Happy New Year!

Rising Moon, 2014. Original mixed media painting.
SOLD (Harwood Art Center 12x12 Auction)

Christmas Eve, New Mexico Style

San Felipe de Neri Church, Albuquerque, NM built in 1793.

What a lovely Christmas Eve...strolling with friends and family through Albuquerque's Old Town Plaza, wandering in and out of shops, buying last minute holiday gifts and taking refuge from the crisp chill of a winter evening.

Luminarias—small paper bags filled partially with sand to anchor lit candles—outline the Southwestern rooflines of the Plaza shops, buildings, streets and sidewalks, providing a soft golden glow beneath twinkling stars and a thin crescent moon overhead.

In the courtyard of San Felipe de Neri Church, several black faced sheep and a wooly donkey munch on hay, awaiting the midnight mass re-enactment of the Nativity story, while a choir of local singers fill the air with traditional Christmas carols.

Peace and Blessings to All on this Nochebuena.

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Text and photo ©2014 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Autumn Twilight

Autumn Leaves #9 (Twilight), 2014.
Original, Oil on Cartonboard, mounted on panel, 6"x4".
SOLD

New Mexico has the most gorgeous twilight skies, like the one in this Autumn Leaf painting.

Thanks for taking a look!

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Text and image ©2014 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Eye Dazzlers in Nature

Autumn Leaf #8 (Turquoise Sky), 2014. Oil on carton panel, 4" x 6".
SOLD

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."

—Albert Camus

Another red leaf, with a turquoise sky in the background! 

Thanks for taking a look. Enjoy a wonderful week.

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Image and text ©Carol L Adamec, 2014. All rights reserved.

Cottonwood Yellow

Autumn Leaf #7 (Cottonwood Yellow), 2014.

Original oil painting on cartonboard, mounted on panel, 6" x6"
SOLD

There are several cottonwood trees in the neighborhood where I live—most quite large and undoubtedly quite old. I am sure a few of them were here long before the conquistadores ventured into this area.

There are two cottonwoods on the property I rent. Over the past two months they have changed from green to light yellow, to golden, to deep yellow, almost orange, with most of the leaves still on the trees.

I went out in the yard a few days ago and picked up a leaf to paint. It's nice to have something so colorful right outside your door, waiting to be painted.

Thanks for taking a look. Enjoy your day.

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Image & text ©Carol L Adamec, 2014. All rights reserved.

Red Leaf

Autumn Leaf #6 (Red Leaf), 2014. Original oil on gessoed panel, 6"x6".
SOLD

"And all the lives we ever lived 

and all the lives to be 

are full of trees and changing leaves..." 

— from Charles Elton's poem, "Luriana Lurilee" 

Our lovely New Mexico autumn continues...

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Image & text ©Carol L Adamec, 2014. All rights reserved.

Cottonwood Leaf

Autumn Leaf #5, 2014. Oil on cartonboard, mounted on panel. 6"x6"
Available for Purchase at Daily Paintworks.

A cottonwood leaf I found I the yard, just beginning to take on its autumn color.

Thanks for taking a look. Have a great day! 

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Image and text ©Carol L Adamec, 2014. All rights reserved.

The Changing Season

Dried Leaf #3, 2014.  Original oil on cartonboard, mounted on panel.
SOLD

Another painting from my "Dried Leaf" series, showing the colors and forms of Nature changing during this season.

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Image & text ©Carol L Adamec, 2014. All rights reserved.

Sunny Autumn Days

Autumn Leaf # 2 (Leaf Stem), 2014. Oil on cartonboard, mounted on panel. 4"x6"
Private Collection

We are enjoying such warm sunny days this week, it hardly feels like fall. The bright colors of this leaf stem seem to capture the brightness and warmth of these languid days.
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Text & image ©2014 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Nature's Handiwork

Autumn Leaf #1, 2014. Oil on cartonboard, mounted on panel. 4"x6"
Available for purchase on Daily Paintworks

In the same way no two snowflakes are the same, neither are the changing leaves of autumn. Each leaf has its own pattern of color transformation. The handiwork of Nature is amazing!

Thank you for taking a look at my newest artwork. Have a wonderful day!
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Text and image ©2014 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

A New Leaf...

Autumn Leaf #4, 2014.  Original oil painting on gessoed panel. 6"x6"
Click to Purchase

It's autumn in New Mexico! I contintue to enjoy painting the changing fall colors and fascinating patterns, shapes, and textures as the leaves go from summer to winter.

Thanks for taking a look. Enjoy your day.

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Text and image ©2014 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Fall Colors...even purple!

Autumn Leaf #3 (Purple), 2014. Mixed media mounted on panel, 4"x6"

Available for purchase at Daily Paintworks.

About a week after my "Dried Leaf" post in September, a package from my sister arrived in the mail.

What a delightful surprise! Inside were 27 autumn leaves, in a variety of colors and sizes, beautifully pressed, with each leaf packaged in its own handmade waxed paper envelope. My sister lives out East and expresses her creativity by making exquisite handmade cards and books for friends and family. She had collected these leaves almost two years ago while on hike in the Appalachian Mountains, pressed them, used some for a project, and stored the rest away. While cleaning out a closet, she came across them and was surprised that the color was still so bright. She mailed them off to New Mexico.

I was thrilled to receive them! Even though I love the autumn in New Mexico, there are not a lot of hardwood trees here with leaves that turn bright red or orange–or purple, like the one I painted and posted for today.

Thank you, April! And thank you, Dear Readers, for taking a moment to visit my blog.
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Text and image ©2014 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

October Treat

When one wakes up in the morning and hears swooshing sounds, you know it's Balloon Fiesta time in Albuquerque.

So here are a couple of photos taken just a few steps outside my front door this morning. (And, yes, the sky is that blue in New Mexico.) Enjoy!
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Text and photos ©2014 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

You're Invited...

Another Reminder of Autumn

Dried Leaf #2, 2014. Original painting, mixed media on carton board, 4x6"
Available for purchase on Daily Paintworks

I love autumn — cool days, clear nights, and the change of seasons taking place in Nature.

This is the second painting in my new mixed media series, "Dried Leaves." To create the image I used oil, acrylic, and color pencil. To get all the nuances of the brittle edge of the leaf, I used a toothpick! As has been said, "Necessity is the mother of invention."

The painting is mounted flush on a stiff 3/16" panel for support and the edges painted, ready to be displayed on a small easel or hung without a frame.

Thanks for taking a look. Enjoy your day!

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Text and image ©2014 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

The First Day of Autumn

Dried Leaf #1, 2014. Original mixed media on panel, 6"x4".
Available for purchase on Daily Paintworks

I love autumn—cool days, clear skies, chilly nights, large swaths of yellow and gold with dashes of vermillion and crimson in the Southwest landscape.

To celebrate today as the Official First Day of Autumn, I am posting Dried Leaf #1, the first in my new series of small paintings called "Dried Leaves."

The image measures 6"x4", painted on carton board, a thin cardstock used by the French Impressionists such as Toulouse-Lautrec and Eduard Vuillard. However, this modern material is infused with resin-sizing, providing an archival surface for painting.

I like that the carton board is very absorbent and comes in a brown color so I don't have to pre-tint the surface. To create the image I used oil and acrylic paints and color pencil. To get all the nuances of the brittle edge of the leaf, I used a toothpick! As has been said, "Necessity is the mother of invention." The painting is mounted flush on a stiff 3/16" panel for support.

You'll be seeing more of this series as the individual pieces are finished. I hope you enjoy the paintings and the coming season of autumn, too.

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Text and image ©2014 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Do...and Re-Do

Seeking the Light, 2014
Original oil painting on gessoed  linen panel, 4"x6"

SOLD

A few weeks ago, I thought this painting was finished and ready to go. As I was scanning and preparing to upload it to this blog and my Daily Paintworks Gallery , I really looked at it and decided it was not ready for "prime time." (Actually, it was downright ugly!)

So back to the studio it went, where I sanded the surface of the linen panel, recomposed the image, and completely redid the painting.

OK, now I am happy with it. And I thank you for taking a look. Have a good day!

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Text and image ©2014 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

By the Window...

By the Window, 2014
Original painting, oil on panel, 6x6"
SOLD

For me, painting is always about the light--
in this painting, coming through the window,
illuminating the forms of a lovely iris, closeup.

Thank you for taking a look.

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©2014 Carol Adamec, image and text.

Tulips in the Garden

Sunbathers, 2014
Original oil on gessoed panel, 4" x 6"
Available for purchase on  Daily Paintworks 

When painting flowers, I usually depict them in a garden setting—more like a landscape painting than a still life. To me, the flowers always seem more lively shown this way, basking in the sunshine, with blue skies overhead, among their kindred blossoms and greenery.

Tulips in the garden is a favorite subject for me. I hope you enjoy these sunbathers, too!
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Text and image ©2014 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Snappy Dragons

Snappy Dragons, 2014
Original oil on panel, 6" x 4"
CLICK TO PURCHASE

So here's another summertime flower: colorful snapdragons with a bright turquoise sky in the background. Enjoy!

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Text and image ©2014 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Hello, I'm Back!

Floating Rose, 2014
Original oil painting on panel, 6" x 4"
SOLD

Hello, Dear Readers,

No, I haven't forsaken you or my blog. I have been out of town for most of the summer and just recently returned. And here it is, the end of July already!

Before my travels, I had been painting the late spring and early summer flowers and thought I would have time to post them online. That (obviously) didn't happen.

So, I am now ready to share these colorful little beauties with you over the next week or two. I hope you enjoy them.

Thanks for giving a few moments of your time to take a look. I hope you are enjoying your summer, too!

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Text and image ©2014 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Summer is Here...

Sunshine Garden, 2014. Original digital drawing printed on ricepaper.

I have been revising my "Garden Varieties" series of digital drawings that I did on a Boogie Board Tablet awhile back—this time, adding lots of luscious color using Adobe Photoshop. Fun!

This print on rice paper matted for an 8x10" frame can be purchased via my shop on ETSY.com.

Thanks for taking a look. Enjoy your day!

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©2014 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

To All The Moms Out There...

Hearts & Flowers (Back to the 60's)

Over the last few days I've been listening to a radio station that has been playing Mother's Day songs…who would have thought there would be so many?

One of the songs had a refrain along the line of "Happy Mother's Day to My '60's, Hippie Mama." Well, somehow that inspired me to turn up the colors on my "Hearts & Flowers" print, just to wish all you Moms out there a very...

Happy Mother's Day!

Flowers for Thursday

Sun Glow, 2014. Original painting, oil on Gessobord panel, 8"x8"
SOLD

March is a busy month for me this year, with the Open Studio Night at the Harwood Art Center two weeks ago and another art event just this past weekend—sometimes you gotta paint; sometimes you gotta sell. 

I will be out of the studio for the next few weeks, but wanted to share with you my most recent finished painting called Sun Glow, to honor today as the First Day of Spring.

I hope it is a beautiful day where you are.
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Text and image ©2014 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

You're Invited...

Friday's Flowers #2

"Blue" 2014. Original painting, oil, alkyd on canvas panel. 6" x 4"
SOLD

It will be a while before the morning glories return, sprawling over the adobe wall where I live. In the meantime, I enjoyed painting this little piece of summer light, blessing the flowers.

Thank you for taking a moment to view my blog. Enjoy your weekend.

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Image and text ©Carol L Adamec, 2014

Friday's Flower Painting....

"Basking in the Light" 2014. Original oil painting on 4"x6"panel.
SOLD

I enjoy buying and painting flowers the most during the winter, when there's not as much color in the landscape. Besides, it reminds me that Spring is coming.

This painting was listed for auction earlier this week on the Daily PaintWorks (DPW) site and selected as a "DPW Facebook Pick of the Day" on Wednesday, February 19 (https://www.facebook.com/dailypaintworks). So that was a nice little honor for it to receive.

Thanks for taking a look. Enjoy your work day and the weekend ahead. Spring is coming!

                                                                                           
Image and text © 2014 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

For Those Who Love to Howl...

Garden Varieties 1: Rising Moon, 2014
Available for purchase on ETSY

...a full moon, rising!

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Image ©2014 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

The Day for Love....

Hearts and Flowers Valentine, 2014.  Original Boogie Board Digital Print.

Happy Valentine's Day!

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Image ©2014 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

The Land of Enchanting Weather

Landscape Sketch #11 (Elena Gallegos, Albuquerque) Original plein air painting, oil on panel, 6"x4" To purchase, click HERE

Landscape Sketch #11 (Elena Gallegos, Albuquerque)

Original plein air painting, oil on panel, 6"x4"

To purchase, click HERE

You won't hear local folks grumbling about the weather we have been blessed with in Albuquerque this week. It has been sunny, in the high 50's and 60's every day—unusual for January—and we are loving it! 

I was up in the Sandia foothills, painting with the Monday Plein Air Painters, just a few days ago. While enjoying the late afternoon light on the mountains, I completed the painting posted on today's blog.

To all the folks out there coping with winter cold, ice. and snow, be careful!

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Text and image ©2014 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Today It's Tulips

Tulips, 2014. Original oil painting on gessoed panel. 4" x 6"
Private Collection

It's been awhile since I've done a floral painting. So it was fun this past weekend to do this oil on panel painting of tulips. I hope you enjoy it.

Thanks for taking a moment to visit my blogpost. Have a great day.

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Text and images ©2014 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Path to the Mountains

Landscape Sketch #10, 2013. Original plein air painting.

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Anchoring the City of Albuquerque on the east are the Sandia Mountains, a favorite subject of mine for painting "en plein air."

This painting was done from the Sandia foothills area known as Elena Gallegos, on Monday, November 4, 2013, between the hours of 11am-2pm.

There was plenty of sunshine lighting up the landscape, warming the rock-strewn hills and pink granite faces of the mountains.

Thanks for taking a moment to visit my blog. I hope you enjoy a great weekend!

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Image & text ©Carol L Adamec, 2014

Lingering Autumn

Landscape Sketch #9, 2013. Original oil on panel painted en plein air.
SOLD

Painted en plein air on November 11, 2013, this is a view of the Sandia Mountains from the Rio Grande Nature Center in Albuquerque on the last gorgeous day of lingering autumn.

Within the next week or so, the weather shifted into winter, with the trees dropping their leaves and snow appearing on the mountain tops.

But what a wonderful glow of light and warmth to enjoy on this afternoon!

Thanks for taking a look at my blog. I hope you are having a wonderful first full week of the New Year.

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Image & text ©Carol L Adamec, 2014

A Painting for the New Year

"The Clearing", 2013. Oil on gessoed panel. 4x6"
SOLD

This painting started out as a plein air sketch that I did on a stormy day several months ago, that just didn't come together. I reworked it a couple of times with no improvement, and set it aside on a shelf.

I was in my studio on December 31, and for some reason I was inspired to "clear up" the image. After an hour or so the image did "clear up" and became one of light and hope. I liked that idea.

My astrology friend Eleanor Kibrick believes that 2014 will be a better year than 2013. Perhaps there will be a clearing of the angst and impasse in our lives, our country, our world. That is something to hope for.