Happy New Year!

Season's Greetings

"Blue Gate (Winter)"
Photo by Carol Adamec

Hello, Dear Readers,

It's been so long since I published a new entry on my blog...and there's much news and new paintings to share with you. I resume posting on Monday and look forward to connecting with you again in the New Year.

Please accept my Holiday Greetings and Good Wishes to you for 2010!

Hugs & Best,
Carol
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Text and image ©2009 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Almost show time!

I am in the throes of finishing up paintings and framing for my exhibit at Spiva Center for the Arts in Joplin, Missouri, which opens July 17 to the membership and guests, and on July 18 for the general public. The image above is from Spiva's website: www.spivaarts.org.

My exhibit, Catching the Light is a one-person show in Spiva's Regional Gallery and will feature many of the original paintings you have seen posted here on my blog over the past year or more. If you're in the Joplin area on July 17, please! come to the free opening reception (6-8pm) as my guest!

Brave New Art is a group exhibit in Spiva's larger Main Gallery, and includes digital paintings by my friend Lisa Rivas whom I introduced to you last summer in my July 29, 2008 blogpost. I am looking forward to see what new exciting work Lisa will have in the exhibit.

And to the Anonymous Friend of the Arts who has donated to Spiva in support of my exhibit, many thanks and muchas gracias. I can't thank you enough!

I am suspending my blog for the next several weeks while in Joplin, and will resume posting in mid September. Thank you for your readership and support.

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Text copyright 2009 Carol L. Adamec

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.

Final view of the pond

Homage to Monet #4

Porcelain paint on ceramic tile
4.25" x 4.25"

As the last post for June, I'm posting the fourth and final porcelain painting on ceramic tile that I've completed, inspired by Monet's water lilies.

Meanwhile, back in the studio, I am starting a small flower painting. Maybe it will be ready for Thursday. See you then.
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Text and image ©2009 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Bassin trois...a la Monet!

Homage to Monet #3

Porcelain paint on ceramic tile
4.25" x 4.25"

From the emails I've gotten in the past week, it seems that many of my readers are enjoying these Monet-inspired porcelain paintings of water lilies on ceramic tiles. So, here's a third view of "the pond"...inspired by Monet.

Some of you have mentioned that these painted tiles could be a great decorative touch in a bathroom, either incorporated into the tile wall, a sink back splash, or just framed as a piece of "bathroom art." All good ideas, I think, although poor old Claude might be taken aback!

Nevertheless, if you think of a use for these paintings on ceramic tile, let me know. I'd like to hear your ideas!
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Text and image ©2009 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Another View...a la Monet

Homage to Monet #2

Porcelain paint on ceramic tile
4.25" x 4.25"

Now that we are "officially" into the summer season, here's another view of "the pond"...inspired by Monet. Enjoy! See you Thursday.
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Text and image 2009, Carol Adamec

Summer Pond...Monet style

Homage to Monet #1
Porcelain paint on ceramic tile
4.25" x 4.25"

Rather than painting this week, I have been going through my studio, checking my inventory, and framing, getting ready for my July exhibit at Spiva Center for the Arts in Joplin, Missouri (which you'll hear more about soon).

I came across a box of ceramic tiles--the kind that you install in a bathroom or kitchen--and found some that I had painted on with porcelain paints. I did these tiles several years ago, inspired by a large water lily painting by Monet that I had seen in a museum. The porcelain paints are fairly transparent and dry within minutes, so you have to work quickly and loosely.

These were fun to do and I'll probably be showing a few others next week. I think they have a "summery" quality to them.

Thanks for taking a look today. Have a great weekend, and "Happy Father's Day" to all the Dads out there, too. See you Monday.
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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.

Success en plein air

Cottonwood Reflections

Original oil, alkyd on canvas panel
7" x 5"
SOLD

When I go out to paint, I usually prefer a sunny day....better to capture distinct lights and darks/sunlight and shadow. Saturday began as an overcast day with thick clouds overhead. Oh, well, as a plein air painter, you go anyway. That's part of the challenge, to see if you can get a decent painting out of whatever weather and natural elements are available on a given day.

Sandia Lakes is just a few miles north from where I live. I met my friend Carmen there and we drove around to select a spot with a good view. Because of the clouds, the great view of the Sandia Mountains was pretty hazy. So I picked a closer view of old cottonwood trees reflected in one of the man-made lakes. The issue was to keep the colors subtle yet interesting.

Fortunately I had brought a panel toned with a thin wash of burnt sienna, so I allowed that color to show through in places, providing a warm "highlight" here and there. After a couple of hours, the painting, as seen here, was done. I was happy with it ...a success en plein air for me!

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

Piedras Marcadas en plein air

Piedra Marcada

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

To those faithful readers who tuned in to this blog on Monday, I apologize for the missing post. My internet connection was down. As it turned out, it was a good thing.

I had thought that this little painting, that I began last week, was done; it was to be the post image for Monday. However, the painting was so lifeless, "tight" and uninteresting that I almost sanded it down to start all over. Instead I decided to "push" the image....what the heck! It couldn't get any worse.

The version you see today better captures the feel and light of this New Mexico site where I set up my easel. I'm much more satisfied with it. Maybe the painting is even done!

I'll be out again painting en plein air this Saturday with my dear artist friend Carmen Sharpe. Carmen enjoys painting outdoors more than I do, and has a natural affinity for capturing the light and air on location. I hope she'll give me some pointers. And, I have every intention of remembering my white paint this time!

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

Plein air...stage 2

Piedras Marcadas (WIP)

Oil, alkyd on canvas panel
6" x 8"

Today's post shows what I had hoped my "on location" painting would have looked on Monday, after a morning of plein air painting at Piedras Marcadas. As you can see, I definitely needed the white paint for the pale blue sky, distant mountains on the far right edge, foreground light, and highlights.

Although I took a few photographs of the the view, most of what you now see has been painted from memory and invention, and, in my opinion, better than the "reality" I observed. It proves what Pablo Picasso is famous for saying: "Art is a lie that tells the truth."

Many thanks to those who sent me email comments about Monday's post. I truly appreciate your encouragement!

I'll be finishing up this little landscape and post the final version next week. Thanks for taking a look today. See you Monday.
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Text and image ©2009 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Plein Air rough

Piedras Marcadas (WIP)
Oil, alkyd on gessoed panel
6"x8"

A few months ago I joined the Plein Air Painters of New Mexico. Due to schedule conflicts I hadn't been out to paint with the group yet....until today. Since I hadn't done plein air since living in Florida, I was really looking forward to this session, since it was clear, cool, and quite pleasant this morning.

I spent part of yesterday setting up my plein air paint box and priming a few 6x8 panels to paint on. So this morning when I left the house at 8am, I thought I was all set to paint. The location was on the westside of Albuquerque, an undeveloped open space, called Piedras Marcadas, meaning "marked rocks", because of the petroglyphs in the area.

I hiked around, lugging all my painting gear, and found a shaded spot with a nice view. While setting up my palette, I discovered that I had forgotten my white paint, a huge deficit when working with a limited palette of 5 or six colors. Darn! Not wanting to completely give up on this opportunity, I worked up a tonal rendering of the scene, concentrating on the composition and lights and darks.

Fortunately I did remember my camera. So this rough start will be completed in the studio.

Enjoy the short work week! See you Thursday.
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Text and image ©2009 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

New Potsherd Painting

Blue Diamond
Oil, alkyd on gessoed panel
Approx 3.5 x 3"

Many thanks to those who emailed me their comments and suggestions about last week's potsherd piece. I appreciate the input!

Today's post shows another "mini-abstraction" based on an Indian potsherd.This little "mini" painting began much like the others --by covering the entire panel surface with black paint, then scratching through the paint to make the design, and adding other colors. I do like the blue-green colors.

See you next week. Have a safe and most enjoyable Memorial Day weekend.
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Text and image ©Carol Adamec 2009. All rights reserved.

NM Morada revisited

New Mexico Morada (WIP)

Oil, alkyd on canvas panel
9.25" x 8"

This painting has been sitting on a shelf in my studio since I last posted it back on March 9. It didn't quite work, so I've been just looking at it to determine what needed to be done.

The first change was to alter the 10" x 8" format. By chopping off three-quarters of an inch of the foreground, I think the church seems to "sit" better in the composition.. The new size is 9.25 x 8".

The whites were too cream-colored, so they've been lightened and cooled. I put more background space around the morada building and enhanced the distant landscape, adding some clouds along the horizon to relate the sky to the foreground cross and church.

I'm still not completely certain that the painting is finished, but this is where it's "at" for now.

Have a good Monday. See you Thursday.

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Text and image ©2009 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Bits and Pieces

Sherd #1
Oil, alkyd on gessoed panel
Approx 4 x 4"

Today's post shows another of my "mini-abstractions" based on a potsherd. I've heard that folks come across various bits and pieces of Indian pottery on their property, often when planting a garden, putting in a patio, or digging a new foundation for a home addition. Fragments of history can exist just below the surface out here in the Southwest.

I began this little painting by covering the entire panel surface with black paint, scratching through the paint to make the design, and adding other colors.

I have a few of these "in progress" in the studio. I don't quite know what they'll turn into or inspire, but thought I'd share this one with you today.

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

Monday's "Balanced Universe"

Cosmos in Sunlight
by Carol Adamec
Original painting: Oil, alkyd on stretched canvas
6" x 6"
SOLD

To see a World in a grain of sand
And a Heaven in a wildflower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand.
And Eternity in an hour.
from "Auguries of Innocence" by William Blake

My mother is a Midwest farm girl who can nurture a dead stick into a mighty oak tree. She always had lovely, blossoming flowers around our house, in every season but the cold, snowy winters of Chicago.

I guess it's one of those genetic things that evidently skips a generation. Thus, my gardening skills are not my strong suit. Usually I choose hardy cacti and the ever-forgiving peace lily for my houseplants. However, I do believe I may plant some cosmos seeds outside my door.

According to various gardening websites, the colorful varieties of cosmos thrive in hot, dry climates and produce more flowers if underwatered. Now this is my kind of plant! And perfect for Albuquerque, too. Cosmos are related to sunflowers, daisies, and asters. Having an even number of petals around a yellow center, the cosmos received its name meaning "balanced universe." I like that concept, too.

In the meantime, I'm posting this 6"x6" oil painting on canvas, Cosmos in Sunlight, to start off the week. I usually don't choose a palette of pinks and lavenders to paint with, as I think of those hues being "softer" or more subtle. However, it seems this painting comes across as a pretty strong image.

I hope your universe stays in balance this week. See you Thursday.

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Artwork and text ©2009 Carol L Adamec. All rights reserved.

Final "Glorious" Version

Morning Glorious, 2009

by Carol Adamec
Original painting in oil, alkyd on gessoed panel
5" x 8"
SOLD

I posted this painting a few weeks ago as Almost Done. Now it is done ... and re-done!

If you compare today's image with the version on April 23, you can see that I reworked the color of the leaves, lighting and "greening" them up. I also added hints of more foliage in the background. The stamen details in the blue morning glory on the right are now defined, too.

Overall, I think this final version has more illumination, space, and air in it. And, even though the painting is only 5" x 8" it seems to have a larger "presence." I'm thinking I may translate this image into a larger size. Any suggestions or observations from my Readers are welcome. Please leave a comment. Thanks!

My sincere Thank You to those who posted/sent me comments about the lily painting. I appreciate your thoughts. Often your observations help me to better see what I've painted...really!

Enjoy your weekend .... and call your Mother on Sunday!

See you Monday.
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Artwork and text ©2009 Carol L Adamec. All rights reserved.

The Magic of Paint

Lit Up Lily
by Carol Adamec
Original painting
Oil, alkyd on panel
6" x 8"
SOLD

A few weeks ago I mentioned that I was in the mood for spring. So here's my first finished flower painting for May. Thanks to the magic of oil paint, last week's Rorschach is this week's lily.... enjoy!

Thanks for taking a look today. Please leave a comment if you would like.

See you Thursday.
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Artwork and text ©2009 Carol L Adamec. All rights reserved.

A Little Color

Lit Up Lily (WIP)

by Carol Adamec
Original oil, alkyd on panel
6" x 8"

Well, I think this painting is beginning to look like a lily (rather than a Rorschach inkblot) now that there's some color worked in.

Thanks for taking a look. Have a great weekend. See you Monday.
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Artwork and text ©2009 Carol L 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.