WORD PAINTINGS #115 - INTO THE GREAT UNKNOWN

 

“The images of peace are ephemeral. The language of peace is subtle. The reasons for peace, the definitions of peace, the very idea of peace have to be invented, and invented again.

Children, everybody, here’s what to do during war: In a time of destruction, create something. A poem. A parade. A community. A school. A vow. A moral principle. One peaceful moment.”—From THE FIFTH BOOK OF PEACE, Maxine Hong Kingston

8 April 2022 (Llano Quemado, New Mexico) -  Am in a state of disquiet.  A highly anticipated visit from my family last week devolved into chaos over my Power of Attorney, Will and who gets their name on my checking account.  It is hard for me to recall a time when there was true kindness between these people.     My vision of the last day of my life is peaceful - and hopefully I will be able to conclude my rather long and colorful journey to that Big Easel in the Sky with some modicum of dignity and grace.  The only answer for me at this moment seems to be retreat.

 9 April 2022 (Llano Quemado) - It takes me a few days to regain my balance after a family drama - this one was a full week.  Telling myself I needed a rest, I put my brushes down and just quit for days.  Hurt and anger lingered in my house - the walls vibrated with their scratchy noise. Finally the air began to soften and some ordinariness settled in. Doing dishes, watering plants, folding clothes always brings me round.  Doing one's tasks for their own sake is a moving meditation which allows the harshness to fade. Right now the whole world feels off its axis - spinning out of control and the tragic events in the world breed uncertainties and fears which affect everyone.  We need to create some peaceful moments!!!!  More words will only make this worse - let it go, let it all go.   

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Two 24"x30"frames delivered yesterday one painting that size is almost completed and the other will be sketched out tomorrow.  Three orders of art supplies from Jerry's Artarama this morning - tubes and tubes of oil paint - Holbein, Grumbacher, Gamblin.    Setting up a new palette tomorrow morning - big globs of juicy colors - waiting for some new brushes.  Only a few hours left to finish my new 30"x40" piece "Centinelas de Oro" - autumn trees over the Rio Grande at Pilar.  (You are invited to visit my Art Journal for color notes for this underpainting - https://donnaclair.blogspot.com/)  Coffee, breakfast and a whole new day begins tomorrow - small adventures with my colors and canvases. 

High spring winds this afternoon. My neighbor's little black dog still chases the dust devils as they form. Watching him spin and twirl in the clouds of sandy dust brings the world right again. Sometimes it is just the small things that lift my spirits.    The field in front of my house is greening up and the birdsongs are sweet enough to make one weep!  No sign of my friend the little red fox - she might be in a secret burrow with her kits.... it's that time of year.

10 April 2022 (Llano Quemado) - Spring is a-roar!!!  Strong winds buffeting this house on a hill. No birdsongs this morning - the little ones are in hiding. The foothills and Taos Mountain blurred by the dense sandy air.  Slow to wake up.  Opened my iPad, checked my e.mail and absently clicked the PBS app - and there it was again - the BIG SONIA documentary.  Sonia Warshawski - a Holocaust survivor - one of my all time greatest heroines!!!  Life energy - hope and inspiration.  Wish I could thank you, beautiful lady! Just the shot I needed right now. There are at least 10 to fifteen medium to large canvases which have been painted in my head - yes, that is how it all starts. Sometimes it takes a week until the finished work. Other more complicated pieces might swirl around in that old brain of mine for a couple of years before the canvases taste the paint!  Planning to post this finished painting tomorrow.  It is Easter - a time of renewal and I am ready!  - Thank you, Sonia!!! Time to create some paintings....an empty-handed leap into the Great Unknown!

PEACE!

 

WORD PAINTINGS #114 - WINTER WORK!

17 February 2022 - SNOW DAY!!!  A few warm and balmy days this week followed by a big, belching blizzard this morning! I love it!!  Breakfast, coffee and now to settle in for a quiet day of painting.

WORD PAINTINGS #113 - INTO THE DREAMTIME

I dream a lot. I do more painting when I'm not painting. It's in the subconscious.

One's art goes as far and as deep as one's love goes.

It's all in how you arrange the thing... the careful balance of the design is the motion.

-Andrew Wyeth-

29 November 2021 (Llano Quemado, New Mexico) - Empty canvases in every corner of my studio; each one has a planned image just waiting to be sketched and painted.  

20 December 2021 - Today is blustery and cold - intermittent snow showers.  Pinto beans in the crockpot.  Making chicken stock in another pot on the stove.  The house smells "happy"!  Have worked all week on a series of new small paintings. Those larger blank canvases are still staring at me!

 Haven't posted to this blog since late August.  Finished my large painting Thunderspirits and it is now consigned to Chimayo Trading in Ranchos. Time to take stock before moving forward.  Small studies - five finger exercises.

29 December 2021 (Llano Quemado, New Mexico) - Have I been lazy, or am I just getting old?  Certainly a lot slower now.  Haven't had "words" to share for months.  Life changes and we shed the old and slowly become new again.  This process takes Time and Silence.   

Damn Christmas Eve! Seven years now since the death of my son.  Naively I thought I might escape that annual trip to the dark side. Silly me!  Weeping and wailing - memories - profound loss.   The  usual year-end reviews everywhere I look....the upcoming anniversary of that tragically historic day, January 6th. The new Omicron virus overloading hospitals, decimating previous Covid-19 records. Damn!!!!  It would be too easy to fold my tent - give up!!! Retire? Walking into my studio area that big old clunker easel stares at me and I know it isn't time to put away my brushes. 

Dawn...silence...the grey morning light reveals a fresh covering of snow.  Across the fields a far away neighbor's happy Christmas lights blink brightly.  This is a New Day - the coming New Year a complete mystery - another New Beginning!

WORD PAINTINGS #112 - DUST DEVILS AND A DOUBLE RAINBOW!

 

12 August 2021 -Llano Quemado, New Mexico - Early Evening view from my front portal - storm has moved off to Eastern foothills.  The sun is coming in low from the West.

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15 August 2021 - Low rumblings and grumblings - thunder and dark clouds moving in from the eastern foothills in front of my house.  Weather-wise this past week was one for the books.  Last Monday we were befogged by smoke from wildfires all around us - California, Arizona, Colorado.  The air was heavy and it became hard to breathe!  Muscle aches - itchy red eyes.  It is possible there aren't enough brave firemen in the whole world capable of containing these catastrophes.  We complained of the physical inconvenience, but I can't imagine what it is like for the victims of these fires and the men and women trying to contain them.

 

The air began to clear on Wednesday.  Prayed for rain to dissipate the smoke.  By late Thursday our prayers were answered!  If wishes were fishes....  Skies darkened in the east and wild and wacky winds whipped up a series of dust devils (mini tornadoes of loose sand and soil) beginning on the road in front of my house.  My neighbors big crazy wind-loving dog escaped from his front yard.  He waited on the road; as the little tornadoes began to form he raced with the wind - jaws open and ears flapping running hell-bent toward my house.  When he could go no further he ran back to the road and waited patiently for the next whirlwind to form.  Watched him from the window for about fifteen full speed trips!  Finally exhausted he slowly walked back to his house - Mother Nature definitely delivered some giant chills and thrills for this brave little guy.

The heaviness of the storm lifted and the sun broke through from the west.  Still some dark clouds and then the magic happened - a double rainbow!  For at least an hour, breathless, I went from one window to another in awe of the special effects.  One more marvelous treat at sunset....  a puffy halo of pink clouds over the  peaks of Tres Orejas in the west.  What a day!!  

The mountains and clouds in this new place have me hypnotized.  Below is my most recent painting called Taos Morning Clouds.  The bottom two-thirds of the canvas was completed but did not have a vision to complete the sky.  I was stumped and all progress came to a halt. One morning I walked past my easel still half asleep, raised the window shade and over Taos Mountain monsoon clouds were beginning to form.  Perfection!  Definitely a special gift from my Art Gods!!! 

TAOS MORNING CLOUDS - New 24"x36" - Sold

At least six new paintings in the early stages of completion.  On the easel - Thunderspirit - a  30"x40" monsoon cloud which rose up one afternoon.  Spending

many afternoons sitting on a bench under the portal of my house just watching clouds.  And....a special 20"x20' canvas from a delightful afternoon spent with my daughter Sarah.  These two canvases make me happy!  Sending virtual hugs to Art Friends everywhere!!! DC

WORD PAINTINGS #111 - THIS HOUSE OF CLOUDS AND BIRDS

1 August 2021 (Llano Quemado, New Mexico) - Sleepy Sunday afternoon.  Actually a long nap sounds wonderful right now.  Waiting for my yard helpers Gerald and Junior.  These brothers have been helping me keep up landscape appearances for almost 20 years.  Only needed to do the yard once last year - no real monsoon season.  This is so different - rain almost every afternoon for over two weeks.  Heavy blustery thunderstorms.  The roof leaked over the canale out front and water poured in for a couple of hours the other afternoon.  

Beyond grateful for the moisture.  The weeds and grasses are high.  Thinking this is the way it was before people bought their acres and built the few scattered houses in this place.  In a dry year, there is silence.  Now the sounds of weed eaters and mowers give off some very suburban vibes!

Studio # 1821 - SUMMER RAIN (My neighbor's house) - New 8"x10

The clouds start to pop up behind the mountains early in the morning.  Big window next to my easel with a view of Taos mountain and the surrounding foothills.  Absorbed by my work I forget to look out the window.  When I do turn around - late morning - the view is heart-stopping! Dropping my brushes, I grab my camera sit on the bench under the portal - and try to remember to breathe!!!  Most often the camera sits idle. In awe I watch the clouds form and listen to thunder in the distance.

 

 

By noon the skies darken and the winds start to howl and roar. Mother Nature is in charge.  The ferocity of one storm this week was a great reminder of that simple truth.

Missing my birds today - they are silent - so unusual.  Have they been exhausted by the storms and need to rest? Every morning about 4AM there is the rooster to the East and another to the West side of the house.  Never annoyed to hear them crow - just grateful for another day in this place. They waken the first morning birds. Soon the chorus begins!  One birdsong is so sweet and lyrical I stand still and listen. The other day there was a family of about seven birds perched on the fence in the back.  One of the group got very cackly and it was obvious she was scolding them all (her nestlings?).  There was an "Aw, heck" moment and they all flew away leaving her alone.  She became quiet - they returned and she started in again very noisily letting them have it - they left and did not return!  She was left to cackle on... 

Joyful birdsongs surround the house from morning to dusk.  When night falls the coyotes down by the river start to sing.  How many days have I failed to look at the sky? How many beautiful days have I forgotten to stop and just listen?  Grace has brought me to this place...  

 

Word Paintings #110 - MONSOON

MONSOON - (Llano Quemado, New Mexico) - 6"x8" Original Oil-Available 

"Put a man in the wrong atmosphere and nothing will function as it should. He will seem unhealthy in every part. Put him back into his proper element and everything will blossom and look healthy." ~LudwigWittgenstein  

15 July 2021 (Llano Quemado, New Mexico) -  6:30 AM - Up with the sun this morning. It must have rained all night.  This is definitely a real monsoon season! What a blessing!  Opened my bedroom window - the birds are singing their happy songs - the morning air is fresh and sweet.  This must be Heaven!

Celebrating two years in this house on the Llano.  More rain yesterday afternoon.   Looked out my studio window and saw an image just perfect for a painting. Photographed a wooden structure across the field - dark and wet against a hazy blue sky over the foothills.  A shock of yellow-white weeds in front of the building.  Going to sketch a small study today - paint it while the image is fresh in my mind.  Thinking back through all my years in New Mexico, so many paintings just from looking out my windows - the front yard in Tesuque. Twenty-three seasons from the kitchen window (view toward the Pecos Wilderness) at the house on Santistevan Lane in Taos. I still miss that window!  My private world!  Now the wide open spaces of Llano Quemado - mountains, clouds, sunsets.... 

Have spent many afternoons this summer photographing the monsoon clouds building over Taos Mountain.  So grateful for this time and place.  Yes, I am in my "proper element".  Now what?  Paintings of clouds?  Yes, maybe.

All of my new work has been consigned to Chimayo Trading del Norte,  just down the road from me in Ranchos de Taos Plaza next to the old church, San Francisco de Asis.  My studio walls are bare!

Took a short break after completing "Rio Chiquito" (photo below).  Back at the easel. Working on smaller paintings.  Some are studies for larger canvases.  Think often of the old man who gave me his wooden box filled with paints and brushes when I was about eight years old.  Wonder if he knows that his precious gift has sustained me for 74 years!  (Blog post: My Old Artist)

Time to begin again.  My last four paintings are the first in a new series - The Spirit of Place.  How else can I begin to express the depth of my gratitude - the unhappy accident that led to this long journey so many years ago?  Yes, another New Beginning...forever the Optimist!!!

Back to the easel - my daily practice.  This house is peaceful and quiet.  A good place to work. New palette with gobs of juicy color! How can I resist?  Blank canvases, empty frames all over the studio - it is off to work!!

 

RIO CHIQUITO (Ojo Sarco, New Mexico) - NEW! 40"x30" Original

 Oil on Belgian Linen, framed - available at Chimayo Trading del Norte,

 Ranchos de Taos Plaza, New Mexico.

WORD PAINTINGS #109 - RETURN TO LIFE

17 May 2021 - ON MY EASEL TODAY - Works in Progress (Underpaintings) - RIO FERNANDO (New Mexico) 40"x30" and LOS CAMPOS DEL LLANO, 24"x30" Original Oils.

20 June 2021 - 6AM (Llano Quemado, New Mexico) - A month since I've posted.  Joyfully returning to some semblance of normalcy. This was a week of firsts.  A short field trip north to Cerro and Questa to scout for new material.  Yesterday a really wonderful visit to Chimayo Trading Del Norte.  Strangeness - a kind of fuzzy excitement.  Like waking up on a new planet.  No masks.  So heartening to see people smiles and happy eyes!!  A quiet sense of freedom - renewal.    

Went in to sign a large painting and met Rebecca who works at the gallery every weekend.  Met a great couple from Colorado who bought a small painting.  Picked up my "birthday/Christmas" present - a beautiful Hopi Kachina "The Morning Singer" by Chester Poleyestewa.  Owners of Chimayo Trading, Gabe and Alicia Abrums stopped in on their way to Chimayo. Gabe showed me several new and amazing acquisitions.  I held a Navajo woman's dress - indigo and cochineal heavy weaving from the 1700's.  More great weavings from that time...an unbelievable serape from Mexico, a Navajo child's blanket.  Exciting conversation.  Art talk - the joy of meeting people who speak my language!! The afternoon was topped off by a most welcome and drenching rainstorm and a nap! 

Los Campos de Llano Quemado has been finished since my last post and Rio Fernando will be completed today or tomorrow.  These new canvases are colorful and solid - good quality.   Two weeks ago Gabe took eight new paintings to the gallery.  My studio walls are empty.  This is another New Beginning.  I will be 82 in September.  Have been roaming the back roads of northern New Mexico for 54 years.  Deep gratitude.  A good life!  Earlier this year told Gabe I thought it was time for me to retire. Surprise, surprise - the spark is alive and well.  A contract with myself to produce a series of new paintings - first are the two pictured above and earlier this year "Lazy River Dreaming" which has been sold.  The working title of the series is The Spirit of Place.

Another adventure - an empty-handed leap into the Great Unknown. Purpose and meaning....

                  LOS CAMPOS DEL LLANO - NEW 24x30 Original Oil on Belgian Linen