Everything Art , Angel Fire and Beyond

Pondering the "Markers" in My Life

2012-01-22T10:20:00.000-07:00

I'm not entirely sure why, but I have found myself pondering some of the more memorable "markers" in my life, that led to some kind of change. While there were some big ones that occurred in my late teens and early twenties, it is the more recent experiences that have been running through my mind, impacting my dreams too.

First, comes the whale. John and I were on holiday in Mexico and we decided to take a trip out in a small boat with a guide in search of migrating whales. It was a gray, rainy day. Cold too. We were given rain ponchos and off we went. The small boat smacking hard against surf churned up by the wind made me hold on tight, fearing we'd be thrown out of the boat. I was thinking, "what were we thinking?" when the "scout" shouted and pointed. The boat turned in the direction of his point and then abruptly came to a stop. Not 50 yards away, a Mother Humpback was playing with her child. Up out of the water she would come, splashing down soaking us all. Then up came the baby, repeating the action of the mom. Closer they came, and closer. I'm not sure exactly how close, but when I could see her eye it was like looking into the vast stored memories of history. All of it. It was only a second, but it seemed like forever. Off they sped, surfacing and diving, till they were gone from sight.

I can't explain how incredibly Spiritual it was. In my heart there is no other word to describe it. As we rode back to the shore no one spoke. The rain suddenly felt like a cleansing shower. I have no photos. I had the camera but was so struck in the watching that I completely forgot to pick it up.

I'm not sure why I've been thinking about that. But this I know...I'll never forget it.

It was a similar experience with a Bald Eagle. I was headed to the gallery one day, about a year ago. It was fall, the air was clear and the sky was that bright cerulean blue. I turned from our road on to highway 64 and a few moments later something caught the peripheral vision of my left eye. I glanced at the window, and there, flying beside my car was a Bald Eagle. It caught my breath. I slowed (I hadn't come to full speed yet) and glanced in my mirror to see no one behind me. I looked again, the magnificent bird was still there, flying right beside me. He stayed with me for about a mile. Then he swooped up and around and disappeared. I pulled off the road. I had tears running down my face, and was filled with a sense of awe, of hope, of courage, of strength.

What did that mean? Why did that happen? I don't know. I do know the overwhelming feelings that it (the experience) inspired. I am grateful. Always seeking more, intent on always watching for the sweet moments of healing, hope and encouragement. Seeking to understand the markers and the impact they have had on me.

And I am blessed. That such gifts have touched my life is overwhelming, humbling and still fills me with a sense of wonder and gratitude. I hope sharing it blesses you too. Happy Sunday.

Perspectives

2012-01-15T21:23:00.000-07:00

So, I thought, "I'll try to post every Sunday" Also thinking "or most Sundays". So, it is Sunday, and I saw something today that struck my attention. First, some background. I've seen recently, on TV a commercial (Volkswagon, it think), that starts with a boy looking at a bicycle and saying, "is it fast?" and then an older boy looking at a motorcycle and asking, "is it fast?" and then a guy/baby in sling asking "is it safe?"

That is the preface.

So, today, I was sitting at a table, drinking a coffee, at the Albuquerque airport, when I observed (my favorite pass time endeavor when there) a family come off the escalator and onto the "gate" floor of the airport. I saw a man, cowboy hat, duster, and boots, walking with who was clearly his wife and children (demonstrated by action) and she was pushing a stroller, and had the baby in the same kind of "front" strap as the guy in the commercial (which is what probably prompted my instant comparison.) But it struck me. She was pushing the stroller with a toddler, diaper bag and sundry in the back of the stroller and She was carrying the baby. He was strutting in his boots, duster and hat.

It was a sight that caught my eye. Is it 2012? In recalling it, I'm still shaking my head.

A New Year..A new effort to Post!

2012-01-08T15:47:00.001-07:00

The New Year crept in and before I blinked here it is the start of the second week! Wowzers!

Although I hear lots of naysayers regarding the coming of 2012, I find myself focused like a laser beam on growth. Growth for the Gallery, growth for me on every level: Mind, Body, Spirit, Relationships and Finances. I've been studying regularly, and (delighted to have a Kindle of my own now) and find my optimism growing daily. I am an Affiliate of the Global Information Network and though I've not taken the step to join yet, I'm filled with gratitude for the massive information available to affiliates and members. To learn more about that, click here. It is very exciting and I've met more than a few spectacular people!

While the gallery has short hours in the winter (Open Thursday-Saturday 11-5) that hardly means I'm not working. In fact, I generally accomplish more when I'm not there than I do when I am! That said, it has been a blessing to have studio space there now. I have managed to get some nice paintings done there though I still prefer my home studio for dedicated painting time. I am, of course, always open by appointment.

Here's a peek at the new work:

So, here's to 2012! May the year bring your dreams into reality. May you prosper in life, health and financially. I'll be painting more and smiling ALOT! Happy New Year!

Thanksgiving and Gratitude

2011-11-21T09:37:00.000-07:00

As the official day of giving thanks approaches, it is appropriate to share the gratitude that pours from me. While I try to maintain an attitude of gratitude on a daily basis, sometimes I know I get overwhelmed by everything else. So let me put it down where I can go back and see it again and again.

I'm thankful for the daily blessing that flow through my life. For the growing strength of my sweet husband, and the healing wounds of my loyal and loving Grace. For the way that showers of supply seem to come just when I think I'll give up. For my warm home, loving family and faithful friends.

I can scarcely believe we're about to celebrate the 8th Anniversary of the Gallery. And grateful for that too. Immensely grateful for my customers, so many of whom have become my friends, for all of you who collect my work. For all of you who collect the works of any of the artists in my gallery. That leads me here, I'm so thankful for you, the artists who trust me with representing you, who supply the gallery with the beautiful pieces you bring in. Without all of you, there would be no gallery.

I'm grateful for all of you and the many ways you have all blessed and impacted my life. May the coming Season bring you joy that will walk with you every day of the future.

Streams, Rivers and Tears

2011-11-05T15:44:00.000-06:00

I know I haven't posted in a while, and get ready for a stream. So much is flowing through me right now, I'm not sure where I'll go with this post. November 5. 10 days since Grace, my beloved dog was attacked. We think it was a bear. We're so very grateful she got away, ran home to safety. Knowing she was, in her mind, defending me (because that is her nature, though I never really saw it, she knew it was there.) 10 days of caring for her, delving into things in the physical that I literally gag at, and overcoming to be the rock she needs right now. A whole new course in life as it were. No opening the door and letting her out (into the fenced area, 1/2 an acre or so.) No walking out the front door with her with no leash.

Seems the cleaning of wounds leads to examining things hidden deep within. And in the physical, cleaning up too. Sorting through papers left in piles, filing, storing and throwing away trash. Separating things long unused to donate from things that should be used. Delving deep into closets, drawers and all the similar spaces of the heart. Prone to tears, and gut level laughter. Listening to music, instead of the TV on. Eating broccoli and spinach and miso soup. Some kind of deep healing going on, mine, hers, ours.

I have not ventured into the studio, been writing, in one or two or three of the many journals I've discovered I've been keeping over the years. Start one, stop. Start another. Stop. Kind of like I do with this blog. Start. Stop. Start......hmm. Share, hide, share, hide. Patterns that weave through my life.

Looking into everything around and within. Sort of as if seeing it for the first time. What happened to those years? What did I do with that?

I rather feel as though I was sleepwalking for a while. Like I woke up recently and found everything in disarray..but just as I left it. Crazy talk? Maybe. I'm still digging out, though I actually thought, earlier this year, that I was done. Not. Everywhere I look, inside and out there is another space to explore and clean. It's not my favorite thing in life, and clearly, have avoided it in the past. Even now, I open a door (physical or not) and say, "um, maybe tomorrow". Sometimes I seem to face a wall of inertia, on multiple levels. Sometimes I want to turn and walk away, but I know that is not within me.
Grace is sleeping beside me. It's snowing like it means it, outside. The wind blowing makes the trees appear to dance. It is nearly a black and white moving photo outside.

I know the sun will shine tomorrow. I will continue on this path, learning and listening more. Slowing down and getting back to what I'm made for. What is that? While I know it deep within, I'm learning better how to express it. Not like I have before. Live, love, give. I've not been very good with the love part. Who can teach it better than a dog?

Ready or Not, Here Comes Fall!

2011-09-04T11:33:00.000-06:00

What a blur the summer was. Didn't it just start last week? That is how it seems to me, after running through July, August virtually vanished (though I did have a fabulous 50th birthday) and here we are now in September. Unbelievable! Yesterday was the MVAC's Arts About Town. Not so much about town, as there just weren't enough participants to fill out multiple locations, it still turned with great crowds and reasonable sales for all. By late afternoon vendors were wrapping themselves in the cloths that had been on their tables, as temperatures fell, the wind began to gust and then, right on cue at closing time (and packing time), the sky opened.

Today, the clouds are hanging so low it looks like a black and white photo outside. Sprinkling giant drops of water now and then. The outside temperature is 54 degrees at 11:26 a.m. I actually have a sweater on! It's a quiet day for rest and rejuvenation. Grace is asleep at my feet and the heavy cloud cover makes it seem extraordinarily quiet. Makes me glad the show (Arts About Town) was yesterday!

Guess I won't be out doing the outside work on the house I need to do. Hmm. Sounds like an opportunity to paint!

I love the rain

2011-07-31T14:40:00.000-06:00

I know, I'm not a great poster. I get so involved with life and living, I forget. Usually it takes something to get my attention to make think "I should post that!"
So, what snapped my attention today? Well it started with the first clap of thunder. A week or two ago we grew weary of the frantic running and barking that signaled the start of monsoon season. Drugs, even "natural" ones were scary and left us uncomfortable, with our beloved Grace wandering drunk-like and bleary eyed, too tired to bark or eat or anything. We saw an ad for the Thundershirt and decided to try it. It came last week. I was working everyday, so it was left to hubby to try it out. First cool thing was that he was able to get it on Grace without a battle royal. Next cool thing was that he said, "It works!"

My first experience with it was today, at the first clap of thunder, I called her from her running bark and she came and stood in front of me, expectantly, like she was asking for the Thundershirt. I laid it across her back, velcroed the pieces that go across the front, then velcroed the pieces under her and around her chest, then used the flap to snug it, all while she stood patiently while I did it.

Then, she wen to her favorite window at the end of the kitchen, and laid down. And so, that is where she has been. When I moved to the chair to write, she followed me, and laid down. It is raining steadily and the thunder is crashing regularly, but not a sound from her. Every now and then a low rumble of "grrrrrrrrrr" comes from her...but that's it. Hubby went to nap and she followed and they are both now sound asleep. I love it, love it, love it. Thank you Thundershirt!

Jumping thru June

2011-06-20T12:16:00.001-06:00

Ok, so not exactly. But when my husband came into the kitchen where I was finishing up the dishes and said, "I have an idea for you...'Jumping through June' ....since you've not posted since 'Meandering into March." "very funny" I smirked. "you know how hard it is to type with one hand!" Of course he does, since his hands are so disfigured by R.A. None-the-less, he was right. One handed or not, it is way past time to post. So, here's the story. Short version. I got my right leg tangled in a cable and when i moved forward, it did not go with me, knocking me off balance. I reached for the couch to catch myself, but the couch slid and I was headed for the brick floor. The sliding couch had sort of torqued me around and i was falling backward. Somehow i got my left hand behind my head just before I bounced on the brick,instantly writhing in pain. Broken bones? no. Crushed knuckles. Crushed, mangled muscle,tendon and cartilage in the main knuckles of my thumb, index finger, middle finger and ring finger, pinky to a lesser degree. It happened May 17 or 18..I'm not entirely sure which. I did mange to get my rings off before my hand grew fat and puffy. Black, blue, green and yellow. Now its mostly normal looking, though puffy between the knuckles and between the index finger and the thumb. Still sore, and weak, though I try hard to keep my fingers moving. Pressure, lifting, twisting or pressing all hurt. So here I my still handed. Jumping? Definitely not.

Despite that, life goes on. newest news is that I am working with the Veterans Healing Retreats that are running in Angel Fire this summer, teaching watercolor as relaxation tool. It has been fun and incredibly rewarding. Speaking of which, I need to get ready to go. I'll try to be more reliable here. Thanks for hanging with me!

Meandering into March

2011-03-04T14:02:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's March and I haven't posted anything since the new year. Good grief. I'll admit, the new year started off rough, but that is no excuse. It's likely more accurate to say I'm easily distracted. Well, maybe not since most people know me as tenacious as a bulldog chasing a rabbit. Either way, here I am back at it. Honestly, it's more like I didn't think I had anything to say and not being familiar with being at a loss for words, I left it alone.

At any rate, here I am at the gallery, watching the blue sky give way to gray and seeing tiny little flakes float gently to the ground. I actually wish it would just let go and snow...really snow so all the lovers of Spring skiing will have more fun. Spring break is not all that far away. So, let it snow.

It has been actually a very mild winter...albeit a couple weeks of outrageous cold wrecked the heating budget. The coldest morning, I looked at the thermometer with shock. It read "error". "Error?" Turned the battery on the transmitter just couldn't handle it. I guess I don't blame it...I didn't want to crawl out of bed. -47. Good heavens. It brought back memories of high school and Delta Junction, Alaska. "No thanks", I said. "I'm not going anywhere".

I have been in the studio in my silence. A few nice pieces came out in the end. Here's a look:

Acrylic

Acrylic (Sold)

Scratch board

Pastel

At least I was productive! The next studio time comes on Sunday. The first thing I'll do is finish the scratch board roses. Facebook friends voted to leave them white, so I'll just add a few blue hues in the shadows and green in the stems and buds. After that I have 4 paintings to do for customers. So, I'll be busy for a while! Nothing wrong with that picture! And, I'll do my best to get back here before another quarter passes!

Happy New Year...It's been too long!

2011-01-03T16:15:00.000-07:00

It's not that I don't think about it. I do, and alot. So many things have intervened since the last post, it's hard to remember them all. Part of the delay was surely the laptop, which I breezed by in the last post. Out with the old, in with the new. It still amazes me how long it takes to make that transition, but it is done and I love my new HP, though I'm not wild about the touchpad. That said, it's pretty much the only thing I'd change on the machine, and it is so light I actually don't mind carrying it around!

Then, Wooosh, the holidays were upon us. Time literally seemed to fly. The 7th Anniversary of the Gallery, that was in the planning for 7 months (or more) came off quite well, even though there were far fewer in attendance that I expected, it worked out well given the small size of the current venue. I posted video on facebook, but here it is again, just in case you don't do the fb thing.

Not sure we could have packed in any more folks as it was! The musician is Tom Perry and he was great! So, that was December 17th, and then the march was on to Christmas. Then New Years. Now it is the 3rd of January and tomorrow is my sister's birthday. Happy Birthday Beckles! I won't whisper her age, cuz I'm much older!

Ok, so I'll be 50 this year. I can hardly wrap my brain around it. Likely though, it won't be much different than being 49. I spent most of this day painting, and that was wonderful. Particularly since I've kind of been putting it off. Dily Dallying around. Doing the drawing, throughing it away and doing it again. It's a commission, for a friend of mine. Those are generally hard anyway, but this involves the human form and though I know "how" I'm reluctant to delve in. It's his dad. The complication is that I don't know his dad. Painting from a photograph is ok if it's a flower, but people, well, it's more complicated...or at least it can be. I procrastinated, and last night, when John said, "are you going to paint tomorrow?" I hedged. I finally said, "I'm struggling with this one". He said, "I noticed".

Then, this afternoon, something happened. The house was quiet. The studio, recently cleaned, bekoned. And there, on my table was a blank canvas and a drawing on paper next to it. When I do detail on canvas, I do the drawing on my computer (in Corel Painter) and then print it, and if happy, transfer to the canvas, so that I don't damage the canvas with erasures and extra graphite. I got out my transfer sheet, traced the image on to the canvas, opened my watercolor palette and wet the paint. I sat down, and painted. Didn't look up, didn't hesitate for a moment. Lost in the painting and time did not exist. When I stood up and stretched, I glanced at the clock. Two hours had passed. I'm not sure it's done, but I think it's close. Very close.

I love it when that happens. Happy New Year!

Sharing Gratitude on Thanksgiving Day

2010-11-25T09:26:00.000-07:00

I can scarcely believe it already Thanksgiving day. The last post was on November 1....wow did time fly. When I woke up this morning my first thought was gratitude and that kind of surprised me. Not that it should, but it did. When I hit the "get mail" button on the new (more on that later) laptop I followed a link to the blog post of a friend of mine. Sort of. I doubt he knows my name, but I have been following and learning from him for a few years now. His name is Jeff Walker and he wrote a post called "The Discipline of Gratitude". Worth the few moments to read it.

So in response to that, here in black and white is my list, of what, really I am thankful for this morning. Though they are numbered, there is no real order in them. They are really, mostly, all #1.

1. This comfortable chair in which I sit is in our amazing home in the beautiful Moreno Valley of Northern New Mexico. My mortgage is current, the heat is on and the lights too. The well gives water and the coffee I just brewed is ready. I'll pour a cup before I go on.

hmmm. Is that one or three? Anyway:

2. Though my sisters and Mom are far away, I can hear the happy sounds of their voices in my head and I know they are well and like most of us, busy. I'm thankful for all of that.

3. My husband of 21 years is still glad he's married to me, and he tells me so. It goes both ways. In this day that is something to be particularly grateful for.

4. Seven years ago, on this very day, I sat across the table from Vicki and Larry and we toasted the decision to go forward with what seemed almost a ridiculously absurd idea to open an art gallery in Angel Fire. Let me shout gratitude for that. While the journey has been fraught with tears, I never would have done it without them. Many know that I later bought them out, but there is not an inch of doubt in my mind that I would never have taken that leap on my own. How far, how very far I have grown. Grateful I am, for all of it, and for the venture began, 7 years ago today.

5. On that topic, Angel Fire ArtSpace Gallery, what a ride, and wow am I grateful to all of the hundreds of people, friends old and new,who have wandered through my life. Some have wandered through and on, while others have come again and again, honoring me with their support and encouraging me on. Thank you. Thank you, thank you.

6. Now some specifics, my gratitude to and for the following people is so deep in me it tingles my toes. John, Diana, Melissa. Thank you is not nearly adequate and I am blessed by your love, friendship and partnerships. Janet & Dick, still.....and ongoing....thank you. Anna, always there, unafraid to tell me the truth, even and especially when it hurts. There are many more. If I didn't type your name it doesn't mean you are not in my heart.

I think I'll stop there, the writing part anyway. Jeff, your post is well taken. Thank you for prompting me to dig a bit deeper and put it out to share it. You're right, it is so good to take a look around and count the blessings. I intend to look around more regularly. It is so easy to get inundated and overwhelmed. In looking around, I found my faith. I didn't realize I had lost it, and clearly I didn't, but it was misplaced. Should have been right there, and in fact, it was. I just didn't see it.

Thank you. And Happy Thanksgiving all.

Can't believe it's November

2010-11-01T10:47:00.001-06:00

Cerulean blue sky and brightly lit clouds float along like candy cotton in the air. Beautiful. Most of the Aspen are bare now, but it was interesting to me as I drove from Albuquerque to Angel Fire this weekend (following the delightful week in NYC) that many areas along the way are still green. Kinda weird, but maybe attributable to the rather warm fall here. While it is a scant 34 degrees here right now (10:31 am) the only sign of coming Winter is the snow on the highest peaks around us.

I loved our time in New York, but I must confess I was ready to come home. The bright lights and constant sounds of the city made me appreciate the dark skies and silence of home. Forests of trees in place of forests of buildings is a stark contrast to the way of life we enjoy versus life in The City. That said, the multitude of choices for dining, shopping and entertainment were certainly refreshing. Since we had an apartment, we actually enjoyed shopping for groceries and cooking. The wide variety of produce, deli items and prime aged beef were a gastronomic delight. We won't eat that richly again for a who knows how long!

Does make me long for a first class grocer though. Not that our local market doesn't try, but the availability of the items is surely a factor. In New York, imagine it and you'll find it. Fresh seafood, Fresh produce, beautiful bakery goods and prime aged meats all carefully laid out in tiny spaces tucked into the corners of vast buildings. Don't pay attention as you're out walking and you might miss it. It's mind boggling in a way. Here, there are wide open spaces. Can't really walk anywhere and even in urban areas the distances between shopping areas require a car. You can see for miles. There, you can see across the street, or down the street, but you have to stand on the coast to see any big distance, or perhaps from the top of the Empire State building or the Sears Tower. It's so totally different. In the end, for me, it's a great place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there. I guess it's true....

there is no place like home.

Kudos to American Airlines

2010-10-24T13:07:00.005-06:00

The best laid plans...or so the saying begins, did not figure in to the equation the secret blessings or the grace and fortitude of some American Airlines employees. The day before the flight, I got an email that said, "Katherine, check in now!". So I did. Then I went about my routine, getting the gallery ready for that night's 4th Friday reception. When I got home later that night, I busied myself with finishing the packing and laying out instructions for the house sitter/dog sitter. At 4:45 am, the alarm buzzed. Up and out.

When I eventually got the airport I walked up to the self-serve machine and punched in my AAdvantage number. Up came my reservation and I clicked "check baggage only" since I had already checked in. After the spinning "working" came this message,"Katherine, we have a special offer for you today. Upgrade this flight!" What? Is this right? I'm not Gold, Platinum, or anything like that. Hmm. I did the math. Upgrade, plus get bag checked free. GREAT DEAL! so I clicked yes, slid my American Express card and whammo out came my first class boarding pass. Wahoo! Little did I know how thankful I would be for that, not foreseeing the odyssey that would follow.

As I snuggled in the nice seat in 1st Class I was greeted by a smiling face and the flight attendant said, "I'm Cari, what's your first name?" "Katherine" I smiled back. I watched as she introduced herself to other passengers and hung coats, then brought us each water or juice. Moments later the Captain said, " let's get everyone on and seated, we need to get moving to beat a thunderstorm." (or something to that effect) and we backed out from the gate a few minutes later at 10:40am. Up, up and up and the announcement came that the usual 1 hr 30 minute flight would take 2 hours or so as we were re-routed around the threatening cell. I settled back, glad for the "Special offer".

Just so this post won't go on as long as the rest of the story really took, I'll summarize. Once we approached DFW we were told the airport was closed. We were told that many other flights were re-routed, but we, unlike them, had "plenty" of fuel so we would circle in a holding pattern for a half hour or so. Then an hour. Then more hours. The flight attendants were busy keeping us occupied, watered, and distracted. Pretty soon, we were all wondering just how many times we could go round that storm. Round and round we went. Still they remained focused, friendly and smiling. Stopping to chat and distract. Then, came the news we were heading to Abilene. No longer fuel full, but now the needle dropped to the point that it was time to fill 'er up. We had barely come to a full stop when the boxes of granola bars came out and a cabin full of folks were still crunching when we were told that pizza was on the way. It was surely an economic boon for Abilene as plane after plane landed at the small airport. And sure enough, when the gate crew carried on boxes and boxes and boxes of Domino's Pizza the ringing of the register could surely be heard for miles. And we were happy. Sadly for the few vegetarians and restricted diet folks, it was all pepperoni, but hurrah for the crew of flight 1820 for taking decisive action. Most of us had the first bite in our mouths before the piece was fully in our hands! It was, after all, by this time, about 3:00 in the afternoon. Cell traffic had the towers buzzing as we all tried to call reservations to re-secure our next leg reservations...not that any of us made it through the barrage of calls hitting that number. Might as well wait. And here, during all this time, sat I, in first class.

Gives me chills when I think about it now.

At 4:30, we got the word, and hi-tailed it out of there. As we took off, I could see the line of planes below, waiting their turn. We were first in, and first out.

Since the airport had been shut for hours during this mega nasty thunderstorm, everything was delayed or canceled. Having long ago given up on the 800 number, I walked up to a gate for a flight (not mine) that was headed to NY. The agent looked at my boarding pass and said, "you're in luck. Your flight is still going. Head to gate C35. You've got an hour." I thanked and noticed as I walked away, that the flight she was working had been canceled. I shook my head inside and smiled as I walked toward the skylink.

At about 7:15, the plane that was previously scheduled to depart at 2:55, turned onto the runway to take off. No longer in first class, but immensely thankful that for the entire lengthy experience in the sky, there I was. Thankful for the great crew of flight 1820, and particularly, Cari (don't know her last name) and the rest of the crew (and the Captain/Co-Captain) who made the experience worth writing about. I thought I was tired. They were the ones doing all the work!

As we headed for the landing, sweeping across the bright lights of the big city, the gleaming lights of the empire state building, the immense area of the city all aglow, I was struck by how surreal it all was. New York City at midnight, viewed from a few thousand feet and closing, was as beautiful to me as the gazillion stars that twinkle in our own view, in the Moreno Valley of Northern New Mexico. Totally different, but totally beautiful. At 1 am, I rang the bell on the apartment, walked into my husbands arms. The perfect end.

Glorious Colors of Fall

2010-10-10T14:38:00.003-06:00

The color here is stunning now. I took some photos, but don't have my camera with me here at the gallery so can't upload them just now. Perhaps I'll add some later. Maybe it's me, but it seems to me to be more brilliant this year.Either way, it's beautiful. And though the air is crisp, the bright blue sky is the perfect accent with light spraying the leaves, inviting them to sparkle.

I'd love to be out taking more photos...but not yet. I'm here at the gallery. I don't know how Sundays will fare as we move into November, but so far it's been one of my busier days of the week. Here's to hoping it continues!

I haven't posted much over the course of the summer. Been too busy with other things, not the least of which was the move in the middle of July. Thank God that's over! Life has settled back into a familiar rythym, though I'm eager for more studio time. It's coming! Now the gallery is closed Tues/Wednesdays so I should get more work out in the coming months. To see what I've finished of late head to my facebook pages.

In the mean time, I'm headed outside with the phone to see if I can snap more photos while here. cheers!

The Color is coming...and fast!

2010-09-16T16:22:00.004-06:00

I know, it's been a very long time since I posted. Life has been crazy! And though it's likely to continue fr a while, I figured I better get back to it or it will pass me by altogether! Yesterday I had to fly to Taos and the changing color in the canyon slowed me down. The scrub oak is turning red, the chamisa is bright yellow, the cottonwoods are taking on their characteristic varied hues of gold and the dark blue-green of the evergreens make a vivid background for all the changes. And it's only just begun. At the tippy top of the mountains that surround our valley, the aspen have gone from the deep green of summer, to the bright green that makes the mountain sprinkled with varied color. At the very peaks, there are peeks of bright yellow that will morph to gold and then red and gold. The morning air at a scant 27 degrees is the not so gentle warning that the season is changing, though the afternoon temp of 73 (which is what it is right now) is wonderful. I love this season. If I could choose it year round it would be the one I'd pick.

August whizzed by even faster than July. I didn't think it was possible. One highlight was getting my new Miche bag. I'd been waiting for it for nearly a year, and birthday money from moms and husband brought it to me. Not that it is expensive...just me learning to live in my budget. If you don't know about it, you really must check it out. There is a link at the top right of this page, and yes, it is an affiliate link. If you click through and buy, I'll be able to get more skins! Wahoo! The Miche bag is a handbag with multiple varieties of outside "skins". Change the outside without dumping out the contents and rearranging it into a new bag. It's a new bag every month, every week or even every day! I got 5 "skins" and I've used three of them so far. I love it! 5 skins and two kinds of straps, with the main handbag set me back $112. Look at it this way..5 handbags for $112. That's a deal I can live with!

What else. Hmm..oh I'm getting a new phone. My poor blackberry is giving up. The scroll bar only goes one direction. Try navigating with that! If the phone rings, I answer, then hear static, then the phone shuts off. Completely shuts off, and won't turn on again unless I plug it in to power. Ugh. So, my AT&T account says I'm eligible for an upgrade. wahoo! I'm going Droid! I can hardly wait! I should have my new Samsung Captivate in a couple of days. Technowiz I'm not, but watch out, I may be shortly! Thumbs way up to the really helpful guy Julius at AT&T who worked it all out for me!

Let's see, there's a bunch of stuff going on, of course. Tonight is the grand opening of the new building at the High School. Awesome!

And real soon it's the first Angel Fire Peak Challenge. Read more about that here. I know they're looking for participants and volunteers to help out too. You can find all you need to know about that at that link.

For a full list of all that's coming up be sure to check the Visitor Center out. Or head to the Resort page to check out the live cams and the daily leaf report! (yes, they change daily).

Fall is in the air and the world is turning at the speed of life here in Angel Fire. Come up, catch your breath and relax. Take a spin on a mountain bike, ride a horse, learn to paint...or all of it!

Streams

2010-08-22T13:11:00.005-06:00

I woke up this morning, and realized (startled) that I had slept all night. It's the first time in months and the number of times in the last 5 years I can count on one hand. Yay.

It's amazing how much it impacts your outlook, energy and all that. After doing some things that had long been waiting for my attention (laundry, cleaning bathrooms, etc) I realized I didn't really have time to paint before I had to head to the gallery. Hmm. what to do? I sat down and started sorting through "reference photos" stored on my hard drive. lots of them. I ran across some that made me smile, and some that made me teary. Some that I moved to the desktop to use for reference in the upcoming work I'm planning to start.

As I scrolled through the years I ran across this:

I heard a noise as I came out of the bedroom one morning to make the coffee. I looked out the back door (glass) and saw him. I thought he had a gorgeous tail, and if the door hadn't been between us, I could have reached out and touched it. That's the concrete of our back porch under his feet. That close. Stunning. Then Chloe (our dog back then) sauntered out of the bedroom and saw him. Need I say more? We decided to build a fence.

It reminded me of the first days we lived here, specifically building the house and moving in (it'll take a book to tell that story).

The first morning we lived in our house, as I was sitting at the dining room table, I felt someone looking at me. Looked up and there, peering in that same back door was an elk. Female. Looking in longingly, like she wanted to come in, like we had taken her favorite grazing area. It was not lost on me. When we were building, every morning I'd come back to the construction site to find new prints in the soft dirt that would become our floor. Then I'd clean up the skat from various soon to be rooms. A tinge of guilt clouded my heart, that we were invading.

Now we've been here 16 years.

We don't see the coyote, the bear, the mountain lion (it still prowls our yard, we find the prints in the damp mud beside the garage) or the elk as often as we used to. But we do hear them. We hear the owls hoot, the eagle screech, the coyote's wail and the elk calling in the fall. It's where we live, and hope we leave but a tiny footprint when we're gone.

It's raining now in Angel Fire while I type this as I wait in the gallery for the next car load of customers. The air smells fresh with wet pine. Remember it, I say to myself. Remember it.

Fall is in the Air

2010-08-17T16:08:00.005-06:00

It's fairly quiet this afternoon at the gallery, so I grabbed my bag of what I'm working on, slid the phone in my pocket and headed for the door. Crystal blue sky looked inviting as I stepped outside, but then, whoosh! the wind hit me. Quite a cool wind mind you. The smell of Fall distinctly in the air. At once refreshing, but still caused a deep sigh. Can it be already? Wow has this summer rocketed by.

I stood there for a few minutes, and then decided good music inside would be more conducive to finishing the scratchboard piece I had in my bag.

So that's what I did. And it's done now, at least for the scratching part. I'll take it home now and paint it, perhaps in the morning (I don't open the gallery till noon on Wednesdays). I'll post a pic once it's finished.

I do have to fiddle with the new Sony A/V receiver first, mind you, to try one last time to see if we can make it work. Not my idea of fun, mind you, but gotta try it before they'll take it back. Got it from American Express Rewards, along with a new HD TV. Read, great reward, but nightmare. TV is great. Receiver constantly and immediately goes to "muting" once you've selected a source. HDMI flickers black on and off and on and off..though we're not really sure if that is the receiver or the satellite receiver. I thought AMEX rewards would take it back and replace it, but I apparently called three days too late after trying over and over to find a solution. Sigh. Hopefully the "test" Sony asked me to do will go quickly and it will either solve the problem completely or completely not, so that I can head to the studio and paint for a while before I head in to Angel Fire.

I thought about hanging out here for a while this evening, to watch the celebrated burning down of the "Central Reservations" building across the street. Guess I won't be using that as a landmark any more! If you're in town, head to Centro Plaza and enjoy some bbq on the Fire Department while you watch the show. I wonder how long it will take? Likely not long as it is wood and wood and old, so old. I don't think I'll hang out though. Been here all day and am more than ready to head home.

Anyhoo...cheers to the Fire Department and may the wind die down!

Unexpected Visitor

2010-08-07T14:36:00.004-06:00

here I was sitting at my desk, laptop on my lap, chair twisted so I could see out the doorway and window, up popped a prairie dog not 5 feet from me. I lept up and shouted "get out!" (like it speaks english!) and whoosh it ran between two jewelry displays and curled up in a ball.

Good grief. I ran to close the other gallery door, and whispered "thanks" to God that there was that hidden pocket door between the "office" part of the gallery and the front part of the gallery. Then I bravely placed the ladder next to the display where he lay terrified. I climbed up the ladder and began swishing at him with the broom, trying unsuccessfully to dislodge him from his hiding place.

Brother. Now what. I went outside to see if there was another soul in the building. Yes! Don's vehicle was there at the end in it's usual place. And so down to the end of the building I marched, watching backward to see if it ran out on it's own. I returned with Don and Brinn in tow. We carefully blocked off access to any other potential hiding places and then Don went at it with the broom, it ran out, and tried to head to another spot, Don caught him swept him across the floor and it ran right behind the door.

Time for plan C. Brinn went to get the fireplace gloves while Don stood guard, the poor traumatized rodent now huddled behind the door. Gloves on, Don picked him and took him outside where it ran away, glad for it's life. Behind it left wet spots from the release of his terrified bladder and yes other stuff too. ugh. So much for leaving the out side doors wide open. At least when I 'm the only one in this part of the building. I'm sure it looked like a good safe place to wander and look for scraps of food. I'm afraid he didn't get the best of the Art Gallery, and I hope he learned his lesson. The lady at the Art Gallery has a big broom and lots of Friends. Be warned prairie dogs, squirrels, chipmonks and all...enter the Art Gallery at risk of terror.

Enough excitement for me. Anyone have some wine?

Quiet Saturday but for Loud thunder

2010-08-07T14:05:00.003-06:00

Thunder is booming outside. O dear! On the other hand maybe it will send some Summerfest revelers toward this gallery! That would be a good thing. We'll see.

In the meantime I'm doing some catching up. Bookkeeping, (ugh) up-cleaning, touch up here and there. Still need to stain one side of the front door, and stain the door between the two rooms, but it's not to pressing. If it's this quiet tomorrow maybe I'll tackle that then. It's kind of weird to be the only open business in the Centro Plaza on a Saturday afternoon. Hopefully as people get familiar with my new location and new hours they will come find me!

In the meantime I'll keep my hands busy getting things ready for Arts About Town and the next trail event (Labor Day weekend) Can you believe it's less than a month away? Stunning how fast this summer has flown. Before that, there will be my 7th Annual MFAF Gallery Reception. It's a bit later in the month this year. Mark the calendar for the 31st (it's a Tuesday) and plan to come to the festivities. It's always one of the biggest receptions of the year.

Speaking of which, I need to get to work on the invitations. Later, friends.

Tons of Fun Stuff Coming Right UP!

2010-07-30T13:52:00.004-06:00

The Calendar is PACKED with fun entertainment. Theatre (Tonight, tomorrow night and Sunday Afternoon), Classical Spanish Guitar concert on Wednesday (6pm, August 4th in the Rotunda at the Community Center) and SummerFest 2010 begins on Friday. Balloons, great Music and it's FREE!

Here's the scoop:

Theatre: The Real Inspector Hound by Tom Stoppard. Friday/Saturday July 30 & 31, 8 pm Curtain at the Frog Jelly Art Studio in The Cove Arts Center. Sunday Matinee at 2pm. Tickets are $12 and available at the Gallery, or at the Visitor Center.

Classical Spanish Guitar: 3 Fabulous Guitarists, Live in Concert. In the Rotunda at the Angel Fire Community Center, 6pm on Wednesday August 4th. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door and Students are $10. Also available at the Gallery and the Visitor Center.

Then, get some rest on Thursday, so you are ready to party on Friday, Saturday and Sunday! It's SummerFest 2010!

Check out http://www.angelfiresummerfest.com/ for great information and the full Schedule!

Settling In and Ready to Roll!

2010-07-30T12:53:00.004-06:00

Sorry for the lack of posts sincethe last. It would be fair to say I was working like my life (livelihood) depended on it, and finally got the gallery officially opened with the Grand Opening Reception on July 23rd.

Had a nice turn out for guest artist Sandra Wasko-Flood and she was happy with the chance to explain Labyrinths and her work to the gallery friends that turned out to celebrate with us. I still have some touch up to do here and there, but am finally getting back to a relatively normal routine. Yay!

Time did not wait for me though, and on it marched. Which brings me to the Theatre tonight. The Moreno Valley Arts Council once again has partnered with The Space Theatre of Taos in tonight's performance of The Real Inspector Hound by Tom Stoppard. Curtain is at 8pm at the Frog Jelly Art Studio in the Cove Art Center. It's kind of funny for me, as that space was the gallery for a couple of years! Anyhoo....tickets are still only $12. Lap sitters free, but seats are limited.

The show runs tonight, tomorrow night (8pm curtain) and a 2pm Matinee on Sunday. Get tickets at the gallery, or at the Visitor Center.

See you at the Theatre!

Big News, ArtsFest and Feeling Like a Limp Rag

2010-07-13T06:43:00.005-06:00

Did you see the whirlwind? Wow. It's all a blur. It began a few weeks ago when in the midst of preparing for ArtsFest it became clear that I needed to move the gallery. Yes, move. Yes, again. And smack in the middle of July.

I had anticipated a move due to the ongoing saga of the building the gallery was in. (yes, was.) But I really figured it would be like October or November. Alas it was not to be and an immediate move loomed before me like Denali during a storm.

Good friends and (and all ladies) lugged, carried, cradled and transported the entire contents of the gallery to the new location yesterday. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Two weeks ago, or maybe three? I settled on a new spot. But there was tons to be done. Walls to be painted, lights to be installed, a hole through a wall to make two units into one. Tons (literally) of boxes to be removed from one unit that had previously been used for storage. Then there was the nasty carpet that had to be removed, the concrete beneath it cleaned and the tile laid. I only am bummed I didn't take "before" photos!

So, paint walls I did (and thanks to new friend Jo Lynne for helping!). Thanks to BJ and his helper Kent (I think...my head is fuzzy) for knocking the hole through the wall, finding a great deal on a nice door, and putting it in!

Thanks Lin for help moving the boxes and stuff so that Ryan and friend could man-handle the carpet and pad and get it outa there! Thanks to Leslie (L&J Interiors) for finding me nice tile and getting it here FAST!

My knees are black and blue (the kneepads wouldn't stay on) and my fingers very sore, but the tile is down. Then came ArtsFest!

From the view of the Arts Council, it was a great success. The premier saw literally 3 times as many purchased tickets (over last year). Saturday was virtually even, and Sunday was down a bit (but likely due to the world cup!) Many artists did very well, most did good and only a couple had little or no sales. Personally, I did okay. Not great, mind you, but it is the first time in years that I have actually done the show, and that does play into it. So does the fact that I have the gallery here. People say, "I'll come see you at the gallery" instead of "I'll take that one". I'm not sure how to deal with that.

So, now back to the big move. Sunday we closed ArtsFest. Monday, we moved the gallery. It is now a disaster. The next task (after cleaning the spot I just left) is to sort it all out and make it beautiful. I hope to have that done by Friday, but we'll see. Going from 4 units to 2 will make it challenging, but I think I'm up to it. I'll keep you posted! Oh, and Where? did I move? Next door to the Chamber of Commerce. I think it will be good.

And, THANK YOU to Linda, Sylvia, Jacqui, Sandy and especially, Diana! You Ladies ROCK!

Fourth Fridays Return Tomorrow Night

2010-06-24T15:20:00.003-06:00

Wow, I can't believe how this month has FLOWN by! Here it is already the eve of the first Fourth Friday since last fall. The gallery looks great and all is at the ready. Even though my head is swimming with all that has to be finished for ArtsFest, both from the point of view of being the Executive of the Arts Council, and at the same time being an exhibiting artist. Ack! While I know on some level that it will all come together, it is always at the last minute that the final touches are made.

So, back to tomorrow night. It's going to be fun and for the first time I'm holding a book signing at the same time. Local author phenom, Connie Shelton will be on hand to sign her new book "Gossip can be Murder", the latest in her popular Charlie Parker Series. Her husband Dan will be here with guitar to add music to the night. A Feast of the Arts! Fine Art, Music and Author all in one!

If it's not on your calendar, put it down and I'll look forward to seeing you!

High Speed Internet: So close and yet so inaccessable

2010-06-17T14:41:00.002-06:00

It's infuriating. While I enjoy DSL when I'm at the gallery, it's another experience altogether at home. Try to watch a video or listen to online radio when it starts and stops and starts and stops. Try to upload a full length video to my new site (www.katherinesarttv.tv) and find that 5 hours later it's still not done. Take it to the gallery and have it done in 4 minutes.

Before we ever bought land here, we called Qwest to see what was available. The rep we talked to ensured us that all we needed was here. Liar. Sorry, but no other word for it. Now, some 16 years later we are still waiting.

There are businesses and home businesses, non profits and families with children who rely on the internet for everything from education to shopping (for virtually everthing) and many for their livelihood. When the local provider goes down because of a snow storm, or just because it does, business stops. Online Learning stops. Ordering the life saving medicines or vitamins or underwear stops.

Qwest has DSL in Angel Fire AND Eagle Nest....but not in between. We are only about 3 miles from Eagle Nest, but nada. How hard can it be? I've been told that fiber runs along highway 64, but I'm not sure. If that's so, then WHY IN THE WORLD can we not get service?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

A friend who used to work for Qwest once told us it would only take a "DSLAM" in a powered remote box. In fact, there is one just a few hundred yards from our house. So, after 16 years, what is the holdup? I'm about to become a REAL SQUEEKY WHEEL on this issue. This is global business economy in which we MUST compete to stay in business and meet our obligations. I don't think the mortgage company cares that Qwest won't provide us with DSL, but it will if those payments stop!

I personally know of several businesses along the highway 64 corridor that lost their internet service AND their email for FOUR DAYS. Let's rally and rally and rally Qwest to get on the ball and get it done. Our money is as good as the businesses in Angel Fire AND Eagle Nest!

Getting Ready for ArtsFest

2010-06-13T11:50:00.005-06:00

I've been working hard to replace some of the paintings that I sold (unexpectedly) on Facebook. Tough to decide whether to show them in advance or not, but here's what I've decided to do (with help from hubby, John). I'll put them up here and on Facebook, for you to see, but they will not be available for sale until 6pm on July 9th. So...To buy, you need to come to the ArtsFest Premier (hee hee.) I will also take calls on my cell so if there's something you really love and really can't get to the show, you can call with your order, but not until 6pm on July 9!

So here are a few, actually one "series" that I just finished. Painted all day at the Angel Fire Retail Association Sidewalk sale. Thank goodness I was inside, as the weather was cold and rainy. That said, I was pretty much alone all day, so managed to complete two more. So, here is the series:

"Sun's Up" "Taking a Bow" "Lit Up" "Siblings" "The Welcoming Committee"

I also need to get new photos of them. My camera was acting up and it picked up alot of glare from the reflective paint. The first three are 6 x 6, acrylic on cradled panel. The next one is 8 x 8 and the final is 12 x 12. The biggest dilemma I have is just how to hang them on the propanel that I'll use for the show. I only have the velcro hooks right now, and these don't have or need wires, so won't hang on those hooks. Jacqui and I have been chatting about that. Maybe Jen has an idea. I'll ask.

I have more in process and 3 more 12 x 12 to do. Guess I better get busy. See you on July 9!

Good Grief Time Flies!

2010-06-04T12:16:00.006-06:00

Wow, I sincerely cannot believe it has been more than a month since I last posted. I've been painting when at home studio and cleaning up/rearranging the gallery, when I'm here. That's where I am now. Working on getting all my online stuff up to date. Egad! I forgot I have a MySpace page! and I haven't posted a new video in awhile, though I have several recorded. I need to clone myself so I can keep up! Now it's headlong into summer and ArtsFest, Theatre, Music and on and on.

Before I get there, though, I'm participating in the AAFPO weekend Retail Association Sale. I'll be doing live demos at the Enchanted Home Design Center on Saturday the 12th. Can you hear the wind blowing as zoom ahead? Time to catch my breath and move on!

In the mean time, I have done a few more paintings, in case you don't follow me on Facebook, here are a few:
"So Sleepy, so so sleepy" 12 x 6 Acrylic on Panel
"What? Sun's Up Already?" 12 x 6 Acrylic on Panel.

Detecting a trend? Yes, personal reflection. Sleep has been elusive. No wonder I'm brain dead.
Here's one more. It is 12 x 12, on the diagonal (duh). I call it: "The Welcoming Committee"
Cheers all, and head to Angel Fire soon!

New Work Available NOW!

2010-04-28T12:59:00.004-06:00

I know. I said I wasn't going to post them till June or so. I've changed my mind (it's my prerogative, you know. The truth is, I'm virtually out of panels and canvas and NOT out of ideas of what to paint next! Gotta move some. Besides, there is no more room in the studio for more. I have paintings hanging from plant hangers and stacked on the stairs. Atop the bin of drawers, on the TV and the window sill in the living room. Time to let some go. So, here's a few (and there are lots more on my facebook page.)

April 23rd, 25 degrees and white out!

2010-04-23T08:29:00.003-06:00

Good grief. I was hoping we were done with this.I haven't decided if I'll go open today or not. traffic is highly unlikely in this. maybe I'll stay home and paint.

Painting Bliss

2010-04-22T14:03:00.002-06:00

That's my excuse. For not posting, that is. I've been in painting bliss, letting the strokes wash away the stress, the fears and the frustrations. It would not have been fun to post anyway, based on where my head was.

And so, I painted, and painted and painted. I've finished 17 and number 18 is in process. I have plans for 6 more. I won't start posting them until June 15th in preparation for ArtsFest, so you'll just have to wait and check back. Sunflowers, poppies, hibiscus and landscapes. Spring, fall and summer. Maybe I'll relent and post one or two before then. There are so many new pieces my little studio is bursting at the seams with color and life.

Thus, I'm posting from the gallery. And hoping someone will walk through door with the hope buying a treasure.

Stunning Sunday

2010-04-11T14:54:00.004-06:00

It is gorgeous here. 61 degrees, snow is melting like the earth underneath is hot. Husband and I had a relaxing and rejuvenating respite on the way home from Airport from whence I retrieved him. Home now and wow.

I recorded a short video on Friday evening. it's below. It's funny because it looks black and white, but the camera is color and so is the video! It's the time of day. With still a lot of snow around evenings look black and white. Anyway, pardon the bumpy ride down the hill, as I was holding on to the dog fence with one hand and the camera with the other, but wow, well worth the effort. So beautiful, so melodic, too bad you can't smell it. Breathe deeply and enjoy.

Melancholy

2010-04-01T15:13:00.003-06:00

Listening to James Taylor, singing, "Sweet Baby James", gazing outside at the snow falling today and it's no April Fool's joke. Waiting for the layer i just painted to dry.

Melancholy.

more later.

Arghh. Computer Problems-AGAIN!

2010-03-28T15:24:00.004-06:00

Brother. What a nightmare. After all my fights with Dell and Vista I thought all was humming along smoothly. That is, it was, until I decided to install my wireless trackball and keyboard. I fought with it for two days (should have been plug and play, mind you, and they both work fine on the xp machine at the gallery.) sigh.

First, I went toLogitech, and made sure the software I have was current. It was not, so I downloaded and installed it. No change. So I called. No help. I kept banging on it. Then I went to Dell support. I paid for extended warranty service. Not so much service. I didn't buy the Logitech devices from Dell, so even though it's a windows error, no service.

Finally, I went to my support team (iyogi.com) and they worked at it all afternoon, remotely controlling the laptop, but alas, no luck. They sent the issue to "their research team". I'm supposed to hear back from them on Wednesday morning. Good grief. Guess I should start saving for a MAC!

The good thing is that while the IYOGI tech was trying again and again and again to install the trackman and keyboard, I was painting. How awesome is that! Still, here I sit with the laptop on my lap, instead of on the stand I moved into the studio to support it and the two wireless devices. Best laid plans. I'm off for 10 days. I don't intend to let it distract me from relaxing!

Finished the Painting

2010-03-20T12:41:00.002-06:00

Here it is, finished, as I promised. 30 x 24 Acrylic on Canvas, gallery wrap painted edges (the sunflowers wrap around. "Enchanted"

March 20th and 0 degrees

2010-03-20T07:33:00.004-06:00

Brrrr. March 20th, 0 degrees and a foot (or more) of new snow!

Take a look.
Ice fog is heavy in the air. The snow has stopped falling...at least for now.

I doubt I'll make it to the gallery today. Not a really big deal, Saturdays are slow anyway. Once the Post Office closes at noon, it's snoozeville. Good for me...I can be where I'm happiest, in my studio! I have a painting to finish and it's coming along nicely. I'll post it when its done.

In the meantime, it's still, quiet and I'll pour a cup of Joe and watch the fog lift. Happy morning to you.

love this video!

2010-03-17T15:02:00.002-06:00

This is AWESOME! Be sure to watch it closely, and all the way through!

New Studio and New Paintings

2010-03-11T14:10:00.007-07:00

It's been a bit since I posted because I was working like mad in all my free time (of which there is very little) to finish the new studio and move in. So, bruised and banged, still getting paint from my hair, it's done and I'm in. It feels so good, I don't want to leave it and don't look at it on days I'm headed to the gallery cuz if I do, that's where I'm drawn! So, here are some pics for you:
this is looking from the dining room, down into the studio. Sorry it's a little dark, the light from the windows confused the camera!

This look in from the master bath, which is on the same level as the studio (three steps down from the rest of the house.)
and this is standing in the corner by the first window, looking back toward the stairs and the dining room. I'm particularly proud of the way the rammed earth wall with the engraved zia came out painted. I didn't know if would work, but I love it!

here is a painting I just finished:

It is 30 high and 24 wide, acrylic and gold on canvas. "A River Runs Through It".

And this is what you see on my table in the studio photos. It is a diptich..two 36 x 12 canvases, and also acrylic. I hope to finish it on Sunday...or maybe I'll take it to the Visitor Center and finish it on Saturday. We'll see.

I'm going to call it "Transitions: Self Reflection"

So, you see, I have been busy! In the meantime, John and I celebrated 21 years of marriage, and I was re-elected the board of the Chamber of Commerce. That's enough for two weeks!

Mardi Gras, Valentines Day and SNOW

2010-02-14T11:09:00.005-07:00

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!

Bleary Eyed & Sore Feet!

2010-01-31T08:24:00.004-07:00

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!

Watercolor Sunday

2010-01-17T09:14:00.002-07:00

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!

Published!

2009-12-29T14:51:00.002-07:00

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:

And this one is the daisies and sunflowers:

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

beautiful

2009-12-25T13:57:00.000-07:00

Miracles on Christmas

2009-12-25T12:36:00.003-07:00

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!

6 years

2009-12-20T16:28:00.005-07:00

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!

Living Where the Wind Blows

2009-12-13T10:53:00.003-07:00

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!

Brrrrr. Global Warming? Not here!

2009-12-09T09:29:00.004-07:00

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.

Relaxing

2009-12-06T14:36:00.007-07:00

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.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T16:19:00.005-07:00

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!

Hello from 32,000 feet!

2009-10-31T09:58:00.006-06:00

Wow. this is kind of fun. Never posted from 32,000 feet before...but there's a first time for lots of fun things! We're headed to Dallas and about half way through the flight on American Airlines and online with gogo so wahoo! too bad I don't have my webcam with me! I'm sitting by myself cuz John got upgraded, but there was only one seat, so I urged him to take it. My reward is that I'm on the bulkhead behind him, no one next to me. Smiling.

When we left this morning the overnight rain had left the streets wet and puddled, but the towncar ride was pleasant (little traffic at 7am on a Saturday morning). As we lifted off, the damp haze was still hanging over the city.

Part of me wanted to stay, part of me, ready to go home. Little sleep as my brain churned out the order of the tasks awaiting me. 3 commissions yet unfinished. 2 due by December 1. Parties to plan, budgets to stick too, little funds and lots of bills. Little comfort that it's not just me.

The sun was shining in so much I couldn't see the screen. Down comes the shade and, ahh, better now.

So, lets see. I did one small painting that I mentioned in the last post. Never got back to it as the sun came out and beckoned me out to wander the streets. It's always refreshing to me, to wander through downtown or midtown Manhattan, and just try to count the different languages you hear as conversations float past you. Or to wonder who's local, who's visiting and from where? Standing on a corner, waiting for the walk light, a couple walked up and asked me where to catch the bus to Long Island. When I explained I hadn't a clue, that I was visitor, the gentleman said, "oh, we saw you had eggs and thought you lived here". It was true, I did have eggs, having just left the grocery. Kind of funny...not knowing who lives there. Even the army of tailored black suits is not a sure indication. Lots of those walking the streets in downtown Manhattan. The apartment we stayed in was a block or two from the NYSE. Two blocks from the Hudson River and a 10 minute walk from Battery Park in one direction and the South Street Pier in the other. Fun.

We searched google for an Italian Restaurant and it found 243 in our "neighborhood". How fun is that? Sushi, Indian, Italian, Irish Pubs on every corner and limos, towncars and the suited drivers stood all in a line on Friday nights. Delmonico's a four minute walk.

Oh, and they were filming a movie right outside the apartment. That was amazing to watch. Cameras moving along on lines hung for blocks and held up by giant cranes. Lines and lines of equipment rental trucks and vans, and street after street blocked off to traffic...except that the thousands of people who walk everywhere, still did, and so did we. Some of us almost bumping into each other for looking up up up at the wire and camera gliding along it. Definitely fun.

Though I got off to a rather rough start, (lots of rain, over stressed and over tired), in the end, my shoulders are lower, and while I'm not looking forward to the 32 degrees my desktop tells me it is at home, or the snow that I hear (thanks, Jen) is still on the ground, I'm setting my mind on the paintings I need to finish and coming holidays (they'll be here before we blink). so, I'll order a glass of wine, recline my seat and smile!

hey from The City

2009-10-29T09:58:00.004-06:00

New York, New York. What's this country bumpkin with a City Girl heart doing here? Well, lots.

I know it's been a while since I posted. My head down, my heart heavy, my vision blurry, kept me from posting. Mostly, I was exhausted. Letting all the stuff going on, get to me. It was time to run away.

Of course, just in time, husband got work in NYC. Wahoo! (for the work) Wahoo! (it's NYC) and Wahoo! (I get to go!) So...I came. Mostly. In my head was churning all of the things I would do, what I would post, how much fun that would be.

When we were sitting on a plane, John turns to me and says, "you got the power for your laptop, right?"

Reality slapped me in the head. Uh-oh. Even as I said, "um. no" my head was spinning with how to solve it.

Good grief. What an air head. Well, at the risk of stating the obvious, clearly, solve it I did, and thank you, Tracy and Angel Fire Resort and Amy!

Yesterday it poured rain all day. Not like it rains in Angel Fire, with a heavy burst of two inch diameter rain drops followed by double rainbows and bright cerulean blue skies....no, the walls of solid drizzle that get you wet through and through...especially if you forgot the umbrella, too.

Ok, so I did a small "Pan Pastel" on Artist Panel (it looks about 6 x 6 (inches) to me. Not sure how I'll get it home. hmmm. At least I made here with the pan pastel, the paper and panels and the tools. Geee, where was my head?

In the rain, (which day?)I wound the streets from the apartment provided by the company John is working for (Learning Tree) to find "ground zero". We've been here a few times since 9/11...but I'd never screwed up the guts to go look. This time, I decided, it was way past time. So, in the rain, I went. By the time I went out, the rain was more of a mist.

I was struck by the slow weep of the heavens as I climbed the stairs to the viewing bridge. I had my camera...but I took no photos. The striking emptiness of the gaping hole in the skyline is clearer even on the ground. There is much going on there, all kinds of construction. They had apparently just poured concrete, and it was all covered in giant tarps to protect it from the rain. It looked like giant grave cloth to me. I stood there for quite a while, letting it all soak in. My mind took me back to when I stood looking in the glassed in rooms at Auschwitz. How is it different, really? I wondered. Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it. I shuddered, and headed back down the stairs.

That was actually on Tuesday. Yesterday was much wetter. I went out in search of groceries, got lost, gave up and found my way back to the apartment soaking wet and wishing I'd not gone out.

Today is much brighter, and after a good night's sleep (finally!) I ventured out in the chilly morning air and found the 17th St. Pier and all the shops there. They were not open yet, so it was quiet, and the seagulls were dive-bombing in the Hudson River, the morning sun lighting up the skyscrapers like gleaming diamonds. I looked at the river and wondered how incredulous it must have been to watch an airplane land on it not so long ago. I looked at the Brooklyn bridge and watched all the cars and people going this way and that. I watched as a few old men came together and began their Tai Chi. Slowly, the seaport began to wake up. Buses pulled in and unloaded their riders in front of the ticket booth for ferries to Ellis Island, Staten Island and other destinations. Cafe and store owners cleaned windows and floors and unstacked tables and chairs, preparing to open. It made me think of home and the commonality of owning your own business and all that means.

I bought a cup of coffee and warmed up a bit while I watched the progress of the South Street Seaport opening up for business.

Once warmed, all open I wandered through the shops at the pier, then wandered across to Fulton and Front pedestrian shopping area where I found a great (really cute) sweater for $29 and two nice dress shirts for John ...two for $40. I found alot of other great stuff too, but I didn't buy it.

By then, I'd been wandering the streets for 4 hours and my feet were telling me to go home, which I did. So now we're caught up. I hear there's a good bit of snow at home. I'm really glad I cleared out the garage and pulled the truck in. Think I'll relax for a bit...if I can remember how to do that!

Shaken

2009-10-11T13:59:00.004-06:00

This morning as I was making coffee, emptying the dishwasher and tidying the kitchen, husband says, "You haven't said a word...are you ok?" I answered "yes. didn't realize I was being quiet". After all, there was not a quiet place in me. My heavy heart, still questioning, and many thoughts racing through my head. I was thinking about Rebecca, about how she impacted so many in such a positive way. Trying to understand. She told me months ago, that she would die, that the fighting was over and the living was the focus. The power of that eluded me then. Now it has smacked me in the face and I am taking a hard look inside.

She was a little more than 8 months younger than my younger sister, my "middlest" sister..also named Rebeka.

I see clearly how Rebecca's life intersected with mine. I just wonder if I blessed her as she did me. I'm ashamed at my selfishness and reluctance to embrace, at my tendency to not let even those I love get too near, some unknown and irrational fear holding me back. I've known this about myself for a long time and right now it is glaringly clear. May this public confession somehow unlock some of the hidden places.

A new look at learning

2009-10-04T11:48:00.009-06:00

If you know my husband at all, you know how passionate he is about education. While he has taught adults most of his professional life, when he was on the faculty at university he often lamented at the un-preparedness of students. Maybe that's why this video caught his eye. When he showed it to me, I thought, "wow, if I'd had school like that, maybe I would have gone on to college." Truth is, I was bored out of my mind. In teaching art I have often used some out-of-the-box methods, but I never got this innovative. Maybe I should.....hmmmm

Take a look, and let yourself imagine the possibilities. Click this link.

Stuff for Sale

2009-09-26T13:27:00.002-06:00

I forgot to mention...I still have some "stuff" for sale. Musical instruments, photo equipment and display grids. Check it out here.

Must be Fall

2009-09-26T12:56:00.004-06:00

The leaves have just begun to turn. I don't know how long they'll last or if they will all turn before they fall, thanks to the early snow we had. For sure the nights are cold enough to turn them all, but we'll see soon enough. I know it's fall even without color on the mountains...the gallery is still and quiet.

This evening we (the two galleries) are hosting a private reception for some traveling writers who are vising the area on a "famtour" (familiarization). Following the reception, I'll join them for dinner. I'm looking forward to all of that, but in the meantime it is really hard to sit here and have the gallery open with me, myself and I to chat with. I already cleaned up from last night's fourth Friday event, and the gallery looks beautiful, if I do say so myself. I need to paint, but I'm wearing these fancy clothes so I don't have to go home and change before the reception/dinner. I'm a messy painter, so I won't risk it.

The Artisan Expo I went to last Sunday was a blast, thought I spent my accumulated wad in a heartbeat. I bought all the supplies I need for the new class that is coming up beginning next week...and then I bought a moderate supply of a brand new product...Ultra Soft Pan Pastel. Check it out here....it's going to be a blast to play with! (and paint with). I'd probably be getting dirty right now, but they were sold out before i got there. They are shipping me what I ordered...and I can hardly wait!

Guess I'll go play on facebook for a bit. See ya!

Working like mad

2009-09-19T15:09:00.006-06:00

It's quiet again at the gallery, at least most of the time, so I'm trying hard to get some things caught up, some things under way and some things thrown out. I know I didn't post last week, as I was sitting on the floor, fingers freezing, working on a new project (more on that later) as I was looking for customers at the MVAC Illusions show. The bank had the air conditioning on and it was raining and 58 degrees outside. BRRRRRRRRRRRR. Still the Illusions reception was nice, and congrats to my friend Jacqui Binford-Bell for taking yet another Best of Show!

Yesterday I painted. I had to do something to divert my attention from the portrait I've been working on. I can't continue the portrait until I get a new brush, which I will do tomorrow, but in the meantime if I work on it I'll overdo it. So, I pulled out a tiny artist panel that I bought when Artisan's had a great sale on them. it is only 6 x 6. Inches, that is. 6 x 6, cradled artist panel by Ampersand, my favorite purveyor of paintable surfaces. Not to diminish my love of Yupo paper, but they (Ampersand) do a nice array of different kinds of media. So, anyway, I played. I ended up with sort of a flower, sort of not. I'm calling it "A little a-MAZE-ment" Take a look and you'll see why, oh, and it's acrylic!

Tomorrow I'm going to the Artisan Expo in Santa Fe, where I'm sure to encounter more fun! I'll pick up the supplies for the next class that begins on Sept. 30th. I have 3 signed up and we're going play with oil pastel (no worries, Jennifer!) so I need to pick some up, along with "stuff to paint on". We'll see what I find at the expo. Basically, I'm excited to be getting out of town, if only to Santa Fe and only for a day. I've not been anywhere other than to Taos since May!

Then, it'll be back to work editing video for Katherinesarttv.tv I'm getting so close to a full launch, yet it feels so far away. Let's hope I can be productive, finish editing, get the site fully operational and live, finish the portrait , do the next commission and have a blast teaching a class...all before November 1! That's my aim...oh and the brick floor too.

Better Now...Yay

2009-09-06T17:11:00.002-06:00

I've often told other artists at shows that "one customer, and 5 minutes, can change the outcome of this". And so it was today. I was literally packing up, loading things into the back of the truck, when another car pulled in. I glanced up, and smiled, seeing one of my clients walking around the back of her car, with daughter and mother-in-law in tow. 20 minutes later they were happily climbing back in their car, with a cadre of unframed, un-mounted, un-matted originals in hand. See my smile?

So now, the truck is loaded with what is destined for Angels Attic. There are a few things left that I really want to sell. You can find a list here. Pass it on...I'll be adding more soon!

big sale blahs & yays

2009-09-06T13:49:00.004-06:00

It's 1:49pm. The day started with a drizzle of rain, then a bit more then moved off to warm sun and cool breeze. When I opened the door this morning there were half a dozen cars in the driveway. I sold the Ladder and the glass blocks straight away. A bunch of brand new, never worn socks that just would not slip around the poor feet and up J's immobile ankles.

Some people who said, "oh, Katherine McDermott, I've heard of you!"

One man stopped in, who was investigating problems with the fact that the shoulder on highway 64 ends conspicuously about 6 feet before our road. It has been a nightmare since the shoulder was laid in some years ago. A friend of mine was hit by a vehicle trying pass while she was stopped, blinker on, to turn left. The other car tried to pass, ran out of shoulder and abruptly turned to get back on pavement and rammed into the side of her car. If she had not been there, he would have plowed into oncoming traffic, as some others have done, at least one that I know of , with tragic results. Maybe he'll get something done.

I think I'll be loading up the truck and visiting Angel's Attic real soon now. small sigh. I don't mean to be ungrateful. yes, I'd hoped for more. More people, more sales. But then, I should have seen it coming.

Arts About Town, yesterday, was good. And about half or less of the traffic we had last year. Maybe it's because Labor Day is a week later this year, somehow, a week later than the past few years. Last year we did the event on August 30th. And the year before that, similarly. hmmmm. I dunno. I kind of refuse to just blame it on the economy. Things have been going well at the gallery, for a change! Interesting experience to me. Lots of room to make up for the past still, but I'm kind of amazed, and thankful!

So, here I am. Sitting in a chair in the driveway, posting on the blog. go figure. Angel's Attic, here I come.

No time to rest, gotta get moving tomorrow for the Illusions show next weekend. We'll hang it on Friday. Reception on Saturday (September 12) from 5-7:30 or something like that. Hope that goes well.

Well, guess I'll start boxing stuff up. Doesn't look good for more customers. Next time, it will 7:30 to 11. that's it. Live and learn (at least I try to.)

Fall approaches, BIG Sale coming

2009-08-23T15:32:00.004-06:00

Well, it's beyond overdue. I know, I'm not done with the brick laying and painting, not finished cleaning gutters or anything outside. But it's on to the garage before it's too late. We started organizing today..backed the car out, got out the broom and vaccuum and set to it. Cleaning the debris last winter left behind and then raiding shelves and closets and such to debate what we shall let go of this time. (whew) Already, half the garage is stacked and laid out with treasures (and stuff) from the past. The car will live outside for now. I think the left front tire looks low.

I'm debating...sell the hammered dulcimer, or not? Sell the camping stuff, definitely, the books, for sure. Husband decided to let go of the vintage engineers tools he inherited from his grandfather. Tools I've looked at off and on for 20 years....it's a big deal. Some of it made in 1924.

On the "walls" I used to use at shows, hang the evening gown, some suits (mine) and some skirts. The walls are for sale too.

I have a table for the Nikon package and table for the books and games. Yet to come are a table for the computer equipment, an area for the excercise machine, a dresser drawers and some unframed originals as well as framed originals that have never been seen at the gallery. Pots to plant in, and pots that are home to plants that I have no room for anymore. Pots with raspberry plants (assuming I get that done) and some with Jade Plants (gotta do that too). Oh, and my drum machine.

Everywhere I turn my head I find something else. Some tupperware. some forks and knives and spoons and good heavens, where did all this come from? It seems to me it multiplies when we close the door on the closet, leave a room quiet for a while.

Anyway, we might have it put together in time for the sale. Sunday, September 6, 9 am to 4pm. No earlybirds. I'll be busy on Saturday with Arts About Town.

Finished the Next One

2009-08-15T14:12:00.004-06:00

I know it's not Sunday (my usual day to post) but I told you I'd post a photo of the commission I was working on, when it was done. I just finished it. All that's left is put a wire on the back for hanging. I also made a video of most of the process, though I ran out of battery at a critical moment, I can recreate that with voice over and a photo. I'll get to work on that next week.

Anyway, so here it is. 24 x 18 Watercolor on Canvas. The owner loves it. What about you?

Painting up a storm

2009-08-13T11:18:00.004-06:00

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!

August, must be madness

2009-08-08T20:46:00.005-06:00

It's my birthday. 08-08. I've written this post over and over and over. Long gone are the days when birthdays were exciting. Get up, make the coffee , make the breakfast, feed the dog, go to the gallery, water and care for the plants, sweep the floor, mop the floor, open the new space, hang the prints, move out the print bins, open the windows (or I'll suffocate), dust, vacuum the other rooms..wait it's almost 9:45, turn on the lights, turn on the music, and, turn on the open signs, it's 10am.

breathe.

oh, boot the laptop (this takes forever---it's Vista) download the email (this takes forever, too.) check the website (s).
Check the phone for messages. Figure out what's left on the desk that needs attention.

breathe.

feel guilty. didn't get the robie cleaned (the irobot that vacuum's the house for me). guess that won't get done today. oh well. I did manage to get a load of laundry in. didn't walk the dog. didn't......ad infinitum.

breathe.

I notice that lots of my Facebook friends are leaving birthday greetings on my page. It makes me smile. I write back, still smiling.

Customers come in. We talk. Some buy, some don't, but they all say "happy birthday"(because, of course, I told them it was my birthday). Some comment that they didn't know there was a gallery in Angel Fire..(never mind that there are two). They live here.

breathe.

The country is a mess. That's what I hear.

breathe.

My mom calls. I smile. My mom-in-law calls. I smile.

Then she tells me someone walked into her house and stole her wallet. Yes, she (mom-in-law) opened the door, and welcomed 'her' in...mistaking her for someone else. (shame on you, whoever you are. ) I'm shaking my head, feeling the slime. shake it off. or try to. shaking my head. unbelievable...or status quo. refuse to ponder that right now.

Breathe.

Missed by sister's call. Sad..but we'll connect later.

And, I celebrated the fact that I'm 'only' 48. I know, it's bizarre. I didn't know how old I was. I got stuck somewhere. husband had to tell me. Made me laugh, really deep, really long, really funny. Nice to be 48.

Painting till My Head Spins

2009-07-19T14:14:00.007-06:00

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!

Gorgeous Sunday

2009-06-21T15:54:00.005-06:00

It is 76 degrees with a crystal cerulean blue New Mexico Sky. Great day to be outdoors! I must confess my arms are sore though...I weed wacked all the weeds creeping onto the driveway, into the edge of the garden, along side the rasberry patch and around the back "lawn". We have 7.5 acres of "natural" grasses, wild iris, blue flax, indian paintbrush and scores of flowers whose name I don't know. In the front, I've carved out an area in the "L" of the house and it is teeming with columbine, iris, roses and some giant, about to burst peonies. Except last night somebody (deer? elk?) ate the flowers off of some of the columbine. If they try again tonight they'll get a nose full of, um, wolf urine. It worked last year. We'll see.

This morning we wandered up to Red River to personally congratulate my friend and gallery artist, Jacqui Binford-Bell. She won "Most Colorful" and (drum roll) Best of Show at the Red River Wine and Art Festival. The Best of Show is a big deal, because it was judged by one of New Mexico's best known and legendary artists, Ed Sandoval. Well done, Jacqui! Way to go!

And now, I'm loathe to go inside...it's way too nice out here to be in there...laying brick. I should also be painting. It's supposed to thunderstorm again tomorrow...there will be time for painting and brick laying. It's the first day of summer...and the weather today makes me believe it. Think I'll pour a glass of wine and let the birds and the wind serenade me.

To Donate, or Not

2009-06-20T12:45:00.006-06:00

I know it's not Sunday (that's usually when I post) but it is quiet here at the gallery now, and I had a great conversation with Jennifer Cavan which compells me to write. She wrote a great post on "how long does it take?" (to create a piece). And as she says, there is so much "not art" that goes into the business of being a professional artist that the casual viewer doesn't see. So, whether you spend an hour, a day, a week or a year, that process is not the whole piece. I'm starting there, because our "great conversation" was about donating work (or not) to the many organizations who ask. She might post about too, but I thought I'd get the conversation going here.

Over the years, I would hazard a guess that I've donated, somewhere in the range of $25,000 in my art. So, why do I severely limit what I donate and to what organization now? Let's see what those donations did for me, for the organization, for the art community, for the galleries.

If I donate a piece with a retail value of $500, what is that for me? lost revenue of $500. It is basically "advertising expense" and based on tracking, very poor at that. Worthwhile advertising nets revenue. Not so a donated piece.

How about the organization that gets it? Once in a while at the Music From Angel Fire Art Auction, a piece will go for at or near it's value. But way more often, most work gets "sold" for about 20 cents on the dollar. So, they have to sell ALOT of art to generate reasonable revenue...and if you've ever been to one, you know that they do.

Now, examine the impact of that. If, at the auction my $500 piece was lucky, and sold for $200, the lucky winner got a "bargain", and I'll hear about it for the next few years. Will they come buy a piece from me? Not likely. Will the person that was bidding against them? Not likely. Why? because they'll go to another auction and try again. I have actually had people tell me that they love my work, but will wait for the MFAF auction. Those same people say, "I love this gallery, I hope you are successful!" and walk out the door without spending a dime. So, I wonder, how does that work?

A few years ago I donated a $300 piece to a local group and they sold it in a "Live" auction, for $35. While one person jumps up and down about how they "stole"it, several hundred others watched it. What is the impact of that?

That said, yes, I will donate to the MFAF auction. Maybe a handful of others. But I sincerely hope those of us who buy at similar auctions will consider supporting the artists, as well as the organizations. And I would encourage the non-profits that auction art, consider more than their own bottom line, look for ways to support the artists that make their fundraisers possible.

I have lots of ideas on that......

Grey and Rainy Sunday

2009-06-14T15:35:00.003-06:00

Good day for a day off! Dark skies, howling wind and scattered rain, now soft, now hard, now scattered. I hope it doesn't damage the beautiful peach colored iris that just opened this morning in my front garden! They are lovely.

So it is a good day to stay in. Which is good because we had big day yesterday! My morning was filled with people and painting as I did demo after demo of painting watercolor on yupo paper. In all, I think I did 14 paintings...some as small as 4 x 6 inches, some much larger. By the end I was wiped, but I ran home to shower and rest a bit before the big wedding we had been anticipating for what seemed like months. I'm sure it wasn't, but we were really looking forward to it. And we were not disappointed! Congrats and all the best, Tom and Bonnie. The setting was beautiful, the ceremony sweet and fun, and the party afterward will likely not be topped! It was way beyond fun!

We actually slept in this morning, sleeping off the exhaustion. This morning we spent mostly brainstorming. We want to start a business incubation center and were tossing around ideas and dreams in advance of a meeting tomorrow to pitch it to some locals who might have guidance and know-how. What kind of thing would you do with a business incubator..or do you need one, and why? I'd value your input.

When we decided to move on with the day, I headed down to what was the hot tub room and did more brick laying. The floor was so badly out of level, that it is tricky to fix it and I'll have to remove the trim from the doors because it is now too long! To slide a brick underneath it would mean that brick would be a full 1/4 inch below all the others....and I'm barely a third of the way across the room. wow. It'll be good when it's done though. At least I know how to do it right now!

So, it's almost 4pm and the angel food cake John is making has the whole house smelling incredibly yummy. It's my favorite cake and strawberries were on sale....guess what I'll be having for desert tonight! oops..the dryer is chiming it's "I'm done" song. Guess I'd better get to it.

Time to get productive...

2009-06-07T08:17:00.004-06:00

It's been about two weeks, I think, since the last post. Sorry, guess I've just been busy.

The brick is still being slowly laid in the great drying out of the room that held the hot tub. Sand is mostly dry now, and the adobes are dry, but the mud in between is still damp, so I'm holding repainting the walls for more dry time. I'll finish the brick after the walls are painted, anyway.

In the meantime, alot has been happening around here. Let's see, since I last wrote, I was elected President of the Angel Fire Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, held the annual planning meeting (which was very productive!) and have been diligently working on the stack of commissions sitting in my studio. In the middle working on the 4 16 x 20's I got the drawing done for an 18 x 24 and got a rush order for an ink and watercolor illustration for a local builder.

That, has been quite a challenge. The unfinished house Ray Renfroe of BlueRay homes is building is going to be stunning...but capturing the detail through the array of trees, scaffolding and workers has been a task! I spent 3 hours on the drawing yesterday, another hour last night and I have sent it off to a friend to print it on paper big enough that I can transfer it to watercolor paper in a half sheet (15 1/2 x 22). Once transferred, I'll ink all the lines, then wash in some watercolor. I have to have it done by tomorrow...so hopefully she can get it printed this morning! Whew!

So, off I go, to add a few more layers to the three canvases I have in process. Feast or famine...I'll take the feast!

Tired...where's that hot tub?

2009-05-24T20:20:00.005-06:00

Well, I guess I'm not ready for it,though my neck, shoulders, back and knees, say otherwise! I did get the brick off of the water soaked sand today. In a way, it was a relief.

When I was building the house (15 years ago), it went like this:
Months before, we had selected a hot tub from a home show. "We won't deliver it till you say so" they promised. yeah, right. The day they called we were putting the 8 x 8 beams (to hold the ceiling and the trusses to hold the roof) in place...one every four feet. I was in charge of connecting the straps from the crane around each beam and my staff were on the walls ready to guide them into place, when the call came in. They wanted to deliver the hot tub. The walls of the room were built, but no door frame or windows yet, and certainly, no floor(or roof for that matter). Since the floor is brick on sand, that was problematic (oh, way more than we knew then.) So, I'd strap a beam, climb down, run in, lay a few brick, run out, climb up, strap a beam............you get the idea.

The sum of it is that it was less than perfect, by a long shot. The crew from the hot tub place arrived s I layed the final brick, brought in the tub, leveled it (miracle) and left.

All this time and since, that tub left (in pieces) and another came in, and left (in pieces) and now, after 15 years that floor has come up and is stacked in rows in the only level area that existed, right in front of the double doors. No tub coming in just yet. The sand underneath is miraculously drying (since it's been raining off and on for the past few days) and it's clear I'll need more sand to get it level. The room, in this state, combined with the overcast skies and rain take me right back to 1994 and building this house. Then, it rained for 13 weeks straight. Well, I supposed it stopped now and then, but it sure didn't feel like it. When it rains up here, the temperature dropss to 55 (or lower) and it's just plain cold and damp. Problematic when you are building a house out of dirt...but that's another story. A long one.

Stay tuned. I'm tired. good night all. and here's to you, Dad. (Veteran, Vietnam, multiple tours. Also, another story)

The Scratchboard is finished

2009-05-23T14:06:00.004-06:00

Thanks to all of you who took the survey...and so, here are the results: Paint the stems and centers....3 to 1!

So that's what I did, and here it is:
I'm calling it "Connections". To finish off I'll spray it with a clear archival protectant, then mount it and frame in shadowbox style. It won't need any glass. I'm happy with how it came out, so thanks for the input!

I videoed the process, so soon there will be videos on both youtube and katherinesarttv.tv I'll be sure and let you know when I get them up. cheers...and happy Memorial Weekend!

Where should I go now?

2009-05-21T17:59:00.005-06:00

Ok...I finished phase two...

One is to create the drawing, transfer it to the board and then scratch out the outline. ok, so maybe that's three...

In that case, I finished step 4. So this is what it looks like....
so...here's a survey for you. Click Here to take survey

Only three questions...so....I'll post again after I hear from you!

Scatchboard Takes Time...but it's Worth It!

2009-05-18T12:52:00.004-06:00

I've been working on this one for a while now and progress is steady, but not fast. I did video alot of this and will be putting it on www.katherinesarttv.tv as soon as I get it edited..which is challenging because something is using up my hard drive like mad.

Anyway, I showed you the outline done earlier, and here is a pic of me at it, and what it looks like right now:

As you can see, I've "scratched" out just about half of the daisies. I'll continue down the board with this step, then review it carefully to lift more where I need to. Step three is to paint in the stems and the centers, if i want to. I'll decide later.

This is a 20 x 16 board, so its taking a good investment of time. It's soothing for me though, so it's not like it's laborious, and given the stress I'm experiencing otherwise, it's a good thing it's not finished.
So, back to the studio head I. Watch for more progress, and I'll let you know when the video is online.

Sunday Serenity

2009-05-17T15:46:00.004-06:00

Sitting on the front porch, gazing at the lake as I type. It's 76 degrees, and the only sound is the birds, the frogs at my neighbors pond and the tinkle of Grace's collar as she sniffs the ground like she's never done it before.

I'm relaxing as I post, having just returned from Albuquerque where the noise and the traffic was getting to me. I have tons to do in the next few weeks, with 6 commissioned paintings to produce by July, a hot tub to get out of the house so I can pull up the brick to dry the sand, and a myriad of "Spring" household duties to attend to. Oh, and there's the gallery. This coming Friday is the monthly reception "4th Friday" event. Hmmm. I'll breath deeply now and run tomorrow.

The hot tub will be going out in pieces. Daniel is coming on Wednesday to literally cut it up. I'm so mad at it that I absolutely refuse to remove the doors and frame to get it out whole. That's what it gets for causing so much trouble! Once it's gone, I'll pull up the brick (as I just said) and let the sand underneath dry...then re-level it and re-lay the brick. Then, a new hot tub is welcome to come to the room. A smaller one would be nice, to give us more space in the room for growing things. That's what we're hoping/praying for, anyway.

Robie (my roomba) is vaccuuming for me. Which is good, because even in 24 hours of being gone Grace left an alarming part of herself all over the floor...black hair, floating about as you walked through and disturbed the air!

Yup, I'm definitely blessed. And, there with the triumphant electronic toot of Robies "I'm finished" tone, I'll sign off and go investigate the freezer for what to make for dinner. John will be proud of me. I think it will be fish (talapia) and asparagus. Yum.

Hands in the Soil

2009-05-10T17:32:00.004-06:00

It's cathartic. I don't think I ever even got to the garden last year, so when I headed out this afternoon to coax the weeds from the soil, I had forgotten how cathartic it is. There is just something about the sun warming your shoulders, the wind tossing your hair, the damp soil soaking through the knees of your jeans. The dirt in your fingernails, even though you were wearing gloves, and the errant twig protruding from your sleeve.

There's something in my thumb now, and it hurts...probably a rose thorn or something similar. I pruned the roses, trimmed the potentia , raked the pine needles to expose the rich mulch I did get down last fall. I dug out grasses and weeds and dandelions galore. Now, it's a lovely site to behold, the happy grape hyacinth with bright purple berry like heads bouncing in the breeze, free from the tangles of grasses and weeds that were holding them back.

Once cleared, the circular space in the center of the front garden looks clean and the columbine are standing tall, buds just beginning to form. I discovered the peonies are up and about a foot tall, the rebar I used to support it when it reaches some 3 feet, lying beside it, ready to be deployed.

Ahh. It's that good, tired feeling. Tomorrow, it's back to the gallery. Tuesday, its Taos, where I need to pick up some canvases for my latest commission. (yay...thank you Dr. Tami!) I already have compositions swimming around in my head.

Oh...and, Happy Mother's Day to all you Moms out there. And a big CONGRATULATIONS and wow, I'm so proud of you, to my sister..the middlest one. She (Rebeka) just got a HUGE promotion at work...one she richly deserved and waited a long time for. And Thanks to God for honoring her! I'm very blessed!

Water, water, soaking wet

2009-05-03T14:04:00.008-06:00

No, it's not raining..though it's dark and grey. It did rain yesterday for 4 or 5 hours...that was lovely. But, alas, after filling the hot tub, after the pump wet end repair, the pipes that were plugged (because they leaked) around the moto-massage, the exposed sand where I had pulled up brick to see underneath, started creeping wet toward the walls again. Heavy sigh.

Oh, shall I back up? We've had this tub (Sovereign by HotSpring Spas) for 11 years. It has served us well...husband in it multiple times a day to assist joints with movement. We noticed rather suddenly that moisture was creeping up the stucco on the outside of the...er...um..adobe walls. O drat..now what?

I sought the expert opinion of my favorite engineer, who scoped around the house in 50 mph wind and snow, to grimly turn to me and say, 'I think it's your hot tub, dear' . drat again.

I pulled up brick and found soaking wet sand underneath. The brick didn't show it because they had been well sealed. The adobe walls, on the other hand...um...wet. Thank God we bought the "stabalized" version, but still.
Great.

I pulled up brick from all four corners of the room. Wet. everywhere, wet. Heavy sigh. I told you part of this story in an earlier post, as endeavoring to remove the siding to get to the foam and sprayed insulation inside, was how I hurt myself.
(Wet sand from under the brick.......)

We found one leak, at the moto massage. Our spa guy plugged it, and we filled it and turned it on. Water sprayed from the pipe below the one we just plugged. Ok, we can deal with that. Right? Wrong. Within 24 hours of filling it, the exposed sand, which had nicely dried, began to turn dark brown with mosture again.

Resolute, I set about this morning to find the rest of the leaks. I thought carefully about how to leverage the siding off. And, thankfully, it worked. I'm typing, tired and sore, with raw hands, but my tender back is not screaming.

I pulled off the siding on three sides and started ripping out foam. If I found it dry, I moved down till I pulled my fingers out wet.

What you see is, is the window sill that I curled myself into, the wet brick between the window/wall and the edge of the hottub where I removed the siding and the foam.) The tub is very close to one wall, and I was sitting in the window sill (good thing I'm skinny and small and curl my self up to a ball and still work! I'd show you a picture of the process, but I was rather busy. this will have to do!)

Wet foam found, I climbed around to the other side and started digging. wet and wet and wet. soon water poured out and soaked me, literally. Oh no! NO! NO! Alas, no. Shaking my head and soaked through I hauled myself out of the space I was in. The foam was wet and red, because my fingers were bleeding by now.

Good grief. Enough. I quit. I'm done. I'll let the Spa guy come and tell me that I'm right. Then, if that's the case, out it goes. Out, which is tough and tragic. Tough, because the french double doors and the door frame have to come out to get it out. Tragic, because, as I said, husband used it EVERY DAY. Tough, because we don't have the budget to buy a new one. Tragic there too. Tough because my hands are raw with no satisfaction.

It's the big pipe that runs all along one side to feed the foot jets. And the other pipe below the one fixed. And the other one we fixed before that. Why they make tubs that way, (with sprayed in foam and insulation so the pipe struction is complete encased in hardened goo.) is beyond me. Yes, I get the insulation, and all that, but there must be an eaiser way. hot tubs spring leaks. everyone knows that. so make it easy to find and fix them. ugh.

The bright side is that the spa is draining as I type. There were no chemicals in yet so its happily watering the hillside. And, my heart is hopeful still though I see no reason to hope. Somehow, someway, something will happen to help me solve this. That, i believe with all my heart. I'll let you know what happens. In the mean time, my scratchboard (see the facebook page) is calling me.,

My List: 5 TV Women I Want on My Side!

2009-05-01T13:11:00.006-06:00

Ok, it's time for some fun. Spring has sprung and I hear a distant giggle. In spite of that, the usual small town murmuring catches my ear and I think I need a burst of strength. In considering that, some TV women came to mind, and why I'd like to have them on my side. So, here goes:

1. Megyn Kelly (Fox News morning Co-Anchor with Bill Hemmer) Why? When the news breaks she'll give me my 15 minutes of Fame! (hee hee)
2. Mary Shannon (Mary McCormack, In Plain Sight, USA Network) Why? She'll hide me when my 15 minutes have passed.
3. Teresa Lisbon (Robin Tunney, The Mentalist, ABC) Why? Because Patrick Jane (Simon
Baker) is hot, and will figure out the truth.

4. Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette, NCIS, ABC) Why? because she'll get to the bottom of any mystery, with pigtails and a cafpow!

and

5. Zeva David (Cote de Pablo, NCIS, ABC) Because she'll take out all the bad guys and then I'll be

SAFE! Go ladies! (I just couldn't resist! Gotta have some fun some time!

Ahhh...Spahhhhh

2009-04-26T12:23:00.003-06:00

I didn't think it would happen. Our Angel Fire Divas group has been planning for a couple of months for this event, and I didn't even pay attention because I didn't think I could go. A day at the spa and overnight in the lap of luxury at El Monte Sagrado, here in Taos. Here in Taos? Yes, here I sit in the gorgeously appointed room that I am sharing with my sweet friend, Natasha. (not her real name, as we have all adopted seudonyms for the day. I, am now, Olivia)

This, all due to the gift which I bear with great tenderness....to paint. Natasha wanted a new painting, and I wanted to cherish the quiet and relish a hydrating facial! All I can say is, WAHOO!

So, while the rest of the group are being pedicured, manicured, massaged and facialed, I'm in a giant overstuffed leather chair with laptop on my lap, posting! My turn will come next. I'm already relaxed, just with the anticipation!

This is an extraordinarily rare treat for me, and not one that I will likely have again very soon...but who knows. Perhaps my art will fly off the walls and my name will be heard on the lips of famous collectors. I'm given to dreaming and visions.

I could get used to this!

Beautiful Sunday Morning

2009-04-19T07:43:00.003-06:00

Wow. I can't believe it's been a month since I last posted! My how time flies...regardless of whether or not you're having fun!

Of course, there's not really a good excuse. Part of it is a result of messing up my back/ribs again, yes again. Guess it hadn't really healed before I forgot I wasn't supergirl and set about to tear the hot tub apart. I was determined to find the leak(s). Well, I actually succeeded, but not without injury. Sigh. It's been more than a week, and it still sucks the air out of me if I move wrong.

Won't let it slow me down to much. I can't, there's just too much to do! I'm "off" today, so I'm going to head to the studio and paint. Wahoo! I'm working on a large watercolor on canvas, and if you get my newsletter it's in the header of this month's edition, even though its not quite done.

Of course, as Mr. Murphy would have it, the newsletter directs people to my site, which of course is down this morning.

Add that the fact that my house is under attack by those infuriating flickers. When I go outside to yell at them to get off my house, they mock me, laughing and come flying just past my reach.

However...

I'm determined to have a fabulous day! And I hope you will too....

Back in the Studio

2009-03-16T14:30:00.011-06:00

It's been months...maybe even more than a year. It took me about two weeks to finish up the reorganization of the home studio. I still need to paint walls, but they'll do for now. And I've been painting like my life depended on it. My feet hurt, my back hurts...but my soul is happy.

I had to do this because I don't really have much room to paint at the new gallery. I do have a table, but can't work on anything larger than about 16 x 20 because the palette and water have to be on the same table with the canvas. Here, I have room for a 48" wide canvas, and I'm lovin' it.

I showed you pics of the previous disaster, so here is what it looks like now, and the work I have finished in the past couple of days.

First, the new studio:
This is looking in from the door. Gone is the cumbersome (but nice) big desk left over from days when this room served as office and studio (before the gallery). This one (below) is looking to the right of the desk as you face it. Here I have an easel, and pastel station 1.
And this is looking back the other way and pastel station 2. So, there you have it....and now for the new work. Some of this is commissioned and pres-sold, some if it is not. Ready? Set? Here we go:
this is a two piece vertical diptich...One composition, two canvases. Each one is 24 high and 18 wide, Watercolor on Canvas. I thought I'd never finish this, and truth be told a few edges still need some work. Next we have two commissioned pieces:

this is 12 x 18 pastel "watered garden". This one is 24 x 18, watercolor on canvas.

I've had a stack of unfinished pieces sitting around, and am now finishing them. Here's one. It started out as a demonstration for a class...of painting watercolor on hot press paper, which is a whole different experience than painting on cold press paper..or canvas..or yupo. Typically, if I'm not working on canvas or yupo, it's 140 lb cold press paper (Arches) Arches papers are hand pressed and made in France. I think it's the best watercolor paper you can buy, and I'm working "traditionally" it's Arches paper. The hot press paper tears much more easily so you have to work "fresh" without too many layers (just the opposite of the many layered approach I tend to use on canvas.) Anyway.. here it is:
I haven't measured it, but I think it's probably 12 x 16. And there is one more ( I told you I'd been painting like mad!) This one is watercolor on canvas, without too many layers. It is 16 x 12. It's a traditional depth canvas so it'll go it in a canvas frame...the edges too narrow to paint.
And there you have it, ladies and gents!

Counting Down To ArtsFest!

2009-03-11T15:56:00.002-06:00

View all Angel Fire Community Center events at Eventful

My 20th Wedding Anniversary!

2009-03-10T12:31:00.003-06:00

Wow. Some would call it a miracle. In this age of living fast and moving on when things get hard, it really is, I suppose. 20 years ago, on this day, I was donning the white gown, trembling all over, excited, terrified and happy. Happy still? Yes. Has it been easy? No. Would I do it all again? There's no doubt in my mind. So, to the Big Silly, Happy Anniversary! And here's to 20 more!

Changing Seasons and Gallery Tour

2009-03-05T10:19:00.004-07:00

The wind is howling today...is it blowing in Spring...or bringing much needed snow? With Spring Break looming...we're all praying for snow, though personally, I'm ready for summer. I'd just as soon skip the spring winds and warm today-cold tomorrow cycle we often get. I guess we'll see.

In the meantime, I told you I'd post a video gallery tour....so here it is. It's in two parts because YouTube has a limit of 10 minutes per video...and it came in at 12, so I had to split it into two. So, if you haven't seen the new space...or haven't seen it in a while, take a peek now.

Getting Ready for 4th Friday

2009-02-27T12:53:00.005-07:00

Well, it's here. After a 4 month hiatus, Fourth Fridays at Angel Fire ArtSpace are returning! Bigger and better, as Carol Rupp of the Rupp Gallery partners with me for a great evening! I'm taking a break from the current commissions I'm working on to get ready and the gallery is looking spic and span and lovely!

Got the new lights installed in the jewelry room (yay) and it's all dazzling, even though I haven't painted that room yet. I'm hoping to do that next week...we'll see. See...at least one can do that now in there! Made a BIG difference. Bob walked in to make sure they had finished with the installation and as he was asking if they finished he stopped mid-sentence and said, "Wow...I see they did!"

So here's a few shots of the gallery (as far as my web cam can see). This is the entrance. I guess I should really do a video tour...hmmm. I'll do that. In the meantime, here's what I see when I'm sitting at my desk:
Nice, huh?

Well, I think so, anyway. So, if you're in town, or headed this way, stop in and say "hi"!

Finished the Painting

2009-02-20T13:10:00.005-07:00

I'm breathing again, thanks to Norma and ibuprofen!

Anyway, I did finish the church I showed you a few posts back. Just so you don't have to scroll, here's how it looked in progress:

And, now, it's done. Notice the deeper, bolder color, shadows and detail. The rock facade by far, took the most time, but the result is worth it. The video will be online soon at www.katherinesarttv.tv

The trick is many
glazes of transparent color, with increasing amounts of pigment as you go. I often alternate colors too, to get a rich appearance in the end.

In the mean time I'm working hard on the development of katherinesarttv.tv Watch soon for a link here to a survey that I'll use to help me make the site and the videos what you want.

Painting is perhaps the most soothing activity I can engage in. My own version of meditation. When I'm painting, my brain feels dis-engaged. I'm not thinking about the outcome, the bills, the laundry or anything else temporal. I don't suppose you can understand it, until you experience it. Part of the focus of the new site is just that. Learning how painting can ease your stress, all while creating something beautiful. It's not about pure realism...that's what camera's are for, with no disrespect to the painters of photo realistic works. It's about interpretation, the emotional connection to the work, whether you are the painter, the viewer or the collector. People buy art, because they make a connection to it. It's completely subjective. Not everyone will like what I paint, and that's ok. I mean, it would be great, but it's completely unrealistic. I don't like everything I see either!

I can look at piece, like this one that I just finished, and walk right back into the same state of mind, walking in through that opening in the gate to all the places I was when I painted it. That's the best part for me...and why I paint. Yes, I love selling them. But sometimes I miss a piece after its gone. I'll be looking for something in my Art Archives folder, and see an image...and say, "where is that? did I sell it? Who?...." then I'll open the image, look at it, and walk right back into it. I dunno. Maybe it's weird...but it's true.

Learn to paint. And may you find that bliss too.......

OUUUUUUUWWWWCH!

2009-02-19T14:59:00.002-07:00

Just what I didn't need. I woke up in the middle of the night with a sharp pain in my right side. It radiated down my leg and I couldn't take a deep breath. I got up and stumbled to the bathroom only to remember that I'd put all of the ibuprofen in John's bag. I filled a glass of water, drank it and went back to bed.

My brain entered panic zone. Oh God, what if it is my appendix? My insurance has a $5000 deductible. I don't have time for this. Please.

I tossed and turned and turned and tossed. The pain like a bullet lodged in my right side. I finally turned on my stomach and immediately discovered that the source of the pain was actually my back, or my side, or my ribcage. I made fist and applied deep pressure to the spot on my lower back that screamed the loudest...slowly, slowly the pain in my right side eased to dull throb. Whew. Relief. Not my appendix. What did I do!?!

My brained rolled past the events of the past few days. Oh yeah. I was clearing out the desk I sold. I crawled underneath to disconnect everything, unscrew it and get it ready to clear out. As I lay on the floor underneath it, twisting to find that screw, I was taken back to August, when I was lying on the floor of the garage, in a similar position, screwing in the flashing at the bottom of the wall. My back went in to spasm, then, and I couldn't move. I was on the floor in the garage, twisted like a french creweler (no idea how to spell that) and unable to move. I couldn't get up. I laid there till the spasm seemed to pause, rolled over, crawled closer to the rail that the door runs in, grabbed it and pulled myself up like it was rope I was climbing a mountain. Then I headed for the hot tub. I'd forgotten the weeks of slowly rehabilitating those muscles. The heating pads, the tiger balm, the ibuprofen.

It was all coming back to me, as lay there, suddenly recalling lying on the floor of the studio, twisted once again, once again holding the cordless drill, applying pressure and then the awful spasm that followed. OOOOOOOW.

So, I did it again. Thank God I had a massage scheduled for this morning. But, in fact, I barely got there. Once upright, I was dizzy. Couldn't take a deep breath. And wow, some definite pain encompassing my middle and dominant on the right side. It feels like an overly tight girdle with pins sprinkled through out.

Poor Norma. She worked like a warm blanket for an hour and a half. Well, at least I can sit up, and walk. I hurt. Alot. I apparently made all those muscles that wrap around your ribcage and then run sort of sideways around you and connect to the ones that go up and down your spine.....Very Unhappy. I can almost turn my head side to side. I can't slouch...my mom would say that's a good thing, but it's not very much fun. My arms are resting on the laptop, and every now and then my sleeve brushes the touch pad, which sends the scroll bar wild. Deep sigh. At least I can breathe again. I am, however, grateful. Norma confirmed it. Not the appendix. Whew. Thank God. Just my own stupidity at my own denial that I am not 25, and not, despite some popular opinion, superwoman. I'll head home tonight and hope i can get that lid open on the hot tub. Norma said, "how old are you, my dear? 92? " "No", I said. "192". Or so that's how it feels. Sigh again. This too shall pass...but it will be a while.

Starting at ....hmmm, where?

2009-02-16T18:31:00.004-07:00

I'm tired, but my brain is spinning so I guess I should post. Maybe it will give me some clarity.

J and I went to Albuquerque yesterday, so he could fly away this morning, and so he did. I then went about my list, and number one was a visit to his mom. She's great by the way. She lured me to see her newly installed, less than new, computer, and sat down. Uh oh. I leaned over her till she was afraid that I would end up looking "like an apostrophe", and then took her seat. For starters, starting is sooo slow, one could nap while waiting for it to load. (Wow, am I spoiled or what? with my (not new anymore) Core(TM)2 Duo processor and 2GB RAM..I've no patience anymore for a 1200Mhz Celeron with 256mgs RAM) Guess I better go digging in my closet.......

She's learning to go online, and use email. The whole business of doing that is perplexing to her and I'd been home for an hour and half (it's a three hour drive) when the phone rang. I took care to put everything she regularly needs, on her desktop, and showed her how to open, minimize and close them. Oh dear. I have a new empathy for those tech support dudes who have to try to diagnose what's happening when we say things like, "well, when I click on the blue thingy with the rainbow colors, nothing happens!"

Oh no...don't get me wrong, my mother-in-law, miss Jane, is a delight. The sheer fact that she's really trying to give it a go with the computer, is almost miraculous, and I REALLY don't want to discourage that!

I did notice that her arthritis twisted hand was really having a hard time with the mouse. hmm. is there a better tool? She does ok with the touch pad on a laptop, but right now, has a desktop and a typical ms mouse and keyboard. I have a spare track ball, but I'm not sure that would be any better for her. I'll have to take it down there and see. Any ideas? Please comment and let me know. The answer to "nothing happens when I click here" is that the curser wasn't really there when she clicked, and then when it was, she couldn't really (double) click fast enough (my, the things we take for granted!)

I put solitaire on her desktop and told her to play, hoping that the practice would help her with the mouse. It was ok till she inadvertently closed it. oops. Can you hear the phone ringing?

Too bad mouse pads aren't "touch pads"! hmmm...interesting idea...anybody make one?

I bet there are a whole lot of finger-mobility challenged people who could use something like that!

As for me, I need a massage and good night's sleep. At the hotel last night I woke up every time the heater (two feet from my side of the bed) came on (at about every half hour). Then there was the smoke detector in some room other than ours that kept going off. Not the beep beep beep of a low battery. But the Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.......(ad inifinitum) of one that's been triggered. I pulled a spare pillow from the floor and covered my head. ack. No wonder I left Jane with questions about how to open a new game of solitaire!

So, I'm hoping it will dump snow tonight so that i can't get out. I know, I know. Not what I usually say. But I have long list of things that need to be done here at home...and J is gone...and it's the perfect time to get busy. Maybe I'll just play hooky anyway.....Wait...I'm the owner...if I'm not there, the gallery is not open. Sigh. Guess not. The list will have to wait a bit longer. I have paintings to paint and videos to record and edit. Oh, and grant proposals to finish and .........
good grief. I better stop now or I'll overwhelm myself! Good night, friends. Let me know if you know of a way to help Ms. Jane. Thanks.

Bail Out Blinders

2009-02-09T15:26:00.004-07:00

I have my bail out blinders on. Can't stand to listen to the news anymore. Spend, spend, spend and benefit a few, but not any of us who do the right thing, fight like hell to pay the mortgage on time, borrow from peter to pay paul every day of the month, struggling to keep that credit score well above 7. There will be nothing for us. Once again penalized by the politicians for being a stand up person and doing the right thing. It makes me sick.

I called the mortgage company, to see if they'd work out a lower rate. Nothing doing. Know why? because I'm not behind. I can't refinance because I'd never qualify in the current credit debacle, so, because I've done the right thing, I'm screwed. How upside down is that!?!

Deep sigh. Ok, I'm done with the rant. I'll turn my thoughts back to the task at hand which is the development of www.katherinesarttv.tv and www.myarttv.tv (not up yet). I'm recording everything I do every time I pick up a pencil or a brush. My camera's hard drive is almost full, so probably this week I'll start editing video. While it is time consuming work, I'm excited when I'm at that because I'm excited about these sites and getting them fully operational. From the 10 or 12 hours I have recorded right now, I'll probably get 3 or 4 videos, all on watercolor. In the next set I'll focus on fun techniques but that's probably at least a week off.

It's way more soothing to ponder watercolor, and better yet to pick up that brush. Unfortunately my home studio is still a disaster zone and my brushes and paints are at the gallery. I guess that's ok, because the dryer is beconning. Back to domestic duty. Important stuff, you know, laundry. So off I go.

Superbowl Sunday thoughts

2009-02-01T13:20:00.002-07:00

A last minute once over clean up ensued first thing this morning, since we decided about 12 hours earlier to host a game party. We've never been big football fans, but as we were watching a recorded NCIS on the 80 inch projection screen, we said, "hmmm...."

So, phone calls made and friends coming over, thank goodness I have Robie. That's how we affectionately refer to our Roomba (vacuuming robot). I refer to him as he, even though he has a she voice. No, it's not a transvestite vacuum...It's just silly. But he does do a good job, as long as I've remembered to empty and clean him after the last job. Even that's not a big deal, because he reminds me, "beep beep, please remove and clean Roomba's brushes" or "beep, beep, beep please inspect and clean Roomba's cliff sensor (so he doesn't fall down the stairs).

Anyway, I turn him to go on, and he runs around the house sucking up all the dog hair and debris which gives me time to clean the bathrooms (joy) and, oh...up...post on my blog. gotta love that!

So..I won't pontificate about who will win. To be honest, I don't even know who's playing. There you go..my true Artist self showing through again. At any rate, we'll have fun....and I hope you do too!

Painting in Progress

2009-01-31T13:34:00.004-07:00

Ok, so I thought since I talked about the piece I'm working on, I would show you the current status. so, here's a pic. The angle is a little wierd because I took it with my webcam, but you can get the idea. And they are, as a result of the webcam..reversed, so that's kind of funny! oh well. I'll show you the finished piece when its done, and you will be able to see the difference.

This has about 5 glazes on it..except for the steeple which only has one..so you can see the difference.
It's fun, but time consuming. and if you're not carefuly, the newest layer will lift the layer below it!

So, stay tuned and I'll put it up when its done!

Quiet Saturday

2009-01-31T12:34:00.003-07:00

It's Saturday and lovely, though cool outside. I guess everyone is out on the mountain enjoying the fresh powder, cuz they certainly aren't here! The up side of that is that I've been working hard on my next commissioned piece..and recording it. It will be a long video, so I'll likely release a small segment on youtube and then refine the rest for a full lesson on katherinesarttv.tv

I got the membership software installed and the initial free videos and posts up already, now comes the hard part of recording all the videos! It takes about 9 hours of video recording to get a full hour of indepth content and lesson. At least I can do what i love while I'm recording.....Paint!

So, despite the fact that it is still January, I've broken the block and have been painting most of the last two days. The piece I'm working on is an 18 x 18 watercolor on canvas of a Northern New Mexico church. Painting watercolor on canvas requires many many layers so I've been working on it for about 30 hours already, but not altogether of course, as the layers have to dry in between application.

Speaking of which..it's time to get back to it.

What is it about January?

2009-01-27T16:13:00.002-07:00

Hmmm. I'm stuck. Advice please. Most of the time, I'm an endless stream of passion to paint, dreaming of the next painting, and the next and the next. Moved to moodiness and, my husband would say, grumpiness, if i can't pick up the brush.

Then comes January. Stymied, but not sullen. Optimistic in the midst of debilitating economic forcasts. But finding a million things to do....BUT paint. Are there weird ions in the air in January? Is it the snow flying out my window? All this indoor time, shouldn't I be running to the canvas/paper/scratchboard?

I'm supposed to be recording all those strokes I make. The camera is poised on the tripod. The light focused on the canvas on the table below, but off; the brushes at the ready, even the water containers are full. But the palette is closed. And I am typing on the laptop. Good grief, what is wrong with this picture?

I have a growing stack of commission to do. This is a good thing. So, what's quashing my passion? Any ideas? I'd love to whack it out of the way.....

Georgeous here!

2009-01-24T14:07:00.004-07:00

wow. January and the temp is 41. May be cold to you...but it's regular heat wave! Hoping for more snow as the warm temps have been slowly eroding the pack we had...but the Resort is working hard to keep it great for the skiers! Not being a skier myself, I rely on what my friends say and they say it's good.

When I drove home yesterday the dirt road that leads to my house was a veritable river. While we're enjoying the moderate temps...we are a ski town. Need that snow. Hoping it comes soon as is forecast. It's kind of unpredictable here in Northern New Mexico.

Not skiing...but painting. Have a line up of commissions to do (yay!) and figured I'd better get started. Not procrastinating, exactly...for some reason I find it hard to paint in January. No explanation. But I did get started anyway.

Had a rare visit with my dear friends Nancy and Art. Sweet.

Tonight I'll go to the Jack Ingram Concert with the girls. It's been decades since I was at a live concert. Got my boots on. Ok, so they not cowboy boots. I'm not exactly a country girl...

Painting is dry. Back to it...

Bright and Glorious? I hope so

2009-01-18T14:10:00.007-07:00

All eyes are on Washington, D.C. where our 44th President is about to take office. You can't turn on the television, the radio or pick up a newspaper and not know it. There is hope tangible in the air. I must admit, that I feel the buzz even when I'm trying hard to paint. (what is it about January? I have commissions stacking up and the canvas on my table is white.....)

So, it's my day off. I thought I'd have a leisurely day for a change. We had friends in for dinner last night, lots of laughs and the dog (Grace) soaked up enough attention to last at least 10 minutes. (grin)

I got up and hit the button on the espresso machine and inhaled deeply as the crema formed in the cup. Ahh, a day off.

It wouldn't be long before it was clear that the pipe from the toilet to the septic was, um frozen. I glanced at the outdoor thermometer. Oh, no. 5 degrees. Deep sigh.

So, the morning was devoted to every trick I've learned. First the plunger. Nada. Then the snake. Nope. Then the hot water poured into the nearby drains that were still operating. It took nearly 3 hours.

It made me wonder about a couple of things....like those 7000 port-a-potties dotting (ugh) the otherwise beautiful landscape on the Nation's Mall. Not that it isn't necessary, but, Egad.

Then I pondered the fact that HBO "bought" the exclusive right to broadcast the opening concert at the Lincoln Memorial. I say, NOT FAIR!

The inauguration of the President is the celebration of THE PEOPLE.

I canceled my HBO service long ago, and now I wish I hadn't, just so I could do it again. It is OUR party! We should all be able to partake, even if it is on the screen in our living room or at the local gathering place, if not able to be there live.

I think the committee that SOLD the rights of the people to HBO should take every last dime and give it to all the people who have filed for unemployment in the last 2 months. I realize, 2 million is peanuts and wouldn't go very far. It's the point. And I'd love it if everyone would cancel their HBO. Not that I think either will happen. The stench is overwhelming.

Now, my toilets are flushing, the sky is blue, I've have a glass of wine and I'll settle down. The real game begins on Wednesday, after all.

Snowing, again...but that's ok....

2009-01-04T13:33:00.005-07:00

Thank God 2008 is gone..high hopes for 2009!

2009-01-01T13:46:00.005-07:00

In thinking back over the past year, my high point was my low point. The struggle to decide to move my gallery was the 800 pound gorrilla in my life. In the interlude, while we were in Mexico (how gloriously providential that it was provided and paid for well in advance) was also both. Coming to the realization that the continuous struggle to monetize my passion, and promote and make the artists in my gallery successful had so weighted me that I was exhausted even to stand up was an earth-shattering understanding to me. Finding a way back was tenuous and scary for me. I had lost sight of the goal and been overwhelmed by the task of getting there. When? I'm not sure, but sure that I couldn't see the forest for the trees.

Being away from it all, no phone, often no internet, no gallery, cleared the windsheild of my soul and let me see it. Then the question was, do i let it go and walk away? or do I let it go and hang on for dear life to see where it would take me.

I guess by now you know I chose the latter. I can't explain the sense of well-being or the upward bend of the corners of my mouth. If I listen to the pundits on TV I'll be out of business by the end of the first quarter of 09. For some reason, I just don't believe that.

And so, Happy New Year.

I'm working on a new website, by the way. I'm working on a 26 week (or more ) course in drawing and painting. Video instruction. I'm laying out the curriculum and researching hosts and how to offer it. I'll start recording as soon as next week. Drawing will come first, since that is really the foundation of every good painting, even the ones that get drawn with a brush. Watch for news of it and I'll send the links to it from here, so follow this blog with the link on the right.

And for now, the sun is shining and the sky is clear. I'm unabashedly optimistic and moving forward like it matters. My resolution? I don't really have one, but I am setting new goals and ways to reach them. May you reach yours too.

bright, clear and cold!

2008-12-28T12:22:00.003-07:00

What a difference a day makes. Yesterday's bluster and bucking bronco like drive up the county road (THAT was an experience!) have given way to bright sun and a temperature of 18. Hurrah for the County Road team who was out early this morning...and yes, on a Sunday! Twice yesterday I was stuck on the road behind a city car mired in the 12-14" drifts blocking the road. It mean I spent more time sitting in the car, going nowhere, than I did at the gallery!

The road was a disaster, and even in my all wheel drive in 1st (low) gear sputtered and spun as the snow ground under my super tires. I'm praying the stillness will prevail the winds will not rise again before I have to go out tomorrow. It's the winds that made the mess, and I'm happy to be rid of all the positive ions they generate. It's a much more pleasant and productive day that finds me once again at this keyboard.

Happy sigh and may the weather hold!

Nothing Else to Do but Ponder and Post

2008-12-26T14:28:00.012-07:00

I know, it's a record. I've never posted this much in one day, let alone one week! I can't help it. Look: Remember, there is a lake and mountains normally in this view from my living room window. What else am I gonna do, but post.....laundry? uh-huh. no energy for THAT! Cleaning? Not likely. I did a good once over before our guest(s) arrived yesterday. Actually, only one made it. The other two got stuck and gave up, headed home like wise ducks. The one that came had a delightful dinner, and then got stuck. You'd think I would've seen the trend and got the message, right? Not so much.

I have a huge amount of energy and no where for it to go. I know, I know, I could clean and reorganize. It's not that kind of energy..and don't mock me for saying so.....i need to create to explode in color and prose and so, since my studio is an utter disaster, I'm writing.

My studio recently became the repository for all things in the "what do we do with this?" category as we work through the house to clear the clutter and make room for freshness and cleanliness. Not funny, just worked out that way. I suppose on some level I loathed it anyway and so it was the natural choice for the chaos it has become. Why did I loathe it? That is the deeper question and I'm sure I'll come face to face with it soon.

For starters, it's cold. It's the room furthest away from the heat sources, on the North side of the house.

It has a great view of Wheeler Peak, and good light. I think part of it is that there is just entirely too much stuff in it. So, see that desk and hutch and chair? I think I'll sell it. I know, it's hard to see for all the extraneous stuff. and my painting cart is parked in the middle of the room...I moved it because it has various flammable substances on it and there is now a heater parked in the doorway to, theoretically, warm the room so I can venture in to it to begin the clean up. Of course, the scenario will likely be, that the room won't warm enough today to begin, so I'll close the door and it will cool down and tomorrow I'll (hopefully) be back at the gallery. Ah, the saga continues.

oops, time to go. The stomach is rumbling. Anybody need a desk?

Got out, White Out, back in.

2008-12-26T13:53:00.003-07:00

Wow. What a nightmare! I loaded up and left here at 1pm. It is now 1:44 and I am back home. I got to the road and by the time I'd gotten past the blue dumpsters I knew it was a mistake. By that time there was nowhere to turn around, the plows having left barely one lane and snow piled 6 feet or more high on either side. I made it to the highway in 1st gear. The highway was blocked, littered with vehicles and backhoes trying to get them out. The county road people gave up and were sitting idle. Visibility was at 20 feet when good. 0 during a blinding gust. I backed into the only clear driveway at the last house there at the highway and waited while the two vehicles behind me pulled forward so I could pull out and they could pull in to turn around. It took me 40 minutes to get down 8/10 of mile to the highway, and back up. It was very tense and now I'm here and poured myself a glass of wine. If I had gotten out, I'm not sure at all that I could get back, given the rate of accumulation and wind.

I guess opening the gallery today just isn't in the cards for me. It looks like I need a condo in Angel Fire. In this economy...what's cheaper, a condo nearby the gallery or an employee who lives near the gallery? Ack. I think I'll ponder cheerier things.

Oh, look....there's the County dozer. Working at it again. Bless him! Still, I'm staying put. Maybe tomorrow is a brighter day for moving around!

Stuck

2008-12-26T10:44:00.005-07:00

Woops. Ok, so yes, it's been snowing and blowing since yesterday morning. I walked out this morning and saw only 4 or 5 new inches, so I loaded up the car and backed out. Ok so far. I pulled around and headed toward the road, in low gear, all wheel drive and slow. As I neared the road I started sliding. I turned the opposite direction, but to no avail, swish, plunk, my right front end slid into the ditch at the end of my driveway.

Sigh. Apparently there is a good layer of ice beneath the snow. Sigh. The day after Christmas and I can't get out to open the gallery. Sigh. Well, so here I am posting and waiting. Might as well relax a bit. So...Merry Christmas!

My how the Snow is flying!

2008-12-23T15:34:00.003-07:00

I'm at the gallery right now. It's 3:34 and I've been here for an hour. The snow has literally been flying, for hours, nay, days. There is so much snow in my front yard (a combination of accumulation, roof slide and where it is blown and pushed from the driveway clearing) that we can't see out the windows anymore. It's at about 5 1/2 feet. Pretty soon it will match the bottom level of the roof line. Uh-oh, what then? Where does the snow come off? hmmmm....I see pulling snow in my future. sigh.

It's been kind of tough keeping normal hours at the gallery. Ok, nearly impossible. At any rate, I'm here now and glancing outside at the snow flying again. I think I'll head out around 4 or so if I don't see any activity here. Go to the website folks...always open...snow or not!

When I get home I'll take a picture and post it. wow. lots of snow.

White Out

2008-12-18T16:04:00.004-07:00

I'm largely settled in, in the new gallery. I love it...love the energy...it feels warm and elegant. I'd like to think I'm done, though there are still about 30 boxes of miscellanea upstairs awaiting my attention. I was going to do that today but was told to "go home" by the powers that be and many locals who watch out for me. The weather outside is frightful...it took 40 minutes to make the 15 minute drive home! White out. Which is funny because all the weather know it alls say "light snow possible." In 4 hours Angel Fire village got 4 or more inches (at least, that's what I trudged through to get to my car. And it was blowing at 40 mph all the way up highways 434 and 64. So much for going to the Rotary Club's Wine Tasting Benefit tonight...I'll forego that jaunt and pour myself a glass of my favorite budget red, Concha Y Toro Cabernet/Merlot blend.

I looked at the Resorts Snow total. No way. It said "0" inches in the past 24 hours. I know that there are about 50 micro-climates in 12 miles in this valley, but come on..really? If it was 4 or 5 inches around my car in the village...surely there's more new powder on those slopes!

Anyway..the wind is still sending the flakes flying against the screen doors, turning them from black to white checked images reminiscent of a greeting card. Speaking of which..I haven't got there yet. Sorry friends...maybe you'll get a New Year's card from us!

In the meantime, I think I'll light a fire. Sounds toasty. Stay warm!

Winter storms and contemplations

2008-12-15T14:24:00.005-07:00

Good grief. The photo at the top is what it looked like out the living room window last evening. The skies had cleared to a crisp cold 5 degrees and we were huddled by the fire. Sometime in the middle of the night the storm swirled back down....and this is what it looks like now..... Gone are the lake and the mountains behind it. It looks like a dense white cloud...but it's snow, and lots of it. The temperature is hanging at 23 and the heat is working overtime. No solar help today!

Just learned the Girls Night Out dinner has been canceled. A wise choice, I'm sure, but a bummer! Guess I'll thaw some chicken and make a good green chile chicken stew. It's a good night for it and it will make John feel better. He's been achy and down all day. Weather and temps like this do that to him. Makes me pine for Puerto Vallarta, and this view:

Ahhh...

Soothing....but now the washing machine is calling me and tomorrow I'm back at the gallery and praying for customers!

Home for sure and brrrrrr!

2008-12-14T11:19:00.004-07:00

23 degrees and snowing. Yup, tis' looking like Christmas. Indeed, we drove home in snow with John leaning out the window to tell me where the edge of the road was! Believe me, it was tempting to put it in reverse and get back on that airplane! We've been home for a couple of weeks now and the snow is back. I can almost hear the cheering coming from the Resort! Speaking of the Resort....You gotta come take a look at the renovations. The hotel is now downright beautiful....on the outside. The inside comes next, and not soon enough...but it's all very exciting. Feeling optimistic about the Resort and Angel Fire..it's a great feeling and not one most of us are accustomed to! They also have a great line up of entertainment and fun planned for the Holiday season. Check it out at www.angelfireresort.com

So, since we got back I jumped in to getting the gallery prepared and open. We (my volunteers Al, Jacqui and Sylvia and I) painted ceilings...I painted the walls too, got the track lights installed (thanks, Doug!) and phone and DSL now work! The Gallery opening on Friday Nite was a blast and packed....YAY! Now that people are finding me in the new space I'm eager to get busy! I'm closed today and tomorrow (gotta get some laundry done!) so I'm trying to get back in sync with all the stuff of life that I have to keep up with! Oh if only I could clone myself! I must say, my roomba helps though! Wonder how I ever lived with out it!

So lets see, the next special event will be a "Shopping Extravaganza" in Angel Fire. Monday, December 22. Officially from 5pm - 8 pm but at the INN Center we'll be serving up tasty food starting at about noon. The Corner Bookstore will host the food and you can catch some cider and mulled wine at the Galleries. We'll have door prizes and specials, so if you're going to be in Angel Fire, put it on your calendar and set your iphone to remind you! I'll see you soon!