Wednesday, August 08, 2012

RIO CHAMA AT ABIQUIU - NEW 10"x10" Original Oil Painting



STUDIO NO. 1612 - "RIO CHAMA AT ABIQUIU", NEW 10"x10" Original Oil on Belgian Linen, Framed in Gold with Linen Liner.... $750 free shipping.  Completed 8/8/12.  Available. Call (575)758-7454.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

CELEBRATING 45 YEARS!  NEW 30"x60" OIL PAINTING....


STUDIO NO. 1412 - "BESIDE STILL WATERS" New 30"x60" Original Oil (wrap around painting) - Completed 7/25/12  (Available) Call (575)758-7454

Celebrating 45 years as a New Mexico artist!  Here is an excerpt from my book Taking the High Road to Taos...   My sincere thanks to each and every Art Friend for their encouragement and support throughout the years....

"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-four 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."  Donna Clair Taos, N.M. 9/3/11

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

ASPEN SHADOWS - 6"x8" Original Oil (Sold)


100 Small Paintings No. 51 - ASPEN SHADOWS -  New 6"x8" Original Oil on Italian Gessoed Panel,framed $250, Sold
 AGUA NEGRA IGLESIA CATOLICO - 6"x8" New Original Oil - Sold


100 Small Paintings No. 50 - AGUA NEGRA IGLESIA CATOLICO - New 6"x8" Original Oil on Italian Gessoed Panel, unframed.  Sold

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

BESIDE STILL WATERS - 30"x60" New Work in Progress, the Underpainting


COLOR NOTES:  SKY:  Thalo Blue,Thalo Green, Titanium White - touch of Ochre.  Trees:  Prussian Blue and Burnt Sienna, Chrome Oxide Green Opaque.  Water:  Sky colors and some Indanthrone Blue and Chrome Oxide Green Opaque.  Grasses:  Yellow Ochre, Aliz. Crimson, Burnt Sienna.  Stay Tuned!

Monday, June 11, 2012

"BESIDE STILL WATERS" - NEW 30"X60" Work in Progress


STUDIO NO. 1412 - NEW WORK IN PROGRESS BESIDE STILL WATERS 30"x60" Original Oil on Belgian Linen

Thursday, May 31, 2012

100 SMALL PAINTINGS NO. 49 - SANTISTEVAN LANE, 6"x8" Original Oil - Sold

NEW 3-DAY AUCTION - 100 SMALL PAINTINGS NO. 49 - SANTISTEVAN LANE, 6"x8" Original Oil on Italian Gessoed Board, Unframed. 

Sunday, May 27, 2012

100 Small Paintings No. 47 - JAKE'S LILACS (Sold)


#47 -  JAKE'S LILACS - 6"x8" New Original Oil Painting on Italian Gessoed Panel, unframed.  Completed 5/26/12  -- Sold

Friday, May 25, 2012

LILIAS DE TAOS - NEW 10"X10" Original Oil


Studio No. 1312 - LILIAS DE TAOS - 10"x10" New Original Oil, framed in Gold with Linen Liner.  (Available) This lilac bush resides in front of my house. The root stock goes back five generations to Mora, N.M.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

PERALTA ROAD, TAOS - NEW 12"x12" Original Oil - Sold



Studio No. 1512 - PERALTA ROAD, TAOS - NEW Original Oil Painting, Framed in Gold with Linen Liner.  Completed 5/24/12 - Sold

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

GARCIA PARK - New 30"x40" Original Oil, Framed. 

 Studio No. 1212 - GARCIA PARK, 30"X40" New Original Oil on Belgian Linen - Framed, Completed 5/22/12.  Available for purchase. Call (575)758-7454

Thursday, May 10, 2012

30"x40" Work in Progress - EARLY SNOW AT GARCIA PARK (Underpainting)....


COLOR NOTES:  Sky:  Ultramarine Blue, Payne's Grey, Titanium White.  Trees:  Various combinations of Cadmium Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Orange,  Burnt Sienna and Chrome Oxide Green Opaque.  Shadows under Trees and Dark Soil:  Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Umber and Burnt Sienna.  Grasses:  Chrome Oxide Green Opaque, Cadmium Yellow, Cadmium Orange.  Snow:  Same as sky.  Water:  Sky colors and Cerulean Blue.  DC
EARLY SNOW AT GARCIA PARK, New Work in Progress (Sketch) 30"x40" Oil on Belgian Linen.  Initial sketch made on a Grisaille (toned ground - gesso and Payne's Grey) and sketch done loosely with Burnt Sienna and some Prussian Blue.  Stay tuned for step by step process!  DC


Friday, May 04, 2012

MY NEW BOOK! TAKING THE HIGH ROAD TO TAOS - Donna Clair Paintings


TAKING THE HIGH ROAD TO TAOS -- A new book from my Taos Studio.  From the dust jacket: "In 1967 Donna Clair began a new, adventurous chapter in her life by leaving Chicago and moving across the country to Santa Fe,New Mexico. Taking out her easel,  paints and brushes, she established herself as a well-recognized southwestern contemporary painter. Leaving the Santa Fe social scene in 1982, she moved to a 20 acre horse ranch on Llano Quemado - a "suburb" of the small Hispanic village of Truchas, New Mexico. These images chronicle her journey."

It has taken 45 years of living in New Mexico and a whole bunch of new technology for me to put this new project together!   This book measures 9"x11" and has 62 pages of text and illustrations of paintings.  What is so amazing to me is the fact that the colors of the reproductions are absolutely true to the original work! The book is hand-signed and can be personalized.  $100.00, plus $12.00 shipping. Please allow ten days for delivery.  To order call (575)758-7454 - Mastercard, Visa, American Express through my studio.  ENJOY! DC

Wednesday, May 02, 2012

AGUA NEGRA MISSION CHURCH - 16"x20 New Original Oil on Belgian Linen, Framed in Gold with Linen Liner.  (Completed 5/2/12) Available for purchase.


 

Friday, April 27, 2012


NEW WORK IN PROGRESS - "Agua Negra Mission Church" - 16"x20" Original Oil on Canvas.  Stay tuned!

Studio #1012 - SPRING SNOW AT TRUCHAS
22"x28" New Original Oil Painting

HOW DO I LOVE PAINT?  LET ME COUNT THE WAYS!!!

Sunday, April 22, 2012


STUDIO #1012 - WORK IN PROGRESS (UNDERPAINTING)  - SPRING SNOW AT TRUCHAS - 22"X28" Original Oil on Linen.  This painting will take no more than five or six colors, not counting the white.  Underpainting is done with oil colors and MG Fast Drying Underpainting White mixed with turpentine.  Payne's Grey, Prussian Blue, Burnt Sienna, Chrome Oxide Green Opaque.  Stay tuned!

Saturday, April 21, 2012


NOCHECITA DE CHIMAYO
Completed 4/21/12
New Original Oil on Linen - 22"x28" - Available

Saturday, March 24, 2012

RIO GRANDE AT PILAR - NEW 40"x30" Original Oil


"RIO GRANDE AT PILAR"
40"x30" Original Oil on Belgian Linen
Framed in Gold with Linen Liner
Available.  Call (575)758-7454

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

"WHITE MAGNOLIA" 6"x8" Orig. Oil, Framed - SOLD


SPRING HAS SPRUNG!!!  "WHITE MAGNOLIA" 6"X8" Original Oil on Panel, framed in Gold with Linen Liner. SOLD

Saturday, March 17, 2012

#45 - AGUA NEGRA MISSION CHURCH - 6"X8" ORIG. OIL - Sold



100 Small Paintings #45 - "AGUA NEGRA MISSION CHURCH" - 6"x8" Original Oil on Italian Panel, Framed - Sold.

Monday, March 05, 2012

RIO GRANDE AT PILAR - 40"x30" WORK IN PROG. UNDERPAINTING


3/5/12 - RIO GRANDE AT PILAR - 40"X30" WORK IN PROGRESS - Original Oil on Belgian Linen - Color notes:  All colors mixed with MG underpainting white and turpentine and applied with a bristle brush.  Foreground:  Grasses - Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna.  Willows:  Burnt Sienna and Indian Red.  River:  Indanthrone Blue.  Hills to the right:  Yellow Ochre and Holbein Rose Grey.  Sky: Indanthrone Blue and Payne's Grey.  Stay tuned!

Thursday, March 01, 2012

AUTUMN FIELDS AT ARROYO SECO - NEW 28"X22" ORIGINAL OIL


"AUTUMN FIELDS AT ARROYO SECO" - NEW 28"X22"ORIGINAL OIL ON BELGIAN LINEN - Framed in Gold with Linen Liner.  Completed 3/1/12.  Available.  Call (575)758-7454 or e.mail.  Enjoy!

Thursday, February 09, 2012

AUTUMN FIELDS AT SECO - 22"X28" WORK IN PROGRESS (GLAZES)


AUTUMN FIELDS AT ARROYO SECO - 28"X22" ORIGINAL OIL ON BELGIAN LINEN, Framed in Gold with Linen Liner.   Color Notes:  Pinon Trees:  Olive Green and Chrome Oxide Green Opaque.  Yellow Fields:  Italian Pink and Burnt Sienna.  Shadows:  Dioxazine Purple.  Autumn Trees:  Italian Pink, Cadmium Red, Cadmium Yellow.  Stay tuned!

Tuesday, February 07, 2012

A LITTLE MORE POPPY LOVE - 6"x6" Orig. Oil on Canvas Panel-Sold



"A LITTLE MORE POPPY LOVE" - 6"X6" Orig. Oil on Canvas Panel, Framed  - Sold

Sunday, February 05, 2012

AUTUMN FIELDS AT SECO - 28"X22" WORK IN PROGRESS (UNDERPAINTING)


2/6/12 - All colors mixed with Grumbacher MG Underpainting White.  Color Notes:  Greens:  Chrome Oxide Green Opaque and Yellow Ochre.  Shadows:  Diox. Purple.  Trees:  Cadmium Yellow, Cadmium Orange, CadmiumRed - Mars Red - Indian Red.  All in various combinations.

NOCHECITA DE CHIMAYO - 22"X28" WORK IN PROGRESS (UNDERPAINTING)

2/6/12 - Most colors mixed with Grumbacher MG Underpainting White and turpentine.  Sky: Thalo Rose Red, Indanthrone Blue, Payne's Grey.  Trees: Combination of Prussian Blue, Burnt Sienna, Chrome Oxide Green Opaque and Yellow Ochre.  Earth:  Mars Orange, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, Holbein Rose Grey.

TRUCHAS IN WINTER - 22"X28" WORK IN PROGRESS (UNDERPAINTING)


2/6/12 - Most colors mixed with Grumbacher Underpainting White - Trees:  Prussian Blue, Burnt Sienna, Chrome Oxide Green Opaque, Yellow Ochre.  Sky:  Davy's Grey, Payne's Grey.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

24"X30" NOCHECITA DE ABIQUIU - SOLD


STUDIO #212 -  NOCHECITA DE ABIQUIU -  NEW 24"x30" Original Oil on Belgian Linen - .  SOLD

Friday, January 13, 2012

"ESTACA" - NEW 11"x14" Original Oil


"ESTACA" - New 11"x14" Orig. Oil on Canvas
Framed in Gold with Linen Liner
For price and availability visit www.DonnaClairArt.com

WINTER MORNING ON SANTISTEVAN LANE--new 10"x10" Original Oil - Sold


"WINTER MORNING ON SANTISTEVAN LANE" - NEW! 10"x10" Original Oil on Linen, Framed in Silver with Linen Liner. Sold

Saturday, January 07, 2012

NOCHECITA DE ABIQUIU - 24"x30" WORK IN PROGRESS (GLAZES)


NOCHECITA DE ABIQUIU - 24"x30" Work in Progress - The Glazes:  I'd be lying if I told you I knew how this painting will look when it's completed - just finished the glazes; will let them dry for a couple of days and then take that empty-handed leap into the oil paints once again! Stay tuned! DC

Wednesday, January 04, 2012

NOCHECITA DE ABIQUIU - 24"X30" WORK IN PROGRESS (UNDERPAINTING)


"NOCHECITA DE ABIQUIU"
24"x30" Work in Progress - Underpainting
5 January 2012 - Basic colors mixed with Grumbacher MG Underpainting White.  Sky: Cobalt Blue with a touch of Thalo Rose Red.  Trees:  Ochre, Cadmium Red, Burnt Sienna, some Prussian Blue and Cobalt Blue.  Stay tuned! 

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

NOCHECITA DE ABIQUIU - 24"x30" Work in Progress


28 December 2011- New Work in Progress - 22"x28" Original Oil on Belgian Linen.  Phase I - Initial Oil Sketch - primed canvas with "grisaille" ground - Gesso with Payne's Grey.  Sketch in Prussian Blue oil thinned with turpentine.  Let dry for a couple of days before applying underpainting.  ©DonnaClair 2011/Taos.

Monday, December 26, 2011

DEEP RIVER DREAMING



DEEP RIVER DREAMING- 12"X12" Original Oil on Canvas, Framed in Gold with Linen Liner.  $1300 plus shipping. Visa, Mastercard, Amer. Exp. available through my studio.  For price and availability, please visit www.DonnaClairArt.com

STUDIO NEWZ:  The image for this painting was taken last fall on the Rio Chama.  Am thinking of doing a larger painting from this study.  Began work on a new book recently - have designed the cover for ON THE ROAD: Paintings of New Mexico - hope to have it completed sometime late next year.  It will cover new paintings from 2010 thru 2012. FYI -  Saw a great documentary "THE CAVE OF FORGOTTEN DREAMS" by Werner Herzog.  In 1994 some hikers in France discovered a cave with magnificent wall paintings of prehistoric animals.  Later the cave was carbon dated and thought to be 30,000/40,000 years old!  It is called Chauvet cave after one of the hikers.  They even found bone flutes that still can play music.  The joy of Neanderthal art and music!  PROSPERO ANO NUEVO A TODOS!  - Best regards, Donna

MORNING POEM


Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder.
Help someone's soul heal.
Walk out of your house like a shepherd.
Rumi

Thursday, December 22, 2011

WINTER GIFTS


To Art Friends Everywhere!  Those of you who have been with me a long time know I send out the same holiday greeting every year.  The original of this painting was "adopted" by some very prolific art collectors years ago and still resides in a lovely home here 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 very close.  The woman is the memory I've kept of my little Polish grandmother -- she carried a shopping bag with her everywhere -- those were her "gifts" her "surprises".  The words of Fra Giovanni never fail to uplift - especially at this time of the year.  From my heart I wish you all the best of this holiday season -- Hug someone special today!  Sincere best wishes, Donna

"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
 

Thursday, December 01, 2011

SANTISTEVAN LANE - 12"x6" Orig. Oil - Sold


1 December -    SANTISTEVAN LANE, 12"x6" Original Oil Sold.

LA VENTANA DE SANTA CRUZ - 36"x24" - Completed Orig. Oil on Canvas


1 December - LA VENTANA DE SANTA CRUZ - New! 36"x24" Original Oil on Canvas - Framed.  $2400 - You are invited to scroll down and follow the progress of this painting.  This last step was to glaze the inner part of the window with a combination of Ivory Black, Olive Green and Ultramarine Blue.  (575)7587454

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

CAPILLA DE SANTA CRUZ I - 10"X10" ORIGINAL OIL ON LINEN


CAPILLA DE SANTA CRUZ  - $600
10"x10" Original Oil on Linen (Available)
Framed in Gold with Linen Liner
Call (575) 758-7454

CAPILLA DE SANTA CRUZ II - 12"X12" ORIGINAL OIL ON LINEN


CAPILLA DE SANTA CRUZ - $800
12"x12" Original Oil on Canvas (Available)
Framed in Gold with Linen Liner

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

LA VENTANA DE SANTA CRUZ - Work in Progress (State II - Opaque Paints)

LA VENTANA DE SANTA CRUZ
(PHASE III - Opaque Paints)
One more step to go - glazing down the inner part of the window once the opaque paints are dry.