June, 2006

It's late June on the coast of Maine. The first major heat wave of the summer is with us. I'm a California resident and not used to the humidity that accompanies the heat here. I decide to go to Five Islands on the Atlantic to paint - there will be a small breeze coming off the ocean there. Just a few miles up the Kennebec River from the ocean the air is still and scorching. At Five Islands Cove, it's as quiet as only a hot summer morning can be. I smell green lawns just mowed and the tang of seaweed and salt. The ocean is flat calm - the outgoing tide makes a slight gurgling sound as sea water leaves little tide pools and rock crevices. On the lobster pier, a man wearing a shocking pink tee shirt that reads "Five Islands Lobster Company" is hosing off the wooden planks. His tee shirt also says "Lobster shipped anywhere" with a www. address. After a while he comes over to visit - he tells me I'm doing a painting of his boat - he sounds pleased about that. He goes back to work with his hose. In the distance I hear the putt-putt of a diesel engine as a fishing boat approaches the Cove. Summer time in Maine can be wicked good.

Bath, Maine

Maine is our second home - we have a small house there on the river bank. We visit once or twice a year, usually in the summer and again in fall. Bath is located on the central coast on the bank of the Kennebec River as it makes its' way to the Atlantic. Two miles down river on a boat will take you out to the tossing swells of the Atlantic Ocean - you can see lonely Seguin Lighthouse on an island off shore near Fort Popham.

Bath is known as "The City of Ships" because of the long history of ship building. The Bath Iron works shipyard is still the major employer in the region. the population of Bath is about 10,000. The town is an honest and hard working place with its gritty places rubbing up against lovely neighborhoods on the river where beautiful old houses show off their acres of green lawns in the summer. The lawns are all freshly mowed with islands of daylilies, black eyed Susan and hostas enjoying the short summer by blooming madly.

My husband Dennis was born and raised in Bath. He knows a lot of people here. We are treated as members of the community even though we don't live here full time. He belongs. Because of him, I belong also. It is comfortable to be here as a result. No pretense about anything, least of all, ourselves. Neighbors drop by and stay and chat for an hour. It's that sort of place.

This painting is of the Maine pine trees in our driveway looking towards Barbara's house across the street. These trees are large and very old. I love their grace and sculptural aspect - they have seen a lot of weather in their time, from blizzards to a hurricane or two. The young Osprey fledglings cling to topmost branches on their maiden flights, squawking with fear. Their large nest is at the top of an old light fixture. We can see the nest as we look out of the sunroom. Watching the Osprey family is part of the summer morning ritual as much as a cup of coffee. The nest is used every year for a new family of Osprey chicks. During the winter, a bald eagle moves in.

TAOS, NEW MEXICO - Winter

A winter break in Taos, New Mexico - 90 miles north of Santa Fe but in a different "State of Mind". We stayed at the Old Taos Roadhouse - a bed and Breakfast sort of place. My room was lovely - the building 180 years old and made of adobe with original vigas, kiva fireplace and niches with little figures and pots in them. I had a skylight in both bedroom and bathroom.

The grounds have 2 horses in a field overlooking the Western view - we sat and watched a superb sunset - we talked about our trip from Santa Fe the previous day - we stopped at Tsankawa - a part of Bandilier National Park - we hiked a loop trail and climbed up onto the mesa top and when into cliff dwellings. Sat there and meditated upon what it must have been like to live here with snow everywhere...

Back at the Old Taos Roadhouse, I wrote the following poem to go with the painting I did in the morning light.

"Taos Mountain Blue"
At breakfast we spoke of moradas and penitentes.
Pinon smoke incense in the air,
the cold finger of frost is just lifting.
Across the road from our Inn, Taos Mountain Blue.

Cottonwood trees in winter dress.
Weak winter sun casts spidery shadows,
Taos Mountain in winter is the view.
Taos Mountain Blue.

I love Taos! Wonderful art galleries, good places to eat and great "people watching" opportunities abound.

Rio Grande Gorge - Taos, New Mexico

The drive from Santa Fe North to Taos is a distance of about 90 miles. It usually takes at least 2 hours to drive as there are so many interesting things to see and do along the way.

If you start out from Santa Fe very early you can stop at Julianna's Cantina in Espanola and have a fabulous New Mexico breakfast of Huevos Rancheros made with blue corn tortillas, or pinon nut pancakes and sage honey.

As you pass thru Indian Reservation lands you can buy gas much cheaper than "off res". Artisan's studios beckon with pottery, sculpture, silver and turquoise jewelry, baskets and clothing. Other vendors sell long strands and wreaths of red chili peppers as well as fresh fruits and vegetables - and of course, New Mexico chili powder!

The road to Taos closely follows the Rio Grande river valley as it flows South from the San Juan Mountains of Southern Colorado. Near Taos the Rio Grande has eroded an immense gorge thru the flat plain. As you near Taos there is an area where the gorge comes into view from the highway. A great gash in the earth that is startling and unexpected. The magnificent scale of the landscape, combined with the contrast of the vast, flat plain fractured by the gorge is breath-taking.

This spot is a magnet for artists of course. When painting there you can watch weather as it unfolds 20 miles away or more. The march of thunderstorms, the play of light and cloud shadow constantly changes the color and feeling of the scene. This magic spot has recently been acquired as a park and so will be preserved for all to enjoy in the future. I recommend painting at this spot with a companion - safety in numbers!

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!

Picacho Peak, Arizona

Picacho Peak Park is about 40 miles north of Tucson in the Sonoran Desert. Picacho Peak itself is an amazingly shaped lava extrusion that sits on the flat plain like a clipper ship in full sail - it ascends 1500 ft above the desert floor. The park is very well cared for with lots of shaded picnic tables spread out off of side roads. We found one we liked and I set up my easel for a painting session. This is the painting I did looking from Picacho Park towards the Picacho Mountains. I was facinated by the geology and the sweeping lines of rock strata that were revealed in different colors. It was blazing hot and there was a heat haze which I put into my painting - I hope you feel the heat!

This entry completes my Arizona paintings and I will now do a number of postings about my New Mexico painting times, of which there have been many, as I love the New Mexico landscape and clouds and sky.