The Nest, 8"x8" New Original Oil Framed - Sold

No. 82 - "THE NEST"  New 8"x8" Original Oil on Linen Panel, Framed.  Sold

9"x12" NEW ORIGINAL OIL "DEEP RIVER DREAMS"

NEW - DEEP RIVER DREAMS -  9"X12" Oil on Canvas, silver/gold frame  with Linen Liner.  Click here to preview/purchase.

One of my all-time favorite books is QUERENCIA by Stephen Bodio -- The word doesn't translate.  It is used  in Spanish to designate that mysterious little area in the bullring that catches the fancy of the fighting bull when he charges in.  He imagines it his sanctuary: when parked there, he supposes he cannot be hurt. . . So it is, borrowing the term, that one can speak of one's "querencia" to mean

that little, unspecified area in life where one feels, safe, serene.  William F. Buckley, RACING THROUGH  PARADISE              

My first sight after crossing the border into New Mexico in 1967 was that long, straight stretch of highway out of Tucumcari. Off in the distance and moving toward the car was a huge black storm cloud with a column of midnight blue rain pouring from it. Later I learned that the Native Americans call this phenomena "Walking Rain". I was a big city girl with three babies, six month twin girls and a two year old son, on a mattress in the back seat of the car and I was heading to the rest of my life on this alien planet called New Mexico.

Forty-six years later, I believe that the quality of my life and my work are inextricably bound to the  spirit of this place and its people. My visits to Mexico and Guatemala elicit the same excitement and curiosity.  It has always been my intention that the paintings exude the same wonderful mixture of the past and the present through color and texture.

Gratefully I have found that "unspecified area in life" where I feel safe and serene - peace. Those accidental twists and turns have brought significant changes in my life.  It is so easy to resist that "Senda Desconocido" (The Path Unknown); with just a little courage one can head the pick-up truck down another unfamiliar dirt road.  

MUMS, NEW 10"x8" Original Oil

 

STUDIO NO. 913 - MUMS, NEW 10"x8" Original Oil on Panel, Framed in Gold with Linen Liner.  Completed 7/13. Click here to preview/purchase.

RIVER ROAD, NEW 9"x12" Original Oil on Canvas

 

STUDIO NO. 813 - RIVER ROAD (RIO GRANDE AT PILAR, N.M.) - 9"x12" Original Oil on Canvas, framed in gold with linen liner.  Click here to preview/purchase.

MONDAY - NEW PALETTE=NEW PAINTINGS! Stay tuned!

SEARCHING FOR SUGARMAN - SIXTO RODRIGUEZ

Anyone seen "SEARCHING FOR SUGARMAN"? The story of Sixto Rodriguez who was more famous in South Africa than Elvis - totally unknown in America. Fantastic story - amazing music. His CDs are available on Amazon. Going there right now to buy mine! If you love good lyrics, great guitar.....Wow!!!  Inspiring!  Click here to find his music.

ASPENS (GARCIA PARK, NEW MEXICO) New 16"x16" Oil- Sold

"ASPENS" (GARCIA PARK, NEW MEXICO)  -- 16"x16" Original Oil on wraparound Canvas.  Completed 7/15/13.  Sold.

16"x16" New Work in Progress (Glazes) - ASPENS

 

16"x16" Work in Progress - New Original Oil on Canvas "ASPENS" - All colors are thinned with painting medium.  Sky: Thalo Blue, Thalo Green - a touch of Gold Ochre & Permalba White.  Fir Trees - Burnt Sienna and Prussian Blue - Chrome Oxide Green Opaque.  Aspens:  Burnt Sienna, Yellow Ochre - a touch of Cadmium Red.  Stay tuned!

100 SMALL PAINTINGS - No. 79 - RANCHITOS ROAD, TAOS - Sold

No. 79 - RANCHITOS ROAD, TAOS, 6"x8" Unframed Original Oil on Gessoed Panel  - Sold

100 SMALL PAINTINGS - No. 77 LIFE ON THE RIVER - Sold

NO. 77 - LIFE ON THE RIVER - 8"x10" Unframed Original Oil on Gessoed Panel - SOLD

PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION....YET!

Hello from Tesuque!  A lovely and most welcome drenching rain this afternoon -- just when we thought that moisture was a figment of our imaginations, the Rain Gods smiled on us!  Longtime Art Friend Dr. David Reagan of Texas suggested I send photos of my new place - here they are.  Just getting started again -- yes, that is a worktable in the kitchen area - underpainting some 6"x8"s - new underpaintings large and small on the easel.  Finally working my way through the new Photoshop CS6 software - not quite there yet.  Why do they take something so simple and easy to use as CS2 and complicate it beyond my frail capabilities? Still have a little workroom off to the side of the office that needs some TLC - unpack more boxes, put out my music - organize the chaos.

My plan is to begin posting some small auction pieces around the 9th of next month - working on some lovely medium underpaintings -- it all seems so new -- set out new paints again today -- I fall in love with linseed oil and turpentine all over again!  Waiting for one more standing light for the easel paintings - having to learn some things as though for the first time.

Oh, almost forgot - found this gem on Facebook today - an article that states that more art is now being sold online than in galleries!  -- Hot off the easel!  It pays for every artist to know how to use a computer!  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23054641 

Just beginning to rebuild my inventory and plan to post my progress to this blog on a regular basis --  should be very interesting!  Stay tuned!  Send e.mail address to receive Studio Newsletter - previews of new paintings and prints.

Best regards, Donna
505-983-8306

Change!

New Photoshop, computer upgrade, new studio arrangement, unfamiliar surroundings - strangeness -- unfamiliar lighting on palette and easel - the word for the Day is ADAPT!!

WOW! ANOTHER NEW BEGINNING!

UPDATE:  Tesuque.  Here I is!  Took three trips to get everything here to the new studio.  The last to arrive was my easel which went into the garage temporarily until I could unpack and organize my space.  It was a shock to me after all the giving away and selling that I still have so much STUFF!  The easel is now set up in the house, along with a new eight drawer taboret which holds all my paints and brushes.  Still a big pile of cartons in the living area -- but it is starting to look like home.  Miss my kitchen window on Santistevan Lane and feel somewhat closed in - but on the other hand this place feels safe and protected.  It is tucked away on the top of a little lane - sort of a family-type compound - nice neighbors.   The yard needs a lot of TLC, but the house is great! It was built about thirty years ago - solid adobe, brick floors, a fire place that works-skylights, wonderful spaces - room to stand back and view the work of the day.

With the exception of the new Winterlight Quartet paintings, which I am keeping, the entire studio inventory sold within two weeks of the move.  This truly is a New Beginning.  Told my friend Andrea this morning that it is as though a samurai sword came between my old life and this new time which I look upon now as a gift of renewal.  Was feeling pretty low about getting so damned old a few months back and I found this quote  from the immortal Japanese printmaker Hokusai: " I have drawn things since I was six. All that I made before the age of sixty-five is not worth counting. At seventy-three I began to understand the true construction of animals, plants, trees, birds, fishes, and insects. At ninety I will enter into the secret of things. At a hundred and ten, everything--every dot, every dash--will live”― Hokusai Katsushika  (At 73 I am beginning to understand....)

Hoping to connect my cameras, printers and computer this week - right now am looking at a scary bunch of cords.  Time to set out fresh paints and begin again.  My sincere thanks to all who helped me get to this place.....I am so grateful to everyone.  Am not making any promises right now -- just going to sit in front of that blank canvas and open my mind and heart and give it my all one more time.  Sending you all big Tesuque hugs, Donna

(505)983-8306
www.donnaclairart.com

MOVING ALONG! THREE NEW AUCTIONS ENDING FRIDAY.

Moving cartons arrived today.....giving away, packing up years and years of stuff.  Five paintings were "adopted" last week - would love to find good homes for these three as well.  Have my blank canvases all shapes and sizes ready for the new studio in Tesuque.  If you have any questions, just give me a call (575)758-7454.  Two or three more e.mails this week and then I will concentrate on packing for the move.  Thanks so much for all the good wishes!  This is exciting!  Best regards, Donna

  "FIRST LIGHT" 48"x60" Original Oil on Belgian Linen, Unframed- Sold

  "ON THE ROAD" 18"x18" Original Oil on Belgian Linen, Framed in Gold with Linen Liner - Sold.

 "HIGH COUNTRY AFTERNOON" (On the road to Chama, N.M.) 24"x30" Original Oil on Belgian Linen, Framed in Gold with Linen Liner - Sold.

MY EASEL AND I ARE MOVING TO TESUQUE!

Hello!  This past Sunday, after a lovely drive through Taos Canyon and seeing some early bird apple trees in bloom at Velarde, I was driven up a very narrow dirt road to an old compound of houses in Tesuque.  There it was... a casita, a perfect studio with wonderful skylights, brick floors, a fireplace and room for a vegetable garden.  It's that time in my life when I want to simplify, experiment and explore new ideas.  So, within the next three weeks I will pack up, give away, or sell 25 years of my life in Taos -- will take as little as possible in order to have a true New Beginning.  From now until the end of the month my e.mails will be a little more frequent because these auctions will include some of my prized favorites as well as my current studio inventory at very special prices.  This is a huge adventure...you are invited to join me. If you have any questions, just give me a call (575)758-7454.  Best regards, Donna - Taos

NOCHECITA DE CHIMAYO, 22"x28" Original Oil on Belgian Linen, Framed in Gold with Linen Liner.  Sold

WINTERLIGHT QUARTET NO. 3 - "LOOKING DOWN THE LANE"

 

 

Winterlight Quartet No. 3 - "LOOKING DOWN THE LANE" - (Santistevan Lane, Taos, New Mexico)  11"x14" New Original Oil - completed 4/1/13, Framed. $850 - Available at Online Gallery.

WINTERLIGHT QUARTET NO. 3 - UNDERPAINTING

WINTERLIGHT QUARTET NO. 3 - "DOWN THE LANE" - 11"x14" New Work in Progress (Underpainting) - Clouds: Rose Grey/Payne's Grey.  Trees:  Ultramarine Blue/Burnt Umber.  Buildings & Highlights:  Cadmium Yellow/Cadmium Red.  Shadows:  Dioxazine Purple/Payne's Grey.

MADRUGADA DE PICURIS, 48"x48" Framed Original Oil

MADRUGADA DE PICURIS, 48"x48" Framed Original Oil -- Sold

24"x30" Original Oil - RANCHITOS PASTORAL, Framed

 

STUDIO NO. 413 - RANCHITOS PASTORAL (View of the neighboring fields from the Padre Martinez Hacienda, Ranchitos Road, Taos, N.M.), 24"x30" Original Oil on Belgian Linen, Framed in Gold with Linen Liner.  Click here to preview/purchase or call my studio at (575)758-7454.

Studio No. 413 - Work in Progress (Glazes-Opaques): RANCHITOS PASTORAL, 24"x30 Orig Oil

3/11/13 Color Notes: RANCHITOS PASTORAL, 24"x30" Original Oil on Belgian Linen - Sky:  The sky usually lightens at the horizon and deepens from middle to top.  Light:  Cerulean Blue, Titanium White, Yellow Ochre.  Deeper colors - Indanthrone Blue, Thalo Blue and Thalo Green mixed with lighter combination.  Tree:  Dark Shadows:  Prussian Blue, Burnt Sienna and Aliz. Crimson.  Lighter foliage:  Chrome Oxide Green Opaque and Cadmium Yellow - this is a middle tone.  Foreground:  Italian Pink and Burnt Sienna.