"TOO MUCH ART" Sale: Day 1

Here are the first two paintings offered to those who signed up for my "TOO MUCH ART" sale.

 
SOLD "Moon and Morada"   Original painting, oil on art board, 16.5 x 17.5” framed.  Price: $100

      

Moon and Morada was completed in 1995. I had just moved to New Mexico the year before and began the challenge of painting Southwest landscape imagery while becoming acquainted with the culture of my new home state. 

Traveling down random roads on weekend drives, I came across small, rustic adobe churches in outlying villages scattered across the State. These little churches had been hand built by the Penitentes, a lay Catholic brotherhood of local religious believers, and had survived hundreds of years in the dry New Mexico climate.

I found these structures to be fascinating, even mysterious, especially depicted nestled in a surrounding mountain scape, bathed in moonlight.

       Silk Seeds, original painting, oil on cradled panel, 

                7” x 5”, unframed.  Price $20.

                                            

I did this painting while living in Florida for a few years.

Unlike the Southwest landscape, Florida has a plethora of green vegetation—a good place for an artist to develop one’s skill in mixing a variety of green hues. These seed pods are from the mimosa tree also called the silk tree, which is native to the Middle East and Asia.

I love the mimosa’s fern-like leaves and the bright pink flowers; and the seed pods I painted here in oil on a cradled panel.

Back to work...

"DD's Bouquet", 2019, original oil on gessoed panel, 6"x6" 

This has been a travel-filled summer for me, delivering artwork to LRoss Gallery in Memphis, TN, and visiting family. So I was very happy to be back home in New Mexico this week and painting in the studio.

Today's post is the first of my next series of small paintings: some for sale in the fall, and others saved for my next Japanese Garden exhibit scheduled for Spring 2020 in Memphis at LRoss Gallery. I'll be posting new work here on my blog and on Instagram: ArtByCarolAdamec.

Thank you for stopping by and please feel free to leave a comment.
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Text & image ©2019 Carol L Adamec. All rights reserved.

Sneak Preview #2...and Happy Spring!

"Spring Kimono", 2019, mm on rice paper mounted on panel, 12x12"

Such a lovely day in New Mexico it has been: sunny, warm, with lilacs blooming, irises ready to burst forth, and little rose buds forming. 

In honor of the day and the season I'm posting "Spring Kimono", another painting to be including in my May exhibit, "In a Japanese Garden, Revisited" opening Friday, May 3, at the Weyrich Gallery in Albuquerque.

Happy Spring to all!

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Text and Image ©2019 Carol L Adamec. All rights reserved.

Route 66 Exhibit: Sneak Peek #5

Sondra Diepen: Navajo Rugs and Curios, 2017, archival digital print, 27x40"

Today's "sneak peek" from the "Then & Now: Rediscovering Route 66" show is another photograph by Sondra Diepen. This was an abandoned curio shop, located in Thoreau, NM.

When Route 66 was first built in 1926, it wandered back and forth across the railroad tracks between Prewitt and Thoreau. In 1936-1937 the road was straightened out to parallel the tracks. Route 66 was moved to the south side, leaving Thoreau on the north side. Travelers were now no longer passing through town.

"When I discovered this building,"recalls Sondra, "it was located on 3rd Street in a sparsely housed area. Two years later I returned to find several large piles of plaster, wood and bricks on the lot. A double-wide is now occupying its place."

Reminder: The exhibit opening is tomorrow, 5-8pm at the KiMo Theatre Art Gallery in Albuquerque.

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Text ©2017 Carol L Adamec. All rights reserved.

Navajo Rugs and Curios image by Sondra Diepen used with permission.

Route 66 Show: Sneak Peek #4

Original painting by Carol L. Adamec:
Escape from the Den of Death, 2016, oil on gessoed panel, 8"x12"

Well, we are getting closer to opening night (this Thursday) at the KiMo Theatre Art Gallery! The artwork is up on the walls, and labels will be installed tomorrow. 

I've had a lot of fun doing this exhibit—and today's post of an old abandoned snake pit in Moriarty, New Mexico, discovered while just driving around, is an example. 

Of course, there wasn't just a snake pit out in the middle of nowhere. There had been an trading post on that site too, called The Hitching Post, that offered gas, refreshment, and curios to Route 66 travelers. 

While enjoying a cool beverage visitors could experience a roadside thrill—a concrete box covered with wire grating, filled with diamondback rattlesnakes, called "The Den of Death." At the bottom of the pit was a sign encouraging lookers to toss a few coins in and make a wish to come true...and adding a little more income to the trading post proprietor's operation.

Over the winter the snakes were allowed to freeze to death. In the spring, a new batch of rattlers was captured and put in the snake pit—except for the ones shown in this painting—the ones that got away.

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Text and image ©2017 Carol L Adamec. All rights reserved.

Last Week to see "Biologique"!

Royal Garden, mixed media, 18" x 14" framed, $595.

I was very pleased to have all three of my entries accepted into this exhibit at the New Mexico Art League, located at 3409 Juan Tabo NE (just behind the Albuquerque Public Library on the west side of the street).

I was out of town for the opening, so I went to see the show last week. The theme of "Biologique" is Nature and natural forms, and there was quite a variety of interpretations in the exhibit, done in every medium imaginable, all very high quality.

Shown above is one of my art works in "Biologique." This piece is from my "In a Japanese Garden" series, and is named Royal Garden for the purple color, which was a hue only worn by royalty or those of high rank in Japanese traditional culture.

The show ends this Saturday, February 25. The NM Art League is open Tuesday thru Saturday, 10am-4pm.

Last Blooms of Summer 1

Original Painting: Red Lily, 2015, gouache on panel, 6"x6"

Here in the Land of Enchantment, one can find evidence of three seasons happening simultaneously: There are still plenty of green leaves on the trees and a few lingering blossoms in the flower beds from summer. Meanwhile, the cottonwoods are taking on a range of autumn hues—from sunny yellow to deep gold. And then this morning, there was light powder on the Sandia Mountains, as winter nudges its way into our psyches here in New Mexico.

I have a few paintings of summer flowers that I finished back in September and hadn't yet posted. So here's a bright red lily for today's post. 

Painted using acrylic gouache which dries very quickly—especially here in the Southwest—the painting has a looser, painterly feel to it. I didn't have time to fuss with the blending like I usually do. I rather like the more spontaneous, lively look.

Thanks for taking a moment to visit my blog. Enjoy your weekend.
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Image and text ©2015 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

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.

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.

You're Invited...

Happy Holidays from New Mexico!

 Snowy arroyo at Elena Gallegos.

Very Best Wishes

to All!

Plein Air Fingerpainting

Plein Air Landscape Sketch #6,  2013. Original oil on gessoed panel, 4"x6"
Private Collection

As I've mentioned before, autumn in New Mexico is truly beautiful. The air is clear and crisp, and this year is especially colorful with all the cottonwoods decked out hues from bright yellow to deep gold.

Knowing that the leaves won't stay on the trees forever, I was itching to get out to plein air paint but had commitments for paintings that required time in my studio all week. Finally, I broke away on a Sunday afternoon and headed for the Sandia Mountains. I got all set up, ready to paint, and realized I had forgotten my paint brushes at home. Ugh!

Going back home was out of the question. The daylight would be gone by the time I made the trip there and back. I scrounged around in my car and came up with one #8 flat brush, a Q tip…and my finger…just enough to get this landscape sketch "painted."

When I got home, I cleaned up a few edges and added a few details. Not bad. I may try this "technique" again.

Thanks for taking a moment to view my blog. Have a great day.

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Image & text ©Carol L Adamec, 2013

September Plein Air

Plein Air Landscape Sketch #1, 2013, Original oil, alkyd on panel, 4"x6"

Ahhhhh, September in New Mexico—a perfectly lovely time of year to be outdoors, painting in plein air. 

Over the past few weeks, I've taken to painting in the late afternoon, as the shadows and clouds provide more dramatic light and color variations. I'm working small (4" x 6") and keeping it loose. This is a view of the Sandia Mountains, painted from Elena Gallegos Open Space in Albuquerque.

Thanks for visiting my blog and hope your week is off to a great start.

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Text and photo ©2013 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Landscape Sketch #1, measuring 4" x 6", is painted in oil on gessoed panel, varnished and ready to frame or display on a small easel. Available for purchase on ETSY at www.ArtByCarolAdamec.ETSY.com

Paint Out in Socorro: Days 2 & 3

"Looking West, Route 60", Oil on panel, painted in plein air

I woke up in Albuquerque to a steady rain and socked in skies on Day 2 of the paint out. I didn't want to get out of bed, much less drive the 86 miles to Socorro. Fortunately, the start of the paintout was postponed for 2 hours, which gave me plenty of time to make the trip down I-25 to meet up with the rest of the painters around 11:00am. 

It's a rare day in New Mexico that the sun doesn't shine at least for a little while. So by the time I drove out to the Box Canyon area, the clouds were giving way to patches of blue and light on the landscape. Today's post features my painting done on Saturday of the view looking west from The Box.

On Sunday, Day 3 of the Socorro paint out, there was a 2-hour Quick Draw session. A Quick Draw is a challenge to complete a plein air painting in just 2 hours. Between 9:30 and 10am, plein air painters were scurrying all around the Socorro Plaza trying to find a "good spot" and set up their paint gear somewhere under a portico or overhang, since the skies were dark and threatening again.

At 10am, a horn blasted and the painting began. About half way through the Quick Draw, it began raining, but everyone just kept painting. Precisely at noon, the horn blasted again, and the painting ceased. Then we all gathered outside the Vertu Gallery, located on the north side of the Plaza, to show off what we each had accomplished in the two hours. It was truly amazing what the Quick Draw winners had done—very lovely work!

After a leisurely lunch break, all the artists returned to the Vertu Gallery at 2pm for the opening reception for a show of the plein air paintings completed during the 3-day paint out. It was nice to see everyone's work, to talk shop, and chat with gallery visitors who came to see the exhibit. Awards were given to the three best paintings, along with an honorable mention. 

The exhibit will continue through October 15. For more information, you can check out the gallery's website: http://www.vertuarts.com

Many thanks to Karyn DeBont who organized the Socorro Paint Out. You did a great job, Karyn!

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Text and images ©2013 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Paint Out in Socorro: Day 1

Top image: Photograph of The Box Canyon
Bottom image: "Break in the Storm" original plein air painting

After a four-week visit to Florida, I arrived back in New Mexico just in time for the Plein Air Painters of New Mexico (PAPNM) Paint Out in Socorro. 

Socorro is located about 80 miles south of Albuquerque via I-25, home to 8,800 residents, the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, and some wonderful scenery. 

The 3-day gathering of artists was held this past week, September 12-14, with PAPNM members from all over the state—from Farmington to Silver City—showing up to capture the local views in oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, and silk dyes. Although heavy rain greeted us every morning, there were interludes of lovely sunshine and fantastic cloud formations rolling over the mountains. Spirits were high and it was a fun and productive event for everyone. 

Thursday morning was the first day of the paint out and we all headed out to The Box Canyon, 8 miles west on Rt 60. This site can be viewed from both ends, a great place for painting rock cliffs and boulders. It was a little cool and very overcast; but each artist picked a spot, set up, and began working. 

After awhile—just for a few minutes—the clouds layers separated to show blue sky and the sun broke through to light up the scenery. I painted fast and furiously to add dashes of sunlight to my painting. Today's post shows a photo of The Box Canyon area, and below it, my painting completed onsite. The painting is available on my Daily PaintWorks site:  http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/carol-adamec/break-in-the-storm/192680

Thanks for visiting my blog and enjoy your day.

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Text and images ©2013 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

In the Quiet Place #4

In the Quiet Place #4, 2013. Original oil on gessoed Italian canvas panel, 6" x 8"

Since my last post, we've had a goodly amount of rain in New Mexico, which has really greened up the landscape.

Last weekend I was back at my favorite painting spot in Bernalillo, where I spent several hours enjoying the view of the mountains and completing this painting.

Thanks for visiting my blog and enjoy your day.

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Text and photo ©2013 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

In the Quiet Place #4, measuring 6" x 8", is painted in oil on a gessoed Italian panel, varnished and ready to frame or display on a small easel. Available for purchase on ETSY at www.ArtByCarolAdamec.ETSY.com

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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Text and photo ©2013 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

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.

Another View

Ancient Realm, 2013. Original plein air painting in oil, 6"x8"

A few weeks ago I was at Coronado State Monument again to do some plein air painting. The view of the Sandia Mountains I chose was similar to one I had painted in early May. Of course, the day, the light, the clouds, and the season were different; so of course, the painting has a different look as well.

Thanks for visiting my blog and have a safe and pleasant weekend.

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Text and photo ©2013 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Today's painting measures 6"x8" and is painted on gessoed canvas panel. Available for purchase on ETSY at www.ArtByCarolAdamec.ETSY.com