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. 

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

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

Daylilies, measuring 5" x 3", is painted in oil on a linen board, varnished and ready to frame. Available for purchase on ETSY at www.ArtByCarolAdamec.ETSY.com.

Painting Light & Adobe

Cactus Wall, 2009

Original: Oil & alkyd on panel
10" x 8" unframed
SOLD

For the past few weeks, I have been working on three paintings that all feature adobe walls: Blue Gate, Courtyard 2, and the painting posted today, Cactus Wall. I wasn't sure if this painting was going to come together, so I hadn't even shown it to you "in progress." Now here it is, all done, I'm happy to say.

I really enjoyed painting the dappled sunlight effect. I also found greater satisfaction in mixing greens to paint the cactus "leaves" than relying on the tube colors.

Some of you have emailed me about Blue Gate. Well, it's coming along, and I hope to have it posted next week as another finished painting. Thanks for the encouragement and comments.

Have a great weekend. See you Monday.
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Text and image © 2009 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

The Learning Tree

Morning Courtyard

by Carol Adamec
8" x 8" Oil on canvasboard
In Progress

This painting has been "in progress" for several weeks now, going through several color and composition revisions. I even lopped off 2 inches of the original 8" x 10" panel to change the format. (I used the panel fragment to paint "Fingernail Moon" posted on October 27.)

For sure, I have learned a lot painting this Russia olive tree in my friend's patio area. I'm just not sure the lesson is over!

Thanks for taking a moment to visit my blogsite. Have a good weekend and I'll see you Monday.
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Text and image ©Carol Adamec 2008. All rights reserved.

See You in September!

"Blue Chairs," 2006
Original, oil and alkyd
on canvas panel
10" x 8"
Original SOLD

Giclée and Art Prints Available

(See Info at end of blog)

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Hello, dear Readers,

Just a note to let you know that I am suspending my blog posts for the next few weeks, since I am moving from Florida to Albuquerque, New Mexico.

I certainly have enjoyed my stay in Florida—especially this past winter, far from the cold, snow, and ice storms of the Midwest. It was a healing respite to be cared for and supported in every way by my sister Karen and her husband John, and to have the time and space to focus on my painting. I am so grateful to them.

And, I am thrilled to be returning to the Southwest. As many of you know, I lived in Albuquerque from 1994 through 2003 and enjoyed a full and wonderful life as an artist. My son Erik will be traveling with me; and when we arrive in Albuquerque, he'll be lugging all my art supplies, art work, books, and Painted Ponies up to the second floor of the Harwood Art Center, where I have rented a studio. (I will treat him to many enchiladas and margaritas for all of his help!)

So, in about two weeks, I will be sitting in one of the clamback chairs pictured in the painting on today's post, enjoying the generous hospitality of my friend Sondra. As mentioned in a previous post, she has a fabulous adobe home with a postcard view of the Sandia Mountains. The painting of "Blue Chairs" depicts the adobe wall surrounding her home and patio. The original painting was rendered in oil and alkyd on 10" x 8" canvas panel, completed in 2006.

When I resume posting my blog in September, there'll be much news to tell and many adventures to report on thereafter: the September show at the Harwood; plein air paintings of New Mexico, art happenings in Santa Fe, visits to the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum....and so much more! It will be fun to share "The Land of Enchantment" with you!

Many thanks to all of you for reading this post and look at my paintings. Enjoy the rest of the summer. See you in September!
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"Blue Chairs" is available as:
• Limited Edition giclée on stretched canvas, 8" x 10" unframed: $65 + P&S
• Open Edition Art Print, 8.5" x 11" unframed: $24 + P&S
Please contact me via email to arrange purchase.
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Text, image, and painting ©Carol L Adamec. All rights reserved.