Tucson Artists' Open Studios Tour: Artist Melinda Grateful for All Visitors

First blooms in my yard © 2012 Melinda S. Esparza

Spring in Tucson is so gorgeous with its clear skies, blooming cacti (yum, food on the way!) and so many events for snowbirds and locals to enjoy.

We had us some fun this Saturday and Sunday! Good people showed up, laughed and talked, and paintings were bought. Whew! I'm a little frazzled today.

Studio view © 2012 Melinda S. Esparza

But...I'm mostly very grateful to you all.

Thank you for stopping in and for visiting on Ustream as I gave two painting demos in preparation for my Grand Canyon Artist-in-Residence coming up in late June.

Here are photos of the two I worked on, unfinished, as of yesterday. I hope to finish them soon.

Blue Pedernal #2 (30" x 30," oil on cradled artists' board) © 2012 Melinda S. Esparza

Catalinas Study Begun (30" x 30," oil on cradled artists' board) © 2012 Melinda S. Esparza

I hope you all are planning on lots of time in the studio this week. When you get a chance, mosey on over to The Madness of Art and look at how it's done in New York (You know, gallery contracts, artist/gallerist negotiations). Gee, I have a bike with one of those bells...In my dreams, I'm ringin' it.

Tucson Artists' Open Studios: Artist Melinda Paints

Windy Point (8" x 8," oil on artists' board) © 2012 Melinda S. Esparza 

The Tucson Artists' Open Studios Tour will be going on from 11 AM 'til 5 PM, Saturday and Sunday.

In my mind, I'm already there...and painting....live....on Ustream. My hope is to get things set up for painting by 1 PM on Saturday, MST (Mountain Standard Time). If things go well, and I'm not too tired on Sunday, I'll try to paint again at the same time.

More paintings to see:

New Mexico Hill and Junipers (8" x 8," oil on artists' board) © 2012 Melinda S. Esparza

Flying Cloud (8" x 8," oil on artists' board) © 2012 Melinda S. Esparza

She Wore New Earrings (8" x 8," oil on artists' board) © 2012 Melinda S. Esparza

The Tucson Artists' Open Studios event is a big deal here in the Old Pueblo. I'm looking forward to all who stop by!

I know that my fellow artist bloggers will be here in spirit, right?! I'll be thinking of you, too.

Tucson Artists' Open Studios Tour Apr 14 & 15 2012: Melinda Makes Ready!

Sky Fell, Sun Followed 8" x 8" Oil on artists' board © 2012 Melinda S. Esparza

The big run-up to next week's Tucson Artists' Open Studios tour is ON. I'm getting excited to see all of the kindhearted, funny, extremely intelligent people who'll be stopping by. I'm going to be giving a painting demo one or both of the days, in preparation for my Grand Canyon Artist-in-Residency. Whoo-hoo!

There's something else, too. If you would like to, please go to Melinda Esparza Artists Wanted and click 'Collect Me.' If there are enough people who do, I might just get some of my art flashing in Times Square. Wouldn't that be fun?

Here are some of the paintings you'll see at my studio during the Tucson Artists' Open Studios tour next week:

Abiquiu Ancestors 30" x 30," oil on canvas © 2012 Melinda S. Esparza

Ghost Ranch Cliff #1 8" x 8," oil on artists' board © 2012 Melinda S. Esparza

Ghost Ranch Mesa 30" x 30," oil on canvas © 2012 Melinda S. Esparza

Sabino Canyon Snowy Day (9" x 12," oil on artists' board) © 2012 Melinda S. Esparza

Blue Pedernal 10" x 10," oil on artists' board © 2012 Melinda S. Esparza

Rain Dance Shamans (16" x 20," oil on artists' board) © 2012 Melinda S. Esparza

Monks' Quarters Tumacacori 12" x 12," oil on artists' board © 2012 Melinda S. Esparza

Rincon Peak Winter Snow (18" x 18," oil on cradled board) © 2012 Melinda S. Esparza

The weather is fantastic here. Perfect for wandering around Tucson and visiting artists' studios.

I'll be looking for you!