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

First blooms in my yard © 2012 Melinda S. Esparza

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

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

Studio view © 2012 Melinda S. Esparza

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy Thanksgiving

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.

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

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.

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

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

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!