Adobe and Pigeons

6 x 8

oil on canvas

available

This little adobe was across the plaza from Ranchos Church, Taos, an old church in New Mexico much painted and photographed by artists. Unfortunately the plaza is now also a parking lot and it is hard to get an unobscured view of the church.  I turned around and saw the simple geometric shape of this adobe against a blue sky, plus the four pigeons.  The simplicity struck me.

The Chiricahuas

9 x 12

oil on canvas

sold

I painted this when I was in AZ, it is a view to the east from my little cottage. The Chiricahuas are an incredible mountain range that rise up out of the desert. They call it a "sky Island" as the surrounding desert isolates the mountains like an island would be isolated by water. Interesting species of plants and animals occur in this isolation; for instance I believe it is the only place in the US that has Mexican Chickadees. It has been raining like crazy here and when I came out to my studio this morning I discovered I have a few leaks... unfortunately I had some paintings leaning against the walls and one got soaked; I hope it recovers. Has anyone had experience with this?

Folded Earth

11 x 14

oil on canvas

available

The colors and light of the southwest are so different from the cool upper mid-west.  I found myself expanding my usually very limited palette for the southwest work, adding some earth tones - yellow ochre, burnt umber, venetian red, as well as cadmium orange, which I have rarely used but think I will from now on, it's scrumptious.

Toward San Simone

5 x7

oil on board

available

I have returned from the Southwest.   It is another world of color and animals and light; I was just beginning to understand something and it was time to leave...