El Rito, New Mexico, USA

Driving down the backroads of New Mexico, these sweet little adobe houses are everywhere. Tin roofs and brightly colored trim set them apart as charming even though in some cases they are really little more than a chicken coop. Almost always "garnished" with the Hollyhocks......blooming pink and happy. Tiny sheds, really, but charming none the less. After one of these weekend trips I come back *sigh* and wish *sigh* that I could make enough money on art *sigh* to be able to quit my day job *much bigger sigh* and move into one of these sweet little communities *long drawn out sigh*. I know on one level I really could do it, given that I am willing to make certain sacrifices. Do I want to give up some of the luxuries of having a full time paycheck? A paycheck in an amount that has taken me over 20 years to rise to? The good news is that I can live here in New Mexico, surrounded by such beauty, such culture...........................I know, I know, "love what you have" the old saying goes......I do have so much to be thankful for.

ABIQUIU NEW MEXICO

This past weekend we attended the Abiquiu Studio Tour. New Mexico is simply the most soulful and artful and colorful place on earth. I took so many wonderful pictures and enjoyed being is the soft autumn air. The art was fun to see but most of all the surroundings inspired me in many ways that I can't begin to articulate. My brain is on fire with ideas and concepts for expressing life in art.

The lady in the picture made the best tamales I have ever had. We sat outdoors at long tables in the autumn sun and the food tasted so vibrant.

Here in New Mexico the churches are filled with wonder. They transmit the prayers of the ages, all the parishners who walked through those doors over the years, to pray for help, to ask forgivness, to express thanks. The adobe is so smooth and sensual to the touch and so easy on the eye. No wonder people flocked to their warm and protective confines. Like being cradled in the earth mother's big warm arms.

The horno is an altered photo. I've painted it in sparkling water color paints. The horno or "oven" is loaded with hot coals and empbers and plump round loaves of bread are baked in them. We were lucky to come along just as the loaves were being taken out. What a treat to have a warm loaf of bread in the car. We'd brought along some different cheeses and they complimented the bread so wonderfully. Here in New Mexico it is common to see the horno in the back yard of homes. This is an Indian custom

This was truly a sensual experience. Felt with all the senses. My spirit sang for a day.

Sophie The Studio Cat

Sophie does not seem to like having me take her picture. She is such a sweetie and hangs around with me in my studio. I just thought you'd enjoy meeting my little sweetie.

THIRD PLACE WINNER !!!!

My friend and co-worker Sandy was convinced I should enter some art in the State Fair. So much so that she offered to make the entry for me.

Well much to my delight, I came away with a third place ribbon !!!!!

I am so proud of this acheivement !

JACK AND FRIENDS

I have been sending one hand made postcard to my dear friend Colleen for several weeks now and it just occured to me that I should be posting them or at least taking a photo of each prior to sending them off......guess there's some catching up to do.

So anyway, here is the current week's installment. For some reason I thought the lavender bird here had a Jack Nicholson type of expression. So "JACK AND FIRENDS".

ERIC AND THE MAGIC PLAID SHORTS

This past weekend I was fortunate enough to spend some time with Eric Luplow, a water color artist who has been such wonderful inspiration for me. I love his color and his joyous and quirky approach to his art. I only see Eric but once a year so endeavor to make the most of my few moments with him. This year he was very encouraging about my art and helpful with ideas about marketing my work. As a small "thank you" to Eric, I created this piece and sent it to him. Long story about those magic plaid shorts.

If you get a chance, visit Eric I'm sure you'll like his work.

5 CUP SALAD !!!!

When my son Dallas was just a little guy he liked to help prepare dinner. This 5 Cup Salad was just perfect. All I had to do was open a couple of cans and he would do the rest.

This recipe card is one of 10 I made for a swap with Everyday Matters members. Each card was a different style cup and color combination. They were all bright and cheerful, just like those days with my little tyke.

Try this recipe, you'll love it. And it will taste even better if one of your kids makes it !

PATIO MUSINGS

These little flowers are going in a pot on my patio. They grow into large bushes here in New Mexico and as I plan to drop him in the ground, I'm hopeful I'll have one of those large rounded lovely soft purple bushes in my yard some day.

I really enjoy sitting out on my patio, watching the birds scout around the neighborhood for their evening meal. And what few plants I have thus far really bring me so much joy.

I've started landscaping my yard and while I have a good long way to go, I'm enjoying it ~ just one bush at a time. So far I've tried to keep it to drought tolernt items, but those roses are really calling to me. With a long expanse of cream colored brick wall across the full width of the yard, it is so tempting to plant climing roses in various colors.....they would look so pretty.

STREET SIDE CAFE

I just love the idea of sitting in a street cafe somewhere in Italy, having a coffee with my lover. Maybe some rolls and fruit. I imagine the tourists hurrying to their destinations while the rest of us amble our way through the day, content to let life unfold on it's own schedule.

For some reason this image really sparks my imagination.

Could it be Italy? Or maybe France?

Who enjoyed this time together? Did they plan to have a baby or quarrel about secret lovers and eventually part ways? Was it Henry and June? Or... Griffin and Sabine??

INTRODUCING HENRY AND JUNE

My first venture in rose growing. My friend Lisa gave me the yellow rose which I've name Henry. It was pretty sick and has really perked up since I've planted it. The lovely little pink one I got at the local garden center and I've named her June. Guess now I need a red one name Anais. I'm really loving this adventure in gardening and I'm thinking about getting two more that will be named Griffin and Sabine........wow, life sure is great.

THE FINAL PAGE

This represents the final page to Colleen's book. It is a map of her life in Santa Fe. The house on Zia Road West, a visit to Swig with a friend, attending the pueblo celebrations over the holidays and of course, Zazobra........life is a golden road if we wish it to be.......and may we never have to wonder ~ "are we there yet?"

We were bored !

So, Colleen and I were totally bored. Getting out my camera and having some fun at the office sure perked things up a bit ! Ok, I'll admit it, I DO usually look this goofy. Ha! 

Grandma and sweet baby Iris (4mos.)

She's 18 months now and just as sweet as ever.

FLOWERS

So this week the challenge was flowers. I drug around all week and just couldn't get something down on paper. Finally last night I sketched from a magazine picture, a portion of a majolica platter.......I kind of like it but admit I've got a long way to go from a technical standpoint.

RECIPE

A fun challenge. I've been meaning to do this for quite some time so figured now is as good as any !!!!!

I've had this recipe scrawled on a piece of scrap paper and taped above my stove for years now. Living in New Mexico makes us red and green chile addicts so this is something I make frequently but won't trust my memory.

I'm not much of a sketcher and this portrayal of chiles is rudimentary but hey, I made the effort.

And I'm really enjoying seeing this hang above my stove.

THOSE DARNED LINKS !!!!

I'm learning. I've never had a blog before so this is all new to me. I am mostly wanting a place to post my artistic inspirations and work on some ideas and a blog seemed like the right place to do this and also provide me with a venue for sharing.

I've not done much to create and nurture artistic community for myself. This seems like the right time.

I hope you'll continue to look at my work and let me know when I've gone off the deep end.


Later............................

CLOUDS

When I first saw the weekly challenge was coulds, I thought "well there is no way I can accomplish this, much less post it for all to see".

I began to actually look at clouds, their nuances of color, texture, form, changeability. Then all sorts of things started to bubble up about life, people, relationships, the world.

What a fabulous opportunity I got this week and to think those clouds were there all the time.

When the student is ready, the teacher appears.