Early Spring is another plein air painting from yesterday.  Now I'm thinking I may have overdone it on the color.  When I go out again I may have to really mute some of the color, but it is New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment.

Winter Yellow and Spring Green was painted on location in Ruidoso, NM.  The dried grass is a beautiful yellow with hints of amber and gold.  Such a nice contrast with the green juniper and purple hills.  I tried the clayboard again.  It dries fast, especially out doors.  What I like is that it forces me to paint fast and loose.  I haven't quite mastered that either, but I do like the expressive strokes. I used a limited palatte and a 5x7 Gorilla Thumbox.  It is aptly named - I felt like I was all thumbs painting with it.  I don't give up easily so will try it again.

Presto Egg is another study in color harmony.  I am also trying out ampersand clayboard.  It is really hard to paint on it using oil paint, but I  like the result.  It grabs the paint and appears to dry almost immediately.  I discovered if I use more medium it worked better.

Apple Tree was painted on location in Ruidoso, NM.  Early spring is a lovely time to catch the flowering trees in bloom.

Abandoned was painted on location in Hondo, NM.  There are so many scenes like this one in Lincoln County.  The winter browns are being replaced by the spring greens.  It was such a beautiful crisp day and no wind.

Unfurled Iris is another study in color harmony.  I found this lone iris in my garden and decided to bring it in and paint it day- by- day and to watch it unfurl. 

Liquid Refreshment is the first painting in a week.  We are settled in New Mexico for the summer and I finally have my paints unpacked.  It is too cold and windy to go outside so will do some studio paintings in the meantime. I was curious to see if I could paint ice cubes.  I put in lots of ice and as they melted the colors kept getting richer. Click here to bid at auction at Daily Paintworks

Lemon Slices is another study in color harmony and reflections. Just when I think I have exhausted a subject, something else pops into my head.  This time it is the floating lemon and the lemon peeking through the glass.

Old Barns and Truck was painted on location at Comfort Falls Ranch.  It was good to be able to paint landscape again now that the tree pollens have subsided.

I will be traveling for a few days so if you have bid on a painting, I will be able to ship next Wed, the 17th.

The Last Bud to Open is the end of the red lilies.  I decided to paint them in a warm light to compare to the cool light of my other lily paintings.  I think I like the cool light better.

Many Lilies is my first attempt at doing the entire bouquet of red lilies.  They amaze me as they are so vibrant, fresh and cheerful. Click to bid.

Red Lily is another study in color harmony.  I bought some for my Easter decoration and was going to try to paint the bouquet. Since I'd never painted a lily I decided I had better do one first before attempting the bouquet.  Click here to purchase at auction.

Study in Green and Lavender is another study in color harmony.  You may not know this but lavender class is what happens when a glass bottle is exposed to the elements over decades.  Back in the days before trash pickup, farmers and ranchers would have their own trash pile.  The bottles would age in the sun to a beautiful lavender.  Those not used for target practice have made it to the antique stores.  I love the patina.

May be purchased at auction from Daily Paintworks.

Study in Blue is a response to a challenge I saw on Daily Paintworks in 2012.  You were supposed to do a painting entirely in blue and not use orange or red in the painting.  So here it is.

Pottery and Orange is another study in color harmony and a nice change from glass.

May be purchased at auction at Daily Paintworks.