In front of the Randall Davey Audubon Center, there are two large cottonwoods shading a sturdy, old adobe, and in the Orchard of the Audubon Center, there’s a layered view that starts with the gardens, proceeds to the coral colored adobe and emerges in the mountains. I also enjoy painting in Cerro Gordo Park. The view of Sun Mountain is also layered, first the rows of chamisa, then the pinon/juniper, a few small adobes clustered in between, then cottonwoods, then mountains, then sky. The sky is always a surprise here in New Mexico – often a radiant blue, but sometimes a looming grey – never just grey though, always more purple than grey. And I have many favorite places to paint and hold art classes out in Abiquiu, where O’Keeffe spent many creative years. The picture above is me, a year ago March, painting en plein air at Ghost Ranch. I have three classes scheduled so far out at Ghost Ranch; one of them is a residential workshop in the Fall. I plan on getting out there soon, on my own for four or five days, at least – I’ll keep you posted!
Leave a reply