Show at the Millicent Rogers Museum

Tomorrow I will be traveling to Taos for the annual juried Plein Air PAinters of New Mexico show.  I had two paintings juried in:

Standing Alone
12x16
I painted this very close to Penitente Canyon and it is down the La Garita Road.

I painted the second one in Taos ( well close to Taos and it is Kevin MacPherson's pond. 

The Pond
12x16

This was painted in the spring - everything was just starting to bud out with the exception of the Aspens- they still looked pretty dead.

Well the reception is from 5 to 7 and should be a good time- try to make it if you are in the area.

I have joined Daily Paintworks

I have joined a site called Daily Paintworks. This small painting ( 6x6) can be purchased through their site for $100.00.  This painting was done from a picture I took in Taos during the Plein Air Artists Colorado paint out. We were there in May and I saw these beautiful tulips in front of the Blumenschein Museum and took a quick snapshot. I have done a few paintings from the Blumeschein- I just finished a plein air of hollyhocks and it is available at Wilder Nightingale Gallery in Taos.

I have been thinking about joining this site for awhile and finally took the plunge.  It was good for me- I am usually so indecisive.

You can check out my paintings by clicking on the Daily Paintworks icon in the right sidebar. Or press this link:
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/dailypaintings

The Blumenschein

Taos is pretty hot right now but that didn't keep me from driving over and meeting up with some good friends.  Rich Gallego came out from California to teach a painting workshop and was hoping that Coni and I could drive over and paint with him.  Coni had company so I took off solo and met up with Rich, his friend Debbie who was there to take his class, and my good friend Peggy Immel.  It was a tosaty day but I stood under the eaves of the Blumenshein museum - I pretty much had it made. Afterwards we went to the Guadalajara Grill, one of my favorite eating places in Taos and talked for about two hours.

I am grateful that we are allowed to paint on the museum grounds as the flowers are beautiful.

Blumenschein Hollyhocks
14x11

Day 3 of the Taos Paintout

The Orchard and Taos Mountain
11x14

On day three of the Taos plein air paintout, it was decided to paint an orchard off of Cruz Alta Street.  We met Peg at The Bean coffee shop - cute and homie place with egg cartons decorating the ceiling.  After drinking up their delicious coffee, we headed out to the orchard. We had a few other local artists join us - Ken Daggett and Kemper Coley- and Peg, Dave Coni, Wes and I. The view towards Taos mountain was especially nice and I wanted to hurry up and get the Taos mountain blocked in before the light changed too much- I wasn't very worried about the light in the rest of the scene- so knew I could take my time.  Kemper, Coni and I all painted this view- I thought it was pretty nice. Later that day we drove out to Kevin and Wanda  MacPherson's place to paint Kevin's famous pond from his book "Reflections on a Pond".

Kevin's Pond
12x16

Most of the PAAC members had painted this in the morning and had some upset easels in the wind, I assume from umbrellas tipping them over, so I didn't even try to set up an umbrella, thereby leaving the sun to shine directly on my painting and pallette.  That usually causes the painting to result in being a little too dark but I was pretty happy with the result, although there really are no shadows to speak of since the sun was shining directly on the scene. We pretty much had the run of the place which was nice.  I had painted this exact pond 15 years ago when I was a very rank beginner. Wanda showed us around and was very nice.

Taos PAAC paintout 2011

Off of Ledoux
9x12

Well the annual Taos plein air paint was a great success due to some wonderful ladies- Patrice Walker, Amy Evans, Trisha Bass, and Leslie Allen!

Coni and I drove to Taos early Wednesday morning and met up to meet up with Peg Immel who was hosting the paint out on Ledoux that morning.  Coni and I got a great tour of Sheila O'Malley's studio and then we set up to work. I painted this from right off of Ledoux- this is the back of a gallery -I was glad that everything is blooming over there- we are always a little late in the San Luis Valley so I feel like we can go over to the paint out in Taos and then come back and we haven't really missed painting anything here since it is so behind.

Afterwards we went to the Guadalajara Grill and ate some wonderful tacos and then did some scouting for the next day.

Hearts and Stars Benefit 2010 at Wilder Nightingale

It was a great party at Wilder Nightingale Friday Night - the annual Hearts and Stars Benefit to end Homelessness in Taos.  Here is a picture of (from left) David Montgomery, me, Peg Immel, and Coni Grant. The show will run until December 1 so there is still an opportunity to buy and support the shelter. A little information about the shelter..........


To benefit the TAOS COALITION TO END HOMELESSNESS, LLC
Opening Reception Friday, November 26 from 6-8pm
Since re-opening our new Shelter on April 21, 2010, we have served over 350 men, providing over 1200 bed nights. In addition to a clean bed and the opportunity to shower and do laundry, we serve home cooked dinners which are brought to the Shelter every evening by various members of the community. Our staff gets to know each of the men, who stay with us for more than a night or two, and staff can provide counsel, and will put the men in contact with any agency that may be of assistance. The important thing in these communications, aside from the possible results, is the mutual respect and caring that becomes part of the Shelter’s environment. Under our current operating budget, it is costing us a little over $25 per night to provide these services for each man. 

Coni is talking to Rion Gabriel winding up the end of the evening.

A picture of Kemper Coley, Peg Immel and Steve Immel.

David Montgomery and his wife Cynthia Cutts.

A picture of me and Kemper.

The show always has great food- and Rob works extremely hard writing up sales and trying to keep the momentum going.  Sales were brisk and I have sold one small painting- hopefully I will sell the other.  

The Millicent Rogers Museum

"The Spirit of Place" juried art show for the New Mexico Plein Air Painters will be held at the Millicent Rogers Museum in Taos starting this Saturday, October 9.  The reception will be from 5 to 7 and I wish that I could go but my youngest son has a football game and as he is the quarterback, I sit on the sidelines praying that he doesn't get hurt with car keys in hand ready for a quick trip to the hospital in case he does.  It is unerving but we have been blessed so far (only a few bruised ribs) and since this is his senior year, I know that I won't be doing this next year so I'm enjoying it (that is when I am not worrying about him getting hurt).

Coni and I drove over to Taos to help Peg Immel unpack the paintings- we really didn't do much- mostly sat around and talked which was good for me.   I met a few more New Mexico artists- Bill Gallen for one, of which I am a big fan...

Well, Coni Grant and David Montgomery and his wife Cynthia (maybe) will be making the trip over so I will get to find out how the show went from them.

Honestly, the venue is beautiful. Anyone should be honored to have their painting hang at this very beautiful museum and it is true New Mexico. What I mean by that is this museum embodies the true ideal of what a New Mexico Museum looks like in my mind, low adobe ceilings, pretty courtyard, excellent lighting. Well, enough carrying on-- these are the paintings that I got accepted into the show.

This painting is called "Creek by Amalia" - we were visiting Randy Pijoan in Amalia, New Mexico - actually, Randy's studio in Amalia was profiled in the last issue of Southwest Art magazine.  The day we visited Randy, in January or February, it was so cold that Coni got super chilled - I was quite lucky to have stayed warm enough to finish this piece.

This is the other painting that will be in the show- a water painting - it is a Colorado scene and I do love painting water.

The show will be hanging in the museum until November 14, and Coni and I will get to drive over to Taos, pick up our paintings and visit some of our good friends, Peg, hopefully Kemper, and of course Rob.  Check out the show- it will be a good one.

Pilar Afternoon

This is a view of the small church at Pilar from the water tower.  We started painting this view in the afternoon during the PAAC paint out and then a huge storm came up and blew us out of there- (Coni, David, and I).  So I just finished this using a photograph - I honestly wish that I could have finished this on the spot-- it's just a little too tight and studied. Maybe I had too much time to work on it? Maybe...

Thursday morning at the San Geronimo, Coni and I woke up early again to paint sunrise. We realized that we didn't have to get up until 6 to still have time to set up. This is the painting I did - it was difficult- I don't usually paint sunrises.
The group was to head over to the John Dunn Bridge to paint. We ended up painting right next to the bridge. The water isn't as intense as it looks in this photo.
After the bridge we headed over to Arroyo Hondo. I painted the church last year and really liked the painting that I got out of it so, I decided to paint something else.. especially since there were grey skies with no shadows.

Taos

After we finished painting in the the morning- the group decision was to take a break for coffee or lunch and meet back at the church. This is my afternoon painting- a very quickly painted 8x10 of the back of the Morada.

The Morada

The first day of the Taos paint out, Coni and I decided to paint the Morada with the High Desert Painters. We wanted to also meet up with Kemper Coley so we all were to gather up at Wilder Nightingale and head on over. Kemper wasn't there so we set out on our own - three vehicles in a caravan and headed over to the Morada - there was one small issue- neither Coni or I could remember which street to turn onto from Kit Carson-- we ended up getting lost and Kemper, who was already at the church had to drive over and lead us in-- slightly embarrassing..

The weather was beautiful and although everything is way behind in Taos as far as budding out and blooming, it was still very beautiful. Ken Daggett was painting in this great spot along a rode to the north - Kemper and I set up on the same road.

This is the view I got -- I had painted this earlier in the winter from the west- check it out-

Susan McCullough Plein Air: A trip to Taos

Early Morning in Taos

Coni and I arrived in Taos on Tuesday evening in some pretty awful wind- which was rather discouraging- just a little too much like Colorado. Since the wind had been so horrible, we were afraid that it might be just as bad on Wednesday so we devised a plan. The San Geronimo is on some beautiful grounds and the mountains were right out our back door, so why not get up at about 5:30 in the morning and paint? We figured that it might be the only chance we might get considering the winds we had been subject to. This is the painting I came up with-- the mountain had sun shining on it and turned a beautiful dusty orange color...

Bound for Taos

Today Coni and I will be heading to Taos for the PAAC paint out- first we will paint with the High Desert Painters ( Tuesday and Wednesday) and the with the PAAC for the rest of the week. The PAAC (Plein Air Artists Colorado) group will be there until Sunday and we will be painting Arroyo Hondo, Pilar, Arroyo Seco and a few surrounding towns. I am looking forward to it- Taos is so magical in the Spring- like a breath of fresh air- and I need that right now. The above painting is the ranch- it;s starting to green up and I love the reddish willows that are everywhere- they do grow profusely.

Mothers Day

I'm trying to get ready to go to the PAAC paint out in Taos and I need to pack, etc. Actually I really need to make a good list so I don't forget anything especially that umbrella of mine- it's a love/hate relationship... Yet, I look outside and although the trees aren't budded out yet, the grass is green, the birds are singing and I have to paint- this is a small painting- 6x8 and good practice for what lies ahead-

As for today, we will be celebrating mothers day following our age old tradition- KFC at the ranch. I will be posting during the paint out so stay tuned and Happy Mothers Day.

I was trying to get some paintings submitted for the Alamosa Art Walk in March and most of the paintings I was to submit were rather large so I told the coordinator of the event that I was going to submit a small painting called "Revving Up" and although it wasn't even started yet, I told him it would be an old truck or car, something like that.

I painted this from a photo taken about 2 years ago at the Overland Sheepskin Company in Taos.. This is one cool old truck...

The Hearts and Stars Reception at Wilder Nightingale

The Reception at wilder nightingale was crowded!!! This picture of Coni Grant, Alan Heuer, and Kemper Coley was taken later in the evening- when the crowds had kind of cleared.

Here is a picture of Richard Luckemeierm- he caught a ride with Coni and I to the show- we picked him up from Charlie Ewing's studio in Antonito - great art show by the way- and took him with us to Wilder Nightingale. He looks like I just asked him to eat his spinach - I guess I caught him off guard- sweet guy and fun to talk to.

Some of the miniatures hanging on the wall and silent auction items in front of the tree.

A lively crowd at the gallery -- Rob talking to Alan and Coni in the background.

Well the food was wonderful and of course it was a packed house. It was definitely worth the drive and we always enjoy seeing our Taos friends. The show's purpose is to end homelessness in Taos- a great cause.

A trip to Taos

Coni and I decided to deliver our miniature paintings to Wilder Nightingale for the Hearts and Stars show and drove over on a beautiful but chilly day. We met up with Patrice at the gallery
and considering the fact that everyone had brought their painting gear, decided to paint for the day. We were supposed to meet Kemper at the gallery at around 11:00 and I was planning on waiting for him but Rob decided to call Kemper to see if he was coming- good thing since he was at the top of the chairlift ready to ski down the slope. He said he would meet us in about 45 minutes so we went to Cafe Loca to eat-- great place- thanks Rob! We kind of settled in and I was thinking how maybe we really didn't have to paint after all- it was sooo comfortable in Cafe Loca.

But then Kemper called and of course I said let's paint! We ended up painting a small church off of Kit Carson - right down from Wilder Nightingale- cool church with the mountains as a backdrop.

Here Coni and Patrice are discussing Coni's painting--

Kemper is concentrating- very seriously working- we were a rather quiet bunch during painting time- I was because I haven't been out in awhile and didn't feel exactly in sync.

The final result- by the time I finished the sun was out in full force and shining on my canvas, The support was underpainted in orange which gave it a warm feeling- and it was a pretty nice day- just wore my Carhartt vest so it was a great way to get started with a new season. We will be attending the show on Saturday- should be fun!

Hearts and Stars

As I have been in Denver for a large amount of the week and will be taking Erin back on Thursday, I haven't been plein air painting as much as I would like. I decided to try to get a small painting done for the Hearts and Stars benefit to end homelessness in Taos. The largest size of painting that they will take is an 8x10 so I painted this- it is a small copy of an 18x24 that I have hanging in my studio and I would have like to have made it a 9x12 but I still like it- now I will have to get another one finished within a week or so...

New Mexico Plein Air Painters Show

It was a very crowded atmosphere at the Wilder Nightingale gallery in Taos New Mexico for the New Mexico Plein Air Panters (NMPAP) show August 1. The Show was from 5 to 8 but people weren't ready to leave yet as this pic was taken around 8:30- just too much fun!

Here is a picture of Rob Wilder Nightingale- (white shirt) talking to patrons while Kemper Coley is in the foreground.

Kemper looks like he's having a good time.

Coni Grant and Allen Heuer looking a little surprised as I whipped the camara out on them!

All in all it was a fun show - any time I go to Wilder Nightingale for a show I know there is going to be a large crowd of patrons and artists and Coni and I get to catch up with friends on the newest scoop. We didn't sign up in time to actually participate in the paintout but there is always next year and my mouse will be warmed up and ready to strike as the next year paintout may fill up as quickly as this one.

Arroyo Secco

The little church at Arroyo Secco- painted in the morning with full light - beautiful day!

The view behind the church and the white things are everyone's plein air umbrellas!

Ken Daggett from Taos showing Coni Grant his watercolor plein air method- he was right close to the road and it made me nervous!

Coni and Patrice Walker discussing plein air painting... No, plein air painters don't have matching uniforms- even though it looks like it..

Ed Sirokman- my hero! He fixed my Soltek easel when my car door smacked it and knocked off a part of my easel-- Thanks Ed!