Back Gate: Morning Light

Back Gate: Morning Light, 2011
Original Painting:
Oil, alkyd on 8" x 6" canvas panel
Private Collection, Albuquerque

Today's post takes me back to New Mexico, to my friend's adobe home in north Albuquerque. This painting also is a milestone in my career: I completed the entire painting in one day. Of course, I have been thinking about doing this painting for over a year! It all came together this past Monday.

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

Garden gate....Italian style!

Gate to an Italian Garden
(work in progress)
Original painting, 18" x 24"
Oil & alkyd on stretched canvas

This has been one of those weeks of working away in the studio and not (yet) having much to show for the effort. In particular, I have been pulling out paintings that are "stuck in the middle" to see which ones can become finished artworks.

Today's posted image is a painting inspired by my trip to Italy in October 2007. Our tour group visited a farm called Masseria Carestia, a 100 acre property nestle in the rolling hills of southern Italy.

The drive into the complex is via a tunnel of stone archways thatched with thriving grapevines and ferns. The "house" consists of several buildings--the oldest dating from the 1400's--with adjacent vineyards, and multiple gardens abundant with a profusion of flowers: roses of all colors--red, palest pink, creamy white; dahlias, bougainvillea, an original mandarin orange tree with miniature fruits; lantara, with little flower clusters of one color encircling a central cluster of flowers of another color; and many other varieties of plants and flowers.

This painting portrays one of the gates leading to a large garden off the arched entryway. The iron work is truly ornate...and red! Although there are a lot of edges to define and refine, I am enthused about finishing this painting. When it's complete, I'll post the final version.

Thanks for taking a moment to visit my blog. See you Monday, Ciao!
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Text and image ©2009 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved

Adding Color...

"Blue Gate" (in progress)

Original painting,
Oil & alkyd on canvas panel 10 x 8"

Following an afternoon of painting, my first new piece of 2009 is starting to take shape, now with its basic colors in place. I'm pretty happy with the overall feeling of light and shadow, too. There are still some color refinements, paint layering, and details to work on; so, you'll see the final version next week.

Also, the painting's title is "Blue Gate." (I have no idea why I typed "Blue Door" in the last post....That's another painting, if it comes to fruition.)

Thanks for taking a moment to look at today's post. Have a great weekend. See you Monday.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Text and image ©Carol Adamec 2009. All rights reserved.

New Beginnings

"Blue Gate" (grisaille)
Original oil & alkyd on canvas panel
10 x 8"

Happy New Year, Dear Readers! I hope 2009 is off to a great beginning for all of you.

I was fortunate to spend four days playing and relaxing in Chama, New Mexico. Chama is just a few miles south of the Colorado border, where an accumulation of well over 6 feet of snow offered great snowshoeing and pristine winter vistas worthy of any "Scenic America" calendar.

Like those of you who are back in the office today, I'm back in the studio thinking about new paintings to start. Today's post shows the grisaille (done in burnt umber) of a new 8x10 painting, "Blue Gate", I've just begun. By Thursday, I intend to have all the basic colors in place.

Thanks for taking a moment to look at today's post. Have an easy week. See you Thursday!
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Text and photo ©Carol Adamec 2009. All rights reserved.

Looking Westward

Gate to the Garden, 2006
Oil, alkyd on panel, 8" x 10"
Original SOLD

Available as limited edition giclée on canvas or Art Print. Contact Artist for purchase info.

—————————————————————

In September, I will be exhibiting with my artist friend Sondra and three of her artist friends from California. Our exhibit will be at the Harwood Art Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Sondra owns a fabulous adobe home in Albuquerque, with a wonderful patio and lush gardens—both flower and vegetable! I've visited her "desert oasis" often and been inspired to paint the flowers and niches around her place. "Gate to the Garden" is one of the views around her house.

Although my trip out West is still a few months away, I am already looking forward to enjoying the view of the Sandia Mountains from Sondra's patio!

Many thanks for taking the time to read this post and look at my painting. You are welcome to forward this blog to others, too.

Have a great weekend. See you Monday!
___________________________________
Text, image, and painting ©Carol L Adamec. All rights reserved.