Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza
Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza
I am thankful for you.
I am thankful that Kate is still with us. Thank you for your good thoughts and wishes for her. More on this later.
I am thankful for painting supplies.
I am thankful.
What are you thankful for?!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
A quick study from a photo I took of Thompson Memorial Hall. 9" x 12," on artists' board.
Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza
The Notch, 9" x 12," oil on artists' board (not finished)
I have so many stories I'd like to tell. Maybe I can get to some of them. Mr Artyfice is working on something that I hope he'll be able to post soon. He'll tell you an interesting one, too.
But first, let me backtrack for a moment. If you will, go to The Madness of Art and watch Jim's conversation with Dru about the use of the red dot--hilarious! Then, come on back..........................
Okay. Two days before our open studio tour, one of my paintings sold online. Smart move by the buyer, because it has happened in the past that people have jockeyed to get here first to buy a particular piece. Of course, I had just seen The Madness of Art's piece on this and later that evening, Edgar and I had the "red dot conversation." We had to mark the title card paid, but...we laughed ironically that we were now making some kind of art statement-----and we didn't know which one! Yeah, yeah, I know. The main one was: Sold. However, you know as an artist that money is secondary to the work and you just hope people enjoy it.
Hey, this painting doesn't look like Tucson!
You are correct, dear artist. We had the privilege of traveling back East a few weeks ago and found the most exotic lands.
We saw no evil there.
Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza
Anyone know where this is?
Confession: I've always admired the work of my fellow artist bloggers and famous artists such as Wolf Kahn and Russell Chatham, and often thought they were puffing/enhancing the landscape to express their emotional connections. What I did not quite understand, until October, was that they were telling the truth about a magical land, the Northeast! I thought it would be hard for me to find subject matter with strong graphical elements. Sheesh, was I wrong. My apologies for such naiveté and apologies to the famous women landscape artists of the Northeast, whom I could not find today as I researched.
My eyes were full of color:
Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza
I sat on marble steps:
Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza
One more hint:
Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza
And, I was panned at 37,000 feet.
Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza
To while away the hours flying, I used my neocolours to paint the sky and clouds as we flew over the Midwest. I'm working diligently with my cup of water, Q-tips and small container of water soluble crayons on hand, when the flight attendant (one of the most solicitous I've ever had the pleasure of knowing) kept coming by and glancing at my work. When I was done, she stopped and took a longer look. I posited, sky? She replied, "No. I see an ocean with the waves hitting the shoreline. Sorry!"
Aha. I see. Well, I replied, that's good that you interpret it personally. Edgar whispered that he thought she should not quit her day job.
More soon! Should I offer a prize to the first one who guesses where we were? Now, Barbara....you already know, so I hope you'll sit this one out.
Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza
Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza
However, we had a great turnout at the open studio tour. I want to thank everyone who visited, especially my dear artist blogger buddies who held good thoughts for us as we welcomed people in to see the art. On Sunday, our family friend, and my music mentor, Ruben, came by and we had a brief jam session. It was great fun. Many wonderful people came by. A few enthusiasts bought some of my favorite pieces. As usual, I didn't take photos of the visitors because I was running my mouth or concerned about legendary Tucson shyness.
I'm ready to get back to work. I'll bet you're ready to see some new work. What have I got?
Well, I've got four sketches from my journal, a teaser really and a motivation for a future story about a recent journey. I'm hoping to have more developed work soon.
Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza
Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza
Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza
Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza
Stories to tell!
Hope you all are painting up good storms.
Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza
Update: If you'd like to read the Zocalo Magazine that has nearly dedicated its entire November issue to the Open Studio Tour, please click on this Zocalo link. It will take you to the online version.
Well. This is it. I've been posting the Tucson Artists' Open Studio Tours link for weeks and we are only a few days away. I'd like to give credit to one of the sponsors here in town that I love to visit and buy from--Sarnoff Art & Writing.
The weather is pretty swell. I've tested my recipe for mesquite flour, gluten-free chocolate chip cookies, and I have some of the finest prickly pear cactus syrup ever (no modesty on this one) for the green tea. I've finally got it just right.
Here are three more paintings that will be exhibited the weekend of November 13th and 14th. Two of them are 8" x 8," and one (Gray Day on the Rillito) is 5" x 7."
Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza
Motorcoach Moticos August 2010
Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza
After the Storm 2010
Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza
Gray Day on the Rillito
As an opening of welcome, I've consulted with my music mentor, R. P. Esparza, and he has given me permission to play one of his songs as a treat and to share it with my artist blogger buddies who cannot attend, but will be here in spirit--and for those whom I'd like to welcome.
Imagine, if you will, that you're out in the desert, only dirt roads to drive, a sunset that makes a dramatic composition of hills, ocotillos and cactus, a moment in which you are transported to this dry and gentle environment, listening to this contemplative tune. 