Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Artist Melinda: Coming Out of the Storm, Painting New Mexico

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

If I told you, you would not believe it. So, I'll let the non-weather-storms-of-life story go for now. I know you've had them. I know you shake your heads in amazement when waves of discord, like invisible psychic sunspots, affect all of your mental circuits.

And then, here you are, back again: working, painting, laughing at funny things.

This painting, Blue Pedernal, was painted mid-storm. I am smiling. Actually, I've laughed this morning until tears welled up. Go here, Hyperbole and a Half, to do the same.

May you ride out any storms with a paintbrush in hand.

10 comments:

Donald Didddams said...

Glad the storm is passing, but if this (Pedernal One) is what it left in it's wake, there surely was a silver lining! I absolutely love how the mountain colors vibrate!
And Hyperbole and a Half was a great laugh. Thanks!

Melinda said...

Thank you, Don! Yes, we can create our own silver linings right in the middle of tough times. Glad you like it.

Oh, yeah, Hyperbole and a Half is way over the top funny!

Edgar said...

This is great work, Melinda. I'm really taken with the deft range of values in the dark area and the nice temperature changes going on in the foreground. And, of course, your palette is just like dessert after a gourmet meal.

It's so hard to keep working when life is kicking you in the ass, but you show that mastering your craft is still mastery, ass-kicking-going-on or not.

Myself, when life is kicking me in the ass, I pretty much stay home for a couple of days, whining for comfort and crying like a baby, while my co-workers speculate on how I must be malingering. :-/

Barbara Muir said...

Wow Melinda,

This is outstanding! I'm sorry you had to live through any kind of storm, and find the pain chart especially funny because we spent the day in the hospital Friday. Steven is more stoic than I'd ever be and didn't even scream when the hurse putting the needle in for the IV went right through his vein and made him bleed rather badly. In fact that nurse was so sweet, kind and attentive that we both loved her and wanted to adopt her by the end of the day. All is somewhat well. That storm is almost in the past. Your painting is a joyous, delicious painterly gift. You make me happy.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoBarbara

Melinda said...

Thank you, Edgar. I really appreciate your perspective. You always have thoughtful comments.

Now, I think that you have a great work ethic. So, those co-workers must be teasing you. Maybe they're telling you something about themselves...

You know, when I paint, there isn't much going on in the left side of my brain--at least not until the end when I step back.

Melinda said...

Oh, Barbara! I'm so sorry to hear about Steven's ordeal on Friday. Youch! That is really bad. I'm glad that the nurse was a nice person, though.

Hope all is better now and everyone is doing alright. Yes, that pain chart is hilarious.

Thank you, too, for such a nice comment. I'm glad that I can brighten your day a bit.

Virtual hugs to you and yours.

Anonymous said...

A stunner, Melinda!!

-- Nancy

Melinda said...

Hugs to you, Nancy!! Thank you very much.

Jeane Myers said...

welcome back from the other side - this is just a gorgeous painting, so much energy and so much to say!!! glad you are back, xo

Melinda said...

Thank you, Jeane! I'm glad you're back too. This was way too much fun to paint. Wish I could do this every other day, at least.

Virtual hugs to you.