At The Montage

August 8, 2018Leave a comment

At the Montage 9″ X 12″

It has been over two weeks since I painted spontaneously from the easel. Since my vacation to Laguna Beach, I have been busy in the studio catching up on some commission work. So when my student came in this morning after a trip to Colorado, it was a perfect time to get us both back in the swing of paint to canvas or in this case paint to vellum paper.

A quick intuitive study on paper is one of my favorite ways to loosen up after a long absence from regular painting. I call them my early morning studies, a truly spontaneous recollection of a moment in time. This is where I catch a feeling of a memory, and put it to paper.

One of the things I love about Laguna Beach is the free trolley that runs the coast and all the way up to the Pageant of the Masters and Art Festivals. My husband and I and our good friends had a day to explore before the Pageant so hopping on the Trolley was the way to go. We took the line almost to the end and jumped off at the Montage Resort. The Montage is a spectacular spot of coast line with amazing views, tucked away south-facing beaches, perfect for snorkeling; and it has immaculate grounds with specimen flora that beg to be touched and smelled. It also has well-groomed walking paths along the coast, and a beautiful veranda to sip a cold drink after your walk.

So it is no wonder that I painted a spot along the walking path that lead down to the beach, that was full of Bougainville and beautiful vistas. I remembered thinking that the next trip I will be sure to bring my easel and do some plein-aire painting; but for now I must be content with my memories.

As I see it, Pam

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PASSING THROUGH ON THE WAY…

September 20, 2017September 20, 2017Leave a comment

“Passing Through On The Way” 9″ X 12″ on 150 lb. pressed paper

Half way through my 30 in 30 challenge and the last half will be a bit more tasking since I have the Studio Tour coming up in two weeks. But that is another story and today I am still finding creativity oozing out of me. It has been fun experimenting with different color palettes. Fuchsia was todays color choice. I think I have painted mesas in every color imaginable, so today was no exception.

As for the reason I painted them Fuchsia… What could be more exciting than driving miles down I-40 through Arizona and New Mexico heading on the way to somewhere. You got the idea. I have traveled this route many times and the collective memories are etched in my brain. I have been thinking about a road trip after the Studio Tour, which lead me to remember the comforting rhythm of the car wheels traveling down such roads. The topography is mesas, hundreds of mesas. Mostly brown, but when the sun hits them just right, they magically turn beautiful colors. So todays fuchsia becomes mesas and the familiar cadence of a road trip.

Traveling in my mind’s eye… one painting at a time.

VERGA, STORMS IN THE HIGH DESERT

September 4, 2017Leave a comment

“Verga” 9″ X 12″ acrylic on paper

The monsoons are winding down, and we will have fewer of them as we move through September, our greatest chance for a nice storm will be this week. I love when they blossom into steady rain for our parched deserts here in the Southwest. No, I don’t want flooding like our dear friends in Houston have experienced just a nice gentle rain. I love the anticipation of their approach, the verga in the distance collecting over the mesas and foot hills, the feeling of moisture on your skin and the smell of sage and soil. This is when Arizona is the most beautiful.

The above painting, #3 in my 30 paintings in 30 days challenge, depicts this beautiful feeling in some of my favorite colors; turquoise and magenta. So onward with my challenge. I will be painting in the studio on this Labor Day holiday, enjoying the clouds building up in the distance with an expectation of sweet rain returning this coming week.

If you enjoy this blog please follow along and if you love this painting you may see more like it here.

Follow my journey through the Southwest one painting at a time.

VERGA

Original acrylic painting. 9″ X 12″ on vellum paper, matted in white to 12" X 16" and ready to frame.

$75.00

30 IN 30

September 1, 2017September 1, 2017Leave a comment

“On The Veranda” 9″ X 12″ Acrylic on Paper

Today starts my 30 paintings in 30 days challenge. I thought I would start off with an inspiration from my North Rim Grand Canyon trip. This view is looking out over the West Veranda of the Lodge. A favorite place to gaze in the early morning waiting for the buffet line to open for breakfast.

I love the colors and the dramatic contrast that the morning light forms on the canyon walls. It never ceases to amaze me, just stick around for a while and watch what happens when the angle of the sun changes or a cloud passes over the canyon, it is like a whole different place.

All of my 30 in 30 paintings will be 9″ X 12″ acrylic on paper unframed. Selling at the low price of $45.00. I want everyone to have the opportunity to purchase an original piece of art that can be enhanced with a standard off the shelf frame. For those who are familiar with my work know that a painting this size done on gallery wrap canvas would be selling for $135.00. So take advantage of the offer when a favorite piece pops up in the blog in the next 30 days. They are one of a kind and when sold no prints will be available.

Shipping is free in the USA.

So enjoy my blog as I paint the Southwest one adventure at a time. Pam

On The Veranda

9" X 12" Acrylic on paper. Original one of a kind art

$45.00

MONSOON SUNRISE

July 27, 2017Leave a comment

“PRESCOTT SUNRISE” 16″ X 16″

I so love the monsoon storms that grace our Arizona Skies this time of year. The cloud formations make such beautiful sunrises and sunsets. The front of my studio faces east so each morning I can watch the sunrise. They are magnificent this time of year. In all the years I have been painting I have painted a plethora of sunsets but never a sunrise so this was the time. I love how it turned out.

All the vegetation was done with a fan brush, one of my favorite tools. To create the depth and density of the shrubs and trees I used varying hues of blue and green. After these colors dried I added a reflection of the sunrise colors to the tips of some of the bushes.

This one is not for sale but if you want to see other beauties click here.

Road Tripping Again

July 7, 2017Leave a comment

“New Mexico Sunset” 11″ X 14″

I recently got back from another road trip to Santa Fe, one of my favorite places. We traveled with great friends which made it all the better. I always get inspired when I travel to New Mexico whether it is Taos, or Santa Fe I especially love Northern New Mexico. We spent a day at the Georgia O’Keeffe museum and wandered through many of the local galleries. Of course we visited the Loretto Chapel and St. Francis Cathedral and the oldest church in the United States.

I meet a kindred Spirit and fellow artist Tom McGee check him out at https://www.tommcgeeart.com

We stayed in a sweet little place called the “Inn of The Governors” I highly recommend it. The trip was always way to short but I came home with tons of artistic creativity bursting out of me. So I spent some time in the studio this week and created a new road trip painting. It is a composite of my friend Carole’s sunset photograph and a photo I took on the drive home. The monsoons were just starting to kick in and the sunsets were incredible.

If you are interested in this painting or any of my other road trip series just click here.

If you are interested in your own custom Road Trip painting of your favorite memory just comment below

PARK AVENUE ART

May 20, 2017May 20, 20171 Comment

“Crane Crossing” 24″ X 24″

I have recently been given the opportunity to teach what I love, ART. This year I wrote an aggressive business plan for my company. I must admit that when I was through with it I wondered how this would all come about. My bottom line is that I wanted to make a living doing what I love best, ART.

I decided that I would trust in my partner God, and that I would take all opportunities that he set in front of me. Not only do I sell my art but I teach it. I have a small base of students that take lessons from me; I also run workshops 4 times a year. I have wanted to do more of this work, but have never had enough space in my studio to accommodate a large group.

God has set before me the opportunity to run a thriving school to teach visual arts. It is at a space very familiar to me. Park Avenue Arts, it is where Park Avenue Theater has git’s roots, and where I have designed sets for many years. It also houses Debbie Place who teaches vocal lessons and will be adding Le Anne Lawhead, who teaches flute. Both these ladies are prominent in their fields. I now have the opportunity to teach visual arts in a great space and will start by filling a visual art curriculum for home-schooled students. I will also be doing one day painting retreats for adults and youth.

In July I will be teaching a two-day workshop, “Creating Positive-Energy Art”. This is the perfect time to experience the cool summer breezes of the Arizona mountains. We can spill out unto the creek side park for some Plein Air painting. I am just loving the energy this space creates. Trinity Presbyterian Church has created this Art Center to fill a gap, a nurturing place for both children and adults to find their passions, their way in life and the opportunity to grow closer to God.

To sign up for my workshop or to find out about other artistic opportunities contact me HERE.

HEADING THROUGH THE DESERT

May 12, 2017May 13, 2017Leave a comment

“Heading Through The Desert” from my “road trip” series

Sometimes the most memorable, road trips are those closest to home, the day trips. Being that I live in Arizona that usually means traveling through the desert to get someplace. There is a certain beauty about the desert. The arid plateau, bursts forth with wildflowers after a life-giving rain. That is when I love it the most. The distant mesas of the southwest, give the desert form and beauty. I become one with the creation.

Those of you who love to road trip have a plethora of beautiful memories. I can take that memory and bring it to life as a custom painting for your home. My standard size is 11″ X 14″, but I will create a bigger size for that special place. All you need to do is contact me HERE. Drop me a comment and we will make it happen.

So here’s to Road Tripping, enjoying life and expressing myself one painting at a time.

If you love road tripping or want to see more of my beautiful art join my blog or visit my website.

Road To Port San Luis

April 24, 2017April 25, 2017Leave a comment

This recent painting was done for my “Road Trip” series. The inspiration comes from my trip to the Central Coast of California and my stopover in Avila Beach. I took this picture from San Luis Bay Inn. It is perched high above this road and the ocean below. From here you have magnificent views of Port San Luis and the harbor. On this beautiful day many of the fishing boats were out to sea with only a few moored.

I really love painting these small studies, and the memories that bring back times of pleasure and relaxation. I love to take road trips for the inspiration and the regeneration that they provide. I always feel full of creativity after a short road trip.

I get lost in the creative process, and visualizing my memories. Telling my story, and putting it on canvas makes me feel as if I am traveling again. Jot me a line and send me a picture and I will help you bring your memories back to life. Just tell me your story and let’s see how the two of use working together can create a memory for your home.

If you like this blog or want to see more of my beautiful paintings to purchase stop by my website and join my newsletter for more road trip stories and paintings.

Cruising the Coast

April 17, 2017April 17, 2017Leave a comment

“Cruising The Coast” Acrylic Study on 11′ X 14″ canvas

I could paint this picture blind folded, well actually maybe not but this stretch of the California Rte 101 is etched in my memory. I commuted to work on this byway for nine years. OK, in the painting I omitted the hotels, homes and restaurants that dot the shore, but I prefer to paint the coast in its pristine beginnings. All those hotels, and homes have created traffic on the 101 and that is one of the reasons I no longer live there. These days I prefer my small mountain town to crazy California traffic jams.

I do miss my ocean breezes and the smell of the salt air, walking the beach and fresh seafood, I could go on and on…. So our last road trip was back to the old stomping grounds around Pismo Beach. It was perfect timing corresponding with my new “Road Trip” series which I started this spring and will work on through the summer and into the fall. I hope to have a sweet slugh of painting about road tripping since it is one of the things I like to do best. Road tripping gives me great inspiration for painting my positive-energy art, and many of these small studies will be inspirations for larger paintings.

So heres to Road Tripping, enjoying life and expressing myself one painting at a time.