TAOS SUMMER STORM - 24"x30" Work in Progress (Glazes)

Studio No. 417 - TAOS SUMMER STORM - 24"x30" Work in Progress (Glazes) - Glazes are the dark transparent/semi-transparent oil colors applied over the underpainting with Overnight Glazing Medium (six ounces distilled turp., 1 oz. each of damar varnish and stand oil and 1/4 tsp. cobalt drier)  This phase of the painting sets up the lights (opaque paints) and adds a great deal of richness to the finished painting.  Color notes: Sky: Prussian Blue and Paynes Grey. Foreground:  Burnt Umber, Burnt Sienna, Yellow Ochre Deep.  Trees:  Yellow trees same as foreground.  Green:  Chrome Oxide Green Opaque.

RIO PUEBLO - 8"x10" Original Oil, framed

RIO PUEBLO (Placitas, New Mexico) - 8"x10" Original Oil on Italian Gessoed Panel, framed - Sold

RIO CHIQUITO - 8"x10" Original Oil - Framed

RIO CHIQUITO (Rio Chiquito, New Mexico) - 8"x10" Original Oil on Italian Gessoed Panel, Framed - Sold

TAOS SUMMER STORM - 24"x30" Work in Progress (Underpainting)

Studio No. 417 - TAOS SUMMER STORM (Taos, New Mexico) - New 24"x30" Work in Progress (Underpainting).  Colors are mixed with MG Underpainting White and Distilled Turpentine.  Color Notes:  Sky:  Prussian Blue and Paynes Grey.  Mountains:  Payne's Grey and dirty brush.  Trees:  Cadmium Yellow, Mars Orange, Chrome Oxide Green Opaque.  Foreground:  Cadmium Yellow, Yellow Ochre.  Apply underpainting and let dry for about a week before applying glazes.

ON BEING PEACE.....

“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

A BEGINNER'S MIND....

6 January 2017 -  This morning while still in bed with all my papers and magazines around me, propped up by several lovely pillows, I called my website tech/good friend and fellow dreamer, Dan Kuehn, to make an appointment for the middle of this month to overhaul the way I do my business. As we were talking it became clear that the art market has changed so profoundly in the past few years that parts of the old ways of selling art have morphed and changed, or are dying off completely.  Yes, here I am, finally awake to some new and exciting ways to sell my paintings.  In Buddhism they call it "the Beginner's Mind" - and I finally got it!  Aha - I am starting all over again....and more will be revealed as I begin this process.  All I can say is that I am ready and willing to start some new creative adventures here in Taos - right now it is all a bunch of beautiful blank canvases - Stay tuned!  In the meantime, here is an old beauty (very appropriate to my time in life) now available as fine art prints and many other great items at FINE ART AMERICA.

 

MY TAOS WILDFLOWERS (Taos, New Mexico)

Each day a New Beginning - Happy New Year!

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 - Taos, New Mexico 2016

"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

READY, AIM - PAINT!!!!

7 December 2016 - It was exciting to set up my first palette in my new Taos studio this morning!  Am not at all settled yet - most of the basics have been handled, but the "everything in its place thing" will take me until spring.  Have decided that I need to start painting - that's my job in this world!  Will take some time out at the end of every day to settle in; in the meantime, with the exception of one or two long winter naps..... HI HO!  it's off to work we go!  Am getting huge welcome home hugs from old friends - so happy and grateful to be back! One more gentle reminder to check out my  fine art prints framed or unframed perfect for home and office, greeting cards and many other great gift items now available at FINE ART AMERICA!

TAOS AFTERNOON SHADOWS - Fine Art Prints, greeting cards.....

TAOS AFTERNOON SHADOWS (Taos, New Mexico) - Fine art prints framed or unframed for home and office, greeting cards, posters and other great gift items now available at FINE ART AMERICA.

CAMINITO DE TESUQUE - Fine Art Prints, greeting cards.....

CAMINITO DE TESUQUE (Tesuque, New Mexico) - Fine art prints framed or unframed for home and office, greeting cards, posters and other great gift items now available at FINE ART AMERICA.

WINTER DREAMS - Fine art prints, greeting cards.....

WINTER DREAMS - Fine art prints framed or unframed for home and office, greeting cards, posters and many other fine gift items now available at FINE ART AMERICA!

PUEBLO MORNING LIGHT - Fine Art Prints, Greeting Cards. posters.....

PUEBLO MORNING LIGHT (Taos Pueblo, New Mexico) - Fine Art Prints framed or unframed for home and office, greeting cards, posters and many other great gift items now available at FINE ART AMERICA!

WINTERLIGHT - Fine Art Prints, posters, greeting cards........

 

WINTERLIGHT - Fine Art Prints (framed and unframed) for home and office, Posters, Greeting Cards and many other great items now available at FINE ART AMERICA!

11/13/16 - NEW TAOS STUDIO

Moved back "home" to Taos on the first of Nov.  Thirteen days later I am still unpacking boxes - books today.  Progress, not perfection....... yet!  Stay tuned. 

LAST LIGHT - NEW 12"x12" Original Oil, Framed

 Studio No. 2116 - LAST LIGHT (Taos, New Mexico) - NEW 12"x12" Original Oil, framed, now available - Preview/Purchase.

200 Small Paintings No. 137 - ON THE RIO GRANDE, 6"X8" Original Oil, framed

200 Small Paintings No. 137 - ON THE RIO GRANDE (Pilar, New Mexico) - New 6"x8" Original Oil on Italian Gessoed Panel, framed and now available - Preview/Purchase.

JIMENEZ ROAD, New 8"x10" Original Oil

Studio No. 2016 - JIMENEZ ROAD (Tesuque, New Mexico) - New 8"x10" Original Oil on Gessoed panel - Sold

200 Small Paintings No. 135 - PASSING STORM, 6"X6" Orig. Oil, Framed - Sold

200 Small Paintings No. 135 - PASSING STORM (Truchas, New Mexico) -  6"x6" Original Oil on Linen Panel, Sold

TWILIGHT TIME _ New 12"x12" Original Oil, Framed

Studio No. 1916 - TWILIGHT TIME (Taos, New Mexico) - 12"x12" Original Oil on Canvas, framed - Preview/Purchase.

EARLY SNOW CLOUDS - New 8"x10" Original Oil, framed

Studio No. 1716 - EARLY SNOW CLOUDS (Hyde Park - Santa Fe, New Mexico) - New 8"x10" Original Oil on Italian panel, framed - Preview/Purchase.