Paintings of Time and Place

Impressions of Monet's Garden in Giverny

New beginnings in new places with new subject matter and new techniques to stretch the creative imagination.  A visit to Monet's garden in April inspired me to try my hand at my own water lily renditions.  I can understand why Monet wanted to do only two things in life:  paint and care for his garden.  A garden with beautiful flowers feeds the soul--inspiring, peaceful, and creative.  I felt such  inner joy that I decided to use individual monotypes of waterlily gardens for individual invitations to one of the most joyous events of my life:  marriage to my soul mate. 

Navajo Style Handwoven pillow

Another beautiful handwoven pillow woven in the Navajo tapestry technique.  Only $110.00 USD plus $10 shipping and handling.

Navajo style woven pillow, Geometry 2

Another pillow in the Geometry 2 series.  Same pillow, different colors.

Colors can be customized to fit your decor.

Geometry 2, Handwoven in wool and/or wool/mohair, 20" X 20", button back, $110 USD plus $10 shipping and handling

Navajo Style Handwoven Pillow--Geometry 2

Never say never.  Never thought I would be weaving pillows for retail again, but......that's the way life goes.  When one has a spiritual connection with a culture and its art, magic happens and once again the connection strengthens.  So it is with the ways of the Navajo. 

I feel that connection when I weave and once again I have been weaving, this time for the Museum gift shops in Santa Fe, especially for the new Historic Museum on the historic Santa Fe Plaza.

Navajo style handwovenpillow with leather side panels. Button back. Wool and/or wool/mohair. 20" X 20"

$110.00 USD plus $10 shipping and handling

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The Anasazi Thinker: Where to Now? Painting to be seen at Tubac Art Center

The mysteries of the Anasazis have always intrigued me.  Why did they leave Chaco Canyon and other religious sites defining their existence?   A civilization so far advanced that its inhabitants must have thought there would be no end to their  way of life.  This painting alludes to the anguish and uncertainty they must have felt as life crumbled away around them.  Where could they go?  How would they live?  History tells us that they took the road to the desert and mesas lying beyond.  Soon to become the Pueblo tribes, they found a way to take the important elements of their lives with them:  their families and their religion.  Life would require some adaptation, but the most important elements were to survive.

Can we learn a lesson from the Anasazis?  All does not last forever as we know it, but life goes on.  

"The Three Soujourners" Looking for Solace in Life, a Monotype

The magic of monotypes has invaded my being.  Never knowing quite what the final result will be, I have found a special magic in creating mini monotypes by the reductive process--placing background etching ink on a small acrylic plate, then removing a part of the basic ink.  Adding different colors in different shapes becomes part of the intuitive creative process.  Only when the paper is carefully removed from the plate after pressure of the rollers does the final image appear.  Voila!  Much more than I could ever have imagined.

These three soujourners have set off on a spiritual journey, searching for a solace the nature of which they know not only that they will feel an inner peace and serenity to become a part of their lives.  Each looks for the peace that will become a part of the individual soul, but which will also enable the three to live in a world devoid of greed.   

 

The Three Sojourners (2009), Monotype,   14" X 12".

                    SOLD

 

"Waiting for the Carriage" under the arches of Fontenay Abbey, Montbard, France

Another of my women from past and present, this one is "Waiting for the Carriage." Like many of the other women in my paintings–whether coming out of the dark, moving into places of transition, or just fearless and undaunted by the difficulties confronting them–this wistful woman represents a part of the history of where we have been. Accompanied by her faithful cat companion, she waits under the arches of Fontenay, the French Cistercian abbey for the carriage to take her to her lover. Will he be the love of her life? Has the abbot given her good advice? Or has she just listened to the sonorous chants resonating to the heavens within the abbey’s cavernous vaults?

The Abbey of Fontenay, today a UNESCO World Heritage site, was founded in 1118 by Saint Bernard. The abbey has experienced a tumultuous history with periods of prosperity initially followed by war and sacking then followed by its transition into a paper factory during the French Revolution. Fortunately, it has retained most of its original buildings making it an excellent example of a Cistercian abbey. For photos and history  of this glorious example of Romanesque architecture, go to:

www.abbayedefontenay.com

 

"Waiting for the Carriage"  Oil on Canvasboard, 28" X 21.5" (framed size), $1099 USD

 

Thoughts for the New Year: Goals Past and Goals Future

At this time of year I become very contemplative evaluating attainment of and progress toward goals of the past year and writing new goals for new directions during the coming year.   How far have I come toward attaining my goals, both professional goals and personal goals in various segments of my life. What could I have done differently?  How can I build on what I have accomplished and how can I change or modify directions which will enable me to reach goals during the oncoming 12 months?

For me setting goals is much more meaningful than writing resolutions.   Something about a resolution--potential failure is part of a resolution.  A resolution is made to be broken--but a goal, even if not attained to its completion,  has an element of success setting the stage for further successes and ultimate attainment of the cerebral dreams. 

In the next few days I will be writing down and modifying directions for my life in 2009.  How can I improve my visibility in the art world?  What medium would I like to explore to expand my artistic skills?  How can I incorporate weaving and writing into my schedule along with marketing my work?  And then, of course, there is the golf game always waiting for more attention.  A lot of goals for 2009.  Happy New Year.

Red at Night, Sailor's Delight, Oil on Paper

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

May the world have peace and love with all living in a state of serenity and cooperation where greed takes the back seat and pursuits of creative energy takes the lead. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Taos Serenity--Painting in show in Los Alamos at the Historic Fuller Lodge,

 

I live and work in Taos, New Mexico, a town of beauty, mystery, and spiritual energy.  I was guided here by what some might call the energy of the mountain.  Little did I know at the time almost ten years ago that this town would change my being and my very life.  That it has done.

When I first came. it was only because a man that I had met in Minden, Nevada, wanted to ski the mountain black diamonds and all, the magic runs of the Taos Ski Valley.   I had visited Taos for a day perhaps 8 years before.  I didn't know, but the mountain knew--I would return.

My friend stayed for a year and a half, left, and I just knew that I, too, would leave.  Not so.  I tried.  I went back to California,  I went back to Nevada over and over again,  I was   leaving--the mountain knew otherwise.

What a joy this town has been and continues to be for me!  I started to paint again, I met a man who would change my life, and I continue to feel the spirit of Taos Mountain.  I am a part of Taos.

"Taos Serenity,"  Oil on Canvas, 16" X 15" (framed size), $225.00 USD

Look for this painting at the "Four Seasons" art show, Art Center at Fuller Lodge, Los Alamos, New Mexico,  January 9-February 14, 2009      (505)662-9331  www.artfulnm.org

                                                     SOLD