SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO

February 2001 - Santa Fe, New Mexico

I was excited to get up early and get going on this day. I was staying with my friend Penny at her beautiful South Western home on the outskirts of Santa Fe. It had snowed lightly overnight and all the dark Pinon trees and juniper shrubs were dusted with sparkling snow.

I sat in the outdoor hot tub with my coffee and watched the sun come up over the mountains. We planned to ski a half day at Santa Fe Ski Basin later. But first, I had a painting to do.

I set up in the kitchen looking out at the garden. A wooden carving of St. Francis with snow covered birds on his out stretched arms was calling to me. In the distance the Santa Fe Ski area where we would ski later. I had thought about painting this scene for a while and the painting came together almost by itself - a magical and rare experience! This painting remains one of my favorite New Mexico scenes and it resides on the wall in my California kitchen.

Penny and I went skiing after lunch that day and had great fun skiing from the top of Ski Basin mountain at 11,250 ft. What a perfect day! Painting the morning light and then skiing in fresh snow with my long time dear friend, and all in one day.

SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO

During our visit to Santa Fe, New Mexico in March, we stayed at the Pueblo Bonita Bed & Breakfast Inn near the State Capitol building rather than in the Plaza area. This saved us quite a bit of money as the room rates are more reasonable in this part of town. This painting is of the room I stayed in - cute and Santa Fe funky! I had a kiva fireplace. Each room is different but all are decorated in "Santa Fe Style".

I always encounter interesting people in Santa Fe. While I was painting this Adobe in the afternoon light, Bill, the manager of the Pueblo Bonita came by and we chatted about art making. He does sculpture. Everyone in Santa Fe is either an aspiring artist or writer. My favorite kind of place - The Land of Enchantment!

My sister Katherine and her husband Barrie (from England) were visiting New Mexico for the first time and found it quite amazing - from the landscape to the food and the art. We all skied together the next day at Santa Fe Ski Basin and had a wonderful time on the wide open slopes at 10,000 ft. In the evening we had dinner at Tomasitas - they serve the best New Mexican cuisine in Santa Fe. Tomasitas is within easy walking distance of our hotel. Just as well if you try one of their margaritas - and be forewarned - their chili is incendiary. My brother-in-law, Barrie, got scorched!