new work to it all the time.  It’s fully operational with a built in shopping cart, but if you still prefer to call to order, that works too.  I have a blog there too…and I’m laying out a work schedule so I can manage all the hats I continue to wear and all the marketing efforts I continue to employ.  That said, it is definitely my intention to keep up with all of it.  After all, there’s no more rent to worry about.  And that’s no small thing.  All together the savings mount in the $1000s.  It was the right decision.

And so,  now, here we are at the start of another year.  May 2013 bring us all more peace, harmony and abundance.  Namaste.

Angel Fire ArtSpace,
3469 Mountain View Blvd, Suites B2-4 Angel Fire NM
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Pondering the "Markers" in My Life

I’m not entirely sure why, but I have found myself pondering some of the more memorable “markers” in my life, that led to some kind of change. While there were some big ones that occurred in my late teens and early twenties, it is the more recent experiences that have been running through my mind, impacting my dreams too.

First, comes the whale.  John and I were on holiday in Mexico and we decided to take a trip out in a small boat with a guide in search of migrating whales.  It was a gray, rainy day.  Cold too.  We were given rain ponchos and off we went.  The small boat smacking hard against surf churned up by the wind made me hold on tight, fearing we’d be thrown out of the boat.  I was thinking, “what were we thinking?”  when the “scout” shouted and pointed.  The boat turned in the direction of his point and then abruptly came to a stop.  Not 50 yards away, a Mother Humpback was playing with her child.  Up out of the water she would come, splashing down soaking us all.  Then up came the baby, repeating the action of the mom.  Closer they came, and closer.  I’m not sure exactly how close, but when I could see her eye it was like looking into the vast stored memories of history.  All of it.  It was only a second, but it seemed like forever.  Off they sped, surfacing and diving, till they were gone from sight.

I can’t explain how incredibly Spiritual it was. In my heart there is no other word to describe it.  As we rode back to the shore no one spoke.  The rain suddenly felt like a cleansing shower.  I have no photos.  I had the camera but was so struck in the watching that I completely forgot to pick it up. 

I’m not sure why I’ve been thinking about that.  But this I know…I’ll never forget it. 

It was a similar experience with a Bald Eagle.  I was headed to the gallery one day, about a year ago.  It was fall, the air was clear and the sky was that bright cerulean blue.  I turned from our road on to highway 64 and a few moments later something caught the peripheral vision of my left eye.  I glanced at the window, and there, flying beside my car was a Bald Eagle.  It caught my breath.  I slowed (I hadn’t come to full speed yet) and glanced in my mirror to see no one behind me.  I looked again, the magnificent bird was still there, flying right beside me.  He stayed with me for about a mile.  Then he swooped up and around and disappeared.  I pulled off the road.  I had tears running down my face, and was filled with a sense of awe, of hope, of courage, of strength. 

What did that mean? Why did that happen?  I don’t know.  I do know the overwhelming feelings that it (the experience) inspired.  I am grateful.  Always seeking more, intent on always watching for the sweet moments of healing, hope and encouragement.  Seeking to understand the markers and the impact they have had on me. 

And I am blessed.  That such gifts have touched my life is overwhelming, humbling and still fills me with a sense of wonder and gratitude.  I hope sharing it blesses you too. Happy Sunday.

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

So, I thought, “I’ll try to post every Sunday”  Also thinking “or most Sundays”. So, it is Sunday, and I saw something today that struck my attention.  First, some background.  I’ve seen recently, on TV a commercial (Volkswagon, it think), that starts with a  boy looking at a bicycle and saying, “is it fast?” and then an older boy looking at a motorcycle and asking, “is it fast?” and then a guy/baby in sling asking “is it safe?”

That is the preface.

So, today, I was sitting at a table, drinking a coffee, at the Albuquerque airport, when I observed  (my favorite pass time endeavor when there) a family come off the escalator and onto the “gate” floor of the airport.  I saw a man, cowboy hat, duster, and boots, walking with who was clearly his wife and children (demonstrated by action) and she was pushing a stroller, and had the baby in the same kind of “front” strap as the guy in the commercial  (which is what probably prompted my instant comparison.) But it struck me. She was pushing the stroller with a toddler, diaper bag and sundry in the back of the stroller and She was carrying the baby.  He was strutting in his boots, duster and hat.

It was a sight that caught my eye. Is it 2012? In recalling it, I’m still shaking my head.

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