A Thing of Beauty...

Black Cross, New Mexico, 1929

by Georgia O'Keeffe

Oil on canvas, 39" x 30"

Collection of the Art Institute of Chicago

I am having one of those weeks where every painting in my studio is either unresolved, uninteresting, or just plain ugly. So, rather than assaulting you with an awful painting of mine, I'm posting one of my favorite works of art.

This painting has been a comfort and an inspiration to me for 46 years(!)...most recently as Sunset Strip #13, which I posted on July 13, 2011. Check it out, and I'm sure you'll see the influence.

Like Keats said, "A thing of beauty is a joy for ever."

Thanks for taking a look. Have a great weekend.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Call of the Southwest

Salado Fragment: Cathedral
Original oil, alkyd on gessoed canvas panel
8" x 8"

In just a few weeks, I will be traveling to New Mexico for a monthlong visit, to see friends, scout out the scenery, and get in some painting, of course! With the upcoming trip on my mind, I guess it's not surprising that Southwest inspirations would be showing up during my studio sessions.

Longtime readers of this blog may recall the small paintings of pottery fragments that I posted 'way back in 2008 and 2009, which culminated in the larger painting, "Stones & Sherds" (posted Feb 2, 2010). That was pretty much the end of that thematic effort for me, until this past week. Now there are three new paintings based on Indian pottery sherds and patterns, completed on an 8" x 8" format.

It's truly amazing to really look at the intricate patterns and skillful craftsmanship rendered hundreds of years ago by the Native American artisans, especially considering that their materials were all handmade and natural—no fancy brushes or manufactured pigments for these artists!

Then, too, there is a seemingly unlimited variety of designs and variations in Indian pottery (still today, too). I am reminded of Georgia O'Keeffe's design ideal "...of filling a space in a beautiful way."

Thanks for taking a look. Have a great day.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Under the Influence

Sunset Strip #13 (O'Keeffe Sunset) 
Original oil, alkyd on wood panel

7" x 1.5"
SOLD


I can't deny it. I've been a fan of Georgia O'Keeffe's paintings since I was a freshman in college, standing dumbstruck in front of "Black Cross, New Mexico" at the Art Institute of Chicago.

If you take a look at that painting, you'll see that I was still under its influence this week when I did this study. Sunset Strip #13, measuring 4" x 36" is currently in progress (a lot of blending to do). I'll share it with you when it's finished.

Thanks for taking a look. Have a good week.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Hello from The Land of Enchantment

South of Ghost Ranch, NM
Photo: Carol Adamec



Hello, Dear Readers,

It seems like forever since my last blog entry, just before my move to New Mexico. So here's a quick update of my activities over the past several weeks:

Thanks to my son Erik, I enjoyed a pleasant drive and a very efficient move into my studio at the Harwood Center. (Erik did part of the driving and all the heavy lifting and box lugging up the stairs....Thank you, Erik!)

The September 5th opening reception for the "Be Leaf It or Not" exhibit at the Harwood was very nice. Sondra Diepen, the mastermind of this show, invited her California artists-friends Joanne Kamiya, Louise Pryor, Ellen Van Fleet (and me) to exhibit with her. The intent of the exhibit is to show work that depicts, expresses, reveals, and is inspired by Nature. All of the artists (except Ellen) were present for the opening and enjoyed many good conversations with the viewers. Many old friends showed up to welcome me back to Albuquerque. I sold "Morning Tulips" (see blog entry for May 21, 2008), and both Sondra and Joanne sold giclée prints. From the comments in the Guest Book, the show was well received. I'll be sharing a few pictures from the exhibit, which continues through September 26, in future blog entries.

While Sondra's friends were in town, we went to Abiquiu to tour the Georgia O'Keeffe house. I would have liked to have posted a photo of O'Keeffe's home, but no photographs were allowed. So, instead I am posting a view from the picnic grounds where we had lunch after our tour, just south of Ghost Ranch. The colors of the rock and the bluest skies I've ever seen are still thrilling to me. I am looking forward to doing some plein air painting out in the "wilds" of New Mexico, too!

Later in the week, we went to Santa Fe to the O'Keeffe Museum to see the "Natural Affinities" exhibit featuring paintings by O'Keeffe with photographs by Ansel Adams...quite a good show, indeed!

Just in the last week I have gotten back to painting. I have taken several pictures and worked on a few ideas, so I hope to be posting some new work on this blog in the near future.

Many thanks to all of you for tuning into this post. I'm glad to be back in touch with you. Please know that I welcome your comments which you can enter at the end of this entry if you'd like to share your thoughts with all the readers. Or feel free to send me an email.

Have a great weekend. See you Monday!
__________________________________________________
Text and photo ©Carol L Adamec. All rights reserved.