Posted on

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
Posted on 3 Comments

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
Posted on

Beautiful Day of Rest

In the chaos that has been my life recently, now I am quietly enjoying my only day off in the next 8. Tomorrow I begin the big move to the new “Angel Fire ArtSpace Too”. What? Gee, did I not mention this? Of course I didn’t. It was all a big Secret…but the word is out. I’m opening a second gallery, though it’s small, at the Resort. Just a few steps from the Village House, below the Chili Lift. Or, just outside the doors of the Garden Court. Tomorrow I take a truck load of art, jewelry and office supplies to the new space. Tuesday I have an all day Chamber Planning meeting, Wednesday I’ll set the new space up and make it look smashing, Thursday, I work at the main Gallery, Friday, is the GRAND OPENING of the new space. Oh, and Friday night? The May Fourth Friday Reception! Egad! Craziness! The Gallery does look fabulous if I say so myself. Last week more than 25 new pieces went up on the wall. Totally new. Just in time since next weekend is Memorial Weekend, and both Galleries will be open Sunday…and Monday. If I can make it that long! Of course, I will, but this may be the last post till the following Tuesday!

At the same time, I’ve been madly working on rebuilding the July Season of Angel Fire Mountain Theatre after the badly timed cancellation by Texas Tech. News on that front will hopefully be coming in the next few days. We are very close to a deal. It won’t look anything like the past 11 Seasons..but it will be First Class.

Coming on the 30th (a week after the 4th Friday) the Gallery will host a reception for the Moreno Valley Arts Council’s “Reflections” show. The juried, themed exhibit features works by artists from around Northern New Mexico, in everything from photographs to works in watercolor. It is all 2-d work. It promises to be fun and way different from the usual fare at the gallery. The Artists Reception will begin at 5:30 and awards will be presented at 7pm. Be sure to check it out. Businesses are invited to get a sneak peak for advance purchases at 5pm.
Proceeds from purchases will be benefit the MVAC and the Artist.

My plate is very full right now…and I’m definitely not hungry!

The weather is lovely right now..crisp, clear and bright blue skies. It’s a great time to come to Angel Fire! See ya soon?

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