ART by CAROL ADAMEC: July 2013

Thursday, July 25, 2013

To the Quiet Place #3

In the Quiet Place, 2013. Original oil on linen panel, painted en plein air.

Due to the long drought and the potential for wildfires throughout New Mexico, most public lands, open spaces, and recreation sites have been closed this summer. And those are just the places plein air artists go to paint outdoors.

Fortunately, one of my favorite locations, Coronado State Monument, is still open to visitors. So off I went to Bernalillo on Wednesday morning, via the pre-1937 Route 66, enjoying a sunny, pleasant drive to spend a few hours working en plein air.

A few hours later, I was glad that I had chosen a small 4"x6" panel to paint on, when a big plop of rain splashed on my palette and a deep rumble sounded from the gathering clouds. Fortunately, the painting was nearly completed when I closed up my paintbox and hurried to my car as the temperature dropped and the wind picked up. The brewing storm cut loose as I was driving home.

Living in the Southwest one quickly learns that you never complain about rain in the desert. It was a good day.

Thanks for visiting my blog and enjoy your day.

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To the Quiet Place #3 , measuring 4" x 6", is painted in oil on a linen panel, varnished and ready to frame or display on a small easel. Available for purchase on ETSY at www.ArtByCarolAdamec.ETSY.com.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Afternoon Arroyo

Afternoon Arroyo, 2013. Original oil on linen panel, 4" x 6".

I'm finally getting around to finishing up the three small oil quick sketches I painted during the plein air workshop I took in Santa Fe last month. Can you tell from the painting that it was a hot day in Santa Fe?

Thanks for visiting my blog and I hope you are keeping cool!

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Afternoon Arroyo, measuring 4" x 6", is painted in oil on a linen panel, varnished and ready to frame or display on a mini-easel. Available for purchase on ETSY at www.ArtByCarolAdamec.ETSY.com.

Saturday, July 13, 2013

To the Quiet Place...Again.

To the Quiet Place #2, original oil on panel, painted en plein air.

Last weekend the Plein Air Painters of New Mexico gathered on Sunday morning to paint together. I was happy to arrive right at 8:30am when the park opened, and planned to finish up by noon, before the afternoon heat.

Just as I was putting the final touches on my painting, the most wonderful clouds formed over the mountains. Well, who could leave those out of their painting? So I took a little extra time and added in clouds.

Thanks for visiting my blog and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

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To the Quiet Place #2 , measuring 6" x 8", is painted in oil on an Italian canvas panel, varnished and ready to frame. Available for purchase on ETSY at www.ArtByCarolAdamec.ETSY.com.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Santa Fe Trees

Santa Fe Trees, painted en plein air. Oil on panel 6x8

A few weekends ago I took a plein air workshop in Santa Fe. On Saturday we painted in the arroyo behind Museum Hill, and it was in quite warm, in the high 80's. On Sunday we painted up in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains above Santa Fe, where we enjoyed temperatures in the low 70's. I was glad I had taken an extra paint shirt to wear.

Santa Fe Trees was painted up in the cool of the mountains. where it is quite green with abundant trees—especially ponderosa pines and aspens. It will be lovely to return there in the fall, when the aspens are decked out in their golden yellow leaves.

Thanks for visiting my blog and enjoy your day. Keep cool!

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Santa Fe Trees, measuring 8" x 6", is painted in oil on Italian canvas panel, varnished and ready to frame. Available for purchase on ETSY at www.ArtByCarolAdamec.ETSY.com.

Monday, July 1, 2013

Paying Attention

Day Lilies, 2013. Oil on linen panel, 5" x 3"

"In paying attention one begins to notice that each moment has its own beauty."

—Julia Cameron, from The Artist's Way

I have been staying home the past week. With temperatures ranging from 100 to 105 degrees in Albuquerque, it's been way too warm to go to my (un-air conditioned) studio—even if it is a "dry heat."

One afternoon I happened to look out the window to the patio, where a bouquet of bright orange daylilies were blooming against the adobe wall. How lovely! despite the heat. I got out my oils and, from the cool comfort of the great indoors, did the little "plein air" painting posted here today.