About The Artist

My photo
Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Hello! I am a fine arts painter, with a BFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. My primary painting medium is oil and alkyd, and mostly I work in a representational style. My greatest challenge as a painter is to capture the effect of light; and my greatest joy as a painter is to accomplish that. Many thanks to those readers who have been following this blog since Day 1 (May 19, 2008). To those who are visiting for the first time today...Welcome, and thanks for dropping by!

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

By the Window...

By the Window, 2014
Original painting, oil on panel, 6x6"
SOLD
For me, painting is always about the light--
in this painting, coming through the window,
illuminating the forms of a lovely iris, closeup.

Thank you for taking a look.
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©2014 Carol Adamec, image and text.

Monday, July 28, 2014

Tulips in the Garden

Sunbathers, 2014
Original oil on gessoed panel, 4" x 6"
Available for purchase on  Daily Paintworks 

When painting flowers, I usually depict them in a garden setting—more like a landscape painting than a still life. To me, the flowers always seem more lively shown this way, basking in the sunshine, with blue skies overhead, among their kindred blossoms and greenery.

Tulips in the garden is a favorite subject for me. I hope you enjoy these sunbathers, too!
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Text and image ©2014 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Snappy Dragons

Snappy Dragons, 2014
Original oil on panel, 6" x 4"
CLICK TO PURCHASE

So here's another summertime flower: colorful snapdragons with a bright turquoise sky in the background. Enjoy!
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Text and image ©2014 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Hello, I'm Back!

Floating Rose, 2014
Original oil painting on panel, 6" x 4"
SOLD
Hello, Dear Readers,

No, I haven't forsaken you or my blog. I have been out of town for most of the summer and just recently returned. And here it is, the end of July already!

Before my travels, I had been painting the late spring and early summer flowers and thought I would have time to post them online. That (obviously) didn't happen.

So, I am now ready to share these colorful little beauties with you over the next week or two. I hope you enjoy them.

Thanks for giving a few moments of your time to take a look. I hope you are enjoying your summer, too!
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Text and image ©2014 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.


Thursday, May 29, 2014

Summer is Here...

Sunshine Garden, 2014. Original digital drawing printed on ricepaper.

I have been revising my "Garden Varieties" series of digital drawings that I did on a Boogie Board Tablet awhile back—this time, adding lots of luscious color using Adobe Photoshop. Fun!

This print on rice paper matted for an 8x10" frame can be purchased via my shop on ETSY.com.

Thanks for taking a look. Enjoy your day!
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©2014 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Sunday, May 11, 2014

To All The Moms Out There...

Hearts & Flowers (Back to the 60's)

Over the last few days I've been listening to a radio station that has been playing Mother's Day songs…who would have thought there would be so many?

One of the songs had a refrain along the line of "Happy Mother's Day to My '60's, Hippie Mama." Well, somehow that inspired me to turn up the colors on my "Hearts & Flowers" print, just to wish all you Moms out there a very...

Happy Mother's Day!

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Flowers for Thursday

Sun Glow, 2014. Original painting, oil on Gessobord panel, 8"x8"
SOLD
March is a busy month for me this year, with the Open Studio Night at the Harwood Art Center two weeks ago and another art event just this past weekend—sometimes you gotta paint; sometimes you gotta sell. 

I will be out of the studio for the next few weeks, but wanted to share with you my most recent finished painting called Sun Glow, to honor today as the First Day of Spring.

I hope it is a beautiful day where you are.
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Text and image ©2014 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Friday, February 28, 2014

Friday's Flowers #2

"Blue" 2014. Original painting, oil, alkyd on canvas panel. 6" x 4"
SOLD
It will be a while before the morning glories return, sprawling over the adobe wall where I live. In the meantime, I enjoyed painting this little piece of summer light, blessing the flowers.

Thank you for taking a moment to view my blog. Enjoy your weekend.
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Image and text ©Carol L Adamec, 2014

Friday, February 21, 2014

Friday's Flower Painting....



"Basking in the Light" 2014. Original oil painting on 4"x6"panel.
SOLD

I enjoy buying and painting flowers the most during the winter, when there's not as much color in the landscape. Besides, it reminds me that Spring is coming.

This painting was listed for auction earlier this week on the Daily PaintWorks (DPW) site and selected as a "DPW Facebook Pick of the Day" on Wednesday, February 19 (https://www.facebook.com/dailypaintworks). So that was a nice little honor for it to receive.

Thanks for taking a look. Enjoy your work day and the weekend ahead. Spring is coming!
                                                                                           
Image and text © 2014 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.



Monday, February 17, 2014

For Those Who Love to Howl...

Garden Varieties 1: Rising Moon, 2014
Available for purchase on ETSY

...a full moon, rising!


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Image ©2014 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Friday, February 14, 2014

The Day for Love....

Hearts and Flowers Valentine, 2014.  Original Boogie Board Digital Print.
Happy Valentine's Day!
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Image ©2014 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

The Land of Enchanting Weather



Landscape Sketch #11 (Elena Gallegos, Albuquerque)
Original plein air painting, oil on panel, 6"x4"

To purchase, click HERE
You won't hear local folks grumbling about the weather we have been blessed with in Albuquerque this week. It has been sunny, in the high 50's and 60's every day—unusual for January—and we are loving it! 

I was up in the Sandia foothills, painting with the Monday Plein Air Painters, just a few days ago. While enjoying the late afternoon light on the mountains, I completed the painting posted on today's blog.

To all the folks out there coping with winter cold, ice. and snow, be careful!

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Text and image ©2014 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Today It's Tulips

Tulips, 2014. Original oil painting on gessoed panel. 4" x 6"
Private Collection


It's been awhile since I've done a floral painting. So it was fun this past weekend to do this oil on panel painting of tulips. I hope you enjoy it.

Thanks for taking a moment to visit my blogpost. Have a great day.

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Text and images ©2014 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Path to the Mountains


Landscape Sketch #10, 2013. Original plein air painting.

Anchoring the City of Albuquerque on the east are the Sandia Mountains, a favorite subject of mine for painting "en plein air."

This painting was done from the Sandia foothills area known as Elena Gallegos, on Monday, November 4, 2013, between the hours of 11am-2pm.

There was plenty of sunshine lighting up the landscape, warming the rock-strewn hills and pink granite faces of the mountains.

Thanks for taking a moment to visit my blog. I hope you enjoy a great weekend!
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Image & text ©Carol L Adamec, 2014

Monday, January 6, 2014

Lingering Autumn

Landscape Sketch #9, 2013. Original oil on panel painted en plein air.
SOLD
Painted en plein air on November 11, 2013, this is a view of the Sandia Mountains from the Rio Grande Nature Center in Albuquerque on the last gorgeous day of lingering autumn.

Within the next week or so, the weather shifted into winter, with the trees dropping their leaves and snow appearing on the mountain tops.

But what a wonderful glow of light and warmth to enjoy on this afternoon!

Thanks for taking a look at my blog. I hope you are having a wonderful first full week of the New Year.
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Image & text ©Carol L Adamec, 2014

Saturday, January 4, 2014

A Painting for the New Year

"The Clearing", 2013. Oil on gessoed panel. 4x6"
SOLD
This painting started out as a plein air sketch that I did on a stormy day several months ago, that just didn't come together. I reworked it a couple of times with no improvement, and set it aside on a shelf.

I was in my studio on December 31, and for some reason I was inspired to "clear up" the image. After an hour or so the image did "clear up" and became one of light and hope. I liked that idea.

My astrology friend Eleanor Kibrick believes that 2014 will be a better year than 2013. Perhaps there will be a clearing of the angst and impasse in our lives, our country, our world. That is something to hope for.

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Happy Holidays from New Mexico!

 Snowy arroyo at Elena Gallegos.
Very Best Wishes
to All!

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Yes, Another Invitation for You….

Old Pueblo, 2012. Original oil, alkyd on gessoed panel. 30" x 30".

Hello, my dear blog Readers in the Albuquerque area,

Yes, I have paintings in another group art show, this one entitled "MERGE"—a juried exhibition sponsored by The Southwest Chapter (includes AZ, NM, UT, NV) of the Society of Layerists in MultiMedia (SLMM).

The exhibit opened to the public at the African American Performing Arts Center at NM Expo (The Fairgrounds) on December 6.

And, this Friday, December 13, is the opening reception of "MERGE" from 6-8pm. Light refreshments will be served.

The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public. Please note that it may be necessary to pay for parking ($5) at the Fairgrounds.The exhibit continues thru December 28. The AAPAC is open Tuesday thru Friday,10-5ppm, and Saturday 10-4pm.

The image posted on today's blog is one of three paintings I have in the show. I hope to see you at the opening!
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Image & text ©Carol L Adamec, 2013

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

You're Invited....


Hey, Blog Readers in the Albuquerque area,

If you are looking to take a break from the shopping, gift wrapping, and card writing, why not attend the Holiday Gala event this Saturday evening to benefit the Albuquerque Center for Peace and Justice.

The evening starts at 6pm and offers great music by Wagogo, homemade Southwest foods to dine on, and all varieties of arts, crafts, and creative endeavors—maybe you'll find the perfect gift for that "hard-to-buy-for" someone still on your holiday list.

I'll be there selling my original paintings, prints, and Painted Ponies. I did this event several years ago. Friendly folks, great music, and wear-what you-want dress code made it a fun evening. (Check the information on the poster for all the details.) I hope to see you there!
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Text ©Carol L Adamec, 2013

Too tempting....for me!

TOP Photo: Boogie Board Jot 4.5 in the package
BOTTOM Photo: MY new Boogie Board Jot 4.5
I started my Christmas shopping last Monday—BEFORE the craziness of Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday shopping (which I hope you all survived).

With my $5-off Bed Bath and Beyond coupon in hand, I drove down to my local store to purchase a Boogie Board Jot 4.5 tablet for the 7-year old in our family.

This is a new item from Improv Electronics, and it is soooo cute! It comes in accent colors—red, blue, pink, gray, black—with a snap-on stylus and snap-on protective cover.

The retail is $19.99, but with my coupon it was only $15 plus tax. I bought a red one.

I guess I should have wrapped it up and put the child's name on it when I got home, but I couldn't resist. I opened up the package and started drawing on it. It is just as much fun as my full size Boogie Board Jot 8.5, but smaller, "pocket sized" that will fit in my purse, my plein air paintbox, and will go with me everywhere, I can see.

The contoured shape fits my hand perfectly, and it has the push-button eraser—good for 50,000 "do-overs", quick notes, and reminders. That's a lot of sketch paper, note paper, and Post-Its.

So last Wednesday—BEFORE the craziness of Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday shopping—I was back at Bed Bath and Beyond to purchase another red Boogie Board Jot 4.5 for the 7-year old in our family. It's all wrapped up with his name on it, ready to go under the tree. I hope he likes the new Jot 4.5 as much as I do.

Saturday, November 30, 2013

My New Online Gallery at Daily PaintWorks

Sunset Strip #20: Lake Howell, FL. Original oil on gessoed wood, 3"x9.5"
SOLD


About a week ago, I decided to join Daily PaintWorks, a website where artists can show their work and interested buyers can peruse and purchase originals done in a variety of traditional media, sizes, and subject matter.

To get started with this new venue, I am auctioning some of my smaller paintings, most with a starting bid of only $10. If you have been reading this blog for awhile, you may recognize several of the paintings.

I've already sold two paintings this week ("Real Lemons" and "Sophisticated Lilies") and will be putting several others up for auction over the next few weeks…just in time for holiday gift giving (or holiday art collecting for yourself). I'll also being adding some "Buy It Now" paintings for those of you who prefer instant gratification or don't want to wait for an auction outcome.

If you are reading this while on my blog page (www.CarolAdamec.Blogspot.com), just look to the right hand column of this page and you'll see the heading "My New Online Gallery." Just below this heading is the Daily PaintWorks box with rotating images of my paintings. You can click there to be taken to my Daily PaintWorks gallery page.

If you are reading this via your email, just click on this LINK which will take you to my Daily PaintWorks gallery page.

You can also go to http://www.DailyPaintWorks.com and type in my name Carol Adamec in the "By Artist" box under "Quick Search" at the top of the far left hand column of the home page.

I hope you will take a look at my new online gallery. Thank you and enjoy!

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Image & text ©Carol L Adamec, 2013

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

The Long View

Landscape Sketch #8 (San Antonio Oxbow),  2013.
Original oil on gessoed panel, 4"x6"
(NFS: Artist's Collection)

Besides meeting very nice artists to share an outdoor painting session, the great thing about being in a plein air group is that you get to paint in places that you might never discover on your own. That was the case when I painted with the Monday Painters about a month ago. 

We gathered around 4:30 in the afternoon on the west side of the Rio Grande River on a sandy cliff. Spread out before us was an incredible long view looking to the east. The San Antonio Oxbow is directly below the cliff, and extends to the bosque, speckled with old cottonwoods in various stages of green-to-yellow color changes. 

Beyond that are the treetops of Albuquerque's neighborhoods sloping up to the Sandia Mountains, that were just starting to take on a pink blush of the coming sunset.The light and air were perfectly clear. 

With the sun warm on our backs, we all painted away for the next two hours, enjoying this unique view. A truly fabulous day for plein air painting, and I was pleased with the painting I completed, too.

Thanks for taking a moment to visit my blog. I hope you enjoyed this post. Have a great day.
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Image & text ©Carol L Adamec, 2013

Monday, November 11, 2013

Truth or Beauty?

Landscape Sketch #7 (Nightfall),  2013. Original oil on panel, 4"x6"
(Private Collection)

Most of the time I go out during the day to paint en plein air. However, with the days getting shorter and the light having such a different quality now than during the summer months, I've been painting in the late afternoon.

A few weeks ago, just about 45 minutes before sunset, I drove down the road from home to a pull-off that has a great view of the Sandia Mountains. I set up and quickly painted the mountains while they still had some fading light on them. I intended to wait for moonrise, with the light coming up behind the mountains, to capture the full moon that evening.


I had checked the moonrise time for that day (You really can find out everything on the internet!), which meant waiting another an hour and 40 minutes before I could finish my painting. I had a little lantern to provide light on my palette for mixing paint and seeing my panel. I waited, and waited, and waited. One by one the stars came out, faint blurs of light in the sky until the night deepened. But no moonrise. Hmmmm....

So I packed my gear up, drove home, and again checked the information on the internet. Moonrise was at the time specified, but on the east side of the mountains. The moon did come into view that evening, about 45 minutes later than I expected, but behind the clouds that had rolled in. So my intended painting remained unfinished.

A few days later in the studio, I painted in the sky with a color that appealed to me and added a sprinkling of silver points of starlight that I had seen that night. Not entirely a truthful rending but still a beautiful result, I think.

Thank you for taking a moment to view my blog. Hope your week is off to a great start.
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Image & text ©Carol L Adamec, 2013

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

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

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Plein Air Evening

Landscape Sketch #5, 2013. Oil, alkyd on 4x6" gessoed panel.
Private Collection
A few weeks ago I joined the Monday plein air painters at Elena Gallegos. It was late in the afternoon, just as the sunset was fading into evening, and the moon was beginning to glow over the Sandia Mountains.

Thanks for visiting my blog and I hope your weekend is enjoyable.

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

Los Poblanos Plein Air


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

I recently joined the Monday Painters group. The group was organized by Jean Kondek, who is also a member of the Plein Air Painters of New Mexico and has a studio around the corner from me at the Harwood Art Center. She arranged for us to paint at Los Poblanos Open Space in Albuquerque on Saturday afternoon, October 5. 

I hadn't been to this location, even though it's right in town near the Rio Grande, and I've driven by the entrance many times. The land is flat and open, used for organic farming, and has a nice view of the Sandia Mountains, which I very much enjoyed painting that day. 

Thank you for taking a moment to view my blog. Have a good day!
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Image and text © Carol L Adamec, 2013

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Just Before Sundown...

Plein Air Landscape Sketch #3,  2013. Original oil on gessoed panel, 4"x6"

Just a short drive from the house (I often ride my bike to this location) is a great view of the Sandia Mountains. So around 5pm on September 25, I jumped in the car with my plein air gear, drove to this location, set up and began painting the view.

"Sandia" in Spanish means "watermelon", which is similar to the deep pink color the granite rock of the Sandia Mountains turns as the sun begins to set. I was waiting for the mountains to take on that rosy glow so I could capture that rich color in my painting; and I was not disappointed.

Amazingly, as the sun began to head below the horizon, a purple shadow crept along the landscape toward the mountain. Within a minute or two, it reached the foothills, ran up the mountain side, and engulfed the entire mountain range in darkness. Quite a transformation!

Thank you for taking a moment to view my blog. I hope you are enjoying a wonderful day.
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Image & text ©Carol L Adamec, 2013

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Postcard from New Mexico...

 
The big event in Albuquerque this past week has been the annual Balloon Fiesta. Monday morning I was awakened by the "whoosh" of hot air balloons passing over the house. It was quite a sight, seeing 548 colorful airships in the clear blue morning skies.
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Text & photo ©Carol Adamec, 2013

Saturday, October 5, 2013

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

Friday, October 4, 2013

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.

Monday, September 30, 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

Saturday, September 21, 2013

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.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

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.

Sunday, September 15, 2013

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.

Thursday, August 8, 2013

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

Thursday, July 25, 2013

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.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

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.

Saturday, July 13, 2013

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.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

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.

Monday, July 1, 2013

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.