Pre Memorial Day Drive and Inspiration for "Experiment"

Here are some pictures from a drive we took before Memorial Day.  It was a beautiful day and great to get out into nature and gain some inspiration and peace of mind.  I love exploring with my husband, he is always so willing to see new places or revisit places we've seen but not for awhile.

And here is my "experient" acrylic painting on 10"x8" wood board that was inspired by a church off Highway 14 in New Mexico between Tijeras and Santa Fe I'm calling "Old San Francisco Church NM".

"Quieting the Mind, Releasing the Spirit"

The original oil painting "Quieting the Mind, Releasing the Spirit" was painted last night.  I dedicate this painting to the memory of two people from my past that I just discovered recently passed away last year. Although I thought I had grieved the loss of the relationships with both quite a few years ago, I realized in the midst of this painting that what I had not grieved was the sadness of the mental illness that was present in both and I was unaware of during the years we interacted.  They were instrumental in my finding that deep part of myself that is strong, loving, compassionate, non judgmental and independent.

By the time I finished this painting, which surprisingly took me very little time, I felt very blessed and grateful that today I am exactly where I'm supposed to be, with the people in my life God has placed so carefully there and that this mother and son are finally reunited with others they loved and have gained a peace that surpasses all human understanding.  Besides the title speaking of them, it speaks of my own spirit.  What a wonderful way to begin a new season, feeling creative and appreciating everything that God has so graciously placed in my life -- for all those people, places and things I am very grateful.

Back to Creativity & Enjoying Beautiful New Mexico Spring Weather

Got my new iPhone and happy to say the pictures I've taken with it have turned out nicely ... well, here ...
judge for yourself.  It has been a pretty smooth transition although I have to say I was having a bit of withdrawal not having my phone for a few days (I recycled it, getting a really good deal through our carrier).

Thinking about the difference between last year, this time, and this year I am reminded we really didn't have a spring last year.  It seemed that we went straight from winter into summer.  This year has been just gorgeous and although anyone from New Mexico can attest to the fact that usually spring sucks as far as blowing wind and dirt goes, we have had a wonderful winter and a cooler spring this year and even expecting monsoons to return this summer.  I love living in New Mexico with it's slower pace of life, natural beauty, cultural history and appreciation and an abundance of artists and art venues to both challenge and grow me as an artist.

Here is a colored pencil drawing I did recently and a mixed media piece just to keep those creative juices flowing.  I just today finished painting a birdhouse for an upcoming raffle and can now move on into more serious painting.  I'm so looking forward to a beautiful summer of painting and enjoying living, seeing new and beautiful areas of New Mexico.

Happy Mother's Day to all you Lovely Ladies Out There

Taking a short break from technology this weekend and for a few days.  Thought while absent I'd post an older oil painting I did back in 1999.  It started out as a portrait of a native lady though we'd just been through the hospitalization and death of my mother-in-law after a car accident and my own lumpectomy.  I was pleasantly surprised on finishing it that my husband said to me, "Oh wow, do you know you whose face that is? It looks like my mom and grandmother."  Funny how all my emotion comes out sometimes as I paint and, hence, the name of this oil painting became "Grandmother Serrano".

Happy Mother's Day! I'm very grateful I still have my own mother though she lives a distance away and missing her today as well as my mother-in-law and all those ladies who have served in the capacity of caring, wonderful, nurturing and loving mothers to me. God has blessed me with many friends who fill the void and ask little of me in return -- Thanks to all of you!

Wow - Busy Month - Here are Some Photos Taken Recently

It's been quite awhile since I've updated my art blog though I'm happy to say it's only because life has gotten very busy and I've been enjoying an amazingly balanced month of April.  I did do some painting, sketching and artwork although most of my time has been spent meeting with friends, gardening, taking care of business and enjoying some wonderful family time with my husband.

Here are some pictures taken recently of the Gathering of Nations Pow Wow - the largest in the United States - held in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  I believe they said for this grand entry there were 2,000 dancers on the floor and it was AWESOME!!!

Next are a couple of pictures of some young dancers.  I asked the parents permission first and then the dancers themselves and they were happy to pose for the pictures.  The first had her eyes "squinched closed" but after some prompting I got the picture and right after a very big smile -- oh well, too late for the picture though I thought they both turned out well.