VALDEZ - Almost finished!

Studio No. 516 - VALDEZ (Valdez, New Mexico) - 24"x30" Original Oil on Canvas - hope to have this painting completed by Tuesday!  Stay tuned!

VALDEZ - 30"X24" Work in Progress (Glazes)

Studio No. 516 - VALDEZ (Valdez, New Mexico) - 30"x24" Work in Progress (Glazes) - It is my belief that this stage of the painting is essential - after the underpainting has dried thoroughly, I use my oil painting medium to thin the colors to a transparent or semi-transparent glaze.  This is where I establish the darks and develop a richness to the final painting.  Color Notes:  Earth tones - Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Yellow, Burnt Sienna.  Shadows:  Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna and Dioxazine Purple.  Foliage - Darks:  Prussian Blue and Burnt Sienna.  Lighter shades:  Yellow Ochre and Burnt Sienna (and sometimes a dirty brush with the greens still on it - modulates the color).

ADIOS WINTER! WINTER DREAMS - prints, greeting cards.....

WINTER DREAMS (Truchas, New Mexico) - Fine Art Prints, greeting cards and other great items now available at Fine Art America.

MORNING POEM (Taos, New Mexico) - Fine Art Prints, Greeting Cards.....

MORNING POEM (Taos, New Mexico) - Fine Art Prints, Greeting Cards and other great gift items now available at Fine Art America.

OVERNIGHT FAST DRYING GLAZING MEDIUM

OVERNIGHT FAST DRYING GLAZING MEDIUM - Years ago a very well-known California painter, Robert Clark (egg tempera), took my Craft of Painting Workshop.  He was very generous in sharing his knowledge and I know I learned more from him than he ever learned from me.  Bob believed that this mixture was several hundred years old and had been used by Renaissance painters.   This is the recipe he gave me for a glazing medium - I have used it for over forty years to thin my oils as I am working:  Caution:  Mix in Glass Bottle or Jar! - Six ounces distilled turpentine (Winsor-Newton), one ounce dammar varnish, one ounce stand oil and one quarter teaspoon Cobalt Dryer.  (I usually double or triple the recipe)  Bob gave me a great gift - this medium adds life to the colors!  Enjoy!

WINTERSONG - Fine Art Prints, Greeting cards.....

WINTERSONG - From an original oil painting now available as fine art prints (framed or unframed), greeting cards and other great items at Fine Art America - http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-donna-clair.html

On the Easel Today - VALDEZ - 30"x24 Work in Progress (Underpainting)

VALDEZ (New Mexico) - 30"x24" Work in Progress (underpainting) - Colors are mixed with MGUnderpainting White and distilled turpentine. Trees:  Chrome Oxide Green Opaque, Prussian Blue, Burnt Sienna.  Rooftops:  Cobalt Blue or Cerulean Blue.  Earth Tones:  Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, Cadmium Yellow.  Shadows:  Dioxazine Purple and underpainting white.

NEW WORK STATION!

24 February 2016 - My new work station!  Switched my easel to the north end of the large room in the studio next to a row of windows and under a great skylight. Had been working near a southern exposure - glare, reflected light - not good.  Now I don't have to adjust for the glares, my palette is well lit and I will be able to mix my colors more accurately!  Sometimes it takes me a while!  Am excited to see what happens next!  DC

SATURDAY AFTERNOON STROLL - Fine Art Prints, greeting cards.....

SATURDAY AFTERNOON STROLL (Truchas, New Mexico) - Fine Art Prints (framed or unframed), greeting cards and other related items now available at Fine Art America.

AFTERNOON VISITORS - Fine Art Prints, greeting cards.....

AFTERNOON VISITORS (Truchas, New Mexico) - Fine Art Prints in a large selection of sizes (framed and unframed), greeting cards and other great items now available at Fine Art America - http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-donna-clair.html

ESPIRITU BLANCO - Fine art prints, greeting cards...

ESPIRITU BLANCO (Truchas, New Mexico) - From an original oil painting - fine art prints in a large selection of sizes (framed or unframed, greeting cards and other great gift items now available at Fine Art America - http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-donna-clair.html

TRUCHAS TOWN - New 24"x30" Original Oil Painting

TRUCHAS TOWN - New 24"x30" Original Oil on Belgian Linen now available - Preview/Purchase.

TRUCHAS TOWN - New 24"x30" Work in Progress (Underpainting Phase 2)

Studio No. 416 - TRUCHAS TOWN - New 24"x30" Work in Progress (Underpainting-Phase #2) - After the initial sketch has dried - using Grumbacher MG Underpainting white and distilled turpentine mixed with regular oil colors, lay in the general theme of light and color.  Sky:  Cobalt Blue - Clouds: Cobalt Blue with more underpainting white.  Sunset Color:  Cadmium Red and Cadmium Yellow.  Buildings: Earth tones of Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, Paynes Grey.  Foreground:  Paynes Grey, some Cobalt Blue.

TRUCHAS TOWN - 24"X30" Work in Progress (Underpainting#1)

Studio No. 416 - TRUCHAS TOWN, 24"x30" Work in Progress (Phase 1) - Very basic - The canvas has been toned with Gesso and Payne's Grey (Grisaille) - the basic sketch has been laid in with Prussian Blue - some earth tones for the adobe buildings.

RIO PUEBLO - New 8"x10" Original Oil

RIO PUEBLO - New 8"x10" Original Oil on Linen, Framed in Gold with Linen Liner now available for purchase - Preview/Purchase.

LAS NUBES DE TRUCHAS - 12"x48" Original Oil

LAS NUBES DE TRUCHAS (The Clouds of Truchas, New Mexico) - 12"x48" Original Oil on Belgian Linen - available.  Preview/Purchase.

LISTENING TO MOUNTAINS - Fine Art Prints, Greeting Cards, Gifts.

LISTENING TO MOUNTAINS (Taos, New Mexico) - From an original painting - fine art prints (framed or unframed), greeting cards, great gifts now available at Fine Art America.

NOCHECITA DE TRUCHAS - New 16"x20" Original Oil, framed

Studio No. 216 - NOCHECITA DE TRUCHAS - 16"x20" Original Oil on Belgian Linen, framed in gold with linen liner  - Sold.

NOCHECITA DE TRUCHAS - 16"X20" WORK IN PROGRESS (Underpainting/glazing)

 

Step #1 - Studio No. 216 - NOCHECITA DE TRUCHAS - 16"X20" Work in Progress.  Using MG Fast Drying Underpainting White mixed with basic colors and thinned with turpentine.  Color Notes:  Sky: Cerulean Blue.  Mountains:  Prussian Blue, Burnt Sienna (mix these two colors together for an intense dark green) chrome oxide green opaque, Yellow Ochre.  Bottom half of painting:  various mixtures of the colors above.

Step #2 - For atmosphere - after the underpainting is thoroughly dry, I have used oil painting medium to mix Transparent Gold Ochre and Thalo Rose Red to a thin transparency - will let dry overnight before going in with more glazing.

HEAVENLY SHADES OF NIGHT - New 8"x16" Original Oil - Sold

HEAVENLY SHADES OF NIGHT (Rio Grande at Pilar, New Mexico) - New 8"x16" Original Oil on Canvas-Sold

ACEQUIA - NEW 16"X8" Original Oil

ACEQUIA (Mother Ditch - Northern New Mexico - New 16"x8" Original Oil on Canvas - Preview/Purchase.

FIRST SNOW (Hyde Park, Santa Fe, New Mexico) - New 6"x8" Original Oil - Sold

 FIRST SNOW (Hyde Park - Santa Fe, New Mexico) New 6"x8" Original Oil on Linen Panel - Sold

TAOS AFTERNOON SHADOWS - Prints, greeting cards, gift items

TAOS AFTERNOON SHADOWS - Fine art prints (framed and unframed), greeting cards and great gift items now available at Fine Art America.

TEJADOS DE CORDOVA - New 22"x28" Original Oil

The First Painting of the New Year!!! TEJADOS DE CORDOVA (Rooftops of Cordova) - 22"x28" Original Oil on Belgian Line, unframed - $1500. Completed 1/7/16.  Preview/Purchase.

MY TAOS WILDFLOWERS - prints, greeting cards, gift items

Just something to brighten your day - MY TAOS WILDFLOWERS (Taos, New Mexico) - from an original Donna Clair oil painting - now available as prints in all sizes (framed and unframed), greeting cards and great gift items now available at Fine Art America.

AN EMPTY HANDED LEAP INTO THE UNKNOWN.....

4 January 2016 - ANOTHER NEW BEGINNING - New palette -- and the first painting of the New Year to be completed sometime this week. Resolving to read and study this year - open my mind to new possibilities - new colors - even perhaps some new places! Many, many blank canvases - an empty-handed leap into the Great Unknown. www.DonnaClairArt.com

TEJADOS DE CORDOVA - 22"x28" Work in Progress (Glazes)

Studio No. 116 - TEJADOS DE CORDOVA (Rooftops of Cordova, New Mexico) - 22"x28" Work in Progress - The Glazes.  Glazes are the dark darks applied with painting medium over the underpainting,  Greens: Prussian Blue, Burnt Sienna, Chrome Oxide Green Opaque.  Grasses:  Brown Pink, Italian Pink.  Trees: Mars Orange, Brown Pink, Italian Pink, Cadmium Yellow, Yellow Ochre.  Rooftops:  Some Mars Orange (rusting), Cerulean Blue, Paynes Grey and some Cadmium Red.  Stay Tuned.

TEJADOS DE CORDOVA - 22"x28" Work in Progress (Underpainting)

Studio No. 116 - TEJADOS DE CORDOVA (The Rooftops of Cordova, New Mexico) - 22"x28" Work in Progress (Underpainting).  Colors are mixed with Distilled Turpentine and Grumbacher MG Underpainting White.  Color notes:  Greens - Chrome Oxide Green Opaque, Yellow Ochre, Prussian Blue and Burnt Sienna.  Yellows:  Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Yellow, some Burnt Sienna - yellow shadows I mixed in Dioxazine Purple.  Reds:  Cadmium Red, Mars Orange, Burnt Sienna, Yellow Ochre.  Blues:  Cobalt Blue, Cerulean Blue and Payne's Grey.

DonnaClairArt.com CELEBRATING FIFTEEN FABULOUS YEARS!

Hello from Tesuque!  You are invited to visit my new website at DonnaClairArt.com - switching from the Dreamweaver software program to Wordpress thanks to the help of my good friend and brilliant web technician Dan Kuehn.  Fifteen years ago I had the idea that my paintings and prints would sell through an online "gallery" -sincere thanks to everyone who trusted purchasing my work in this new way. It has been a remarkable journey so far.....

The man behind the mirror lives in Questa.  We have been working together for about 12 years and through the magic of e.mails with digital photography were able to switch to Wordpress. Dan has convinced me that with some instruction I will again be able to manage my own website.  Dan is a great teacher (computer programming at UNM-Taos) If anyone needs a new website or an upgrade on an old site, Dan's the Man!! His prices are fair, he is patient and kind and you can trust him fully with your precious data.  Dan Frank Digital Design  at FrankDan.com - (575) - 770-3051.

Wishing you all a very happy and prosperous New Year!  Hug an artist today!

Best regards, Donna
(505) 983-8306
www.DonnaClairArt.com

PLACITAS - 40"x30" Original Oil

PLACITAS - 40"x30" Original Oil on Belgian Linen, framed in Gold with Linen Liner.  Preview/Purchase.

ON THE EASEL - Truchas, Cundiyo and Cordova, New Mexico

12/26/15 - From my Tesuque Studio on the Easel - WINTER WORK: Truchas, Cundiyo and Cordova, New Mexico - Stay tuned. Process and color notes will be posted to this Art Journal right after the 1st of the year!

ASSEMBLA DE DIOS (Truchas, New Mexico) 40"x40" Original Oil

ASSEMBLA DE DIOS (Truchas, New Mexico) - 40"x40" Original Oil on Canvas, framed in Gold with Linen Liner.  Preview/Purchase.

A MEMORY OF TREES - 8"x16" Original Oil

200 Small Paintings No. 124 - A MEMORY OF TREES (Taos, New Mexico) - 8"x16" Original Oil on Canvas - Preview/Purchase.

LAS NUBES DE TRUCHAS - 12"x48" Original Oil, Framed

LAS NUBES DE TRUCHAS (Truchas, New Mexico) - 12"x48" Original Oil on Belgian Linen, framed in gold with linen liner.  Preview/purchase.

WINTER GIFTS.....

To Art Friends Everywhere!  Many of you have been with me a long time and know I love to send this greeting every year.  The original of this painting was "adopted" by some great friends and very prolific art collectors years ago and still resides in a lovely home in Taos.  The street in this painting is the main street in Truchas -- I walked to the post office from my little adobe house every day and still keep the memories of that special time and place very close.  The woman is the memory I've kept of my little Polish grandmother, Ella -- she carried a shopping bag with her everywhere -- those were her "gifts" her "surprises".  The words of Fra Giovanni never fail to inspire and uplift - especially at this time of the year.  From my heart I wish each and every one of you all the best of this holiday season -- Hug someone special today!  Sincere best wishes, Donna - Tesuque, New Mexico 2015


"There  is nothing I can give you which you have not;
But there is much, very much that while I cannot give it,
 you can take.

No heaven can come to us unless our hearts
find rest in today.  TAKE HEAVEN.
No peace lies in the future which is not hidden
in this present moment.  TAKE PEACE.

The gloom of the world is but a shadow.
Behind it, yet within reach is joy.
There is a radiance and glory in the darkness, could we but see,
and to see we have only to look.  I BESEECH YOU TO LOOK.

Life is so generous a giver, but we, judging its gifts by
their covering, cast them away as ugly, or heavy or hard.
Remove the covering, and you will find beneath it
a living splendor, woven of love, by wisdom with power.

Welcome it, grasp it, and you touch the angel's hand that
brings it to you.  Everything we call a trial, a sorrow, or
a duty, believe me that angel's hand is there; the gift is there,
and the wonder of an overshadowing presence.
Our joys, too, be not content with them as joys.
They, too, conceal diviner gifts.

And so, at this time, I greet you.
Not quite as the world sends greetings, but with
profound esteem and with the prayer that for you now and
forever, the day breaks, and the shadows flee away."

Fra Giovanni, 1513 AD

 

EL RITO DEL NORTE - 20"x16" Original Oil, framed

EL RITO DEL NORTE (Garcia Park, New Mexico) - 20"x16" Original Oil on Belgian Linen, framed in Gold with Linen Liner - Preview/Purchase.

PICURIS (Picuris Pueblo, New Mexico) - New 11"x14" Original Oil

Studio No. 2915 - PICURIS (Picuris Pueblo, New Mexico) - New 11"x14" Original Oil on Canvas, Framed.  Completed 12/17/15.  Preview/Purchase.

WINTER RIVER - New 14"x11" Original Oil, Framed

Studio No. 2815 - WINTER RIVER (From the High Road, Northern New Mexico) - New 14"x11" Original Oil on Canvas, framed.  Completed 12/15/15.  Preview/Purchase.

THE LITTLE RED FENCE ON PERALTA STREET - Prints, greeting cards, great gift items...

THE LITTLE RED FENCE ON PERALTA STREET (Taos, New Mexico) - Fine art prints, greeting cards and other great gift items now available at Fine Art America.

EL VALLE SIN NOMBRE - Fine art prints, greeting cards, great gift items....

EL VALLE SIN NOMBRE (Somewhere in northern New Mexico) - Fine art prints (framed or unframed), greeting cards and great gift items now available at Fine Art America.

DON JUAN'S PARADISE - Fine Art Prints, Greeting Cards, Great Gift items....

DON JUAN'S PARADISE (Valdez, New Mexico) - Fine art prints, greeting cards and other great gift items now available at Fine Art America.

TAOS AFTERNOON SHADOWS - Fine Art Prints, Greeting Cards, Gifts....

TAOS AFTERNOON SHADOWS (Taos, New Mexico) - Fine art prints, greeting cards, great gift items now available at FINE ART AMERICA.

GARCIA PARK - Fine art prints, greeting cards, gifts.....

GARCIA PARK (Taos, New Mexico) - Fine art prints, greeting cards, great gift items now available at FINE ART AMERICA.

MORNING POEM - Prints, Greeting Cards, Gifts....

MORNING POEM (Taos, New Mexico) - Fine Art Prints (framed or unframed), greeting cards and other great gift items now available at FINE ART AMERICA.

WINTER DREAMS - Fine Art Prints, Greeting Cards, Gifts...

 

WINTER DREAMS (Truchas, New Mexico) and PUEBLO MORNING LIGHT (Taos Pueblo, N.M.)  - From an original Donna Clair oil painting - fine art prints (framed or unframed), greeting cards, and great gift items now available at FINE ART AMERICA.

CAMINITO DE TESUQUE - New 30"x24" Original Oil

Studio No. 1315 - CAMINITO DE TESUQUE - New 30"x24 Original Oil on Belgian Linen - completed 11/26/15 - now available - Preview/Purchase.

GIVING THANKS.....

11/24/15 -

Giving thanks today - tremendous gratitude for all the likes and wonderful comments from my Art Friends.....as some of you know, this has not been an easy year for me but as of this morning I am still here in my little studio in Tesuque, have just had a delicious cup of coffee and am getting ready to set up a new palette in preparation to sit down at the easel and paint for most of the day. Your kindness and support have made all the difference in my life these past eleven months. Wishing each and every one love and peace - thank you, thank you, thank you!!!