Saturday, January 12, 2019

WORD PAINTINGS #52 (TAOS, 1 JANUARY 2019)



Taos, New Mexico - 1 January 2019 - Snowflakes the size of nickels this morning!  They float silently; I am floating with them.  Thinking of last year at this time - no snow at all! Talk of drought, forest fires....collective panic.  Not this year!!  These little puffs of clouds are landing on what was another seven inches of SNOW!  Amazing Grace!

6 January 2019 - Another snowy Sunday morning - quiet, peaceful - just the friendly neighborhood crows making themselves known.   Trying to convince myself that it is important for me to keep up with this blog and then I block it out for a couple of weeks.  The urge to keep writing returns.  It is a mystery to me....

Yesterday I read a short handwritten note to young women artists by the great abstract painter, Agnes Martin.  I was inspired.  Just now I found this editorial about her on HOW TO BE AN ARTIST.  She talked about living life above the line - finding a level of happiness.  My current word for happiness is "contentment".  Perhaps that is my struggle with these blog posts.  I am recalling some very sad and painful times.  Strangely the sad times fed the art.  Are these writings a way for me to understand how even the painful times led to a greater commitment to my work?  

My beautiful son, John, died on Christmas Eve four years ago. He was 49.  Each holiday season since has been a struggle to keep myself out of that black pit of despair so familiar to any parent who has lost a beloved child.  Perhaps this is where I hit the wall.  I am remembering all the other difficulties, trying to convince myself that I can live through this one, too.  In the holidays since his death I have invited friends over.  I realized that I was trying to prove that tragedy happened, but I was still okay.  It is those desperate, sweaty attempts to still be okay" which end up being my downfall.    It is a distraction and a cover-up.  Finally I knew I had to go it alone and just face my feelings of loss and sadness.  Got my groceries in for the duration, cut off the phone calls and just let myself grieve!  It is indescribable!

It is obvious to me now that this part of my life is the biggest blank canvas I have ever put on my easel.  There is no roadmap.  Will this "thing" - my Art Thing save me one more time?  I don't know.  I am no longer young and not as resilient as I was before.  In all my years of painting last year was my least productive.   My feelings caught up with me.  Truthfully I gave in to the sorrow.  The short trip I had with my friend Geraint recently wakened a little spark.  200 photographs of my favorite places in and around Truchas resulted in about 15 small underpaintings - studies from that trip.  Am I inspired yet?  I don't know.  

The River of Creation - Years ago whenever I felt stuck for ideas or energy, I imagined this fast moving river that flowed under everything.  In those dark waters were all the thoughts, ideas, inspirations that came to my favorite artists - Degas, Cassatt, Van Gogh, Rodin - too many to count; I was comforted to know that their sparks of creation would always be there every time I needed to feel that fire in my belly.  What I know for sure is that it takes that first step to begin again.  Making art is the way I breathe - it is my wholeness.  My word for this year is "Grace" - I have been lifted up through many difficulties - it is time for me to just allow and trust my Art Gods one more time.

Have no idea where this will take me - my intentions are to be clear and honest.  Since this is another place of profound change, perhaps I need to just move forward for a time....and refer to my past experiences more incidentally....stream of consciousness seems to be working for now. 

A new year - my place of New Beginnings - empty-handed leap into the Great Unknown.....   

Sunday, December 16, 2018

WORD PAINTINGS #51 - Kiva Road Santa Fe 1969/72


WORD PAINTINGS #51 (How I Came to New Mexico and learned about Art & Life) - Kiva Road,  Anta Fe 1969/72 - http://donnaclairwordpaintings.blogspot.com/

Sunday, November 18, 2018

WORD PAINTINGS #48 - A SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY PART VI "A DOLL'S HOUSE"

WORD PAINTINGS #48 (How I came to New Mexico and Learned About Art & Life) - A SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY PART VI - "A DOLL'S HOUSE" http://donnaclairwordpaintings.blogspot.com/

Sunday, November 04, 2018

WORD PAINTINGS #47 - MAYORDOMO OF TRUCHAS


WORD PAINTINGS #47 (How I came to New Mexico and learned about Art and Life - A Sentimental Journey Part IV - MAYORDOMO OF TRUCHAS
http://donnaclairwordpaintings.blogspot.com/

Thursday, November 01, 2018

WORD PAINTINGS #46 - A SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY PART III - SOUL FOOD

WORD PAINTINGS #46 (How I Came to New Mexico and learned about Art and Life)- A SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY PART III - SOUL FOOD - http://donnaclairwordpaintings.blogspot.com/

HOMENAJE A LA VIDA

HOMENAJE A LA VIDA "To Life" - Dia de los Muertos -- Women celebrating the lives of loved ones who have died. this canvas was painted many years ago and purchased by Bill and Jack, the original owners of Artisan/Santa Fe. Believe it is still at home somewhere in Santa Fe. DC

WORD PAINTINGS #45 - A Sentimental Journey Part II

WORD PAINTINGS #45 (How I Came to New Mexico and learned about Art & Life) - A Sentimental Journey - Don Eusavio's Paradise - http://donnaclairwordpaintings.blogspot.com/

Saturday, October 27, 2018

WORD PAINTINGS #44 - A SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY

WORD PAINTINGS #44 (How I Came to New Mexico and Learned About Art and Life) - "A SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY - Taos 10/18) - http://donnaclairwordpaintings.blogspot.com/

Sunday, October 21, 2018

FRIDAY AFTERNOON STUDIO - 10/19/18

FRIDAY AFTERNOON STUDIO - 10/19/18

NEW WORK IN PROGRESS! - RANCHITOS ROAD - 30"x40" Original Oil

Studio No. 1518 - Work in Progress - RANCHITOS ROAD - NEW 30"x40" - Working into the glazes - preparing to bring painting to completion - Stay tuned!

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

WORD PAINTINGS #42 & 43 - " "HOW DO YOU EAT AN ELEPHANT?" & "STARTING OVER"

WORD PAINTINGS #42 & #43 - "HOW DO YOU EAT AN ELEPHANT?" and "STARTING OVER!" - http://donnaclairwordpaintings.blogspot.com/. After writing these two posts, I'm going to take a nap! Thanking everyone - your comments on this blog are much appreciated. New paintings on the easel today - stay tuned!
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Saturday, October 13, 2018

WORD PAINTINGS #41 - "IF WISHES WERE FISHES"

WORD PAINTINGS #41 (How I came to New Mexico and learned about Art & Life) - "IF WISHES WERE FISHES" - http://donnaclairwordpaintings.blogspot.com/

WORD PAINTINGS #40 - KINDRED SPIRITS

WORD PAINTINGS #40 (How I came to New Mexico and learned about Art and Life) - "KINDRED SPIRITS" - http://donnaclairwordpaintings.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

WORD PAINTINGS #39 - GHOST TOWNS AND WIDE OPEN SPACES....


WORD PAINTINGS #39 (How I Came to New Mexico and Learned about Art and Life) - GHOST TOWNS AND WIDE OPEN SPACES - http://donnaclairwordpaintings.blogspot.com/

Sunday, October 07, 2018

WORD PAINTINGS #38 - I AM AN ARTIST!!

WORD PAINTINGS #38 - "I AM AN ARTIST" - http://donnaclairwordpaintings.blogspot.com/ (Note: One of my earliest paintings after moving to New Mexico - 1969 - "Toby, A Time of Flowers")

Saturday, October 06, 2018

WORD PAINTINGS #37 - 10/6/18 Taos, New Mexico

Word Paintings #37 - 10/6/18 - Taos, New Mexico  - http://donnaclairwordpaintings.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, October 03, 2018

WORD PAINTINGS #35 - BONNIE AND FRANK

WORD PAINTINGS #35 (How I Came to New Mexico and learned about Art and Life) - "Bonnie and Frank" - http://donnaclairwordpaintings.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, October 02, 2018

WORD PAINTINGS #34 - THE GREAT CHICAGO BLIZZARD OF 1967

WORD PAINTINGS #34 (How I came to New Mexico and learned about Life and Art) - "The Great Chicago Blizzard of 1967" - http://donnaclairwordpaintings.blogspot.com/

Monday, October 01, 2018

WORD PAINTINGS #33 - CONFUSION AND CHAOS!

WORD PAINTINGS #33 (How I came to New Mexico and learned about Art and Life) - "CONFUSION AND CHAOS" - http://donnaclairwordpaintings.blogspot.com/

Sunday, September 30, 2018

WORD PAINTINGS #32 - A GOOD CATHOLIC GIRL


WORD PAINTINGS #32 (How I came to New Mexico and Learned about Art and Life) "A GOOD CATHOLIC GIRL" - http://donnaclairwordpaintings.blogspot.com/

Friday, September 28, 2018

WORD PAINTINGS #31 - HIDDEN AGENDAS


WORD PAINTINGS #31 (How I came to New Mexico and learned about Art and Life) - "Hidden Agendas" - http://donnaclairwordpaintings.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

WORD PAINTINGS #30 - A VERY BRIEF FAMILY HISTORY

WORD PAINTINGS #30 (How I came to New Mexico and learned about Art and Life) - "A very brief family history" - http://donnaclairwordpaintings.blogspot.com/

Monday, September 24, 2018

WORD PAINTINGS #29 - READY, SET...GO!!!

WORD PAINTINGS #29 (How I Came to New Mexico and learned about Art and Life) - "Ready, Set...Go!" - http://donnaclairwordpaintings.blogspot.com/

Saturday, September 22, 2018

Taos 9/21/18 - WORD PAINTINGS #28 - SANCTUARY

TAOS 9/21/18 - WORD PAINTINGS #28 (How I Came to New Mexico and learned about Art and Life) - SANCTUARY - http://donnaclairwordpaintings.blogspot.com/

Friday, September 21, 2018

WORD PAINTINGS #27 - "CULTURE SHOCK"

WORD PAINTINGS #27 (How I came to New Mexico and Learned about Art and Life!) - "Culture Shock"
Jan Hering Painting Workshop, Cloudcroft, New Mexico - 1968

Thursday, September 20, 2018

WORD PAINTINGS #26 - THE JAMISON GALLERY

WORD PAINTINGS #26 (How I came to New Mexico and learned about Art and Life) - THE JAMISON GALLERY -  http://donnaclairwordpaintings.blogspot.com

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

WORD PAINTINGS #25 - NEW BEGINNINGS

WORD PAINTINGS #25 (How I came to New Mexico and Learned About Art and Life) - NEW BEGINNINGS - http://donnaclairwordpaintings.blogspot.com

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

WORD PAINTINGS #24 - "LOST AND FOUND!"

WORD PAINTINGS #24 -  (How I Came to New Mexico and Learned bout Art and Life) - http://donnaclairwordpaintings.blogspot.com/

Monday, September 17, 2018

Saturday, September 15, 2018

Friday, September 14, 2018

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

WORD PAINTINGS #19 - MAMA TAKES SOME BABY STEPS!

WORD PAINTINGS (How I came to New Mexico and learned about Art and Life) #19 - MAMA TAKES SOME BABY STEPS! http://donnaclairwordpaintings.blogspot.com/

Monday, September 10, 2018

WORD PAINTINGS #18 CLOUDCROFT/THE LODGE - A NEW BEGINNING

WORD PAINTINGS (How I came to New Mexico and Learned about Art and Life) - ON THE ROAD #18 - Cloudcroft/The Lodge - http://donnaclairwordpaintings.blogspot.com/

Sunday, September 02, 2018

ARROYO SECO AUTUMN - NEW 8"x10" Original Oil

Studio No. 1418 - ARROYO SECO AUTUMN - New 8"x10" Original Oil on Italian Panel, framed - Preview Painting

WORD PAINTINGS NO. 17 "ON THE ROAD"

WORD PAINTINGS (How I Came to New Mexico and Learned about Art and Life) - #17 "ON THE ROAD" - http://donnaclairwordpaintings.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

AN INVITATION TO VISIT MY NEW WRITING BLOG - WORD PAINTINGS


You are invitied to visit my new Writing Blog! - DONNA CLAIR WORD PAINTINGS - How I came to New Mexico and Learned About Art and Life 

Taos, New Mexico - 2 August 2018 - I love words and have kept a daily journal for the last forty years - all of which I have thrown away (for the sake those in my life still living).  My life has become quiet - and it is time for me to write - just write - daily, once a week - the subject matter is still a blank page. Welcome to my world! Donna

Thursday, July 19, 2018

AUTUMN FIELDS AT RANCHITOS - 60"x36" Work in Progress/Mid Tones

Studio No. 1318 - AUTUMN FIELDS AT RANCHITOS (New Mexico) New 60"x36" Work in Progress (Middle Tones) - using painting medium with oil color now.  Middle Tones are the transitional colors that set up the light in the painting  from the final opaque colors. Color Notes:  Sky: Prussian Blue, Paynes Grey, Mars Black, Permalba White.  Trees: Cadmium Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Chrome Oxide Green Opaque, Burnt Sienna.  Fields: Combinations of Cadmium Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Chrome Oxide Green Opaque, Cadmium Orange, Burnt Sienna, Dioxazine Purple.


Wednesday, July 18, 2018

AUTUMN FIELDS AT RANCHITOS - 60"x36" Original Oil Work in Progress (Underpainting)

Studio No. 1318 - AUTUMN FIELDS AT RANCHITOS (New Mexico) - 60"x36" Work in Progress (Underpainting) - Oils applied loosely with distilled turpentine and MG Underpainting White on gray toned ground.  Color Notes: Clouds: Cobalt blue sketch.  Mountains: Prussian Blue, Mars Black. Trees: Combination of Cadmium Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Naples Yellow.  Fields:  Yellows same as trees.  Greener areas - Combinations of Chrome Oxide Green opaque, Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Orange, Olive Green.  Stay tuned!

Saturday, June 02, 2018

LATE SUMMER STORM AT ALCALDE - New 30"x40" Original Oil

LATE SUMMER STORM AT ALCALDE - New 30"x40" Original Oil, framed - free shipping.  Preview painting.

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

MY TAOS STUDIO - April 2018

18 April 2018 - On the easel today  -- Late Summer Storm at Alcalde.  Stay tuned! 

Monday, April 16, 2018

CALLECITAS DE CORDOVA - Studio Edition Print

CALLECITAS DE CORDOVA (Cordova, New Mexico) - Studio Edition Print from an original oil painting by Donna Clair. Printed and hand signed by the artis. Enclosed in polyurethane envelope and mailed flat. $60.00 plus s&h - Preview/Purchase.

LAS TRAMPAS - Studio Edition Print

LAS TRAMPAS (New Mexico) - Studio Edition Print from an original oil painting by Donna Clair. Printed and hand signed by the artist. $60.00 plus s&h. Preview/Purchase.

Sunday, April 15, 2018

VADITO AFTERNOON - Studio Edition Print

VADITO AFTERNOON (Vadito, New Mexico) - Studio Edition Print from an original oil painting by Donna Clair. Printed and hand signed by the artist. $60.00 plus s&h - Preview/Purchase.

WINTER GIFTS - Studio Edition Print

WINTER GIFTS (Truchas, New Mexico) - Studio Edition Print form an original oil painting by Donna Clair. Printed and hand signed by the artist. $60.00 plus s&h - Preview/Purchase.

Saturday, April 14, 2018

LA NOCHEBUENA - Studio Edition Print

LA NOCHEBUENA (Truchas, New Mexico) - Studio Edition Print from an original oil painting by Donna Clair. Printed and hand signed by the artist. $60.00 s&h - Preview/Purchase.

MORNING POEM = Studio Edition Print

MORNING POEM (Taos, New Mexico) - Studio Edition Print from an original oil painting by Donna Clair. Printed and hand signed by the artist. $60 plus s&h - Preview/Purchase

Friday, April 13, 2018

SECO AFTERNOON - Studio Edition Print

SECO AFTERNOON (Arroyo Seco, New Mexico) - Studio Edition Print from an original oil painting by Donna Clair. Printed and hand signed by the artist. $60.00 plus s&h - Preview/Purchase.

A MAN IS RICH AS HIS WOODPILE - Studio Edition Print

A MAN IS RICH AS HIS WOODPILE (Arroyo Seco, New Mexico) - Studio Edition Print from an original oil painting by Donna Clair. Printed and hand signed by the artist. $60.00 plus s&h. Preview/Purchase.

Saturday, April 07, 2018

CAPILLA DE PLACITAS - Studio Edition Print

CAPILLA DE PLACITAS (Placitas, New Mexico) - Studio Edition Print from an original oil painting by Donna Clair. Printed and hand signed by the artist. $60 plus s&h - Preview/Purchase.