Back in the Land of Enchantment

Black on Black, 2012

Original Painting: Oil, alkyd on panel
20" x 20"
Collection of Bernalillo County Public Art Program

I arrived Wednesday afternoon in Albuquerque after a long but pleasant drive. Although there's much to do to get ready for the "What Remains" show opening April 6 at the Harwood Art Center, I thought I'd give my dear readers another preview of work I will be exhibiting in the show.

If you are familiar with the black-on-black pottery style invented by Maria Martinez of San Ildefonso Pueblo, you will understand the inspiration for the painting posted on today's blog. The work of Maria Martinez and her husband Julian is a fascinating story that you can read about via this link: http://www.mariapottery.com/bio/bio.html

It was fun and a challenge for me to achieve in paint the matte vs. shiny surface quality of this world famous blackware pottery.

To bring out the rich black of the design I used a high gloss medium in my paint mixture, which I later painted over again with several coats of varnish to further increase the gloss. What appears as white dots was done with silver metallic pen.

Thanks for taking a look. Enjoy your weekend.
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Text and image ©2012 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Sneak Preview #2

Pueblo Pictoral, 2012

Original Painting: Oil, alkyd on 8"x 12" panel

$195
Contact Artist to Purchase

I'm about 10 days away from leaving Orlando and driving to Albuquerque. As I mentioned in my last post—'way back in February—I'll be one of four artists in the exhibit "What Remains" at the Harwood Art Center in Albuquerque during the month of April.

To reward my faithful readers out there, I am posting another small oil painting I've completed for the show based on a Native American Pueblo design...another little "sneak preview" for you.

Thanks for taking a look. And enjoy a Happy St. Patty's Day this weekend, too.
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Text and image ©2012 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

A Little Sneak Preview

Anasazi Sherd #1, 2012
Original Painting: Oil, alkyd on gessoed panel

8"x 8" (unframed)  •  $150
Contact Artist to purchase

Dear Faithful Readers:

I apologize for my irregular posting since the beginning of the year. I have been painting away in the studio for hours every day in preparation for an upcoming exhibit at the Harwood Art Center in Albuquerque during the month of April.

Once again, I will be joining my friends Sondra Diepen, Louise Pryor, and Joanne Kamiya in our 4-person show called "What Remains."

If you have been following this blog for awhile, you may recall seeing images of "sherd paintings" that I've done off and on over the past two years inspired by Indian pottery fragments. For this upcoming exhibit, I am preparing an entire body of work based on Native American pottery sherds and design fragments. And I'm very excited about this new work!

Although I have several large paintings underway, today's post is one of the smaller pieces to be in the show...a little "sneak preview" for you.

Thanks for taking a look. I hope you are enjoying a great week.

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Text and image ©2012 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

New Year's Resolution

Sunset Strip #21: Showtime!, 2011


Original Painting: Oil, alkyd on gessoed wood


3" x 9.5" (unframed)


SOLD

One of my New Year's resolutions is to use more color when painting. So how's this? Seems to work for this painting, inspired by a stunning Albuquerque sunset I witnessed last September.

Thanks for taking a look. Have a great week.

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Text and image ©2012 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Sunset in Florida

Sunset Strip #20: Lake Howell, 2011
Original Painting: Oil, alkyd on gessoed wood
3" x 9.5" (unframed) 
 

Here it is...the 11th of January and my first post of the New Year!

Today's painting is the last Sunset Strip Series I finished in 2011. It's an early evening view across our neighborhood lake here in Orlando. I'm posting this painting for all those readers living in cold and snowy weather zones: Keep warm!

Thanks for taking a look. And I hope your New Year is off to a great start!
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Text and image ©2012 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

New Mexico Still Life

Indian Things, 2011

Original painting, oil on gessoed panel
10" x 8" • $375 • Framing available
Contact Artist to purchase.

I'm going to blame Halloween for missing my blog post last week. I consumed too much candy corn and fell into a sugar coma for the rest of the week. Now that I've recovered...

Today's featured painting was begun over two years ago, and then "misplaced." Well, you know how the story goes: Last summer, while looking for something else...there it was, along with another painting I had given up for lost.

So while in Albuquerque during September, I worked on "Indian Things" and finally finished it just this weekend. I especially enjoyed painting all those hot reds.

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

Fall Flowers

Blue Vase, 2011
Original painting:  oil on paper, mounted on panel
Private Collection

Here's another small painting I completed while in Albuquerque. When I arrived at my friend's home this bouquet was on the table to greet me....flowers fresh from her garden. Now, who wouldn't be inspired by these great colors and such a kind gesture by a thoughtful hostess?

However, the preparation for this painting started a few years ago when I saw a painting done on brown paper, mounted to a panel. I liked the way the oil paint looked on that paper; so I prepared this small panel with brown paper and coated it with a clear gesso (for archival purposes). Then it sat around my studio waiting for the "right" image. I'm really glad that I packed it with my painting gear for my trip to Albuquerque. It was ready to go the day I painted this blue vase with flowers.

Thanks for taking a look. Have a great week!

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

Modern Skyscape

Evening Flight, 2011

Original Painting
Oil, alkyd on 4" x 6" panel

Private Collection, Florida

I was outside taking photos of the sunset last week. The pink clouds in the deep blue sky were lovely. A plane heading toward the airport crossed my field of vision just as I snapped the shot...a gift from the Sky God, I think.

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

Studio Tangerines

Tangerines, 2011

Original Painting: oil, alkyd
on 5" x 7" canvas panel unframed

SOLD

Since there are still nice, ripe tangerines on the tree outside, I picked a few more for this studio still life painting.

I used the same palette of colors that I chose for my last painting ("Frostbitten") and again painted from direct observation. However, this time the image is infused with lots of light, giving the painting a completely different feel.

Thanks for taking a look. Enjoy your week.
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Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Labor Day Lily

Peeking Out, 2010
Original: oil, alkyd on panel
Unframed size: 6" x 6"
SOLD

As I am posting on the Labor Day holiday, I hope everyone is indulging in a relaxing day, or at least "laboring" at something they enjoy doing.

Today's painting is going to Spiva Center for the Arts in Joplin, MO, for their annual "Small Works Auction." As I've mention before, I enjoyed being Spiva's Associate Director when I lived in Missouri a few years ago. Although the job was labor-intensive, it was very rewarding. The folks involved with Spiva--the staff, board members, artists, volunteers, and members--all are hardworking and generous with their knowledge, skills, and time. Their efforts make a huge difference in the community.

So, it's always an honor for me to participate in this Spiva fundraiser. This year's auction begins on September 18, and anyone can bid on the work...Just give them a call.

Thanks for taking a look. I'm off to work on a new painting..something I truly enjoy doing.
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Text and image ©2010 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

More greens...

View of the Lake
Original: oil, alkyd on canvas panel
10 x 8"
To purchase contact Artist

My dad was from Minnesota, known for its motto, "Land of 10,000 Lakes." However, considering all the little lakes (and quite a few big ones, too), I think Florida could lay claim to that slogan as well.

A few weekends ago, I went out with the Central Florida Plein Air Artists again, this time to Lake Minnehaha Park, located in Maitland, a suburb of Orlando. It's quite a lovely city recreation site, with a boardwalk over a marshy area, winding sidewalks with manicured lawns, and nice trees providing plenty of shade throughout much of the park. I found a cool spot with a view of the lake.

Since I'll be staying in Florida for awhile, I have many opportunities to paint trees and water—views not readily available in the high desert of New Mexico.

Thanks for taking a look. Have a great week.
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Text & image ©2010 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Blue Gate: Winter

Winter Gate (WIP)
Oil, alkyd on canvas, 10x8"

Since last week's post, it has turned snowy and wintry in New Mexico. This change of weather has put me in the mood to paint snow.

Today's post shows the beginning stage of a new painting based on the photo posted a few weeks ago on December 31.

This image may also seem familiar since I painted a warm and sunny version a year ago, called "Blue Gate" posted on January 19, 2009. Already the new painting has a much cooler tone. It will be fun to compare the two paintings when this one is completed.

Have a good week. See you next time.
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Text and image ©2010 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved

Lunch Becomes Art

"Hard Boiled Egg" 2010

Original oil, alkyd on 6" x 8" panel
SOLD

About 20 years ago, I attended a Chinese painting demonstration given by artist Cecilia Lin in her Memphis studio. She stood at a table, a large sheet of rice paper spread before her. She became very quiet, very still, very focused, holding a brush loaded with black ink over the paper. Suddenly, with a few quick and decisive strokes, a fully alive koi splashed its way across the sheet. I was amazed.

I thought of Cecilia Lin and her masterful skill and speed while considering what to work on in my studio last week. One of my (as of yet) unattained goals is to paint more quickly, like the Daily Painters who can finish at least one small painting a day.

So, my subject matter for painting that day became the hard boiled egg I'd brought for lunch. One must work quickly when painting food items, as the heat from the studio spotlights will affect the color, texture, and even the shape of some foods—like the jalapenos that turned yellow, then red, and got so "hot" they made my eyes water after a few days under the lights.

It took about four hours to render this simple "still life" from direct observation, but I was pleased to have it completed in "record breaking time"...at least for me.

Thanks for taking a moment to visit my blog. Enjoy a great week!

PS: Many thanks to those who emailed to let me know you're glad to see my blog is back in publication. I truly appreciate your readership, support, and encouragement. It's fun to know you're out there!

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Text and image ©2010 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved

Red

Red

Original painting
Oil, alkyd on panel
5" x 7"
SOLD

I don't know if it's the heat in Albuquerque or because I've been mixing up a lot of red colors to finish another painting, but this image of an Orientale poppy was nagging me to be painted. So here it is!

I took some photos of these blossoms a few weeks ago when the poppies were in full bloom; and I'm glad I did, since the flowers don't last all that long.

Happy Fourth of July! See you next week.
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Text and image ©2009 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

What's Up, Doc?

Bugs & Roses
Original oil, alkyd on canvas panel
12" x 16"

Today's post begins with another apology to my faithful readers. I missed posting on Friday and, once again, my internet was down over the weekend. So, here's Monday's post, a bit later than usual!

Meanwhile, I did complete the painting you're seeing on today's blog. My friend Sondra brought home a wooden cutout of Bugs Bunny which she rescued from a dumpster and leaned it against the adobe wall where the roses were in full bloom. When I saw it, it was instant inspiration. And I hope it makes you smile!

Thanks for taking a look today. See you Thursday.
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Text and image ©2009 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Rorschach or Lily?

Lit Up Lily (WIP)
by Carol Adamec
Original Grisaille rendered in gesso & acrylic
6" x 8"

Here's the beginning grisaille of a new flower painting that I mentioned starting last Thursday. Right now it looks like more like a Rorschach inkblot than a lily!

First I laid down a medium gray gesso over an entire canvas panel, which is labeled on the image shown. After that, I mixed up lighter grays to render the lighter values, and then applied a black acrylic for the darkest background areas and the flower center. As you can see, most of the values range towards the lighter end of the scale, since the finished painting will depict a yellow lily in bright sunlight.

It will start to look more flower-like, once the different grays are converted to color...maybe by Thursday, even!

Thanks for taking a look. Have a good week!
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Artwork and text ©2009 Carol L Adamec. All rights reserved.

Survivor

Turning

Original oil, alkyd on canvas panel
5x7"

I always wondered why artists painted items such as onions and garlic cloves.

Well, I found out while using these chiles as my subject matter last week. After having them under a hot studio light for several hours for several days, the distinct aroma of jalapenos wafted throughout my studio. One pepper turned bright red orange! I'm either going to have to paint faster, or use onions and garlics as my still life items, too. I almost gave up on this painting, but finally got it to work. It's a survivor.

Meanwhile, I got good news in the mail this week. My painting The Kitchen Window posted on Feb 2 (http://caroladamec.blogspot.com/2009/02/light-air.html) was accepted into The MasterWorks 2009 exhibit in Albuquerque. The show is in April.

Thanks for taking a moment to read this post. See you Monday.
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Text and image ©2009 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

New Mexico Morada

"Morada"
Work in Progress

When I first moved to New Mexico back in 1994, I did a painting of a "morada." A morada is a small church of The Penitentes, a religious order which practiced self-flagellation, public whipping, and cross-bearing for self discipline and in homage to the Passion of Christ. (not exactly a religion for the faint-hearted, in my opinion!)

Although this Order was founded in 737 AD in Europe, the only known practitioners remaining in the world by the 20th century were located in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. Indeed, in traveling around small villages in New Mexico, one can still find old adobe Penitente moradas, which are always accompanied by three crosses.

A few weeks ago, my friend Sondra and I came across a morada during our day trip north of Albuquerque. In the churchyard was a large cross, and up a steep hill were two other crosses--the traditional crosses of Calvary.

I took several pictures and put together (thanks to Photoshop) this composite image that will become a painting in the next few weeks. As you can see from this preliminary image, I have separated the image into four basic values. Once I get the color mixtures right, the painting should come together handily....at least, that's the "theory."

If you would like more information about The Penitentes or moradas, check out this link to this article: http://www.perillos.com/penitentes.html .

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

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.

Re-do...

"Courtyard 2" (in progress)
Original oil & alkyd on canvas panel
10 x 8"

My artist-friend Lisa Rivas (whom you met in my post on July 30, 2007) advised me to never throw away a painting. She told me to "…just put it aside and wait until you're ready to finish it."

Today's post may seem familiar to you, since I posted a version back on November 13, 2008. Well, I never was quite satisfied with that painting. So I decided to try a different format. Rather than a square, I chose a vertical 10" x 8."

What you are seeing today is a "tonal" underpainting of 4 basic values. Rather than a purist's grisaille in greys or a monochromatic rendition (different shades of one color), I just used the leftover paint on my palette and mixed up 4 colors--each a different value--to get the basic shapes and the lights and darks down. Since I laid on the paint rather thickly, it will take a day or two before I can begin laying in the true colors.

In the meantime, I hope to finish "Blue Gate"...or I'll be posting another painting that I've been working on, called "Cactus Wall." Either way, tune in on Thursday and see which painting came together.

I hope you have a good week.
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Text and image ©Carol Adamec 2009. All rights reserved.