"Milky Way Ducks"

Today, possibly more than ever, I continue to be inspired by birds, flowers, vivid colors, and all things cultural -- all cultures are fascinating. 

 This one, a black and white bowl filled with wildflowers, was inspired by all. The bowl almost appeared by magic when I encountered, for the first time, a picture of ducks in a Southwest Native American style. I had never seen ducks depicted before in Mimbres art. Accompanying text explained the ducks represented spirit figures that would fly home after ceremonies, and they would follow the Milky Way home! The black and white checkerboard pattern represents the Milky Way. The daisies and Indian Paintbrush flowers provide intense color and value change to contrast with the black and white. 

Many people ask me about using Native American imagery in my art. I try always to borrow inspiring shapes and stories to point viewers to the Native works, for which I have immense respect. I don't claim these ideas for my own, but ask folks to study and purchase the "real thing."

 

Avian Inspiration

 

Northern New Mexico - again, THE most inspiring place in the world for me. Textures pile on textures, smells and colors overwhelm me, sounds alternately excite and soothe. And these guys - magpies, the ultimate bad boys. SO gorgeous, SO fascinating, SO northern New Mexico.

April in the Taos area, husband Bill and I rented a delightful little B&B that faced an empty sage-y field backdropped by mountains. Sitting on the patio, enjoying morning light, magpies were putting on a show. They flipped and flopped through the sage, showing off and delighting.

Birds are an endless source of inspiration for me. I have watched them more than 65 years, learning habits, memorizing songs, comparing colors...delighting.

"Taos Bad Boys"

Northern New Mexico, My Favorite Inspiration

 A visit to northern New Mexico, my favorite place in the world, always inspires me. There's something about the environment that's different from everywhere else -- is it the light? smells? cool air?  Yes. I've never HEARD the Taos Hum, but I've FELT it. In Taos, in Santa Fe, in Madrid...I take big gulps of air while I'm there, shoot lots of photos, sketch and make notes, all in an effort to hold on to the magic. 

Bottle Fence, Golden, New Mexico


Where is YOUR most inspiring place? 

Serendipity, Again

It's amazing where inspiration can come from. Sometimes you're looking for it. Sometimes it finds you!

This painting happened almost by accident. In a mini collage workshop a couple of months ago, I was explaining about the importance of backgrounds, how we need value change, a place for the eye to rest, blah, blah, blah. I picked up this vibrantly colored POP and said, "....for instance, THIS ONE wouldn't work. It's too wild!" Then I plopped on top a pot I'd painted for some other painting, the pot I'd nearly discarded. 

ZZZZZZZAP! Magic happened and I almost missed it. The background and the pot were made for each other! Then I saw a student's painting of tall cactus in a pot. Hmmm, I thought. Hmmmm. More made for each other stuff.

Cactus Cousins

Is there a lesson here? Yes! Watch what you're doing! Don't let the magic stuff get by without you! Magic happens! You just have to recognize it and appreciate it.

Finding Inspiration in Value

In all my 2-D art classes in college (and maybe also in high school -- I can't remember that far back!) teachers repeated the same mantra: "Pay attention to your values. Do value studies. You need more value change."

I do recall thinking 'That doesn't apply to me; I'm a COLORIST!'  How wrong I was, and how clear it is today. Color gets the credit, value does the work.

Human brains, indeed mammal brains, use value change to identify movement and other kinds of information that might be crucial to survival. So if we want our paintings to be relevant to viewers, we need to use value change.

This floral, while interesting from a color and "looseness" standpoint, is lacking in the value changes which can make it much stronger.

Just a very few minutes with the brush tool and darker values in Photoshop makes a difference. It's subtle, but improving.

Birds, birds and more birds!

Artists who are members of the El Paso Transparent Watercolor Association have been working on BIRDS this spring and summer. We discussed differences in bird and human skeletal construction, studying bird behavior, flight and song. We shared birdwatching experiences, practiced painting techniques and drawing skills. 

Following are some of the great "bird" paintings they've done and want to share with you! If you enjoy our little virtual show, share this blog page with your friends. Just copy the url, above, and paste it into your own email inviting friends.

Spring Session 2021 Instructor Laurel Weathersbee
"Redwing Blackbird"

Frances Caldwell
"Woodpecker on Lechuguilla"

Frances Caldwell
"Heron #1"

Frances Caldwell
"Heron #2"

Frances Caldwell
"Heron #3"

Bonnie Deming
"Bosque Beauties"

Bonnie Deming
"Evil Eye"

Bonnie Deming
"Madera Canyon Magic"

Pamela Sutton
"Greater Egret"

Jacques Barriac
"Scarlet Macaw"

Jacques Barriac
"Gambel's Quail"

Nancy Diaz
"Billy Bob and Bubba,
Checking Out Their Red Footed Friends - 1"

Jacques Barriac 
"Those Two Must be Very Cold! Their Feet are All Blue!"

Nancy Diaz
"Billy Bob and Bubba,
Checking Out Their Red-Footed Friends - 2"

Jacques Barriac
"Blue Jay"

Jacques Barriac
"Scarlet Macaw"

Jacques Barriac
"Steller's Jays"

Ann Cone
"Contemplating the Day" - White Crowned Sparrow

Ann Cone
"Eye on the Prize" - Lesser Nighthawks

Sandy McHale
"Mr. Lescombe's Autumn Vines"

Sandy McHale
"Contemplating Wine with Dinner"

Chickens to the Max!

Chickens bring up a real mixture of emotions for me - I grew up with farming people. Farmers all had chickens. As a small child, I found chickens VERY SCARY. If you've ever been chased by a rooster, you know what I mean, and then there are other scary things in the chicken yard - like reaching into a dark area to find eggs (and finding a bull snake instead), having to rake and sweep in a chicken coop (ick) or stepping into a big wad of chicken-leavins...No, I didn't like chickens then and I don't think I like them now. BUT, that being said, they were an integral part of my early life -- from the early morning crowing to the day long clucking to fried chicken on the dinner plate to the feather pillow under my head at night.

My daughter, Diana, raises chickens. She has memories of her grandma Irene's "chickies" -- gorgeous little game hens. Here's a photo of Diana's favorite rooster, Maximilian.

Maximilian

Max himself is beautiful and inspiring -- look at those feathers! Fortunately, he stood still enough for this portrait!

"Emperor Maximilian Holds Court"

Of course, a Maximilian around here reminds us of Ferdinand Maximilian Joseph, appointed by Napoleon, who wanted favors! That Maximilian reigned as emperor of Mexico from 1864-1867. This guy looks pretty regal, don't you think? I still don't like that look in his eye! I used a tiny sharp knife to scratch feathers in the dark areas.