709 Somewhere (Else) in New Mexico

This scene is somewhere between Taos and the Albuquerque airport.  I was attracted to the bright white stone of the mountain, and on closer look, the two crosses at the top, providing the imagination with endless possibilities.

This painting is on watercolor paper.  I have conferred with another artist who successfully mounts her paper paintings onto hardboard or cradled hardboard, and will include that option if sold. 

"709 Somewhere (Else) in New Mexico"
acrylic - 8x10 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/709-somewhere-else--in-new-mexico/420326

708 Somewhere in New Mexico

The photo reference for this painting was taken during our ride to the airport.  With nearly 800 photos taken during this trip, I think I will have enough painting material for a long time.

"708 Somewhere in New Mexico"
acrylic - 9x12 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/708-somewhere-in-new-mexico/419816

704 View From the Rio Grande River Gorge Bridge

I am not a big fan of heights, but I was determined to walk on the Rio Grande River Gorge Bridge located about 10 miles northwest of Taos. It is the seventh highest bridge in the United States, and the 82nd highest in the world!    As you walk 565 feet above the Rio Grande River, with hands clutched on the railing, you can feel the vibration of trucks passing you on the bridge.  The view was so spectacular with all the various ridges and beautiful colors, and I was happy to be stable enough to take photos.  Sadly,  there are a lot of suicides from this bridge, and there is a button to push for you to talk to someone to get help, should you feel hopeless.

"704 View From the Rio Grande River Gorge Bridge"
acrylic - 12x9 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/704-view-from-the-rio-grande-river-gorge-bridge/418755
  

703 The Giant Crack in the Earth

This is the last of my paintings from New Mexico.  We parked along the roadside with this view of the Rio Grande Gorge, but didn't have more than a couple of hours there, so I sketched, knowing I wanted to paint an abstraction of this magnificent scene.  I had a few colors of paint that were still "alive" on my palette, and slapped them on the board.  Since I've been home, I've obsessed about the green portion to the point of ridiculousness.  Abstraction does not come naturally to me, but I think I like it.  Only time and more practice will tell.

03 The Giant Crack in the Earth"
acrylic - 12x24 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/703-the-giant-crack-in-the-earth/418584

698 The Rio Grande River at Arroyo Hondo

The day we painted the Rio Grande was the most difficult of days, as it was hot and windy, and as any plein air painter knows, the scene changes quickly and often.  I positioned myself down close to the river and found the gentle sounds of the flowing water so relaxing.  There were a lot of ants and bugs and pollen (ah-CHOO!) and suddenly the wind took several of our easels, paintings, umbrellas crashing to the dirt, or in some cases, down the rocky hill.  The painting then had "texture" and the umbrella was demolished.  Despite all of the above, I enjoyed this day so much and this is my favorite of the eight paintings from New Mexico.

As I have repeatedly said, plein air painting is not for sissies.  And that's the truth.  
"698 The Rio Grande River at Arroyo Hondo"
acrylic - 20x16 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/698-the-rio-grande-river-at-arroyo-hondo/417124

697 The Pedernal

During my recent Art Lady trip to New Mexico, we visited our old "friend," Ghost Ranch, a tranquil and beautiful place.  I struggled with the decision as to what to paint, but finally realized I had to paint the Pedernal, as Georgia O'Keefe did so many times.  I recently learned that she thought if she painted it enough times, God would give it to her.  I think she "owns" it. 

696 View from The Couse-Sharp Historic Site

This is the second painting completed en plein air during my recent visit to Taos, New Mexico.  We were very fortunate to visit and tour The Couse-Sharp Historic Site during the 100th anniversary of the Taos Society of Artists.  Joseph Sharp and Eanger Irving Couse were two of the original founding members of this society, and were devoted to painting the Native American Indians.  Messrs. Couse and Sharp, along with the four other original members of this society, found Taos t o besuch an inspiring place to paint, as did I, with its mountains, forests, clear blue sky and beautiful sunsets.

The Art Ladies were grateful to be able to paint in such a beautiful and comfortable spot. The views of the mountains, trees and chemisas were breathtaking, and in my foreground, there were changing groundcover.  I was drawn to the strong vertical of the trees.  We had a little downpour but were able to lunch on the porch of the house until it cleared up.  All in all, it was a great day and I left with  many, many reference photos for future paintings.

"696 View from The Couse-Sharp Historic Site"
acrylic - 11x14 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/696-view-from-the-couse-sharp-historic-site/416697

695 Grandma Comes to Visit

I have been away from home for several days with my Art Lady friends.  We visited New Mexico for the third time to plein air paint, and it was a glorious nine days of friendship and painting.  We stayed at the Hacienda del Sol in Taos, New Mexico, and traveled around to various venues.  Our trips are always filled with education, laughter, painting and instruction.

On our first full day, we visited the Two Graces Gallery in Taos, when the owner, Robert, gave us such valuable insight into kachinas, and set up a display of kachinas for us to sketch and photograph. Our assignment for the day was to paint a kachina, and this is the one I chose. I thought it may have been a warrior, but today I called and spoke with Robert who told me that this kachina is an ogre, and get this, a Grandmother.

Legend is that she comes to visit in winter and asks for food.  If you don't have any to offer you, she will give you another chance.  She will visit you again, and if you don't have food, she will eat the children.  The idea is motive to get children to help around the house.

Any way you look at it, I enjoyed painting this kachina, which I never would have attempted.  In the next few days, I will post my New Mexico paintings and hopefully, you will enjoy them.

694 View From Ghost Ranch

I am gearing up to paint landscapes and painted this from a photo I took on a previous Art Lady trip to New Mexico.  This is one of many spectacular views from Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico.
Here is a great description of the area, taken from Ghost Ranch's website: 

"...The skies and land are so enormous, and the detail so precise and exquisite that wherever you are you are isolated in a glowing world between the macro and the micro."  Ansel Adams

I am happy with this painting, and really enjoyed painting it.

"694 View From Ghost Ranch"
acrylic - 9x12 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/694-view-from-ghost-ranch/413967


 

216 Come Sit For Awhile

This is a scene from Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico outside of Georgia O'Keefe's little house. 

145 Chimney Rock, View from Ghost Ranch

I have never seen such beautiful sunsets as in New Mexico.  From Ghost Ranch, every night is a spectacular show.

141 Side By Side

More pottery from the Hacienda del Sol in Taos, New Mexico.