Another Plein Air View...

Landscape Sketch #2 (Sandia Mts), 2013. Original painting, oil on panel 5x7.

This is another view of the Sandia Mountains, painted on Sunday September 22, between 4-6pm from Elena Gallegos Open Space in Albuquerque. There is already a change in the light, now that it is officially "autumn."

Thanks for visiting my blog and I hope you are enjoying a great weekend.

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

Landscape Sketch #2, measuring 5" x 7", is painted in oil on gessoed panel, varnished and ready to frame or display on a small easel. Available for purchase on Daily PaintWorks  Click to Bid

You're Invited...tonight!

This has been a busy week for me, helping to install the Rainbow Artists "Reunion Show" at EXPO New Mexico (the Fairgrounds in Albuquerque.)

There are 118 artworks in the exhibit, created by women artists who are or have been Rainbow Artists members since 1990. It took us two days days just to get the artwork on the walls—a lot of placing, measuring, hammering, straightening, and today, labeling, by the exhibit committee.

I must say, the show looks absolutely wonderful, offering quite a variety of paintings, prints, fabric, weavings, sculptures, collage, and multimedia artworks to enjoy viewing...and most are for sale, too!

Tonight is the opening, from 6-8pm. So if you are in Albuquerque, come by, see the exhibit and meet the artists. The show will be available for viewing through October 26, Tuesday thru Friday, 10-5, and Saturdays, 10-4pm.

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

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

Boogie Board Talk

"Ti Plant Graphic" 2013, Boogie Board RIP drawing

Last Monday (September 16), I gave an informal talk/demo to the Rainbow Artists, a local women's art collective which supports visual artists, as well as writers and those engaged in other art-related fields.

My talk was about the artwork I create on the Boogie Board eWriter. So I took my three Boogie Board tablets—the original 8.5 LCD one I purchased over a year ago, the Boogie Board Jot, and the Boogie Board RIP—and samples of the work I created on each one for my "show and tell" narrative.

I passed the Boogie Board tablets around so everyone could try one out, and explained how I start my "digital printmaking process" with a drawing on the Boogie Board.

Since I hadn't used the Boogie Board RIP very much and didn't have much time to create an elaborate piece of artwork on it, I did a quick graphic rendering of a Ti Plant (from the image I developed back in September 2012) and added some color in Adobe Photoshop. I think this graphic might look nice on a t-shirt, What do you think?

If you would like more information about the Rainbow Artists, visit: http://www.rainbowartists.com/.

If you would like more information about Boogie Board eWriters, visit: http://improvelectronics.com/

Thanks for taking a moment to visit my blog. Have a great weekend.

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

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.

Afternoon Arroyo

Afternoon Arroyo, 2013. Original oil on linen panel, 4" x 6".

I'm finally getting around to finishing up the three small oil quick sketches I painted during the plein air workshop I took in Santa Fe last month. Can you tell from the painting that it was a hot day in Santa Fe?

Thanks for visiting my blog and I hope you are keeping cool!

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

Afternoon Arroyo, measuring 4" x 6", is painted in oil on a linen panel, varnished and ready to frame or display on a mini-easel. Available for purchase on ETSY at www.ArtByCarolAdamec.ETSY.com.

To the Quiet Place...Again.

To the Quiet Place #2, original oil on panel, painted en plein air.

Last weekend the Plein Air Painters of New Mexico gathered on Sunday morning to paint together. I was happy to arrive right at 8:30am when the park opened, and planned to finish up by noon, before the afternoon heat. 

Just as I was putting the final touches on my painting, the most wonderful clouds formed over the mountains. Well, who could leave those out of their painting? So I took a little extra time and added in clouds.

Thanks for visiting my blog and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

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

To the Quiet Place #2 , measuring 6" x 8", is painted in oil on an Italian canvas panel, varnished and ready to frame. Available for purchase on ETSY at www.ArtByCarolAdamec.ETSY.com.

Santa Fe Trees

Santa Fe Trees, painted en plein air. Oil on panel 6x8

A few weekends ago I took a plein air workshop in Santa Fe. On Saturday we painted in the arroyo behind Museum Hill, and it was in quite warm, in the high 80's. On Sunday we painted up in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains above Santa Fe, where we enjoyed temperatures in the low 70's. I was glad I had taken an extra paint shirt to wear. 

Santa Fe Trees was painted up in the cool of the mountains. where it is quite green with abundant trees—especially ponderosa pines and aspens. It will be lovely to return there in the fall, when the aspens are decked out in their golden yellow leaves.

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.

Santa Fe Trees, measuring 8" x 6", is painted in oil on Italian canvas panel, varnished and ready to frame. Available for purchase on ETSY at www.ArtByCarolAdamec.ETSY.com.

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.

Hearts & Flowers, Folk Style

Hearts & Flowers: Folk Style, 2013. Hand colored, mixed media on rice paper.

The fun part of hand coloring my Boogie Board prints is altering the hues and patterns to see how it all turns out. The variety of possibilities is amazing. The saturated colors of this version reminded me of the bright and cheerful designs of American Folk Art styles, such as the Pennsylvania Dutch. Enjoy!

Thanks for visiting my blog and have a great day.

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

Hearts & Flowers Folk Style is printed on rice paper and hand colored with Prismacolor pencil and metallic ink. The image measures approximately 7" x 5"  and comes mounted in an 10" x 8" black mat, ready to frame. The price is $85 with FREE SHIPPING, available for purchase on ETSY at www.ArtByCarolAdamec.ETSY.com. (On ETSY you can pay withPayPal or a credit card, and it's safe.)

Another Starry Night

Starry Night in the Garden 2, 2013, mixed media on rice paper.

How lovely to sit in the quiet of the garden on a summer evening, as stars twinkle silver in the deepening blue of the night. I can hear the crickets chirping now.

Thanks for taking a look. Have a wonderful day.

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

Starry Night in the Garden 2 is a mixed media artwork on ricepaper. The price is $85 unframed with FREE SHIPPING, available for purchase on ETSY at www.ArtByCarolAdamec.ETSY.com . (On ETSY you can pay withPayPal or a credit card, and it's safe.)

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

Why I Live in New Mexico...

To the Quiet Place, 2013. Original plein air painting in oil, alkyd.

I was buzzing around town late one afternoon, after several hours of endless errands and "to-do"s, and found myself at the foothills of the mountains. 

The clouds overhead created moving patches of light and shadow on the various mountain forms—a gift of beauty that grabbed my eye and my heart in a single moment and brought forth an involuntary "ahhhhh." All the stress of the day dissipated in an instant, and altered my drive home to a most pleasant excursion of looking and loving the views before me. 

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.

Return to Plein Air...Painting!

View from Coronado State Monument #2, 2013. SOLD

The weather has been lovely in New Mexico this month, and great for painting outdoors. 

The Plein Air Painters of New Mexico scheduled a "paintout" for the group on Saturday, May 4, at Coronado State Monument. This is a historic site, where in 1540 Francisco Vásquez de Coronado—with 300 soldiers and 800 Indian allies from "New Spain"—in his search for the fabled Seven Cities of Gold, came across a Tiwa settlement inhabited by native peoples instead. Adjacent to the Visitors Center are "new" ruins, reconstructed over the original pueblo ruins, along with a room full of kiva murals excavated in the 1930s by WPA workers.

This is a wonderful location for painting since there is a clear view of the Sandia Mountains, and the site slopes down to the Rio Grande River, lined with old—some very old—cottonwoods. (I can imagine the Conquistadores watering their horses at the river, or napping in the cool shade.) There are also a few scattered picnic tables with ramada covers to provide some shade.

The painting posted today is my second attempt to paint the Sandia Mountains as viewed from Coronado State Monument.  With great clouds floating over the ridge of peaks, the play of light, dark, and color was fun to capture on canvas. I hope you enjoy this painting.

Thanks for visiting my blog and have a great day!

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

Happy Mother's Day, Ladies ....

Cinnabar, 2013.

Enjoy Your Day!

"Red or Green?" Part 2

Today's post is the second pair of "Red or Green?"  The luscious red one is "Hearts & Flowers" and the lush green one is "Garden Varieties #8".

If you're interested in purchasing one of today's artworks, visit www.ArtByCarolAdamec.ETSY.com  

Thanks for visiting my blog and have a great day!

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

Red or Green?

In New Mexico, "Red or green?" is a common inquiry heard at most restaurants, when the waitperson is asking you which chile you prefer with your meal. (Hint: Get both—red AND green—on the side.)

With only a few days left before Mother's Day, I'm giving my readers a choice of "Garden Varieties 8" in two New Mexico color versions: "Garden Varieties RED" or "Garden Varieties GREEN (with yummy turquoise in the background)".

These two new versions are hot off the printer, matted 8"x10" in black.

If you're interested in purchasing today's artworks, visit www.ArtByCarolAdamec.ETSY.com (on ETSY you can pay with PayPal or a credit card, and it's safe!) 

Thanks for visiting my blog and have a great day!

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

10 Days until Mother's Day

Starry Night in the Garden 1, 2013. Handcolored mixed media on ricepaper.

Starry Night in the Garden 1, 2013

Printed on archival rice paper.

Handcolored with Prismacolor pencil and metallic silver.

Comes in 8" x 10" black mat.

Comes with Signed Certificate of Authenticity.

A One-of-a-Kind Mixed Media Artwork.

To purchase, contact the Artist.

Thanks for visiting my blog and enjoy a wonderful day.

12 Days until Mother's Day....

Hearts and Flowers, 2013. (Hand Colored on ricepaper)

How about some "Hearts and Flowers" for Mom?

SOLD

See other artworks at www.ArtByCarolAdamec.ETSY.com

Spring Lilies for Mom...

Spring Lilies, 2013. Boogie Board Drawing w/ Photoshop Coloration

Available for purchase in my ETSY shop:

www.ArtByCarolAdamec.ETSY.com

21 Days Until Mother's Day...

Garden Varieties #7 in Golden Light, 2013.

Garden Varieties #7: In Golden Light, 2013.

Printed on archival rice paper.
Handcolored with Prismacolor pencil, color inks, and metallic gold.

Comes in 8" x 10" black mat.
Comes with Certificate of Authenticity.

A One-of-a-kind mixed media artwork.

To purchase

go to www.ArtByCarolAdamec.ETSY.com

Thanks for visiting my blog and enjoy a wonderful day.
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Text and photo ©2013 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved. 

Spring ... and Mother's Day

Garden Varieties #6 w/ Gold Drops, 2013. Mixed media on rice paper.

Now that we've made it through Tax Day, we can turn out thoughts to Spring, gardening, flowers, and the next major celebration: Mother's Day, coming up on Sunday, May 12, just about 3 weeks away.

I've been looking through the hand colored version of my Boogie Board drawings and found one to give to my mother for her special day in May.

However, there are several others, like the image posted today, that are quite nice, too. So, for the next few weeks, I thought I would share these with you, Dear Readers, in case you are looking to give to your Mom (or someone else special) something a little different this year. (Today's image is Garden Varieties #6, w/ Gold Drops.)

Printed on archival rice paper, each Boogie Board drawing is embellished with color pencil, color inks, and/or metallic media, creating a truly, one-of-a-kind mixed media artwork. Each one is matted and ready to go into a standard size 8" x 10" frame. The price for each hand colored version varies.

To purchase, go to www.ArtByCarolAdamec.ETSY.com.

Thanks for visiting my blog and enjoy a wonderful day.
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Text and photo ©2013 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Florida Waterlilies

Waterlilies, 2013, Original Boogie Board Drawing.
Available for purchase at www.ArtByCarolAdamec.ETSY.com.

It's been awhile since I posted on my blog, due to the fact that my elderly mother took a bad fall in early March and was hospitalized twice within a 12-day period. So I drove to Florida to give my sister some help in caring for our mother for the past month. (Mom's doing fine now. )

I didn't have the spare time to do any art while away. But being in Florida put me in the mood to finish up this Boogie Board drawing which I drew probably a year ago at Lake Lily in Orlando. When I got home to Albuquerque last week and back into the studio, I was primed to finish it.

That happens occasionally: I get all fired up about starting a piece, work on it to a point, and then just leave it. Sometimes it never gets finished and sometimes it does.

Thanks for taking a look. Enjoy your day.
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Text and photo ©2013 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Bear Canyon...colorized

Bear Canyon Foothills, 2013. Boogie Board Drawing w/Handcoloring.

Just a month ago I posted the Boogie Board drawing I did en plein air while up in the east foothills of Albuquerque.

That was fun to do, but you know how much I like to add a little color. So, here's one of the "colorized" versions, completed with Prismacolor pencils.

Thanks for taking a look. Enjoy your day.
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Text and photo ©2013 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Available for purchase on ETSY at www.ArtByCarolAdamec.ETSY.com

Studio Open House...Friday!

If you're in the Albuquerque vicinity, please come by and say "Hello."

On display in my studio—for just this one evening—are several "Sunset Strip" paintings, daily paintings done in Florida and New Mexico, a selection from the "Sherd Series", and some Boogie Board drawings, too! 

Winter Greetings from New Mexico!

With an average of 278 days of sunshine a year, it's not often that one wakes up to gray skies in Albuquerque.

So when I opened my eyes Thursday morning to soft diffuse light coming in the bedroom window, I knew there was some type of moisture in the air, and jumped out of bed to take a look.

When I saw the snow on the ground, I grabbed my camera and ran out in my pajamas to take a few quick photographs, knowing that by noon, the sun will most likely have melted our brief winter wonderland.

As an ex-Chicagoan, this is my favorite kind of snow: Lovely to look at, and no shovelling!

I hope you are enjoying your Sunday afternoon.
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Text and photo ©2013 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Hearts and Flowers

Hearts and Flowers, 2013.

To all my Dear Readers:

Happy Valentine's Day!

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

Adding Color

Winter Lilies, 2013, Boogie Board Drawing w/ handcoloring

I've been "coloring" again with my Prismacolor pencils...this time on the Winter Lilies drawing that was featured last month.

It is available for purchase in my ETSY shop, with FREE SHIPPING right now, at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtByCarolAdamec.

Thanks for taking a look. I hope you are enjoying a pleasant week.
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Text and image ©2013 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Plein Air Drawing

Bear Canyon, 2013. Boogie Board Drawing en plein air

I went out to plein air paint last Saturday—a beautiful clear sunny day in the 50's. No excuse not to go! I had all my gear ready, so out the door I went for a pleasant drive to the Sandia foothills on the east side of town.

I must admit that I suffer from the typical novice plein air painter's dilemma: I see too many details (which excite me) and try to cram all of the view into a little tiny panel, which is impossible to do in a 2-hour window of changing morning light.

Most plein air instructors encourage students to do a few quick preliminary thumbnail sketches to get down basic shapes, values, and composition. Since I am a slow painter and want to get going ASAP, I never want to take the time to do this. Well, it is a new year and I am trying to change my ways...

So I took along my Boogie Board thinking that, since it works fast, is limited to dark and light, and is about the same size as a painting panel, I would enjoy doing a preliminary sketch. And I did.

In fact, I got so absorbed in drawing the view in Bear Canyon on the Boogie Board that I never did get my paints out! (sigh) So today's post is my plein air drawing.

Thanks for taking a moment to visit my blog. Enjoy your day.
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Text and image ©2013 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

A Whole New Flavor

Old China #1

Today's image may seem familiar, since you may recall having seen it featured in a post last summer as the original Boogie Board drawing, "Garden Varieties #4."

I made color changes to the image which gave it a whole new flavor. The title of this version is "Old China #1" and it's available for purchase in my ETSY shop  www.ArtByCarolAdamec.ETSY.com

Thanks for taking a look. I hope you are having a good Monday!
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Text and image ©2013 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Another DIY Project

View of Boca Negra Canyon, Albuquerque, NM

After getting my new art table together Monday, another project arrived in the mail this week. I purchased a Guerrilla Painter 6x8 Pochade ThumBox a week ago, and it arrived Tuesday.

Pochade, from French word poche for pocket, is a type of painting sketch done in a small, portable format. Artists from past eras painted such sketches on small wood panels that would fit in a coat pocket along with tubes of oil paint. Fast forward to today, we now have lightweight compact boxes for painting en plein air with all of our gear.

The two pochade boxes I have been using were wooden boxes that I adapted for painting outdoors. They were workable but had a few shortcomings that became inconvenient after awhile.

My new Guerrilla Painter pochade box actually arrived ready to use (it's cute as a button and very nicely made!), except for some custom alterations I wanted to make. I added a carrying handle, some rubber feet, the metal tripod plate, some removable mixing trays, and I covered the palette mixing area with plexiglas for easy cleaning. Then I gessoed and primed some panels to paint on and loaded the pochade box with oils, turpentine, brushes, and other necessities.

I was all set to go out painting with the Plein Air Painters of New Mexico today—even though it was only 46 degrees this morning, even though the skies were gray with dense thick clouds (my least favorite lighting)—until it started raining, a good soaking drizzle that lasted for several hours. Oh, well, when you live in the desert, you never complain about rain or snow.

I did drive out to the site—Boca Negra Canyon located on the far westside of Albuquerque—and took some pictures of this volcanic rock-strewn area. It's not a landscape you can just see anywhere, and it offers the chance to see petroglyphs, too.

This is New Mexico and there will certainly be a multitude of sunny days to revisit this site and paint. I'm looking forward to it.

Thanks for taking a look. Enjoy your weekend!
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Text and image ©2013 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

"Assembly Required"

I've been in the studio this week, working—not with paints and brushes—but with screw drivers and Allen wrenches.

For Christmas, my son and his family gave me an art table, which has been in the box—Assembly Required—in the back of my car for the drive back to New Mexico after New Year's.

Monday, I decided, was the day to tackle this project. The box was too heavy for me to carry up to the second floor, so I made a few trips until I got all the parts into the studio. It took about 3 hours to put the table together. Actually, it went together pretty well, thanks to good photos and clearly written directions.

It's nicely made, and the top can be adjusted from flat to various degrees of slant. Cool! I'm really happy with it and look forward to using it.

Thanks, Kids. I appreciate the nice gift!

PS: The painting hanging above the art table is Salado Cathedral, oil and alkyd on panel, 30” x 30”. The painting is part of my Ancient Sherd Series and was exhibited  at the Harwood Art Center in the "What Remains" show during April, 2012.

Thanks for taking a look. Enjoy your day.
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Text and image ©2013 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Color of the Year

Winter Lilies, 2013. Boogie Board Drawing.

If you haven't heard, the "Color of the Year" for 2013 is Emerald Green.

Officially, the exact color is Pantone Emerald 17-5641, as decreed by Pantone, "...the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries..."(All quotes are from the company's press release of December 6, 2012, available at www.pantone.com)

It is a beautiful color, indeed, and as stated by the Pantone Color Institute spokesperson, "Green is the most abundant hue in nature – the human eye sees more green than any other color in the spectrum...As it has throughout history, multifaceted Emerald continues to sparkle and fascinate. Symbolically, Emerald brings a sense of clarity, renewal and rejuvenation, which is so important in today’s complex world. This powerful and universally appealing tone translates easily to both fashion and home interiors.” And "art", I would add.

My image for today's post is a bouquet of lilies—another floral still life done on the Boogie Board—presented in the 2013 Color of the Year.

Thanks for taking a look. Enjoy your day.

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

January Bouquet

January Bouquet, 2013. Boogie Board JOT drawing.

It's so nice to have a bouquet of cut flowers in the house during winter...and fun to draw on the Boogie Board, too.

Thanks for taking a look at today's post. Enjoy your day!
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Text and image ©2013 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Happy New Year!

New Year Rose, 2013. Boogie Board Drawing.

Happy New Year!

For this first day of 2013 I am posting a rose drawing done on my new "Jot" eWriter, a Boogie Board device that I'll write about in a future post.

Thanks for taking a moment to read today's post. I very much appreciate all my readers and thank you for following my blog, viewing my work, sending me your comments, and purchasing my artwork. Thank you so much for being a part of my art adventure!

Garden Varieties #7: Gold Series

Garden Varieties #7: Gold, 2012. 

The opening at the Weyrich Gallery last Friday was quite nice. Since it was an Albuquerque citywide ArtsCrawl, all the galleries were open; and being a lovely evening, lots of folks were out looking at art.

I was pleased to sell 5 of my Boogie Board handcolored works on paper during the opening. (Many thanks to my buyers!)

Today's image is one of the pieces in the exhibit. It is from the Garden Varieties Series and has been embellished with metallic gold and color pencil. It's available framed for $115, or unframed for $85 (plus S&H). If you are interest in purchasing, contact the Weyrich Gallery at 505.883.7410.

Have a great day, and thanks for taking a moment to visit my blog.

Showtime!

Tonight is the opening reception for the Weyrich Gallery exhibit in Albuquerque. And here's your "official" invitation. The exhibit continues through December 28.

Boogie Board Drawings on Exhibit

Golden Garden Varieties w/ handcoloring, 2012

For the past two weeks I've been tweaking and handcoloring the Boogie Board drawings that have been featured on this blog over the past few months.

Today's image is Boogie Board drawing #4 from the Garden Varieties Series that I revised and then handcolored with Prismacolor pencil and gold metallic ink. All those extra embellishments give this version a bit of "wow!" factor. It is rather amazing to see how variations in color and material can alter the visual impact of each image.

I'm pleased to announce that the entire handcolored Garden Varieties Series, Ti Plant, and  Albuquerque Rooftop Series are included in a group exhibit at the Weyrich Gallery here in Albuquerque, The exhibit "Universal Expression, Change" opens this Friday (December 7), 5-8:30pm and includes fine art, jewelry, sculpture, photography, glass, and mixed media work by eleven artists.

If you are in the Albuquerque area, please come by Friday evening to say "hello" and see the show. I'll be there! and look forward to your response to the Boogie Board drawings.  The gallery is located in the NE Heights at 2935 Louisiana NE at Candelaria. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

Thanks for taking a look. Have a great day!
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Text and image ©2012 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Autumn in Albuquerque #2

Autumn in Albuquerque #2, 2012  SOLD

This has been a most lovely autumn season in Albuquerque­­--warm, clear sunny days with brisk, get-under-the-covers, frosty nights.

Today's image is the final Albuquerque Rooftop Boogie Board drawing that I've handcolored. Titled Autumn in Albuquerque #2, it has stronger fall colors, captured in the clear light of the late afternoon.

Thanks for taking a look. Have a great day!

Night Glow

Night Glow 1, 2012. Boogie Board Drawing w/ handcoloring

Here's another handcolored variation of the "original" Albuquerque Rooftops Boogie Board drawing I posted on October 30. This one is called Night Glow.

Thanks for taking a look. Have a good day.
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Text and image ©2012 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Rose Glow

Rose Glow 1, 2012 Boogie Board drawing w/handcoloring SOLD

The response to last week's post was all positive for the hand colored version of the Boogie Board drawing, "Albuquerque Rooftops." (Many thanks to Readers who emailed me their comments.)

While I had the Prismacolor pencils out, I handcolored a few other variations. I will be happy to hear your response to these, too.

Thanks for taking a moment to read this post. Have a wonderful week!
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Text and image ©2012 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Adding Color

Autumn in Albuquerque, Boogie Board drawing w/handcoloring (SOLD)

Well, I just couldn't resist. I got out the Prismacolor pencils and "colorized" the print of the Boogie Board drawing, Albuquerque Rooftops. Now I really like it! And I hope you enjoy it, too.

Thanks for taking a moment to read this post. Have a great day.
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Text & image ©2012 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Digital Printmaking

Albuquerque Rooftops, 2012, Boogie Board Drawing on ricepaper (SOLD)

As promised in my Tuesday blogpost, I am posting version #2 of my Boogie Board drawing "Albuquerque Rooftops."

For version #2, I eliminated the green color and printed the image on a natural color rice paper having a pronounced fiber content that activates the surface. To me, the image has a look similar to a "traditional" hand pulled print—the kind we did in art school, way-back-when, before the digital age. I like it.

Of course, this version, with all that blank space, seems to beg for some hand coloring. So, I may get the color pencils out and see what a few touches of hue do for the image.

Thanks for taking a moment to read this post. And thanks to those readers who emailed me your comments about this image. I appreciate it! Have a good weekend.
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Text and image ©2012 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Albuquerque Rooftops #1

Hello, Dear Readers,

The weeks have flown by, and I finally arrived in Albuquerque 12 days ago. I am fortunate to once again be renting living space from my dear friend Sondra. And, just 48 hours after arriving in town, I obtained a studio at the Harwood Art Center. How lucky can one person be?

While setting up my workspace Saturday afternoon, I took time to do a drawing on the Boogie Board. I was attracted to the view out my second floor studio window, which overlooks the rooftops in the neighborhood with the Sandia Mountains in the distance--a beautiful sight in the late afternoon light.

Once the drawing was finished, I uploaded it to the computer and developed three different variations. The version posted today is the "original", after a few tweaks in Photoshop. I'll share the other two versions with you later this week.

Thanks for taking a moment to read this post. Enjoy your day.
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Text & image 2012 Carol L Adamec. All rights reserved.

Going Tropical!

Tropical Garden #1: Ti Plant
Boogie Board Drawing and Adobe Photoshop

As I mentioned in last week's post, I'm staying with my sister and brother-in-law in the Orlando area for a few weeks. After my stroll around their yard last week, I looked to the lovely and colorful tropical plantings on the property for some creative inspiration.

One of the plants that caught my eye is the ti (pronounced "tea") plant, also known as cordyline. The rich green color of its leaves transitions into deep pinks and brilliant magentas towards the tips and edges, making this tropical shrub a real eye catcher in the garden.

The image posted today started out as a Boogie Board drawing, and looked similar to the "Garden Varieties" renderings I posted on this blog over the summer. However, the finished image just seemed so lackluster, so bland. Hmmm....well, of course! It's a tropical plant. It needs color!

Thanks to the digital graphics power of Adobe Photoshop, I was able to add color—and a whole lot of visual excitement—to transform the Boogie Board drawing into the image you see posted today. Available in my ETSY shop at www.ArtByCarolAdamec.ETSY.com.

Thanks for taking a moment to take a look. Enjoy a great week!
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Text and image ©2012 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.