Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Porcelain

http://www.ojosarco.com/



Down the road to Ojo Sarco pottery where Kathy Riggs & Jake Wilson create beautiful pieces of porcelain with an electric kiln. Then they invite a few friends to show paintings, etc as well.




Then I drove into Robert Bennett's studio/gallery as he was working on a big sign that could be spotted easily. Robert had lots of fun big paintings with the bright colors and bold patterns that I love. But his most interesting work (my opinion, my blog) are his mixed media collage pieces on the covers of books. Lots of glitz and shine. See it all on his web site: www.robertsbennettjr.vpweb.com

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Sacred Sunday

Just another adobe church? This one at Las Trampas. Surrounded by graves: some look long abandoned and some fully decorated. This church looked a lot more lively when I was last here in 1997.



Saturday, August 27, 2011

Sign Saturday



The High Road is just one art show after another!

Friday, August 26, 2011

First stop







My first stop on the High Road was Penasco. A colorful row of buildings caught my eye (actually a school, a restaurant and a theatre) so I stopped in front of the Sugar Nymphs Bistro. Since it was lunch time I decided to hang around enjoy the view and grab a bite. I love murals. It's the idea of painting on an entire wall; I think big is better.



And lunch was a sweet corn quesadilla on a blue corn tortilla. Yum, yum!

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

High Road



I remember the words going something like this:


You take the High Road,


and I'll take the low road,


and I'll get there before you...


Well the low road may be shorter but you won't see landscape like this. What a view; distracting to drive. I rate it the best landscape I've ever driven through. I understand why people would want to move here. This pic, while good, can't begin to capture the layers of the landscape; I counted six. Then I had to keep my eyes pealed for studio/gallery signs.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Art Adventure

























As I started my day to drive the High Road to Taos, I back tracked a couple miles to visit the studio compound of artist Thom Wheeler. The compound is full of art and interesting things. My friend Beth & I stopped in 2008 and enjoyed the fountain/pool, & sculpture and treasures in niches. It's hard to describe Thom's art. It looks like metal with semi-precious stones. But I didn't dare touch it and Thom was in the zone on the computer, and didn't act like he was interested in talking art. Maybe I just didn't look like a buyer. If you're interested yourself try http://www.thomwheeler.com/.


Bythe way: the road is called "the High Road to Taos" whether you're going to Taos or from Taos to Santa Fe. Got it?!


















Saturday, August 20, 2011

Sign Saturday



One last swing through the grounds of the St Francis Street Church before I leave Taos via the High Road. My day was planned to stop at as many studios/galleries as I could before reaching Santa Fe. No hurry on this art adventure!

Friday, August 19, 2011

Side Trip

When I arrived home from my trip to NM, the latest Daniel Smith catalog was waiting in my mail box. The Daniel Smith catalog is always a treat; let me tell you why:

#1 Sprinkled throughout the catalog are example of real art by working artists (like me). I like to see what artists are trying in different media.
#2 How to's: how to use a product, how to do a particular technique, how to choose the correct product for your needs.
#3 It seems like there is always a new product which is highlighted and described. The time it's a water color ground which makes it possible to use watercolor on any surface.

One day, years ago when my daughter was still a teen, I got home from work to find the Daniel Smith Catalog waiting for me. I announced that I was taking a bath, and if anyone called I was not to be disturbed. I told my daughter, " Just tell them I'm in the tub with Daniel Smith". To which she replied, "Mother!!!!!"
A relaxing bath with Daniel Smith, what could be better!

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Quote of the Week

"I found I could say things with color and shape that I couldn't say any other way-things I had no words for." Georgia O'Keeffe

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Millicent Rogers

I spent part of my one day in Taos at the Millicent Rogers Museum. She amassed a wonderful collection of SW art and crafts. Colorful woven rugs, furniture, the beautiful black-on-black etched pottery by Maria Martinez, kachina dolls, Santos, silver jewelry with real turquoise, and so much more. I really like the house the museum is in (it wasn't hers). It's like an adobe maze with a courtyard in the middle. I remember my first visit in 1992; I decided: I'd like a house like this!

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Sacred Sunday




During my one day in Taos I passed a few cemeteries and spent time in one. I consider cemeteries sacred places and NM cemeteries have a different atmosphere about them; I think it's all the color & decoration. Less is more, is certainly not the motto; here it is the more the better. More color, more decoration, more religious paraphernalia. It all transforms the cemetery into a "happy place".

Friday, August 12, 2011

Quote of the Week

"Art like morality consists in drawing the line somewhere..." G.K. Chesterton

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

After Glow







I'm still basking in the whole experience of NM. My trip was so excellent. More to share than I have time for. One day in Taos was too little time to see all I wanted to; and then I stumbled on some great finds by accident.


Ceramics is a big draw for me, so when I passed Taos Clay I had to go back. A working studio/gallery making it possible to see the process. And here are the results.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

I Love Google !

Today Google celebrates Lucy's 100th; don't you just love it!