Category: Katherine McDermott Artist

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Mardi Gras, Valentines Day and SNOW

In the after math of the string of fun, from Powderkeg to Shovel races to the Mardi Gras ball last night (thank you, Krewe H.), I must have been crazy to try to dig out the gate to the side yard (and the propane tank…what were we thinking, putting it behind the fence?!). Snow blown from the driveway piled high against the gate and made it completely accessible…though it was frozen solid enough a long legged person could have just stepped over! Unfortunately..the snow on the other side was well worn down by the dog nesting on it, laying guard lest someone should dare enter her turf.

Anyway, dig it out I did and now my shoulders are screaming at me. I stretched, heated and now I’m resting, computer on my lap, leaning back in a comfy, puffy, leather chair. A dose of bromelain will help ensure my flexibility for painting this afternoon at the Visitor Center.

Speaking of which, I didn’t actually realize it’s been two weeks since I posted. hmm. Where did that time go?! I promised I’d put the piece I was working on up here, and so here it is:

36 x 18 Acrylic on Panel…and I sold it just before I got my signature on at the bottom (Yay)

Today I have to finish a landscape I’ve got going, 30 x 24 acrylic..and then I’ll start on a diptich, which i think will be more sunflowers. I had alot of fun painting this one. Was in a way sad that I sold it so quickly! My husband John never even got to see it except for this photo. Not complaining, mind you. Kind of blown away.

So, sore shoulders and all, I’ll lug my portable studio back to the Center and be there at 1pm! It’ll be a hub of activity as the staff will be decorating a float for the Mardi Gras parade….and OH….HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

Angel Fire ArtSpace,
3469 Mountain View Blvd, Suites B2-4 Angel Fire NM
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Bleary Eyed & Sore Feet!

What a BLAST! Last night’s Powderkeg final concert: The Long Run: Experience the Eagles
and all I can say is WOW! They are AWESOME. Close your eyes and you don’t who is on stage…The Long Run….or The Eagles! My feet didn’t remember that we’re not 17 anymore and this morning, they know it well! OWWWWWWW. That’s what I get for dancing in 3 inch heels. But WOOOOW was it FUN!

I was too busy dancing to remember to take photos…though I’m sure they’ll be popping up online somewhere! I’ll certainly press hard to get them back to Angel Fire! Based on the response in the tent, I doubt that will be too far in the future!

So, now I’m smelling coffee and planning how I’ll continue the painting I started last week at the Visitor Center. The image in the header is the one I did there two weeks ago. 12 x 36 watercolor on canvas. The one I’m working on is 18 x 36, acrylic and its Sunflowers. Only just begun and BRIGHT. I’m contemplating what I’ll do with the background. hmmmm. Better go get more coffee first. While the rhythms of “Hotel California” hum in my head. Ahhhh. It doesn’t get much better…sore feet included!

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

Typically Sundays are for watering the plants, doing the laundry and spending the afternoons in my studio. Today, I begin a new experiment. Today, I paint at the Angel Fire Visitors Center. From 1pm to 4pm on Sunday afternoons, I’ll paint there as live demo and hopefully get some new work done at the same time!

Which reminds me, the image in the header is a new pastel that I did when taking a class from Martin Pavletich (great fun!). I love pastel. The big issue with it is that it really must go behind glass. Sigh.

Anyhoo….This Sunday is Watercolor. Next week maybe acrylic, or pastel or scratchboard. What do I hope to accomplish? Sales, of course. Sales of my work, my DVDs and private lessons and workshops. Plus, it will just plain be fun!

So, if you’re in Angel Fire on a Sunday, drop by the Visitor Center in the afternoon and say hi!

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

I’m jazzed. I’ve had lots of people ask for this so I hope they like what I’ve done. It’s a brand new, hard-bound picture book of my work. 30 pages of bright color, florals, landscapes, pet portraits and still lifes. Here’s a sneak peak:

And that’s not all! Introducing two new 2010 Calendars! This one is full of poppies: Support independent publishing: Buy this calendar on Lulu.

And this one is the daisies and sunflowers: Support independent publishing: Buy this calendar on Lulu.

I had so much fun putting them together! I hope you love them too!

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

Well I’ll be. So, I’m sitting (or was) at the dining room table, eating home made dark (very dark) dark chocolate ice cream. In the back ground was some guy singing, “I’m my own grandpa” when arose a barking from the dog…and before my very eyes, I beheld a trash truck, emptying dumpsters into it’s belly! On Christmas Day! A trash truck, picking up trash.

And they say there are no miracles any more!

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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Living Where the Wind Blows

Sunday morning. Three cars stuck and retrieved from the road. The County crews plow the road and the wind undoes it, weaving fingers of snow intent on snagging your tires and sucking them in. Sometimes it looks like an eerie scene created by Tolkien.

The massive pine branches wave like they’re greeting someone important, almost festive as the snow flies from them making mini snow storms. It’s mesmerizing to watch, and I’m glad I’m indoors!

Not for long though. Off to Taos we go. Time to get some groceries before the next storm leaves the California coast and heads our way.

Next Friday is the celebration of my 6th Anniversary in business (Angel Fire ArtSpace Gallery!) In most ways I can scarcely believe it, and then again, I feel the years of fighting to beat the odds in my psyche. I’ll post more about the event, but if you’re headed to Angel Fire to catch the Night Skiing that opens next Saturday, come on Friday and celebrate with me!

Angel Fire ArtSpace,
3469 Mountain View Blvd, Suites B2-4 Angel Fire NM
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Brrrrr. Global Warming? Not here!

Let’s see, roughly 16 inches of snow. 5 foot drifts and it’s 10 degrees and still snowing. Open the door to let the (crazy) dog out and got blasted with snow and in 2 seconds I’m covered and white. The screen door won’t close for all the snow piled on it, under it and around it. I cleared it out last night…no more.

While it’s great for the Mountain, (yay) it doesn’t bode well for getting to the gallery soon. I’ll continue to hope so, but it’s 9:35 and I can’t see my neighbors house.

Brrr. Think I better go build another fire.

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


It’s Sunday. The wind is howling, snow is blowing, I hear a big storm is coming. Good time to stay home. I got creative and worked on my latest commission for a few hours this morning. Then I let the creative continue and followed instructions John found for adding a new touch to the dining room. Here’s the site: http://www.designspongeonline.com/2009/11/diy-project-lindsays-wine-bottle-vases.html

I had a stash of bottles awaiting transport to the Taos Recycling Center, so I looked through and found a nice one. Here’s what I did with it. The wall’s not crooked, the photo is, but at any rate, it was fun. I had this fun red frame with white mat that just happened to fit one of Jennifer Cavan’s postcards from a few Christmases ago and that hid the wire (some surplus picture wire) on which the vase (converted brandy bottle) hangs. It took only a few minutes (after I got the labels off…wow do they use some glue on those! A good soaking with Dawn did the trick.) That’s a chunk of rammed earth wall there behind it all. I painted it sort of “mottled” red a few years ago.

Anyway, I’m taking a quiet day now, and the zoom zoom will begin again tomorrow! I think I’ll go push some sand around in the old hot tub room that I’ve been working on for 6 months. The brick is laid. I need to fill all the tiny gaps with sand. That takes time. Put some music on and push the sand around. Sounds like a time for some pondering.

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

The house smells like cinnamon and nutmeg, the turkey is in the smoker outside and I happily had time to finish (I think) the painting I’ve been working on for two months. It was quite a journey. 48 x 24 gallery wrap canvas. And acrylic. When staring for the first time at that big white expanse I quivered. Today, I quivered again when I cleaned the brushes and closed the paint.

Here is the result:

I’ll look at it for a while before I touch it again. I’m calling it “Angel Fire High”

And I’ll start planning the next one…but that will have to wait till Monday. Tomorrow night is a 4th Friday Holiday Kickoff reception and Saturday is live theatre, and so is Sunday afternoon. So begins the next season. Cheers! and Happy Thanksgiving!

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