Taking My Time

Invariably I am swamped with projects before I leave for a trip. This time is no exception. I'll be gone for three weeks, and there are several deadlines during that time, which means I'm working like a madwoman! I have projects in every room of my house, not just the studio. I am printing on metal in my second office for the large registration installation, printing original photography for public spaces for another hotel in my main office, the front studio is full of platforms in various stages of completion, my slant wall holds an abstract painting commission, the table in the living room is covered with sketches for another carving, the kitchen holds glass bowls of colored water where I'm adjusting color recipes for the cast resin pieces, my back studio table holds the printed metal photography which is being coated with layers of clear varnish. So when I got another purchase order yesterday afternoon, I almost went over the edge! But how could I say no to this? It's the hotel in Arlington that I did etched glass for back in the 80s.

This is the original glasswork that I did in the 80s. At the time the wavy pattern matched the fabric on the chairs.

Door to the lounge, I sandblasted the logo back in the day! Soon to be replaced.

This is the colorboard for the new space.

This is the drawing of the photographs and installation of artwork for the new space. The photos are mine, black and white, which will be printed on 44" x 44" plexi and mounted with standoffs. Cool installation.

It's just so very odd that my work would be featured so prominently in the same hotel I worked on twenty years ago! I have original photography in every guest room, and according to the PO I just received, twenty large scale photographs for public spaces. Amazing.

The good news I received after that PO was a phone call that one project's deadline has been pushed back two months. Yay! I can finish it up after I get home, and can go visit my Dad in South Texas without worrying.

Today I'm in yard, it's time to plant flowers!

Where's the Motivation?

I'm home!

It's good to be here, and after being away for almost two weeks, I was ready. I have a head (and sketchbook) full of ideas, my studio is clean and ready, yet I'm a zombie!

I've gone through all the mail, snail and "e".

I dragged myself to the studio and gessoed a couple canvases, but that's about it.

sigh

Maybe tomorrow!

In the meantime, read Karen's account of her time in Santa Fe.

Goodbye to the Mesa

This morning is taken up with last minute chores, washing sheets and towels, doing dishes, vacuuming. I volunteered to feed the horses at the neighbor's down the hill this morning. I love that smell of hay and horses.

I'm looking out every window, burning the images on my mind. I love this area! And I will miss it when I'm back home in Dallas tonight, but right now going home sounds really good.

I have 8-10 pages of sketches I completed last night. So tomorrow will be a day in the studio. Can't wait to be in my own workspace, but I have to admit that the plywood-covered pool table worked really well for me.

The only day I even got my camera out was when there was a rainbow over Pecos. I was less interested in photography when I had so many paintings to work on. I mentioned this to Raya who told me that I just hadn't learned to do both. Thank you Raya!

Art Critiques with Raya and Karen

Generations 6, 20 x 30

I took advantage of Karen's being here and brought out my new paintings for critique. She likes them! I might be on to something.

For her first day here, we did the obvious, picked up Raya, ate out, and went gallery hopping. It doesn't take long to hit overload, and when that happened, we put our feet up at Raya's fabulous studio, and had a cup of tea. The conversation never lagged as we discussed art fairs, galleries, and the art we had seen. We each have different perspectives and weren't shy about sharing our opinions!

It's another gorgeous day in northern New Mexico, and we're staying home to have a peaceful art day. Karen will be sketching, and I'll be finishing my last painting in the Generations series.