Artist Melinda Esparza

Which Red? The One You See? Or, the One That's in Your Head?

2012-02-04T11:45:00.000-08:00

Jasper Johns' Red Image © 2012 Melinda S. Esparza

I offered a little teaser last week about a work I submitted for a local exhibit here in Tucson. The deadline has passed, so I feel like it's okay to discuss this now. Don't know if I'll get in yet. I'll let you know, if I do.

The exhibit called for artists to think about the color red, and I suppose, Mark Rothko and his color field paintings. That prompted a discussion of his work, the color, and other artists of the time, i. e., Jasper Johns (In this household, art and politics are the big, big subjects discussed regularly.) Mr. Artyfice reminded me of Johns optical fun with his flag paintings, and that was the catalyst.

Red. What can you do with this subject without being too clichéd?

I did some research on Rothko's contemporaries and found that he didn't care for Jasper Johns' work. Hmmm. This got me to check out why. Interesting. Ever the contrarian, I thought it would be fun to evoke the color red, per Jasper Johns, AND paint like Rothko.

This piece is my conversation on the subject. I wonder what they'd think. Gee, maybe I would annoy them both!

I really do think these two could have been better friends.

I started with a black ground and kept adding layers of color without sharp borders, even painting a layer of red with interference blue, followed by the best green I could paint (after much experimentation and exhausted cone cells!)

If you look at this image for about 30 seconds, and then shut your eyes, you'll see red. Johns did this with his Flags (1968).

Now what was it Rothko said about Johns' neo-dada work?? Oh, yes. "...after seeing Johns's targets and flags (he) harrumphed: "We worked for years to get rid of all that."

"Well, thank God, art tends to be less what critics write than what artists make," was his reply. And, Mr. Johns also said on another occasion, "I don't think that you can talk about art and get anywhere. I think you can only look at it." Ah, now, it's fun to talk about art!

I'm pleased to have had a chance to veer a bit on the experimental/response side of art, and to play with this.

She Wore New Earrings Image © 2012 Melinda S. Esparza

I'm pleased, too, to announce that She Wore New Earrings will be in the Beauty in the Beast exhibit at Fuller Lodge Art Center, Los Alamos, New Mexico, from February 24th through March 31st. A reception will be held on February 24th from 5-7 PM....Oh, I wish...

Not an Illustrator, Not a traditionalist, All about Listening to the Paint

2012-01-26T11:41:00.000-08:00

Now, don't get me wrong, I admire the traditionalists, and after working on an illustration for a family friend for two weeks, I have enormous admiration for the work of illustrators. It's just not for me.

I learned that illustration is remarkably demanding. And, while the recipient of the work was quite pleased with the outcome, I kept looking for
C O L O R!! Once again I realized how very invested I am with color and paint. Duh, eh? Bet you could have helped me out with this.

There was also a local call for artists on the subject of red at a respected gallery here. I am not one to submit work to galleries very often, but this one intrigued me. The gallery wants to exhibit work that will augment an upcoming performance of the play, Red, by John Logan, about the life and work of Rothko. Of course, I had to start painting with a lot of green....More about that next week. I've also submitted another painting to the call, and another work for a show in New Mexico. Whew!

Abiquiu Ancestors: Opening Sanctuary 30" x 30" Oil on canvas Image © 2012 Melinda S. Esparza

This painting is getting some attention today as it waits patiently to be finished soon.

Abiquiu Ancestors: Opening Sanctuary (detail) 30" x 30" Oil on canvas Image © 2012 Melinda S. Esparza

Not quite done, but getting closer:

Abiquiu Ancestors: Opening Sanctuary 30" x 30" Oil on canvas Image © 2012 Melinda S. Esparza

Do you have some thoughts on Rothko to share? I watched a documentary last night about Henry Geldzahler. Have you ever wondered why certain artists were heralded more than others, and women artists were virtually left out of the heralding in the 1960s. Well, wonder no more. Henry Geldzahler wrote about his artist friends, and the work he enjoyed most. Simple. There you have it.

And because of his position as Curator for American Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, he was able to push the careers of his artist friends. Who Gets to Call It Art?, by Peter Rosen, is the name of the documentary. See for yourself. I'm not specifically against this sort of thing. It seems to be a natural enough behavior. The problem I have is its exclusivity and exclusion of a wider range of artists--in any era.

Just got the link to the National Park Service's page on Artists-in-Residence at the Grand Canyon last week. Yep, I'm there and feeling pretty excited about the whole thing. My hiking boots are broken in and my packing skills are honed...

It's been a busy time offline and I've missed you all. Are you doing what you want to do in your studios? Oh, I really hope so!

I'll be back--soon.

A Happy New Year: Artist Melinda Esparza Reflects on Helen Frankenthaler

2012-01-01T11:51:00.000-08:00

Sky Fell, Sun Followed--Homage to Helen Frankenthaler Image © 2012 Melinda S. Esparza

My wish continues for all of you artists and visitors here. For me, it has been the start of a pleasant new year. I hope it has for you too.

Why, by golly, I've gone for a walk on a perfect, perfect, January 1st, 2012 (!), with a couple of not so perfect GSDs, chatted with a man who gave me a message from the Universe without knowing it (made me smile), met our new perfect neighbors (completely kind without a trace of psychopathic tendencies), and had a sit with ma' chil' as the dogs sat on their Coolaroos noshing on treats. So far, so good.

Reading the NY Times obituary today that Helen Frankenthaler died on the 27th of December brought tears to my eyes--not because she died at the age of 83, from what I assume was a long battle with cancer, who had a loving extended family and a career of great work that included a lifetime of involvement with education, but because another great woman artist has passed from this fragile plane, when there are so few that get any recognition at all.

I painted this painting on the 27th, without knowing that she had passed away. It did remind me then of her, but I had no way of knowing.

Her work was so exceptional to me. She was able to follow Clement Greenburg's restrictive theory of total non-representational working (Because, he stated, to the ire of many, that representational art had already been done for thousands of years and modern artists should move on with more intellectual pursuits and non-statement/statements of beauty.) I paraphrase, of course, and there may be an academe who would unravel my summary. Please do.

However, Helen Frankenthaler did what amazes, enthralls and stimulates so many with an approach that is incredibly difficult to maintain--creating landscapes that were not--and yet, were. She kept going. She was disciplined. She had her own ideas. She 'outdid' Pollack, but maybe not Krasner (smiling again).

I hope you aspire to be like her. I will.

Now the challenge is to continue to talk about our best female artists, not merely the ten or so from the last century, nor the ten or so male artists from the last century and the 19th when we can't think of women artists, nor only those who are famous and are currently 'in.'

Helen Frankenthaler quotes from Brainy Quote:

"Whatever the medium, there is the difficulty, challenge, fascination and often productive clumsiness of learning a new method: the wonderful puzzles and problems of translating with new materials."

"You have to know how to use the accident, how to recognize it, how to control it, and ways to eliminate it so that the whole surface looks felt and born all at once."

Rest in peace, Helen Frankenthaler. We'll keep our 'eyes on the prize.' And thank you, Mavis Staples for musical inspiration.

Wish for...

2011-12-23T09:23:00.000-08:00

Sometimes going forward means going away for awhile. Yet, I think of you all every day, checking in at your sites and blogs and thinking about all the thoughtful visitors from around the world.

Pondering this year (its challenges and gifts) and thinking about the coming one, my wish for you is good health, loving friends, loving family, good jobs, great studio time, and paint, paint, paint.

I don't have work to share this week, but I do have some words and a photo--the view from my studio.

This is my prayer for all of you, no matter your faith: Blessings to all of you. May you hear the best voice within you, the wise voice, the Loving voice. And, let's keep going, toward wholeness, peace, and purpose.

Right now, I'm Waiting for My Child to Come Home

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Rain calms me
Providing a boundary for my thoughts like the edges of a canvas
Reining in too much of everything.

I linger to read.
I eat breakfast slowly,
Gazing over the beautiful dozing dog flesh before me
and out
to the little streams forming,
pelted gently and rhythmically crossing the yard.

There seems to be more time in a rainy day, more hours.
Kiss, kiss, Rain, on desert mouths moistened with a promise.
Hug, hug, Ground, embracing tones of gray and silver and
cool blue light on mirrored mud.

© 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Tucson Artist Melinda: Thankful. Grateful. Going Forward

2011-11-18T17:30:00.000-08:00

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

The Open Studios Tour was so eventful for me that it is challenging to describe it--to detail it in such a way as to paint a proper picture. Maybe I'm better with paint than with words.

There were: Two days of nearly nonstop visiting. Rain. Rain. Rain! Beautiful cloudy skies slung low over the mountains, over trees and homes. Our intrepid art travelers had a midtown cluster of places to visit, including mine, and it was nice to know that we had community for a weekend.

Thank you to everyone who came by. Thank you to my dear fellow artist bloggers. Thank you to the two collectors who bought two of my paintings:

Ghost Ranch Ancestors 2011

Ghost Ranch Ancestors 18" x 18" on cradled oil panel--Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

and

Mostly Harmless 2009

Mostly Harmless 2009 oil on canvas--Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Thank you to the nationally know visitors, the art savvy visitors, the elegant artists who work in the art world and thank you to the representative from the Grand Canyon Association.

Because I try to emulate Cesar Milan's insights, not only with my dogs, but also as a metaphor for my own psychic well being, I am going forward.

A well balanced dog Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

I mean, what's a well balanced dog to do? When I walk with them, I look down at their beautiful heads and can almost hear them say, Go forward, Go forward, Go! And so, I do.

Here is a beginning:

Abiquiu Opening oil on canvas 30" x 30" Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

The walk is the discipline. The journey is calming--even more than any destination. Being present translates excitement into quiet happiness, peace. After all, "excitement is not happiness"--Cesar Millan.

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Wishing you all peace. Go forward! The walk will do you good.

2011 Fall Tucson Open Studio Tour: Tucson Artist Melinda Esparza Mops and Dusts With Painterly Gestures

2011-11-10T13:02:00.000-08:00

Rincon Peak Winter Snow October 2011 Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Dusting toward Saturday.
Slouching in meditation.
Daydreaming of rain,
and tea,
and cookies
and guests.

Windy Point and I do Have One Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza

Wish you all could be here. The last three times before the Tucson Open Studios Tour, paintings sold online because collectors didn't want to take the chance that they'd lose the one they wanted. A few of the new paintings for this tour are highlighted here:

Ghost Ranch Cliff 8" x 8" on oil panel--Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Ghost Ranch Ancestors 18" x 18" on cradled oil panel--Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Ghost Ranch Ancestors above SOLD! today during the Open Studios Tour!

Ghost Ranch Mesa 30" x 30" on oil panel--Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Plus, this one, She Wore New Earrings (8" x 8", oil on cradled panel). The proceeds of this sale will be donated to charity.

She Wore New Earrings Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Here is the link to Zocalo's article about the event: The Artists Welcome You!

If you are in the Santa Barbara, CA, area, I hope you'll check out my work in the Westmont Museum of Art's auction of work from November 30th through December 16th.

Looking forward to all who can stop in! Thanks to Mr. Arty Fice for taking an okay photo last night at the preview exhibit.

2011 Fall Tucson Open Studio Tour: Tucson Artist Melinda Esparza Offers an Invitation and A Preview

2011-11-05T14:10:00.000-07:00

We're on the run up to next week's 2011 Tucson Open Studios Tour. So, of course, I'm all over the place: cleaning, raking, looking at images, hoping to paint more.

work in progress Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

There is this work in progress, "no name" painting, 8" x 8" on artists' board, that may get done before next week--prolly not. There is this one that I really, really want to throw paint at, "almost named" on 30" x 30" canvas. Whew! I might just start it and work on it while people perambulate (Howz that for building one's vocabulary while stressed?)

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

I received several postcards yesterday, highlighting the 5x5 Invitational at Westmont Museum of Art. I sent in my piece, Peak Red on Paper, just before deadline, so my name is not included, but check out the site as the auction draws nearer the date, November 20th through December 16th. I'm hoping that you'll be able to see my work in with the rest.

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

However, of interest are quite a few artists I admire. You may also want to visit their sites too.

Squeak Carnwarth

Mary Lee Bendolph

Mary Ince

Helen Garber

Carol Burnett (that Carol Burnett?!), and a few guys too!

Oh, yeah...And, me, Melinda, Oh, MY!

There are works by:

Ed Moses

John Baldessari

Robert Mangold.

Have a look!

For a smidgeon of context (turned around), a summary for now, may your approach follow the dictum "ut pictura poesis"--"as is painting, so is poetry"--Horace, Ars Poetica (c. 13 BC)

2011 Tucson Open Studio Tour: Tucson Artist Melinda Esparza Waters the Plants, Dreams of Snow

2011-10-28T14:28:00.000-07:00

Rincon Peak Winter Snow October 2011 Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

What is it about deadlines that can freeze all artistic activity? It feels like the psychological equivalent of "...caught in the headlights."

On the other hand, it has energized me to submit a donation of art to the Westmont Museum of Art in Santa Barbara, CA. The deadline is the first of November, so I just made that. And, the 2011 Open Studio Tour got me to deliver this new work to the JCC art gallery for the upcoming preview exhibit.

Heck, it even got me to do a little gardening...(This means I watered some plants and bought a young okra plant at Whole Foods.) Ha. Have you ever had fresh okra, by the way? It is very good with cornmeal and mesquite flour and very easy to grow. The flowers are spectacular too.

This painting, Rincon Peak Winter Snow (18" x 18", oil on cradled artists' board) is a reminder that winter is coming and perhaps a little snow will show up on the mountains around town. Wishing you all could show up for the Open Studio Tour.

Here's an image of the postcard that is being mailed out by Tucson Pima Arts Council. While I think there could be some refinement with the graphic design (I know. Having a graphic designer in the house can cause one to be very fussy), it does have my artwork in the lower right hand section!

Tucson Artist Melinda and the Collaboration

2011-10-24T16:44:00.000-07:00

She Wore New Earrings, Abstract by Jeane Myers, Karon Leigh and Melinda S. Esparza Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Sitting in my studio a couple of weeks ago, I eagerly awaited the arrival of a stranger/not a stranger--a friend--I had not met.

When could anyone write such a sentence and have it make any sense before 1996? Ah, then, you know what's coming.

Fellow artist and blogger Jeane Myers had written me, letting me know that she'd be in Tucson for a few days, and wondered if I'd be up for a visit. Wow. Of course, I said, and we set up a time.

To have the opportunity to sit and chat face to face about art and to share some brushstrokes on an artists' board with her, was a surreal and wonderful treat for this rather isolated artist.

We got to talking about Winsor & Newton Artisan water based oil paints, which prompted an experiment. Jeane's friend, Karon Leigh, and I pushed some paint around and after they left, I added the background, the "eye" and a few more marks. This is the result. I titled it: She Wore New Earrings (oil on artists' board) and hope this makes Jeane chuckle.

No. Words can't quite express how lucky I felt having Jeane visit in person, to talk about art, art, art, and to exchange real, in-person hugs. I'm still smiling. If I were a millionaire, one of my wishes would be to visit each of you and have a nice art chat.

I hope you'll visit her website and have a look at her fabulous work. And, then head over to Karon's website and look at her encaustic work. Lovely.

Any time you're in town, my studio is your place for sharing, collaborating, and for a genuine, heartfelt hug.

Maybe you'll even consider visiting during the Tucson 2011 Open Studio Tour coming up November 12th and 13th. Okay, I can dream.

Tucson Open Studio Tour 2011

2011-10-18T09:21:00.000-07:00

Ghost Ranch Ancestors 18" x 18" on cradled oil panel--Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Tucson Pima Arts Council is again hosting the Open Studio Tour, and it's coming up in just a few weeks. Of course I'm not ready. I will be, though!

We've had some challenges with lighting and with getting the 'ranchette' presentable, but I think we'll pull it all together in the nick of time.

The Tucson Jewish Community Center will be hosting the preview exhibit starting on Wednesday, November 9th. That gives artists and the community a chance to see a sampling of work in town. I wish you all could be here. We do have us some fun.

I'm still following the trail of images from my New Mexico journey. In my mind, I'm there.

The ANTs Disappeared and PAINT Made a Mesa

2011-10-01T12:34:00.000-07:00

Ghost Ranch Mesa 30" x 30" on oil panel--Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

It was really wonderful to hear from you all about your own struggles with ANTs (Automatic Negative Thoughts). I know that you work diligently to chase them away. I think you're successful. You inspire me to keep chasing mine away too.

When they're gone, it is a good day. Here is a 30" x 30" oil on canvas that I finished last night...sans ANTs.

Last Swim of the Summer, Stomping on ANTs, Ghost Ranch Cliff

2011-09-26T12:42:00.000-07:00

Ghost Ranch Cliff 8" x 8" on oil panel--Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

I don't know about you...Wait. I think I do know about you. If you're an artist reading this (or not), I'll bet you have ANTs too.

Okay, let me explain. I had a few days of not painting recently and I watched some PBS programing on the brain, again. This time, Dr. Amen talked about how all of us have Automatic Negative Thoughts, yeah, ANTs that are just a part of regular brain function. We can kill these ANTs by redirecting our thoughts, and we don't have to let them eat up our days. I really like that we have the power to change the way we think.

It's rather unusual to be able to swim at the end of September, even for this hot Arizona desert. But, with a pool cover, one can eek out a moment of water meditation before it is just too cold. Water therapy is great for fighting ANTs.

Last swim of the summer Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Ah. Getting back into the studio and painting does this for me, now doesn't it for you too?! So, here is a painting that completely led me away from self deprecating thinking after an evening soaking in the pool.

Amen to that. Thanks, doctor.

Thank You, Georgia O'Keeffe. Something New. Something Sold

2011-09-17T11:10:00.000-07:00

Took a break from working on "The Beast" (Grand Canyon painting) yesterday and experimented with this encaustic. It's on a cradled 12" x 12" encausticbord. It felt like a meditation. It may not be finished.

Ocean Meditation #1 Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

I went to have my eyes examined last week (Should it really have been my head? Prolly, but that's for another day.)

Chatted with the wonderful Dr. Peterson like we were old friends. I mentioned that Georgia O'keeffe had macular degeneration throughout the final ten years of her life. How horrible that must have been for her. How awful for an artist!

Here's the thing I learned from the good doctor. She told me that new studies have shown that lutein (10mg per day) and ziaxanthin (2mg per day) can reduce the risk of developing this sight robbing disease. I ran right out and bought some, not because I have it in my family, but because it is on the rise in this country--and, because of Georgia. I hope you'll consider this for your dear artist's eyes.

Glyff Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

This painting, one of my other favorites, Glyff (8" x 8") sold this week from my website. It's been a good week so far.

Better get back to work with my fancy schmancy new glasses...

Grand Canyon Work: Small Endeavor for a Day

2011-09-06T11:52:00.000-07:00

While taking a lunch break today, I watched a little of Charlie Rose's program with Chuck Close and Richard Serra talk about creativity and the brain. A woman artist was not part of the discussion, which I thought would have added to the conversation. I mean, the male brain and the female brain are different from each other we've learned. How so scientifically as it relates to creativity? Historically men have been heralded as leaders in art. So, what do women artists' brains reveal in relationship to art and creativity?

Well, it was interesting that Chuck Close said, and I paraphrase, that inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just show up and get to work. While that seems flippant, it is true that we have jobs to do. I like to think this way too--do the work, surprises happen, new ideas emerge.

I'm endeavoring.

This week, I'm working on "The Beast" again--the Grand Canyon painting that I've been working on since 2008 (48" x 72"). This is one new section. Of course, it brought back wonderful memories of going there, standing there, dazzled by a sunrise on the rim. I surely hope I can finish this painting soon!

Grand Canyon Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Plus, I am delighted that this small work: Evening Light Catalinas (5" x 7") sold this past week. What a boost for this artist.

Evening Light Catalinas Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Okay. Lunch break over. Wishing you all a productive, happy discipline in the studio!

The Easel. The Best Taboret. More New Mexico Painting

2011-08-24T18:10:00.000-07:00

Cerro Pedernal #1 Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Today, hiding out in my Tucson cave, otherwise known as 'The Strawbale Room,' I worked some more on Cerro Pedernal #1. I'm not sure if it's done yet, but it's looking a bit more finished now. It's 30" x 30", oil on canvas. It was a blistering 108 degrees today, but a storm is coming in from the east which we hope will cool things down--maybe to a cardigan donning 100 degrees!

Missing the smaller 8" x 8" format this week inspired me to paint another view of a New Mexico hill with fancy junipers. They looked like they were posing or getting ready to dance.

New Mexico Hill and Junipers Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

I was thinking, too, about the equipment we use in our artwork.

A few years back, I needed to buy an easel and a taboret for the studio. These things are so expensive. The prices were astonishing.

Monterey Multi-Angle Easel Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

My quest led me to find two really good studio aids. This Monterey multi-angle easel is really wonderful. I've not been super happy with the wiggly-ness, but wow, when you want to lay on some paint and don't want it to run, nothing beats this easel.

I couldn't find a taboret that I could afford. So, I looked on eBay for something like it. I found this:

Innovex three drawer file cabinet with glass top Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

If you've ever worked in an office and wished you were at home in a studio, this image could be a treat. I never worked in an office, but opening a file cabinet to find oil paints is a dream come true. It's great because it has wheels, and the glass top serves as another palette surface! I'll bet the manufacturers didn't think of that.

Hope you all are well, safe and happy. Be careful, Easterners! After the earthquake comes some heavy rain. Gee. I thought Tucson weather was challenging...

Tucson Artist Melinda's Magical Journey Continued

2011-08-16T16:24:00.000-07:00

First look, first draft of Cerro Pedernal Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

As we drove toward Albuquerque a few weeks ago, I thought, What was it again that compels me in this direction? I mean, there aren't any saguaros or very many ocotillos there. And gee, in Arizona, there are as many spectacular vistas as New Mexico, right?...Hmmm.

It's about six hours from Tucson to Albuquerque, if you take the cutoff toward Hatch (where all the yummiest chile peppers are grown) through Deming. It is our custom to stop in Lordsburg for fuel. Right away, there were strange things afoot. My favorite hills were being mined and the machines were busily scratching at the hems of their skirts.

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Journal entry: On the way up to Albuquerque, I saw a young calf standing under a lone billboard with these words written in bold letters, "Fresh Jerky," and a hill whose vegetation formed the stylized image of a running horse-- like cave paintings. Light and shadows danced along the ground as storm clouds gathered.

The second day, we were in Santa Fe fueling up and about to get lost. I was not feeling well. I did not pay attention. My internal GPS was not working. We headed northeast instead of northwest to Abiquiu. Driving through the foothills of the Sangre de Christo Mountains and rounding the bend, I saw a flat topped mountain that seemed to appear suddenly over the top of the other hills. Was it smiling? I was overjoyed that I had, perhaps glimpsed Cerro Pedernal. I was wrong, and drove further until I could tell from the incredible grassy plains (like Kansas) that something was not right. At Wagon Mound, I melted down. Ill that I had made such a mistake. Ill that I now must drive back toward Santa Fe and begin again toward the northwest. Stopping in Las Vegas, NM, we found the Comfort Inn and crashed. Lucky to get any room (Harley motorcycle rally in town), we had a clogged sink...on the second floor, and had to brush our teeth while taking our showers. Ha.

From Ghost Ranch Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Storms come to New Mexico Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Third day journal entry: On the way to S. F., I saw the monsoon come in a cloud like an Indian dancer in the sky, the Pecos River and a hundred happy bikers listening to ZZ Top, as we ate French 'Ready to Eat' meals at the Pecos River Station. Made it to S. F. and saw antique cars, one Cobra.

Penitente Morado Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

It seemed like the Trickster, the devil and a small host of angels vied for mastery of our journey. We were like confused observers, trying to listen to the right voice. The Sage Inn became our refuge, and I cancelled my Ranch adventure. The faucet in our room's sink would not turn off and a kindly maintenance man came and replaced the faucet. The next night, in a different room again, he came to replace something else and we gave him our treasured tamales from Tucson's Larua's Restaurant.

Fourth day: Still ill, but painted in my room (That's fun. Put down a small tarp to protect the carpet.)Had a pleasant lunch along the Santa Fe River where birds fought amongst themselves and only we noticed. See Arty Fice.

Fifth day: A setback. Slept most of the day. Drove around a bit and took a few photos and shot a little video. Hope to upload that someday...

View from Abhiquiu Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Sixth day: Alright now, think I'm gonna live. Mr. Artyfice suggests we drive to Abiquiu and see if we can salvage the time. My first meal--Abiquiu Inn. Wow. With a trout in my belly and my eyes full of desert, we headed out. I took over 400 photos, mostly from the car.

Near Ghost Ranch Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

The last night we stayed at the Hotel Parq (Albuquerque) that was so new everything worked. We were the unwashed coming in from the storm and we enjoyed the hotel robes--a lot.

And on the seventh day we drove home to an exquisite Arizona sunset and a gourmet dinner prepared by Ell and his girlfriend.

A few days later, as written in the last post, our trusty SUV lost its serpentine belt, which runs the water pump. Then, our washing machine broke. It was the water pump.

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza
For once, I had a clean house. A dear family friend joined us for dinner Sunday, completing some kind of circle that I've yet to figure out. But, I see signs everywhere.
Not Like O'Keeffe Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

This is just a taste of what it's like traveling to New Mexico. It has its own reality--not to be trifled with. Loved, but not to be trifled with.

So, I Shall Go There--New Mexico!

2011-08-06T17:09:00.001-07:00

San Miguel Mission, Santa Fe (8" x 8", oil on artists' board), Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

The Good, the bad, the spectacular news.

What do you do when you've planned an artist's retreat for months, only to have it all fall apart due to illness?

We have choices, don't we? We can scrap everything. We can use we what we've learned through mindful meditation. We can redeem some portion of any time available.

This is what I did.

I left for New Mexico last July 28th, hoping to spend one night in Albuquerque and then on to stay for eleven days at the Gallina Canyon Ranch north of Abiquiu. Yes, that Abiquiu made famous by Georgia O'Keeffe. I packed everything, including all of my food and large canvases, pochades and palette tools.

Some kind of food borne illness got to me before I could get to Santa Fe.

There is so much that happened that I can't really write it all. Yet, I would like to say 'Thank you' to Elizabeth, one of the owners, and David, ranch employee, for more kindness, help and generosity than I would ever have expected from people I have never met. I would highly recommend traveling there because of the incredible beauty, but mostly for their beautiful spirits.

Enchanted by Juniper (8" x 8", oil on artists' board), Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

I let go of my plans, got well in Santa Fe, and decided that taking over 400 photos from the car would redeem some of what I had lost.

wearing my purple huaraches, Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

It was a proud moment standing at the entrance to the Ghost Ranch, turning to view the Pedernal that is now iconic as a result of O'Keeffe's work. I cried when I made it one mile onto the road that led to the ranch.

Something amazing happened while I was recovering in Santa Fe.

My son sent me a text that a packet had arrived from Flagstaff, AZ--not the usual rejection letter that an artist can receive in the mail after a submission...but a large envelope. Should he open it?

The spectacular news: I've been accepted as next summer's visual Artist-in-Residence at the Grand Canyon...for three weeks...an apartment on the rim...with a studio. Did I mention it would be for three weeks?

I'm kind of speechless.

P. S. Two days after I returned home, our vehicle's power steering belt jumped off its pulley. This could have happened two hours from Santa Fe, in the middle of the wilderness. It could have blown the engine, because the belt also drives the water pump. I accept that circumstances change and letting go can reveal the reasons later. I am grateful.

The Road to Ghost Ranch, NM Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Artist Melinda Dreams of New Mexico Through Encaustic

2011-07-18T17:15:00.000-07:00

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Dream of Acoma, New Mexico (5" x 7", encaustic on encausticbord) I didn't completely crop the photo in order to show the rolled edge of the wax. Yum.

Oh, I'm still gonna paint, but these new toys of encaustic paint and supplies, and the smell of beeswax, are more thrilling today than the storm clouds that surround the Old Pueblo (Tucson).

Sometimes I play reader's roulette. It's a term I made up years ago and still use it every once in awhile. This time I practiced this technique with The Artist's Way, by Julia Cameron:

I flipped through the pages and suddenly stopped at:

"Many of us have made a virtue of deprivation...We have used it to feed a false sense of spirituality grounded in being good, meaning superior. I call this seductive, faux spirituality, the Virtue Trap...We strive to be good, to be nice, to be helpful, to be unselfish." She then goes on to write something I'd like to pass along to all of you, if you're struggling with your paints, or struggling with your priorities:

"Come out, come out, wherever you are..." --page 98, 99.

Paint. Explore. Give yourself permission to be you without apology!
I'll be cheering from here.

Off in the margin was this great quote (my response--Puh!):

"Nobody objects to a woman being a good writer or sculptor or geneticist if at the same time she manages to be a good wife, good mother, good looking, good-tempered, well-groomed, and unagressive." --Leslie M. McIntyre

It Was a Party! The Sparkles Still Linger

2011-07-13T11:21:00.000-07:00

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Well, that ole Philostrate, ahem, I mean Mr. Artyfice the Party Planner and his nifty assistant "Nemo" aka "The Bug" the Shakespearean Einstein graduate guy, went all out pulling off a kid's party for an oldster.

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Wow. My best buds from around town came by to share in the fun. There was wand waving, funny glasses wearing, water pistol shootin', party hat stylin' silliness...AND...wait for it...
An encaustic play session.

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Whoo-hoo!

Sparkles still linger on the walls--May last for weeks.

I've had an encaustic kit just waiting for some artist friends to get things started.

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

This is the result. You may recognize this image from Sabino Hill on a Snowy Day. It's the painting that made it into the Arizona Biennial '09 . This encaustic piece is on a 5" x 7" encausticbord.

Are you painting, enjoying the summer, looking forward to cool weather and more painting? What a week...Hoping all is well with all of you.

The Sun Stings My Skin, While Watching Los Alamos Nearly Burn

2011-07-01T11:26:00.000-07:00

TA-54 Los Alamos Red
Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Thinking About Area G-8 Los Alamos (glass front)

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Thinking About Area G-8 Los Alamos (glass reverse)
Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

It was scorching hot here this week. That's what it takes to bring up the monsoon rains to our region. 112 degrees, 110 degrees, 107 degrees. Yeah, it was dry, so our coolers worked wondrous well. And, night before last, we received significant rain.

But, there is something that happens with the density of the air, and I usually can tell how hot it is because I get a headache---and when I walk outside to get the mail, my skin hurts. Even one of our mesquite trees was starting to die back. Yet, what really got me was that:

My eyes were full of images of smoke, fire, mountains and comments full of worry this week. Guess you know about the largest fire in New Mexico's history--Las Conchas fire. My cousin lives in Los Alamos. He decided not to evacuate. It was hard to sleep each night after listening to the Live Updates from KAOT 7 News. The images of the fire were mind boggling and all I could think about was the air quality in the town as the monster huffed and puffed around the canyons and edges of the Valles Caldera and headed north, sweeping by Los Alamos and attacking sacred ground in Santa Clara Pueblo. To see how boston.com documented the fire, check out these great photos.

I painted these two images influenced by the watching. The first one is on an 8" x 8" artists' board. The second painting is on a 5" x 7" piece of glass, with the reverse side too.

Today, there is some good news for Los Alamos. Perhaps it is too soon to say all danger has past, but there is more hope for the region.

So, let me end with a few quotes I found today. I was looking for Julia Cameron quotes from her book, The Vein of Gold, and found this at Good Reads:

"As you move toward a dream, the dream moves toward you."
— Julia Cameron

"Art is not about thinking something up. It is the opposite--getting something down."
— Julia Cameron

"Serious art is born from serious play."
— Julia Cameron (The Artist's Way: A Spihttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifritual Path to Higher Creativity)

And, while I was searching I found an old favorite, humorous quote from...Jack Handey:

"Happiness is not a circus clown rolling around in a big tractor tire so that his arms and legs form 'spokes.' Happiness is when he stops."
- Jack Handey

Looking for some happiness...

Embracing the Time Out--Looking Through the Glass Brightly

2011-06-10T10:35:00.000-07:00

I was discouraged. Silly me. I was humbled by rejection. Unnecessarily. I was lifted up by your presence, by your words, by your spirit of generosity toward me and your fellow artist friends online. Feeling much better now.

This 'time out' included a trip back East. There I was dazzled by green, enveloped by the eagerness to move forward, and deeply touched by the gratification of a milestone for my family, my son, and all those wonderful people who gathered to share the day.

When I returned home, I began to look through a piece of glass on my work table, brightly this time--more so than before.

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

A new commitment to seek excellence, if not consistency in posting, inspired me to work on this small 5" x 7" piece of glass, producing an image on both sides. Kinda fascinating, don't you think?

This man, Mayor Cory A. Booker, preached it (!) at the Williams College Commencement, and I would like to encourage you to watch this video--daring you not to laugh and cry and rise up with a shout!

I think even Ken Burns and Marina Abramovic were touched by the day too.

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

But the star of the day for me was this young man, Ell. He's reached a magnificent goal and will be a blessing to the world. I just know it. He will stand up.

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Need I say more?

The Great and the Not So Great

2011-05-03T15:12:00.000-07:00

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

"April is the cruelest month."
--T. S. Eliot (from Brainy Quotes)

I suppose you know what's coming.

Made Bed, Pensacola Beach, Or What I Saved, What I Didn't was not chosen by the juror for the Tucson Museum of Art's Arizona Biennial '11.

There 'tis. This is the 'not so great.' Thank you to everyone who offered such encouraging words and support. I still think it's a good piece and hope to find it a venue some time. Until then, onward.

There has been a painting, 8" x 8" (oil on artists board), that has been really driving me buggie. It just didn't have any oomph. I think I fixed it. Here is the photo of Edge of Sky.

The great news for our family is that Diego (as in, If-I-were-Frida-I'd-have-Diego-on-a-short-leash) has joined our pack. Well, Loki (the guy in the back) has him on the leash for now, and he'll be keeping an eye on him too.

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

I've missed you guys! Hope you're all happily busy and throwing some paint around.

Tucson Artists Open Studio Tour: They Visited. They Chatted. They Ate Some Treats. Me? I Had a Ham Camera

2011-04-18T17:35:00.000-07:00

You know, these open studio tours are something.

There were people I hadn't seen in years, my poetry instructor from the UA, for example (!). There were people who were return visitors from last time. There were visitors who found the studio from the signs along the streets, and there were visitors who picked up one of my postcards at one of the local establishments.

Every last one of them brought synchronicity, sophistication, respectful and careful looking. They provided stimulating repartee.

Those collectors who bought my work mean more to me than I can articulate.

These paintings sold recently, and during the open studio tour:

Sabino Canyon House and Sky

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Sonoran Night Watch

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Rosemont Sonoita

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Sunset Catalinas

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Hill of Intrigue

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Mystery Door Tumacacori

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Near Sonoita

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Peak Red

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

There you have it.

And, I did something that really freaked me out. I had a thirty minute live webcam event (Ustream), on Sunday. Yes, I hammed it up a little. If you missed it, be thankful.

As our dear friend and wonderful actress friend, Mary, once said, "She's a ham, but ham can be cured."

Tucson Artists' Open Studio Tour (April 16th & 17th) Ustreaming!

2011-04-16T20:08:00.000-07:00

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

It was a hoot and a half chatting with all of our visitors today during the open studio tour.

I did a live webcast, on Ustream, for about 30 minutes this afternoon, and I'll try to do the same tomorrow, around 1 PM:
A moment at Fuerte y Claro Whoo!

Had a quick painting demo going on, and a visitor and I painting in collaboration. More on that later.

We also had an impromptu jam session with my music mentor, Ruben, at the end of the day and Mr. Arty Fice opened a bottle of wine.

I think some people had a good time...

If you're in town, hope to see you on Sunday. If you're not, I hope I can offer you a virtual visit tomorrow.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by and for all the good wishes.

Tucson Artists' Open Studio Tour (April 16th and 17th) Coming Up Soon!

2011-04-08T09:34:00.000-07:00

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

New growth on the prickly pear cacti, and mesquite trees greening up, mean food! And fruit! Did you know that you can eat the prickly pear pads? They taste a bit like bell peppers with added sweetness or a light vinegar spiciness.

Now, when I talk about food, I think about the last time I posted a recipe:
Melinda's Tangy Summer Salsa
or Oh Yeah, It's a Dry Heat Fajita. Yeah, that day is coming.

But today, I have this painting: Glyph (8" x 8", oil on artists' board) that reminds me of the ancestors, of the land, of reading the landscape the way one might read the marks on one's own skin.

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

The Tucson Artists' Open Studio Tour is approaching, only a week from this weekend. Previous to each event, there is a collector (or two) who buys a painting in advance. This week, a buyer purchased Daydream Sabino and I am delighted for her!

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

And, I'm glad that it will be appreciated! Another collector bought Terra Incognita. It has been looked at by several potential buyers recently.

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Wishing you all a great week painting. And, if you can swing by next week, I'll have treats!

Tucson Artist: Made Bed Finished, Melinda Finds A Way

2011-03-18T10:44:00.000-07:00

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

It must be assembled

As I was looking for something today with a dust cloth in hand, I found A Book of Five Rings, by Miyamoto Musashi. I opened it to the "Water Book." There were two things that jumped out at me and related to my sculpture project:

1)"The gaze should be large and broad. This is the twofold gaze, "Perception and Sight." Perception is strong. Sight is weak."

2) Knowing the Way of the long sword means we can wield with two fingers the sword we usually carry...try to wield the long sword quickly you will mistake the Way.

I considered meditatively how this sand could speak in context, in 3D form. I thought of a basket, as in, "to hell in a hand basket." I thought of the countless birds photographed for the news, some being saved during the BP oil spill in 2010.

There were old milk bottle wire baskets that I thought would hold the jar of sand and containers of oil, perhaps with feathers hanging off the edges. There were wire baskets for sale online with blue preserve jars just like mine! But, the cost was prohibitive. What about a bigger platform? Ah, "You've made your bed, and must lie in it" came to mind. Whoa! The prices of old beds were even more outrageous.

The question became, How to take the large view, and moreover, wield the sword of my idea with two fingers?

Clean the pool. Think some more.

We have a 'no man's land' on our property sectioned off from view. As I went to get something for the pool in this section, I dared not hope that we still had the old 1920s/30s iron bed.

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

It was there. Could I find a way to use it? When I shared my new idea with my family, it had been three months of waiting for the ideas about the sand to mature. But, even though "it was an ambitious" project, I began.

The iron bed was dragged out and placed in front of the red studio. I took paper towels and stuck them in the wire springs. I ordered white feathers and black feathers. The black feathers were iridescent, as though the birds had spent a lot of time drinking from pools of "gasoline rainbow" water.

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

The individual constructs developed quickly: white plastic grocery bags (The ones we're trying to avoid) were cut up and became the inner ball-like armatures. Inexpensive white feathers from a craft store were glued around the ball, followed by the larger white feathers. A pigmented encaustic held them together at the base. These feather constructs were then tacked to small balls of bubble wrap placed in each of the spring openings. Glue and tar bits held the black feathers in place around the edge of the bed--as a kind of bedskirt. A trip to Goodwill resulted in the purchase of glass dishes for the white platter on which the preserve jar would sit. Motor oil was poured around the base of the jar.

Serendipity was everywhere

For a year, I had boycotted Target for several reasons. However, I returned there in January for some household items. In the bedding isle, there were two pillows. Only two.

They were turquoise blue (I later subdued the hue by hand sewing a gauzy, gray knit fabric over the centers.) They were lined with white feathers. The same white feathers I was using.

Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

In addition, while writing the earlier post about this, I googled the BP Oil Spill and clicked on a wikipedia listing. There I learned that the flow of oil lasted for ninety days. I did not know this, or did not remember it. There are ninety iron bed spring openings. That was a major woo-woo moment for me.

I once wrote a poem for a university class titled, I Am Not A Poet. I still maintain that and would add:

I Am Not A Sculptor
I am merely me,
Merely Melinda middle aged
Who sometimes forgets
What time it is...

Made Bed, Pensacola Preserve, Or What I Saved, What I Didn't (tar, feathers, bed, Pensacola beach sand, plastic bags, bubble wrap, pillows and glue) brought it all back to me.

Tucson Artist Melinda: Everything Was Times Ninety

2011-03-14T11:07:00.000-07:00

The evolution of a work, from emotional response, experiential context, and how memory becomes matter

The living room is connected to the strawbale studio, and the strawbale studio is connected to the living room, which is connected to a built-in bookcase. This bookcase holds "tchotchkes, gewgaws (from wikipedia)," and even a few lagniappes with the books. However, there was an item that I passed by every day that began to whisper, "Think of me. Remember me. Say something about me."

It was a preserve jar filled with the luminous and pristine Pensacola beach sand collected back in the 1960s when I lived there as a kid. It is perfect and clean. It is without tar balls.

One child's saving from a time so distant it almost seems Edenic compared to our world today.
Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

It shouted to me, Irony! Synchronicity! Look, that sand is in a preserve jar! I saw a connection. This connection was leaping through time right into 2010 and the BP disaster in the Gulf of Mexico of 2010. The oil spill continued for ninety days, from April 20, 2010 to July 15th.

Now what?

Today, I am sitting here thinking about how life becomes a kind of 'everything is times ninety' regimen. Tragedy and mayhem, a ninety million good deeds by ninety million people, the working of an inspiration toward a comment both beautiful and disturbing, feeling as though we are repeating the same acts, making the same gestures (and mistakes), while one lovely spring day contains the deaths of two neighbors, the full throated song of birds heralding the end of winter and the end of an era, juxtaposed with a birthday (not mine, but a loved one's) so miraculous that words are quieted by joy and gratitude and laughter.

How will I illustrate a small act of saving without maudlin, heavy handed gestures? I cannot paint it. It must be assembled.

More soon...

Tucson Museum of Art Arizona Biennial '11: Fire in the Belly and Tucson Artist Melinda

2011-03-02T12:48:00.000-08:00

filmed by Mr. Arty Fice.

There's an art idea I've been working on for about five months now.

This ain't no BBQ, although my brain's cookin' with ideas.

Here's a hint:
Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza

It's part of a sculpture/installation that I've been working on. It's had me so excited (and sleepless) that I just had to start sharing a bit of it with you.

Painting has been tabled momentarily. The deadline for the Tucson Museum of Art's Arizona Biennial is next week and I'm working on finishing the piece and considering other works I'd like to submit. My mind might turn to ashes by then. Almost done with the fire references.

Until I can show you the finished piece, enjoy the fire. Light one within yourself--to be more of who you are, to push further into how you approach your work, to allow yourself a voice. And, don't let anyone steal your flame. There!

Tucson Artist Melinda: Windy Point...And, I Do Have One

2011-02-22T08:50:00.000-08:00

Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza

But, that doesn't mean a screed of unusually complex meanderings will follow.

No, it's been really windy around here, and I've heard it's been extremely windy nearly everywhere around the states, globally too.

How windy was it? Why it was so windy on Saturday that the furled umbrella six feet from our house became unfurled and landed on our roof! Really.

This 8" x 8" oil on artists board, painted in a hurry, is in response to that gale.

As I was blown around the internet recently, I laughed and laughed at Kathryn Law's pie chart (her work is brilliant--have a look), read that the heat is back on at the Mabel Dodge Luhan House (been worrying about New Mexico), read a great post about art collector, Roy Neuberger at Art in the Studio, watched some "Who Do You Think You Are?" with Gwyneth Paltrow, which sent me back into the seductive world of genealogy research, updating some family tree data, and pondered the poignant question posed by art tourists in Miami: "How do you get important?" at The Madness of Art.

Now. Back to work. In the studio, not "random web surfing."

Hope you are all painting as much as you want.

Tucson Artist, Melinda, and the Quick Plein Air Study

2011-02-10T15:12:00.000-08:00

Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza

It may seem like a subtle change here, as most of my links are the same and only the template design has changed. However, I do have some fun things to share today. And, I've got a new and improved attitude...See?! Bright colors again!

This painting, from a day of plein air work next to the Rillito River and a few miles north of midtown Tucson, is of a popular site, Thimble Peak. Most of the work was done on site, but I did paint a layer today over the foreground, darkening it to enhance the drama of the peak.

Last night, we drove across town to buy a large (48" x 48") canvas that was on sale. It was so inexpensive that I thought it might be good to check online to see what else is available. I went to ASW Express, and couldn't believe the deals. No, I don't get paid to hype this art supplier. Wish I did, though, 'cuz this week should get them a lot of sales. Their canvases are greatly discounted (check out The Edge 1 1/2"). Wait! There's more! I found an online coupon for an additional discount that resulted in free shipping. Not everything is included in the extra discount, but it's worth a try if you're looking for more supplies.

I've also been doing some online research. I've got a great new link to Joanne Mattera's blog. She's the artist who wrote the book, The Art of Encaustic Painting. Be careful. It's a great book and might get you hooked on another medium. Her blog will keep you interested for a long time too.

Then, I've got a link to the Google Art Project. Wowza. If you haven't seen this yet, take a tour of the MoMA, or travel virtually to some of the best museums in the world.

There is also a new link to ARTINFO. There are some very interesting things to see and read at this site.

Here is a great link to the only way to see Guerrillas In Our Midst. I recommend this to all artists, but especially women artists.

Finally, if you get discouraged with your art and the isolation that we artists often endure, this link to Carol Diehl's blog, Art Vent, features a quote of Alberto Giacometti's that I find meaningful. A snippet follows:

"....It becomes always more painful,” Alberto (Giacometti) said, “for me to finish my works. The older I grow, the more I find myself alone. I foresee that at the last I shall be entirely alone. Even if, after all, what I’ve done till now counts for nothing (and it is nothing by comparison with what I would like to create), fully aware of having failed till now, and knowing from experience that everything I undertake slips through my fingers, I enjoy my work more than ever. Is there any understanding in that?..."

Read on.

Paint on.

Tucson, Art, Trouble, Artist Takes a Breath, Paints

2011-01-31T11:30:00.000-08:00

Winter Observe Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza 12" x 16" Oil on Artist's Board

January is a month I'd like to forget. But that would be unwise and unproductive.

We had to euthanize our dog, Kate, on Wednesday the 5th of January. On Friday, my college boy left for college and on Saturday, the horror that traumatized Tucson, sent me reeling along with the rest of our country. Monday, the 10th of January is an anniversary of my first child's death. Most of my grief was wrapped up in my sympathy for the mother of the child shot to death at "Congress on Your Corner" on the northwest side of town. We're still not 100% here. As one Tucsonan pointed out, most everyone in this town knew someone there that day (that's true of me too). Each time I drive to the market, I drive by the shrine of candles, cards, balloons and people standing around Gabrielle Giffords' office.

So, when I noticed Monday evening that someone had plagiarized work from this blog, I felt done in.

Let me make clear my thoughts on this issue. All work and images here, if not attributed to someone else, are mine. That means, if there is a photo here that I am posting, viewers can expect that I composed the photo, using all of my university training and years of experience. In addition, I often continue to work on the photo in Photoshop to enhance, edit and refine the image to express my personal experience with the moment. There are those who think that images and words and even music should be free, and that the very act of uploading them to be viewed by a global audience is an implicit agreement with this belief in "free" use.

It. Is. Not. All work here is mine and it means a lot to me. I publish it here because there are many wonderful patrons, collectors and enthusiasts who really appreciate my art as much as I do sharing it.

Blogging my thoughts, along with posting my artwork, has kept me going forward for more than two years. The self imposed deadlines to talk with you, the viewer, has meant all the world to me. It is, in reality, an adjunct to my website--a way for collectors to get to know me and my approach to the work.

My focus is on being the best professional artist I can be. Therefore, after being plagiarized for the second time (!) in a year, I am going to change how I do things. I know you'll understand. I'll probably change the look and the settings in the near future. While this is an unpleasant bit of business, I hope it may help other bloggers in the future.

For those of you who do not understand what plagiarism is, I would like to direct you to Arty Fice's blog. Here you'll get to read a great post on the subject, plus, brilliant and thoughtful comments.

I'm not sure about this winter storm (painting and reality), but I'm getting my art mojo back. I hope you never lose yours.

Taking a Sabbatical

2011-01-11T19:49:00.000-08:00

Will be visiting and checking in occasionally, but am going to be working feverishly in the studio for the next couple of months.

The spring open studio tour will be in March. I'll be back around then.

For all those who visit regularly from around the world: Blessings of peace, safety and good health.

A Candle for Those Who Have Suffered and Died

2011-01-09T09:04:00.000-08:00

No art right now. Because of the tragic shooting of 20 people on the northwest side of Tucson yesterday, I want to join my prayers and thoughts for recovery and restoration and comfort to the families and victims of this horrific event.

There is optimism concerning Representative Giffords' prognosis. She is in a medically induced coma for her benefit. There are others who are doing better as well. I am thankful she is alive, and for the survival of the other victims. It was sickening, both physically and emotionally, to have had such a reprehensible act take place in our community. My hope is that those who visit Tucson and read about this tragedy will consider that this event does not represent the people of Arizona, or Tucson.

May all those families affected be comforted by the heartfelt support and love being sent forth from all of us. Thank you for remembering these victims with me.

Update: A woman, who had been standing in line (update: she was not shot), bravely approached the shooter and grabbed the gun magazine away from him as he reloaded, thereby preventing further injuries. My kind of woman/human being.

Update #2: A profound sense of healing covered Tucson yesterday as citizens gathered to memorialize those who died and those who are trying to recover. President Obama's words were good medicine for all of us. We could see in his eyes and in First Lady Michelle's eyes all the sorrow, empathy and hope that we are all feeling as a community and nation.

Tucson Artist Melinda: Snowblind Under Cloud Cover: Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T16:26:00.000-08:00

Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza

Young, hesitant flakes of white
fell silently on black fur--

I walked bundled, lured by the beauty to the north of us, in rhythmic steps,
Quieted
Embellished with a leash--

Loki, chaos of dogness,
eyeing the flight of pigeons grounded to drink the pooled water with gasoline rainbows, moved apace
(eager to stay warm)
Eager to complete his neighborhood perimeter check.

Snow blind, with a countenance like a child with a powdered sugar smile, my head was full of brown mountains dusted with snow.
If the clouds would keep their cover, black fur might turn to white--

This sight was dessert for our city, a Mt. Lemmon mousse atop a chocolate base,
meant to celebrate the end and the start of a another year.
And, like candles on a cake--
in a call and response from the desert floor,
prefiguring new beginnings.
Poem © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza

Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza

Wishing you all a very happy and prosperous new year. Hoping, perhaps insanely so, that 2011 will be a great year, a better year for everyone--filled with good health, better work situations, good times with friends, and lots of studio time.Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza

Artist Melinda's Saga Continues: Notched Up!

2010-12-16T10:07:00.000-08:00

Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza

The Bershires Notch #4
To take a cue from Linny's comment, I've notched up this painting several times and will be adding notches to my portfolio again, I'm sure. Here, I'm slathering on paint with my trusty cake decorator, using scraping tools, and pouring paint.

.....So, the next day of our trip back east, we visited the The Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute.

I remember on our first visit there, that I was completely dazzled by William-Adolphe Bouguereau's Nymphes et Satyre (Nymphs and Satyr). Notice that this painting is 5 feet 9" by 8. 53 feet tall! It was imposing. I think that Mr. Bouguereau, the Academic traditional painter, must have been so as well. Being a member of the Academy during the rise of Impressionism must have irritated the heck out of him. Still, his work is stunning:
I was swept away by John Singer Sargent's, Fumee D'Ambris Gris. (3' 1" x 4' 6 3/4") We were allowed to take photos of anything in the museum. That was a thrill too.
Sargent's:Fumee D'Ambris Gris
Two closeups of Fumee D'Ambris Gris
Then this--A Bad Monet, I'm Sorry, But It's True and I Don't Even Remember the Title:
Not to fret, there was Monet's The Cliffs at Etretat and everyone's favorite, Claude Monet, Rouen Cathedral, The Façade in Sunlight:
And, Oh My Gosh! There were women artists in the 19th Century AND in the museum. Look! A Mary Cassatt and a Berthe Morisot!
There were several wonderful Winslow Homers and fabulous Fredrick Remingtons. Here are two:
Don't you think these two painters really got the power of photographs and their high drama and high contrast elements?
I'm tired now after all that walking. Maybe you need some comic relief too. Here's a link to The Madness of Art's most recent video and a link to Mr. Bean vs Whistler's Mother from a comment made at Madness. Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza
Happy holidays everyone!

An Artist Walks Into A Museum and Other Studies

2010-12-08T14:36:00.001-08:00

Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza

So, where were we?! Oh, yes, I was going to tell you more stories!

Before I do, let me write about the two studies I did today.

After the first study of The Notch, I decided that I wanted to explore the image a bit more. I liked the painting, didn't want to scrape it, but felt that I needed another approach. Here is The Notch #2, on a small 8" x 8" artists' board:
Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza

But,I hated this!

Went back and wrestled the darn thing for another long while, and painted differently: The Notch #3, on the same artists' board:
Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza

Ah, that's better.

I'm still going to deconstruct this image (it's so much fun), and I'll post more as I push it further. It's still not where I want it to be.

Our trip last month was one of those incredible journeys that has left me with a bazillion ideas, memories and photographs for further inspiration.

A cloud had something to say and a young man was bursting with ideas--
Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza

Spending time with such brilliance kept me on my toes and wanting to go everywhere and see everything I could.

Of course, an artist, wherever she travels, will be drawn to the local museums. The day we visited Mass MoCa was very cold and rainy. Inside, the place was teeming with irony, surrealism, postmodern and post-post modern intrigue, retrospectives and introspectives everywhere!

If you haven't gone to Mr. Artyfice's blog lately and read his (Untitled) Art Blog Post, well, please do. He tells our story better than I could have. Really.

Last night, I had to watch (Untitled) Movie again....I just don't have the words for all that I'm thinking.

Mass MoCa was more than I expected, let's say. There was the Petah Coyne exhibit, which left my brain frazzled.

I thought it beautiful, important, unimportant, tragic, funny, disturbing and so labor intensive that I marveled at the artist's work ethic.

The Sol LeWitt Retrospective and Wall Drawings came next. Oh, I mean after the Leonard Nimoy gallery of digital portraits (stunning, high resolution of nearly life sized portraits of people who posed as their inner selves). Back to LeWitt...Oh, how about just some photos:

They came with instructions.
College students recreated his work from those instructions.
Their process was mesmerizing.

Then there was the installation work of Tobias Putrih:

Are you getting the idea that Mass MoCa was stimulating, while it painfully excluded painting? Yes, me too. I didn't want to go, at first, because I knew if they had any painting, it would be somewhere obscure. I was right. On the other hand...this was so much better than viewing the same old, same old, work by the same old guys of the last century and beyond. Eeks. I'm in trouble now.

Even looking out of the window at Mass MoCa was aesthetically pleasing. Hey! They have the Airstream I've always wanted! This is a wonderful installation by Michael Oatman: "All Utopias Fell."

Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza

And, while I felt really silly doing this, I had to take a photo (or two) of the women's restroom.Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza

As I exited the room, there was an exhibit by a woman artist who had photographed the same thing, along with the rest of the basement area of Mass MoCa.

There was only one glitch in our day trip to the museum...I could not play the guitar. The place was closed.Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza

It's probably just as well. We were players in a play, actors/artists with an 'eye' for things, and not a bucket in sight.

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-24T14:43:00.000-08:00

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.

The Red Dot Conversation and Panned at 37, 000 Feet

2010-11-21T13:22:00.000-08:00

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 and 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 the hope that 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 North East 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 neocolors 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 wait this one out.

Weekend Report: Good times

2010-11-15T14:23:00.000-08:00

What a weekend! I thought it was going to be pretty quiet in the Old Pueblo, just because the entire town seems quieter since last year.
Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza

Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza

However, we had a great turnout at the open studio tour and 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 and 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, more developed work soon to come.
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.

Tucson Open Studio: Artists, Good Weather, Good Music, Good Food

2010-11-04T10:13:00.000-07:00

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 to share with my artist blogger buddies who cannot attend, but will be here in spirit--and 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.
Martay Blue © 2009 R. P. Esparza
Enjoy!

(desert photos from one of my day trips © 2010 Melinda Esparza)

Tucson Open Studio: Poem, Painting, Monotype

2010-10-26T12:06:00.000-07:00

Thinking about the moon a lot. And, the night sky:

Ease of Night Light

O Luna, nightlight for the worried insomniac,
Your golden shape floating like a banana boat gliding across
The darkened sea above.

Why do you sneak out so late?
To whisper lovely, impossible secrets in the ear of the weary?
To soothe a restless heart with a thousand questions?

I think I hear one of your poems in a language of color
And mist--
The values, a softened gray, layering the plane.

My head is bowed, but my eyes swim in your neon glow.
"Waking is the dream," you speak, "Fall up into my orbit and let go."

"And I, decorated for travel, will melt unruly monsters, like a dollop of honey
on a warm, indigo plate."
Poem © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza

Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza

In a way, this 8" x 8", oil on artists board, painting reminds me of some of the recent night skies.

This monotype is one that I worked on a year ago, but never uploaded here. I thought those of you who've been following my blog would want to see something new as I go through the works for the Tucson Artists' Open Studios Tour. Is she a nighthawk?
Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza

Now, for a bit of shameless self-promotion: One of my favorites! The painting that made it into the Tucson Museum of Art's Arizona Biennial '09
Sabino Hill on a Snowy Day
Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza

Wrangling the warm clothing this week. More soon. Have a great week!

Tucson Artists' Open Studios: Paintings, Drawings, Visiting

2010-10-19T11:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks to SamArtDog, I walked myself, with soup pan and tongs in hand, right on over to the San Gabriel "Prak" (okay, they fixed the sign years ago, but that's what it said for the first six months!) on Sunday morning and collected a pan full of juicy, ripe, lovely prickly pear tunas. Sure, the quail were annoyed and the rabbits skittered defensively away from the park, but there are plenty more tunas for them to nibble on. They'll just have to share. Besides, it's a bountiful year.

I was in such a hurry that I didn't even wear gloves. I wore jeans and a solid shirt, though, and came home with one side filled with little stickers. Cool. You saw me, didn't you Bonnie?!

This is a Caran D'ache (Neocolor) drawing of some that I harvested last year. I haven't worked with these water soluble colors in quite sometime. I don't know why. They really work best, in my humble opinion, on Moleskine paper. Update: It is because of Kathyrn Law's selling of her Neocolours to me in 2008, and her encouragement to try blogging, that started it all for me. I'd say these crayons and one artist's kindness can change a life. Go see her work...and be dazzled.

Last year at the Tucson Artists' Open Studios Tour, I had a couple of paintings that were nearly fought over. What a concept!

Out of curiosity (so typically artist, eh?), I wondered if I could reprise the image. I painted this one about a week ago. Guess I can. It's Two Clouds Over Patagonia II, oil on artists' board, 8" x 8".

Are you harvesting in your area, both artistically and gastronomically? Sure hope so.

Tucson Open Studio Tour: More to Share

2010-10-14T11:38:00.000-07:00

Even though the Tucson Open Studios Tour is about a month away, I'm pulling out work that has not been on display in the studio for awhile, and thinking about the future guests who'll show up that day.

I don't know if I can do as well as Jala Pfaff has done documenting her recent open studio, but I'm inspired to try. Check hers out.

This first painting is one of my favorites (Mighty Vole Hunts Ubiquitous Cactus Fruit, 16" x 20", oil on artists' board). It's how I feel when harvesting prickly pear fruit. There are still a few plump, and juicy tunas tempting me to do more harvesting, but I've been told to give it a rest...! But, my anxious heart says, will I have enough to get through the winter??!

This next image is of a monotype that is another favorite. I did some mark making with oil bar on top of the first pull. It is a Mystery Landscape, monotype, 11" x 15" on BFK Rives.
Hope you're all having a great week and working in the studio!

Tucson Artists' Open Studio Tour: Getting Ready for Showtime!

2010-10-02T16:45:00.000-07:00

It's official. Tucson Pima Arts Council's website link to the upcoming Tucson Open Studio Tour is up and clickable.

Of course, I'm right there with over two hundred other Tucson artists preparing the studio, looking over work, thinking about the success of last year's event and getting excited to meet people who love art and support the artist community here.

It's gonna be a blast.

I'll have new work and my favorites from this past year and beyond. It would be great if I could see you all here November 13th and 14th.

You'll be welcomed with decaf green tea with my harvest of prickly pear juice and some homemade (okay, a mix from the store, but baked by me!) gluten free chocolate chip cookies that will have some locally harvested mesquite meal tossed in for a treat. Yum. I'll do taste tests in the next week or so...

For the run up, I'm thinking about some works that I'm happy with, that haven't been seen for awhile:
Ah--Ree-Zoe--Na Ski (8" x 8" oil on artists' board)

Daydream Sabino (8" x 8" oil on artists' board)

Catalina Palimpsest (5" x 7" oil on art board)
Hope you are all having a great weekend, painting away, dreaming of beautiful fall days.

Perhaps a Mirage--

2010-09-21T17:54:00.000-07:00

Sometimes a mirage helps us break the "thousand mile stare" (or attitude) and offers a landscape of ideas and possibilities. And, sometimes, it just freezes us in our tracks. That's where I am right now.

Makes me think of nights of full moons with wispy clouds and twinkling stars. Or, those stunning nights when the moon is just a sliver of light--offering us hope and beauty.

"When the moon
of a hundred equal faces
comes out,
the silver coins
weep in the pocket." --from Federico García Lorca's The Moon Rises (Translation--Diana Guillermo)

Struggling with words, struggling with paint, struggling with the guitar...Must mean a breakthrough is coming.

This is a re-worked painting that had been bothering me for quite sometime. I posted this last year and felt that the first version was the one I wished I'd kept.

Anyway, here is another experiment, oil on 9" x 12" artist's board. A mirage, I suppose, like the landscape of a night full of moon, buildings of dark clouds racing to crumble overhead, spilling their contents, while twinkling lights fade out.

Update: Kate--A Few Bright Spots

2010-09-07T10:47:00.001-07:00

It's been very comforting to have such support from all of you. I wanted to let you know that we continue to be cautiously optimistic about our Miz Katers. She has such a good and strong spirit. We think if any dog has a chance of beating this awful disease, tick fever, she can. It's been a week now since we thought we would put her down, but have since decided that the few bright moments we observe suggest that we should wait and see. I took this photo in 2008, but doesn't it look like a dog's head--seems eerily relevant, don't you think?

Until then, we'll all be taking care of Kate--even Loki (the GSD on the left, the one who looks tough, but is a huge baby and "city dawg"), has joined in.

I've been going through old work again and found this Katchina Study (6" x 8", oil on panel), thinking it's a good thing to consider all kinds of spiritual help right now. It is in the style of T. C. Cannon, who has been another inspiration over the years.

Thank you again, everyone. Wishing you healthy pets!

Artist Melinda: Où elle est ? ¿Cómo está ella? lle mae hi'n? hvar er hún?

2010-08-30T18:07:00.002-07:00

I've wondered where I am too.

Here are a couple of paintings I've been working on after crashing a few weeks ago. A virus turned into a bacterial infection and spread through the family. We've also got a very ill dog we're trying to save this week. But, I want the blog to be a positive place and am really hoping things will turn around and improve.

I hope you're all painting up a storm and having a wonderful summer. For some of you, I think summer is winding down. For us, it's been stormy, unseasonably cool for a few days and going by way too quickly. The photo above is from the monsoon storm that blew through Tucson on Saturday. Wow, eh?!

This first painting is titled:

Fields in Green, 8" x 8", oil on artists board.

The second painting is titled:
Motorcoach Moticos, 8" x 8", oil on artists board.

This one I painted while our college boy was riding a Greyhound Bus home from visiting a friend in northern Arizona this past weekend.

Be well everyone! I'll be back soon.

Artist Melinda: Adventure Part Deux and the Drive By Shamans

2010-08-05T12:28:00.000-07:00

..........So, where were we? Oh, yes. First, let me say--THANK YOU--for your encouraging and supportive comments. It is really awful to think that artists are not being well served and that the art world is suffering because of ineptness or inappropriate business attitudes. I believe there are many good galleries who love artists and their work out there. We just need to find them!

After the experience, I cogitated about the new painting and how natural if felt. A week later, I couldn't sleep. At 2 AM I gave up and decided to work on a painting whose ground I had set down when making a short video for the Life in a Day project.

Painting completely automatically until 4:30 AM, without reference, without anything but a total immersion into right brain, free form expression, these creatures showed up. It was like an overnight, drive by visitation.

Totally a-Musing.

Close up of right side shaman:

Close up of hands:

This painting is 36" x 36", oil on canvas. Maybe we artists should host more open studios and be our own representatives.

Artist Melinda Goes on An Adventure: Part One

2010-07-30T14:57:00.000-07:00

I haven't gone far. In fact, this adventure I'm about to share is from right here in little ole Tucson, the Old Puelo as it's often called.

About a month ago, Mr. Artyfice and I visited a local gallery to see their current exhibit. There we saw a Jim Waid painting that we admired very much. It was small. It was affordable. When I say affordable, I mean in a Tucson kind of way. The gallery has offered its patrons purchase plans in the past which meant that the lowly middle class collector could pay any amount over time (yes, even $10 per month, without interest) until the artwork was paid in full. A great deal, indeed.

We liked the painting so much that we spoke to one of the gallery owners who dropped us like hot potatoes when a photographer for a publication arrived, but we left one of my business cards saying how much we liked it and requested a call back.

Soon, one of the owners called, left a message, and referred to my "small" card. Later, the other gallery owner called and left a message too. This time referring to my "little carte de visite." It occurred to me that if I were a well known artist, or perhaps a male artist or reviewer with a newspaper, neither of these adjectives would have accompanied the reference to my card--with such deliberation. It put me off the whole idea of purchasing...and we've bought from this gallery before!

I went home and looked at my old catalog of Waid's work and decided to experiment.

This is the result.

(18" x 24," oil on cradled art board)
I figured that, dang it, I could paint something for myself in a similar fashion. Hmmm. It started something.

It's pretty difficult to get art into a gallery. Now I'm seeing that it's almost as difficult to get the artwork out. Galleries can't afford to be too snobbish, especially when they can't even remember a previous customer or recognize an eager, present buyer. Gee, and aren't galleries struggling in this economy?! More soon...

Artist Melinda Reflects on Secret Ingredients

2010-07-23T18:38:00.000-07:00

How about a little play with color, a little play with paint, a momentary suspension of the hierarchy of the left brain critic? Oh, I know, it's in there watching: as you push paint around, visualize your influences, as you consider elements of composition along with value and construct. But you, the artist you, can be the alpha dog of your own paint world.

Speaking of influences. I painted this painting today and saw some of my favorite artist mentors. I swear, they live in my head! Previous to painting, I'd been out grocery shopping. I didn't see any painters then...

I see the influence if not the mastery of Helen Frankenthaler, Fritz Scholder and Jim Waid.

And, as always, my left brain sat in the corner offering a gentle word or two--mostly, thinking of Anne Taintor's, "The Secret Ingredient is Resentment." Anne is my kind of woman. Was this because of my chores today?

Don't let your left brain drive the painting. Your heart knows the paint a lot better.
Palm #57 Tucson (oil on canvas, 16" x 20")

Flying Cloud on a Gray Day in Tucson

2010-07-16T10:46:00.001-07:00

Okay, everybody, back to work I am. I can't top my musical intermission, but I do have some links to share:
From Zocalo Tucson Magazine--A cool black and white photo of downtown Tucson looking northeast to the Catalina mountains. The menu at the top provides the entire magazine online. In their book review section, there is a recommended book titled, "Revenge of the Saguaro." It sounds good. Yes, there really was a guy who shot at a saguaro and was killed when one of the heavy arms fell on him.

On a happier note: Tucson Botanical Garden's Summer Saguaro Celebration presented by Etherton Gallery and an older video of Tohono Chul's Laughing Matters exhibit.

For those of you on Staycations: San Xavier Mission on the Tohono O'odham Reservation, Saguaro Harvest, Mt. Lemmon in the Catalinas, Dave Alvin & The Guilty Women Old Town Artisans really good blues guitar in Tucson, 2nd Saturdays downtown Tucson (we were there last Sat.), and one of my favorite bands playing in a shop entryway--Tammy West and the Culprits.

This painting (8" x 8", oil on artists' board) reminds me of the cloud covered sky under which Tucson awoke this morning. What a relief! It was a blistering 106 degrees ( 41.1 Celsius) yesterday, with humidity. We had about twenty guests last night...I don't know what the body heat index was. We had a great time, though. Lots of people wearing "No Papers" buttons.

Aren't we half way through summer yet? Aren't we?!

Shamans Came to Speak-My Hands Paint & Play the Song

2010-07-07T14:58:00.000-07:00

Rain Dance, (16" x 20", oil on artists' board)

Intermission:

Our family friend, Ruben, is a very talented musician. He has been helping me with my newbie blues playing. Because it's summer and I'm thinking of a walking beat as well as experimental painting, I've included my song with this post (be kind, please, it's my first and I was improvising rhythm and lead). Ruben is the music producer and artist who recorded, mixed and made this possible, 'cuz I don't know nothin' 'bout no music recording. I am so grateful. Maybe he'll share some of his incredible talent with the world someday soon.

Mail Art: Melinda Hands Over A Power Deck

2010-06-21T16:24:00.000-07:00

Speaking of family, my son, Ell, reached a landmark age this year which, of course, got me thinking and planning another mail art piece.

And, as Count Rugen said (Princess Bride): "Get some rest. If you haven't got your health, then you haven't got anything."

The idea came to me as I considered that we are dealt life cards that we don't have much say in.

Yet, when we go out into the world, we take them with us and can shuffle them to our choosing.
If we're lucky, we have time to choose from several career options.

We all have to watch out for the joker.

And, our spiritual beliefs are our ace up the sleeve during tough times.

If we've had good guidance and if the deck has been stacked in our favor, life could go easily. Or, if not, there can be confusing misfortune. We can also choose to throw the best cards out, not realizing how important it is to shuffle wisely.

This mail art piece is about the size of an Uno card deck: card stock, pencil and ink, solarplate images, glue, clippings from the NYTimes and one deck of cards.

All the World's a Stage...

2010-06-20T10:05:00.000-07:00

And the best dad's are in the same play...sharing the stage. Happy Father's Day to my two favorite actors: Bug and Philostrate

And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts...

There is a Way to Mystery While Seeking Answers

2010-06-16T16:25:00.000-07:00

Louise Bourgeois said it to all who can listen, "The purpose of art is to express emotions. My emotions are inappropriate for my size."

Painting the mystery while seeking your own answers is to converse with emotions larger than yourself. Can you give yourself permission to push beyond your size?

I see that Kathryn Law is having just such a conversation with her paints, and I hope you'll take a look at her work. She mentioned Bourgeois the other day and I found the youtube link of the trailer for the documentary.

These emotions are worthy of expression, even if no one listens. The work is everything. I was also inspired to fix a painting that had been bothering me. This painting can be seen at Artist Melinda: Off into the Weeds, Back with Saddle Burrs.

This painting is 12" x 12", oil on artists' board, of a door leading somewhere at the mission of Tumacacori, near the Mexican border with Arizona.
Verfhond's Half a Thousand Living Painterly Painters #94 and working my way up the sanctuary steps.

Arizona Artist and Diagonals of Tumacacori

2010-06-06T19:18:00.000-07:00

This painting went through a number of transitions and the scratching away, wiping off and the additional layers turned out much better than the beginning image. It is 9" x 12" on artists' board.

Due to the consensus of my fellow artists' thoughtful comments, I've added some background images. Thank you SamArtDog, Donald Diddams, and Jeane of ARTIT. Update: I was surfing around and found that I am included in Verfhond's Half a Thousand Living Painterly Painters. That's kind of nice. I had to search for my name, but there I was, #94--from my post Paint, Painter, Painted--Art, Artist, Alive.

This is the image I used for the scratching, wiping away business. The result, of course, is above.

First painting of Tumacacori bell tower. I thought this was alright, but a bit boring.

O for the Love of Dog, Plus Artist Incognito

2010-05-29T11:57:00.000-07:00

You see, I have these oily rags in my studio and they remind me every day how risky this is. And this thought reminds me of a video I saw on youtube about a man who had some oily rags lying in the corner of his workshop.

O Dogs. They are wonderful: Shepherd Leads State Trooper to Fire:

Still somewhat incognito in Arizona. This painting is a reworked one from last year: Self Portrait Like Hybrid Flowers. I like this one for right now.

Be safe in your studio, even if you have a rescue dog...

A Different Kind of Cloud Bank

2010-05-24T14:27:00.000-07:00

I thought it might be nice to paint a study of abstracted clouds and space. This painting is 8" x 8", oil on artists' board.

"Who Does She Think She Is?" Art, Painting of Clouds on a Good Day

2010-05-17T15:28:00.000-07:00

Days are always better with a look up---

This is for Linny--From a photo:
Looking West One Day, 8" x 8", oil on artists' board. She and Jeffrey J. Boron are well known inspirations!

And, here's a link to an interview with Maye Torres talking about life as a woman artist. I recently watched the film, "Who Does She Think She Is ?" and found it to be excellent.

Color Returns: Tucson, Art and Things Heating Up

2010-05-05T16:14:00.000-07:00

I'm pleased to report that the city of Tucson along with Flagstaff, AZ are suing the state over the recent immigration law signed by Governor Jan Brewer. The temperature today: 92 degrees, or 33.3333 C.

As some of you know, one of my blog posts was plagiarized recently. But, what you didn't know was that I also dropped my cellphone...in the...you know. (!)

Nobody wants to use it now. Sheesh.

And, our dear KayDee dog has tick fever. She's gonna be fine with meds. The phone?...not so much.

I'm also pleased to report that I am still here (relatively cheerful!), still working, hopeful that we will continue to converse on subjects aesthetic, political, personal and global. I will, however, be thinking about these issues as they relate to being online.

If you want more information about blogging and plagiarism, which I didn't know was so pervasive, here is a link to a wonderful blogger, Velveteen Mind, who did something about it, and a link to Mr. Artyfice's rant. Feel free to weigh in.

This painting is worked from the photo I took for the solarplate image you see from the previous post. It is 9" x 12", oil on linen panel artists' board.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Melinda: My Papers Are Not in Order

2010-04-27T10:25:00.001-07:00

It's true. When I wake up in the morning, I am aware that I get up with 15,000 years of connection to this land, but when I think of leaving the house, I wonder what incident I might witness or experience.

And, I'm not even Hispanic, except as a Native American cousin. And, I'm half English. And, I'm only a first generation American because of the British mother who came here after marrying a mixed heritage man from the southwest.

Go figure. I still don't have my papers in order. The studio is a mess--papers everywhere, canvas and paint splatters abound, and solarplates littering my walkway. This solarplate image is about 3" x 4 1/2" on Somerset paper.

But, la fortaleza es segura.

For awhile, I'd like to suggest that you consider avoiding Arizona until we resolve the turmoil here.

btw: Thanks to all who have so generously commented and occasionally linked back to my blog. Your friendship and art support are u-wo-du-hi, you are buena gente, and if I do say so myself, quite brill.

I saw this and thought a lighter view is also in order* (whoops). From the Daily Show

Melinda and the Magical Mechanical Pentel Pencil

2010-04-22T15:54:00.001-07:00

Is anything sacred anymore? I mean, what is sacred? This being Earth Day and all, it would be a good idea to take a moment to reaffirm that earth is sacred. How many of you out there remember how wacky people were thought to be on the first celebration of Earth Day in 1970?!

We've come a long way, in some ways good, others devastatingly worrisome.

I'm a saver. We artists hang on to things, don't we, knowing that we might need them for a future project?

Sometime in the last century, a really long time ago, a friend gave me a Pentel Mechanical Pencil as a gift. At the time, it was very expensive and I thought pencils were pencils.

They are not. Some of them are sacred, like many of the things you hold dear over the years.

Waxing nostalgic isn't always a bad thing. I went looking for my sacred pencil and did not find it. I bought a surrogate because, while I know my old friend will show up one day to surprise me, I'm missing what a good pencil can do.

Maybe it can't compete with this drawing and subsequent stained glass commission I worked on in the 1980s, but I can hope. When I see this window, I remember the day I was commissioned to build stained glass to fill a space. I sat staring at a very bright, very blank piece of white paper, with a deadline over my head. Then, I picked up the mechanical pencil and made a small mark. A woman's head and shoulders began to appear and the pencil carried the line all the way around the edges of her skirt. My eyes followed the line and I was stunned and grateful to see the image.

Today, with this newer pencil, I am drawing differently, but with the same purpose as before. This image is of a Norfolk pine branch that I've manipulated slightly in Photoshop. As soon as the clouds travel east, I'll make a solarplate of the image and finish the mail art piece.

No matter how enlightened we are about our mythology, I'll bet we can all agree that on this Earth Day, she (earth) is sacred and worthy of honor. So is your talent and the work you do.

Mail Art Experiment, Solarplate Marking a Day in Tucson

2010-04-15T18:04:00.000-07:00

It was a warm and quiet day. The sky was clear, the quail, the grackles, the rabbits and the desert finches owned the yard of Fuerte y Claro. I'm good with that.

I've had an idea for a mail art piece again and this time it included solarplate prints. Guess I'm approaching this thing backwards because I've got photos to share of today's work, even though I'm only just beginning the project. This next one is the first small cactus image on white paper.

This second one is of a landscape I've never actually visited, but the image was a public one and I manipulated it enough to use it in my work. Each image is approximately 3" x 4".

You can see that I was thrifty with the paper and, I'm happy to report, the solarplates that have been sitting in the dark for a couple of years (at least!), actually produced images.

Mirabile dictu:

I took some photos.
Manipulated the images in Photoshop.
Visited the local office supply store and had transparencies printed of my images.
Dug out the old solarplates and cut them to size.
Put them altogether in the glass sandwich and exposed them to the sun for 2 minutes, 34 seconds.
Washed the plates in cool water for 5 minutes.
Found scraps of BFK Rives paper and dampened them in the bathtub.
Inked the plates with black relief ink.
Printed the images in the Ettan press (how I've missed the dear press and how lovely she prints.

Et, voila!

I'm seeing that I've been away for way too long. Goodness, guess that Life in Hell cartoon I found the other day

hit me a bit harder than I'd thought...And gee, after such a fun time with the last post. Sheesh. Hey, we can laugh and cry about this.

Hope you're all feeling energized with spring and happily working on meaningful art.
UPDATE
Here are photos of two of the solarplates I used. You can see how thin the plates are and the polymer side with faint image:

Famous Women Artists: They are Everywhere!

2010-03-30T21:35:00.000-07:00

A few years ago I had the privilege of visiting the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Everyone knows Georgia O'Keeffe.

The architecture of the building was particularly impressive. Some of Ms. O'Keeffe's works were quite good. Thing is, I realized that a lot of her work was so innovative in approach that the more naive works added to her oeuvre rather than detracted from it.

So, today I painted one of my very own daturas from a photo I took last year while they were in bloom. Melinda Esparza: Datura in the Night of Yearning-Lost to the Darkness Swallowing up and Crunching Down Upon My Dream of You. Oil on panel. 8" x 8". I think I'll have to update this photo in the daylight to get a better photo of it.

What if...you are as good as the women artists listed below? What if, from now on, you lived your life with such conviction of this that your level of discipline and your audience reflected the knowledge you hold within your own hands?

Let's have a roll call, shall we?

Grace Hartigan

Deb Schmit

Peggi Nicol

Linny D. Vine

Donna Schuster

Yoko Ono

Euphemia Charlton Fortune

Jean De Muzio

Marion Wachtel

SamArtDog

Jane Freilicher

Bonnie Luria

Joan Mitchell

Jeane Myers

Women artists of the 20th century in a bunch, Art Cyclopedia.

Louise Bourgeois

Karen Phipps

Eva Hesse

Marcia LaBelle

Frida Kahlo

Barbara Muir

There. Let this be a codification of who is who and how the world really does work. We move in and out of each others' lives, woven into the history that we are writing with our colors and words.

This gives me joy. I look at the list of famous artists and I see a group of dedicated, scary smart women, who, out of gracious mercy choose not to join together in any geographical location wishing to avoid a cataclysmic event that may cause disruption in the Force--the Artistic Force, which may cause weather events with colors and light never seen before. We wouldn't want to frighten the citizenry.

See yourself recognized and appreciated. See yourself and your work loved and supported.

That's a good life.

Artist Melinda: Off into the Weeds, Back with Saddle Burrs

2010-03-24T10:34:00.000-07:00

Update: I finally fixed this painting and might even like it!

Yes, it's true. The open studio tour left me dazed and confused. I spent several days staring at mud, a few asking what kind of weed is a weed and where are the hidden treasures in all of the brush. I came back with some stickery but healing aloe, something shiny I still can't figure out and two paintings. Wished I'd had a saddle.

Here's the thing, the stickery thing. If women artists are the most prevalent artists in any generation since 1850 (okay, kinda guessing on the year, but I'm close), why aren't we studying them more, quoting them more, experimenting more with their processes? Even male artists are quoting and emulating male artists of the 1800s instead of artists more recent than that. And, the ones who are mentioned most often shouldn't necessarily hog all of the notoriety. Even if one wanted to stick with the 1800s, there are: Julia Margaret Cameron, Elizabeth Adela Armstrong Forbes, Lilla Cabot Perry, Suzanne Valadon and Berthe Morisot. These artists are worthy of more looking! Then, there is the 20th century and, oh yes, the last decade of the 21st century. You'd think we didn't have access to more sources. That's the bur. Well, at least one of them.

Grace Hartigan's, The Persian Jacket, 1952:

Grace Hartigan (included in the New York School of Abstract Expressionists): "Well, what we get down to finally is the ultimate point. What in the world is the reason for painting? Life is complete in itself. What can the painter add to it aside from presenting formal problems of my trade--space, projection, surface, contour and all those things. Rather, I think art comes out of an inability to understand the life that you are living and the hopeful desire that out of the chaos that is given to you, you try for a brief period of time to make some sense and order."

Couldn't have said it better.

One of the paintings I've sold recently is quite abstracted. This got me to thinking how right it felt to paint that way--and that someone responded positively to it. Here are two more experiments. The first is a landscape in which paint is for paint and image is a close second (oil on panel 5" x 7").

The second one might be a bit of channeling Grace as I think about our better angels of art or more graces (oil on artist's board, 12" x 12").

I'm gonna keep asking you, kindly and with gentle prodding (sans burs), to seek out women artists, support them, talk about them, examine their process and dig a bit into the weeds once in awhile. And, those guys? Gotta love 'em. Gotta make 'em share the canvas...

Tucson Artist's Open Studio---Lovely Spring Day

2010-03-15T11:06:00.000-07:00

Thanks guys! I felt your support and presence throughout the weekend. And, when I grew tired, I'd take a moment to remember your comments, your fantastic artwork and I was energized. I felt part of a solid community. An extra bonus: We even have snow lingering on the mountains!

There was a good turn out and I was surprised. Tucson is really busy with art gallery openings, book festivals, sports events and a plethora of other fun things to do before it gets gawd-awful hot around here. So, it was great to see so many enthusiastic art tourists visit my studio, carefully and thoughtfully considering the work. We met some interesting, intelligent and artsy folk. I hope they'll come back again.

Here are some photos of the day. Again, I didn't want to blow anyone's cover (sometimes I think a lot of Tucsonans are in the witness protection program and don't want to be photographed). Just kidding. I don't even ask visitors because I feel it would be intrusive. Maybe I can talk the next group into allowing me to photograph their backs as they look at the paintings!

Hope you all had a good weekend full of paint, good friends and family.

Tucson Artists' Open Studios Tour--Let the Visits Begin

2010-03-11T21:03:00.000-08:00

The news around town is that there is a real "buzz" as the Tucson Artists' Open Studios Tour gears up for this Saturday and Sunday from 11 AM until 5 PM. I think that it's the increase in the collective heart rate of all the artists who are participating this weekend.

Dear artist bloggers: I sense your kind support, knowing that you will be here in spirit. Wouldn't it be great if we could have a group show?! I would love that. Let's dream together on this and see what comes.

I'm pretty excited about all of this because next week my college boy is coming home and he's having a birthday, too. So, I've got a mail art to share and a quick sketch I made from a screen capture as we webcam'd recently.

This mail art piece is a bit out of character (more sculptural, really). But, here's why. This Plexiglass, paper with grommet and 'o' rings enshrine a story I made up one day while Ell and I were resting after I had set up camp in the forest. Ell was six years old. I was old. So, I told him we had to rest in the tent until Daddy got there from work. I began to stare at the clouds as they rolled by over our tent. They seemed to be speaking. I told him the story of Little Proud Thundercloud (M. S. Esparza ©). It stuck as a family story and now it is in plexiglass. Of course, at the time we didn't know anything about Iceland, but I think that painting the cloud to resemble the country pleased my world traveler today. It's approximately 8" x 4", plexi over paper, with tarp grommet, washers and 'o' rings and glue.

And to all my visitors from far, far away (Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom)---

Peace to you all and thank you for visiting. I am honored when you visit and I hope you'll always feel welcomed here. I hope you'll feel comfortable to comment any time you want to.

In my dreams you all are here and we are laughing, sharing green tea and talking about life, art, good things to make a better world.

I'll try to take photos to share next week. Everyone, stay well, don't give up.

Tucson Artists' Open Studios Tour

2010-03-05T13:37:00.000-08:00

Sunset Ridgeline, 2010. 8x8 Oil on linen panel.
Sold

The Tucson Artists Open Studios Tour is just a mere and frantic eight days away.

There are two beautiful, gorgeous, exquisitely constructed canvases built by Deadwood Framing that invite me to paint large. They will have to wait until next week. But, until then...

I've got this 8" x 8", oil on artists' board, abstracted painting for today that is a bit of an extension of the kinds of landscapes I've been painting lately.

Until the next post, I hope you are living well, painting often, dreaming and walking with all beauty and excellence! I also wish all of you could stop by for some mesquite flour chocolate chip cookies and decaf green tea with prickly pear syrup and a nice chat.

Some funnies (to offset the seriousness of the last post):
Math joke

Signs you are an artist:

#14. "You chose to buy that new Russian Sable Number Six Round instead of a Big Mac, a Large Fry, a Milkshake, Dessert, and five gallons of gas."

#17. "When viewing a sunset, you think in terms of cadmium yellow (light hue), salmon and gold, a tinted teal mixed with gold for the water...."

#26. "You explain your deplorably bad housekeeping by saying, "It's a work-in-progress..."

And, one from me--True Story: Instead of fixing our leaky roof years ago, we bought an Ettan Press and set mixing bowls out to catch the rain.

Paint, Painter, Painted--Art, Artist, Alive

2010-02-26T15:38:00.001-08:00

When you are sad, paint.

When you are happy, paint.

When you need a calm and quiet place, paint.

When you are sick, draw.

Do these things even when you are somewhere in between. If you're not an artist, buy art and meditate on why it is so utterly healing for the moment of your gaze.

And, when the storm passes, smile that there is another day.

I'm sensing that we are all storm watchers, sky watchers, observers of the times and environment. It's just primal, isn't it? Things are still very, very tough here in Arizona (but, do you really have any idea?), and I imagine they are tough all over. Reminds me of an old poem, Dover Beach, by Matthew Arnold. But, being a bit quirky, my mind always goes next to Anthony Hecht's version and I laugh every time I read it.

Only one storm has passed, but there are others on the line. I'll try to paint them and you do the same because things are bad all over for someone.

This oil painting is: After the Storm (8" x 8", on artists' board).

Painting Mirrors the Hopeful Heart While the World Climbs into a Basket--Melinda 2010

Arizona Painting Brings Rain to Tucson

2010-02-20T15:59:00.000-08:00

Are we artists shamans, priestesses, seers? I started a painting a few days ago inspired by the clouds that were slowly coming and going across this immense Arizona sky. I was thinking about how clouds look different in different regions and remembered that Ell has already done some interesting research on this. At about 2:27, there is his observation about Arizona clouds versus Icelandic clouds. Yes, ours seem pretty cool, languishing for awhile, then moving on. They also have curled whisps that I've only seen here and in western New Mexico.

My approach was to paint from my reaction to the one huge cloud that hung over my street yesterday. I spent quite some time smearing and slap dashing on the panel. This morning the winds picked up and the rain descended like a response to paint, a dream of water to quench a thirst for connection.

Please don't wake me from this vivid dream...

This is Ah-Ree-Zoe-Nah Ski (Arizona Cloud, 8" x 8", oil on artists' board).

Just for fun, here is a photo of the animals enjoying the special day and a view of the rain from our living room. It's been a lot of fun seeing other artists' pets and environment.

Tucson Artists' Open Studios Coming Up

2010-02-15T08:55:00.000-08:00

It's only four weeks away until the Tucson Artists' Open Studios event, and the buzz of preparation quietly, yet doggedly begins. This artist is now completely plugged in: blog, website and Facebook. This is unsettling--in so many ways.

In the last week, I've been able to touch up a few paintings, paint the sides of others, set up my print rack and go through some of my favorite prints. Mr. Artyfice was kind enough to stabilize one work table. There's more to do.

Yesterday I finished reading Seven Days in the Art World, by Sarah Thornton. I recommend it. For many of you, it won't be shocking, but there are lots of insider goings-on of which we lowly artists are ignorant. Tucson seems to be light years away from it all. But, good art and devoted artists are still here in the Old Pueblo making marks.

Last August, I posted a painting called Almost Los Alamos (30" x 30", oil on canvas) that really started to bother me. I sought advice from Kathryn and Jana, and went back into it. I think this is much better now. My thanks to them both!

It might be that I'm wishing I were in Los Alamos today having a chat with my cousin about Little Boy and Fat Man and how well Oppenheimer played the dead guy in the community theater melodrama years ago. Right now, it seems like it would be a lot less stressful...

Sabino Canyon House and Sky

2010-02-09T17:09:00.000-08:00

Cold in the desert. Cold in the West. Cold in the East. Cold in the Middle. Let's all get together and knit an Icelandic sweater for the entire country, eh? I hear that there is another storm racing up to New England. My portion of the sweater will be cobalt blue and cadmium yellow medium. What are your colors?

This painting is one from last week. This is 36" x 36", oil on canvas. It has a little sister, which I'll post some other time. I'm getting ready for the next Tucson Artists' Open Studios coming up March 13th and 14th. Yikes. February is a short month. And, there is a storm heading our way in the desert too.

Don't you just love winter?!

"I wanted things that I couldn't at times articulate."
--Helen Frankenthaler

If you'd like to buy Sabino House and Sky, it is: $2000.

Grand Canyon, Small Scale

2010-02-02T12:05:00.000-08:00

Not to belabor the concept, but here is an 8" x 8" oil on panel of one famous peak in the Grand Canyon called, Isis Temple, that I painted last week. I wanted to paint a more contemporary iteration of the view. The photo from which I'm working was taken at the rim, next to the Bright Angel Trail.

Today is a glorious Tucson day, full of sunlight, warmth, and cool, gentle breezes. The Gem show is kicking off and the mood of the Old Pueblo is sound. We are also looking forward to...hang on to your barometers...more...rain. Our water barrels are full, but we'll take more! The desert really needs it.

I've also included a photo of a very strange, non-native succulent that blooms in our front yard this time of year. Does anyone know the name of it? Hint: It is native to Madagascar. I use to call Madagascar, antimacassar (bonus question: Does anyone know what an antimacassar is? If so, you. are. old. very old) Answer at end of post...

What's it like where you are today?
Be careful with your monitor as you flip it to read the following answer: ɐuɐıʇuoɯǝɹbıɐp ǝoɥɔuɐ1ɐʞ

Answer to bonus question: antimacassar
sold

Ten Thousand Hours, Ten Thousand Steps

2010-01-25T18:47:00.000-08:00

Okay, okay. I'm taking a break from the Grand Canyon painting and posting a different one that I made a few weeks ago while taking another break from the monster. It began as a plein air painting and then was finished in studio.

This little painting, 8" x 8", is of the ridge line of the Catalina mountains just north of Tucson. I'm glad to say that Catalina State Park is one that will remain open this year. There are approximately twelve others which will be closing. It is a tough time in old Arizona. However, next Saturday the radio show, Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor will be broadcasting live from Tucson. He promises to mention Tucson a lot and will probably tell some funny stories about the town. Maybe you will have time to live stream the show. We'll get to hear it at around 4 PM Tucson time.

Malcom Gladwell claims that it takes 10,000 hours of practice (among other things) to become really good at something and to be successful. And, we all know that 10, 000 steps each day can keep us healthy.

Repeating: 10,000...

My pedometer often says approximately 8700-9000 steps. Some days less. Hmm, but I'm sure I must be close to that hours thing. Wishing you many happy hours in front of the canvas! And, for inspiration to get moving, here's SamArtDog's link to a Love Project. Enjoy!

Buy this painting: $175 (Free U. S. shipping)

Grand Canyon Foreground Gesture

2010-01-19T17:41:00.000-08:00

Here's another snapshot of a portion of the Grand Canyon painting that I'm still working on. I know, I know. It appears that I've not finished this yet and that I'm rationing out photos of this monster. However, I do hope that seeing it in bits will add to the finished view and be more interesting to read when it's done.

I recently went to the Grand Canyon Association's Plein Air on the Rim website and watched a short video (podcast really) of last year's event. Whoa! How inspiring.

This area is on the left of the 4' x 6' painting. It was a challenge because it is such a huge expanse. Time to take out the 3" brushes. It's an almost slap-dash area and I think that made all the difference.

Monks' Quarters, Tumacacori Mission, Arizona

2010-01-13T09:05:00.000-08:00

Taking a short break from the Grand Canyon today. I've wanted to play with some images that I have from visiting the Mission at Tumacacori awhile back.

Tumacacori Mission was established by the Spanish Jesuit priest, Father Kino, in 1691. The day we were there, women from the local Tohono O'odham tribe were making sopapillas (deep fried tortillas, sprinkled with powdered sugar). We arrived late in the afternoon and were able to see a pretty nice sunset. I'm hoping to try painting the west side next.

This painting is 16" x 20" on a Blick artist's board. This is of the Monks' quarters just to the east side of the mission building. It has some buttressing in the front as it's a mud adobe structure compromised by water (hmmm. That sounds familiar). I wonder now if it's been closed due to the recent budget cuts...

Grand Canyon Meditation

2010-01-10T20:36:00.000-08:00

This segment of the Grand Canyon painting is showing more progress, I think. I'm starting to feel that this portion, this 2' x 2' section, might just be okay to leave alone for awhile. So, tomorrow I'll work on a different area.

Reminds me that I'm learning to meditate. Do any of you artists/bloggers meditate? I'm an absolute newbie and, of course, not good at it. But like the act of painting, I recognize the benefit and often feel a lot better after a session. I'm comforted by others who've written that they aren't great at meditating either, and that's par for the course. I guess I'm trying to calm that "monkey brain" that carries me off and leaves me distracted and sometimes a bit anxious.

I found Marsha Lucas, Ph.D. , a licensed psychologist and neuropsychologist and watched her video, downloaded the podcast and have found it helpful. She makes the process so easy!

Another thing that I learned to do is go to my 'happy place.' This is something anyone can do too. Sit comfortably and imagine a moment from your past in which you were filled with a quiet joy and happiness. Then, with eyes closed, hold that image in your mind and lightly tap, alternating left hand/right hand on your body (each thigh while sitting is the standard) for about 30 seconds. Go there in your head. At first, there's nothing, but with consistent practice, I've noticed a pleasant calm--like drinking a good cup of decaf green tea--like staring into the Grand Canyon. If you're as nervous about the world as I am, this may help.

Oh, and paint, paint, paint! That'll get you away from the news and ten billion thoughts!

The Power of a Mother's Voice

2010-01-05T19:17:00.000-08:00

The holidays are over, the blue moon wanes, sending its blue tones into my head. My college student has flown back to the blizzards of weather and semester's winds. I hear in my head Bob Dylan's song (sung by Susan+Tedeschi), Lord Protect My Child:
"For his age, he's wise
He's got his mother's eyes
There's gladness in his heart
He's young and he's wild
My only prayer is, if I can't be there,
Lord, protect my child"

I'm taking a moment in this new year to consider the power of a mother's voice. When Ell was just a baby and I was still carrying him in a snuggly, I used to dance and sing with him to Tracy Chapman's, All That You Have is Your Soul. Do you guys remember that song?

"Don't be tempted by the shiny apple
Don't you eat of the bitter fruit
Hunger only for a taste of justice
Hunger only for a world of truth
'Cause all that you have is your soul"

Waxing nostalgic this evening, I thought it might be interesting to post the advice mail art that I sent the youngin' a couple of months ago. We'd had a discussion about how my voice is in his head. He reminded me that my voice, forever etched in his mind and heart, is so strong, that I don't need to be emphatic anymore. I could whisper and his whole being would respond. Whoa, eh? Sometimes that means, "If it's not one thing, it's your mother." (Robin Williams, I believe)

This mail art piece was a huge challenge for me. It has a printout of some advice I've given, with windows cut out from a photo I took of the Doubletree Hotel. We see this hotel whenever we're outside. I thought, like rooms, a mother's words are stored for instant recall (for good or ill). We can visit the good words by opening the windows. Some of my advice was: Look up at the sky. Don't look up as the birds fly over. More willing, less willful. Floss often, wash hands more often. Ask for a hug. Use a splash of bleach in your laundry. Don't mix bleach with other chemicals. All that you have is your soul. Never iron naked. Sometimes struggle only tightens the ropes we seek to break. Stare at the ceiling for ten minutes or more. "Some know the price of everything, but the value of nothing"--you're not one of those. So, call your mother. There are 64 sayings that he can see by peeling back the paper windows, a bit like those advent calendars one sees during the holidays.

I wrote:
Here, dear Ell, is what's already in your head. Like a hotel with 64 rooms, you have compartments, boxes if you will, in which data, decorated with the minutiae of pragmatic living, furnished with emotions of joy, wisdom, trust, self help and love collected and stored for a time--until it's time to add or subtract more useful aphorisms. Yet some, the deepest and most true, stay always at the ready like your mother's voice, powerful, structural like the girders of architecture that make up each room--contained--a vivid history there. Love, ma (M. S. Esparza ©)

"But really, when you come right down to it, there are only four basic prayers. Gimme! Thanks! Oops! and Wow!" --Rabbi Marc Gellman

I hope what you hear in your head are your own best, kindest, wisest, most loving words. If there are cruel ones, let's throw them out now. This year deserves a good start.

In a Blue Moon, In a New Year

2009-12-31T20:02:00.000-08:00

From my home to yours, may you have a happy, happy new year. I'll be looking through eyes of admiration and wonder at all of the stunning work you make in the coming year, learning all I can from each of you, hoping to keep up.

Be well. Be strong.

Grand Canyon, Grand Year, Grand Hopes

2009-12-30T15:26:00.000-08:00

From my point of reference today, a thought: When looking toward the future and what it may bring, try, try, try to remember how much you've survived, how much you've overcome and how strong and confident it has made you. Let the year that has been, and your dreams for the next year, be filled with child-like joy and anticipation--while not losing any of your hard earned wisdom! The best of both worlds, yes?

The sky is gray now, cloudy and cool. It's wonderful for sun bleached eyes needing a shady day. It feels like sunset at 4 PM. Lovely. It feels like a year ending.

Here is another segment of the Grand Canyon painting from my work this afternoon. This is about 2 1/2' x 1 1/2' in the upper right quadrant. I can't tell you how therapeutic it is to paint this. But, I'll guess that as you ponder nature with all of its specific beauty (in your region and mine), you are often delighted when given the chance to wander or gaze unmolested by the trappings of cities and culture. Ah.

Best wishes for a better new year wherever you are, whatever your circumstance. I don't make resolutions, but I do hope to continue to paint often. You, dear fellow artist bloggers, keep me sane, disciplined and optimistic!

Stepping Back from the Abyss: Grand Canyon Painting

2009-12-14T12:23:00.000-08:00

The holidays are always freighted with conflicting emotions, new resolves, past remembrances--good and not so good, don't you think? It must seem as though time is flying by as we all think about the end of the year and our interest in the future. Sometimes it all looks like an abyss into which our lives fall until the new year. Well, here I am thinking about all of that and offering up a more pleasant abyss, from the edge--a safe place.

This section of the monster is in the center of the painting. As you can see, I'm still traveling its depths, navigating the scenery and making it into paint. This segment is probably about 2' x 4'.

Hope you're all warm and well as you attempt to stay above the fray!

From the Forest: Some Trees, Some Rain, a Few Square Feet

2009-12-07T11:53:00.000-08:00

Chapter three of, Monsters and Grand Spaces of Paint.

I realized that one of the things that happens when painting large is that when you rest for the day, it may not look as though you've painted much. But, when looking at the square footage of painted area it turns out to be significant and acceptable for the day. Have you had this experience?

It really has been a brain tickling journey as I paint up close, get lost, step back and see that it's okay after all, or, step back and see that more layers are needed. I keep thinking that I'll be done with this canvas soon, but now, no sé.

From the forest...I see some trees.

And, the Tucson area is about to get a ginormous storm tonight with high winds, snow on the mountains and rain. Wow. We're not used to all of this cold weather, but we're loving the opportunity to wear Icelandic wool sweaters today.

The Monster is Back Plus Rain, Rain, Beautiful Rain

2009-11-29T20:06:00.000-08:00

We opened the water harvesting barrels yesterday in eager anticipation of rain, glorious rain, and sure enough, in the middle of night, thunder and mud soaking rain! I hear Ladysmith Black Mambazo singing, Rain, Rain Beautiful Rain!

Late this afternoon, I finished another mailart piece and began painting on the monster painting of the Grand Canyon (a link back to an earlier post) that has been lingering and nagging me for a year. Funny thing, I read a really good article about traveling and hiking in the Grand Canyon in the NY Times this morning. I took that as a broad hint to get in there and work. Here is a view of it from afar. Then the close up follows.

How many artists out there have hiked the Grand Canyon? I've only visited the rim. The Grand Canyon is beyond spectacular when it's snowing.

Mailart #7: The Health Issue

2009-11-23T12:10:00.000-08:00

What do you say to a young, "immortal" twenty-something who has lived a healthy life, not knowing age or illness? Oh, I hear you and I do. I tell him to take at least 2000 IUs of Vitamin D3, eat the prickly pear fruit and mesquite flour I sent him, take the multi-vitamins, drink some tea, get as much sleep as possible, etc., etc..

Today, I've got a mailart piece that I made for my college boy last March. I know. The American love affair with the car is over. Yet, I don't have a new lexicon from which I can make an allegory or metaphor for the preciousness our bodies hold and the ever changing medical information and issues that currently face us. So, I chose the image of one of the fastest cars made and the image of a dashboard to convey my motherly hope for my son's good health, both physical and psychological. Tucked into the "glove box" are 4th grade notes his classmates wrote years ago.

This piece does have some naughty words, in German, that were fun to include. Just a note of warning because mom's don't approve of such things on a regular basis.

The message: I am like a Mercedes-Benz I am like an SLR McLaren I am like a Mercedes-Benz I am like an SLR McLaren I will be careful with fuel...I like to be fine-tuned I am like an SLR McLaren I am liking proper maintenance...

Racing toward 20 !!

If a year were a mile
You wouldn't want to rush to/at
20 miles an hour, kmh

You'd want to walk
Slowly
As much as possible
Looking, tasting, enjoying
Every step

Tacking, west-toward
a quarter of a century
Racing up that way

Shift down
Cruise Control
Double clutch

Once in awhile

Drawn from mile to mile
Walk:
With Beauty

Draw: Smudge lines
Line the path*
There are arrows

Everywhere to direct you
Erase where necessary

Ask yourself:
What memories will fill
my odometer?
What kind of tread will
I burn...and/or
bridges too?

Love, mom
© M. S. Esparza

A few of the polite,funny German auto terms I found:
INDICATORS Die Blinkenleiten Tickentocken
CLUTCH Die Kuplink mit achlippen und schaken
PUNCTURE Die Phlatt mit Bludymucken
FUEL GAUGE Der Walletemptyung Meter
TRAFFIC JAM Die Bluddinmuckin Dammundblast
BACKFIRE Der Lowdenbangermekkenjumpen

Tucson Open Studio Tour, Perfect Weather, Perfect Days

2009-11-16T11:34:00.000-08:00

The Tucson Open Studio Tour was a resounding success! The weather was cool to warm--flawless really. In so many ways, on so many levels, this event added good mortar to the bricks already lain, building this art sanctuary. It has solidified my commitment to the process.

Many thanks to everyone who visited! I'm remembering you today: The nice couple who bought the first painting. The artists who are on the path back to art making--seeing that they can start again. The woman dynamo and her thoughtful husband, who offered good advice about art marketing and who bought the largest painting. The kind strangers who came here after seeing my work in the 801 Gallery and the TPAC calendar and, finally, the ONLY art supply store in town (!), and one of the sponsors of the event, Sarnoff Art Supplies.

Then there are those art patrons who have stood by me, never wavering in their straight-forward, level headed support. Kirk--who can draw and paint circles around me. Linda--who is currently working on her second masterpiece as she raises another brilliant and good hearted boy. Nathanael--who is art walking, with quiet confidence and a gentle heart. Didn't we have fun?!!

A special thanks to you, my fellow art bloggers, whose presence I felt all weekend: Kathryn (whose Caran D'Ache made an appearance to inspire yet another artist), Barbara Muir (whose friendship and presentation advice have been priceless), Karen (whose discipline, encouragement and work keep me grounded), Silvina (whose wit and wisdom are matchless) and Linny D. Vine(whose work and kindness inspire me to dream).

And, well, that Mr. Artyfice out-did himself--My fellow artist and companion who kindly called me "Melindiva," and who raced around making sure I had cards, postcards, signs, food...and, on...and on...and--while I shouted "Brush!" All this he did with two broken fingers on the mend and very little sleep.

Now for a little chat with that falcon...