Tucson Artist Melinda: Out of the Darkness

Abiquiu Ancestor (30" x 30," oil on canvas © Melinda Esparza)

There are some things we cannot rush. We must wait, and, sometimes, walk several paths until we find the best road. I felt that last year when I stood on Forest Road 151, north of Abiquiu, NM. And, I felt that a couple of weekends ago when we drove up to Phoenix to adopt our new dog, Zorro.

El Zorro and Diego November 2012

Going deeper: I just read James Shepard's recent article in the Williams College Magazine, and think you might find it as eloquent and deeply reassuring as I did.

"Imagine you come across a little girl in a sandbox, and you ask her what she's building. If she says she doesn't know, you don't answer, "Well, then, get out of the sandbox." If she says she's building a castle, you don't answer, "Oh, there's an original idea. Nobody ever built a castle before. Think your castle's going to be any different than anybody else's?

If that little girl has poise, she might respond, "I don't know. I haven't built it yet."

Isn't this what many artists hear (especially women artists)? Isn't this something we say to ourselves in many different ways, including in secret? May you add poise to the conversation!

I encourage you to go read the rest of his article, and check out the link to his name.

This painting and I have wrestled for a few months (no deep cuts, just a small scratch or two for me), and I might have finished it today, and won.

Where are you on your path? A good dog or two can help you walk it...

Tucson Artist, Melinda, Thanks Everyone Who Stopped By!

Here it is Friday, and I'm just now feeling like I've recovered from last weekend's open studio tour. It was a blast.

We had a music jam, lots of laughter and chatting, and some treats. But most of all, we had intelligent, witty, kindhearted visitors. It was so very wonderful to see everyone. Oh, yeah, and I did this quick painting on Saturday. It's not done, but Mr. Arty Fice made a time lapse of the process:

Thank you!

I did sell four paintings!

Winter Dark

Winter Dark © Melinda Esparza

New Mexico Hill and Junipers

New Mexico Hill and Junipers © Melinda Esparza

 Sun Fell, Sky Followed

Sky Fell, Sun Followed © Melinda Esparza

 Redwall Canyon

Redwall Canyon © Melinda Esparza

Thank you, dear artist bloggers who keep me committed to the work. Wish you all could stop in sometime! More soon...

2012 Fall Open Studio Tour: Artist Melinda Dreams

Ghost Ranch Mesa (oil on canvas 30" x 30" © Melinda Esparza)

The 2012 Fall Open Studio Tour is only a few days away. And, the preview exhibit of artists' works is currently up at the Jewish Community Center until this Thursday evening's reception from 5:30 pm 'til 7:30 pm.

I noticed that there is an article in the Zocalo magazine on the open studio tour. It's nicely written and I even got a blurb in it. I thought C. J. Shane did a good job writing about the event.

We Tucsonans get so excited when the weather cools to a balmy 90 degrees. We just want to dance! Here are The Missing Parts playing at a farmers market while a cutie-pie leads them.

Some of my favorite paintings are available for this open studio event. Some are no longer up--sold, or gone to the woodshed.

Here are a few that haven't been seen for awhile:

Little Mighty Vole Hunts Prickly Pear (oil on panel © Melinda Esparza)

Windy Point, And I Do Have One (oil on artists' board © Melinda Esparza)

Winter Dark (oil on artists' board © Melinda Esparza)
SOLD
 

I do hope you'll stop by and share the day with me. I might even pull out some paints and smear them on something. How 'bout that?

Wishing you all a very safe week ahead. My thoughts, along with yours, toward a speedy recovery for all those struggling with weather back East. 

2012 Fall Open Studio Tour: Artist Melinda Esparza

Yes. Getting ready for the 2012 fall open studio tour here in Tucson, AZ.

Painting First Wall Oct. 2012

Can you tell that this is the scale on which I'd prefer to paint? We're starting to paint the house and this image was the first thing that caught my eye as I began. Wish I had canvas and space for it.

A week ago, I started the following painting and turned it around for a day to let it 'breathe.' When I turned it back to work on it (and each time I did after that), my dog, Diego (yeah, after THAT Diego), studied it carefully and then hurriedly left the room. Whaa?! Each time I turned it so he could see it, he would get up and walk away. Now howz that for silent criticism? Diego, the art critic. He also doesn't approve if I turn up my music...but I do it anyway.

So, today I went back into the painting and he didn't seem upset at all. Maybe it's done.

Light Descendant--Maricopa Point (30" x 30," oil on canvas © Melinda Esparza)

Circular thinking ahead:

Our library offers e-books now. I've gone nuts for checking out books to read on my tablet and reserving them online. One that I've started reading recently is The Seven Daughters of Eve, by Bryan Sykes (Genes are not watered down, but expressed for millenia.)

This, of course, got me to thinking about genealogy. Taking a break from painting, I watched a PBS special on the Modoc War. A brave Modoc woman, an interpreter/mediator, saved the life of Alfred Meacham (Superintendent of Indian Affairs for Oregon, 1869) and tried to keep peace during negotiations with the Government in the 1870s to no avail. She was later sent to Oklahoma, and while there, Meacham gave her the name, Winemah, The Woman Chief.

This reminded me of my grandmother (born in Sasakwa, OK in 1904) who also shared the name, but spelled, Wynema. I've always wondered the meaning of my grandmother's name. In my research, she was named after a young cousin who had died as an infant in the late 1800s. I believe it is a Creek name. My family on her side descended from the Eastern Cherokee and possibly the Catawba, so the name may have been one that became popular as a result of all of the settling in Oklahoma.

Remembering my brave Wynema (c. 1912)

In the land, our ancestors dwell with us always, and we hold them in our hands as we honor their walk. I like the circle.

P. S. I probably should not ever consider becoming a house painter. Just saying. But, it would be nice to see you at the 2012 Fall Open Studio Tour here in Tucson, AZ.

2012 Fall Open Studio Tour: Melinda Esparza

It's almost time again to have an Open Studio at Fuerte y Claro--my studio in the Old Pueblo. The dates to watch for are: November 10 & 11--only one month away! I hope you'll consider stopping by.

Almost Party Time.

Here's an 8" x 8," oil on artists' board, that I painted yesterday.

Icing on the Cake (8" x 8," oil on artists' board © Melinda Esparza)

I'm still reading bits of The War of Art (Steven Pressfield) and it can be brutal. I hope if you decide to check it out, you don't blame me if you need an aspirin after a day's reading. But, I can't look away. It challenges this artist to be disciplined, to show up, do the work--just like everyone else must do.

And, my arms are nearly recovered from the strain of holding and reading Modern Women: Women Artists at The Museum of Modern Art, Edited by Cornelia Butler, Alexandra Schwartz. Introductions by Cornelia Butler, Griselda Pollock, Aruna D'Souza. The book is about three inches thick and must weigh at least five pounds! I'm impressed. Now, who knew there were so many women artists, eh? (snark attack)

Wishing you all a fabulously productive (or, relaxing) weekend!

Artist Melinda: Conquering the Monster and Lesser Beasts

Down from the mountain top and back into the studio. Hmm. It was a rough transition, but paint is on the road and the colors are good.

What have I been up to? Well, you can tell from the title of this post that I've been wrestling the Monster (the Grand Canyon painting from so many moons ago). I think it might be done. What do you think? Should I keep slathering paint on it, or is this okay?

Sunrise Grand Canyon (Oil on Canvas, 5 feet by 4 feet, © Melinda Esparza)

This is a bit of a departure from the direction I've been heading. I've often asked myself why I have worked on this painting since 2004. Some of it has been to maintain technical skill. Some of my attachment is all about the land. I wish I could live there. I am still processing the 25 days I spent as a Grand Canyon Artist-in-Residence this summer.

I've had the privilege of talking about art with several women artists lately. Each of them are so full of talent and passion. It reminds me of a discussion on NPR (Are Men Finished). Well, of course, they aren't...They've just gotta scootch over a bit.

Really, though, the battle is within us now. If you get a chance to read, The War of Art, by Steven Pressfield, let me know. We'll have a good laugh together as we nod and cringe at the truth of it. Here's an excerpt written by the author's good friend (the link should go there, too):

"Some years ago I was as blocked as a Calcutta sewer, so what did I do? I decided to try on all my clothes. To show just how anal I can get, I put on every shirt, pair of pants, sweater, jacket, and sock, sorting them into piles: spring, summer, fall, winter, Salvation Army. Then I tried them on all over again, this time parsing them into spring casual, spring formal, summer casual...Two days of this and I thought I was going mad. Want to know how to cure writer's block?" (and painter's block, too--mse) "It's not a trip to your psychiatrist. For as Pressfield wisely points out, seeking "support" is Resistance at its most seductive. No, the cure is found in Book Two: "Turning Pro."--Foreword by Robert McKee

Yes, Resistance. I've been there in the past, and tried on the clothes to prove it. Now, I passionately do believe that some support is incredibly beneficially, especially when it comes from other women who are working through their approaches to art.

So, what the heck have I been doing? I have:

Learned to play a Stevie Ray Vaughn song (Life by the Drop), 'cause playing 'Sparky' is a great way to procrastinate, I mean, ahem, contemplate painterly things.

Started painting a bathroom cabinet for fun.

Spent lots of time training Diego to do fun dog obedience stuff (warning: loud background music). Someday he'll be able to do this, I just know it.

Got new, way cool glasses.

Finished reading, Wild, by Cheryl Strayed. Wow.

Did NOT try on my entire wardrobe. Nope. Not once.

Thank you for being out there. I'll try to get back here more often. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I'll be looking for you!

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.

Hail! Snow! Tucson Artist, Melinda, Remembers Another Snowy Day in Arizona

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

I've heard that things are pretty warm back East. Isn't that something? The wind came to Tucson, bringing clouds El Gigante, followed by hail and a few flakes of snowy stuff. It was grand.

It'll prolly be hot as heck next week, but right now, it's so wonderful to walk in the brisk, cool air wearing gloves and a scarf.

Even though I was distracted by this wondrous weather, I did manage to paint. This, Abiquiu Ancestors (Forest Road 154, Abiquiu, NM), might be done--might be--not quite sure. The painting at the top is of Sabino Canyon on a snowy day.

Abiquiu Ancestors Oil on Canvas 30" x 30" © 2012 Melinda S. Esparza

Oh, how the desert sparkles when it snows!

Tucson Open Studio Tour 2011

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 the work in Tucson. I wish all of you 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 already there.

The ANTs Disappeared and PAINT Made a Mesa

Ghost Ranch Mesa 30" x 30," on oil cradled 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.

The Easel. The Best Taboret. More New Mexico Painting

Cerro Pedernal #1 Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza Today, hiding out in my Tucson cave, otherwise known as 'The Strawbale Studio,' 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

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. Appalled that I had made such a mistake. Freaked out 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 one hundred happy bikers listening to ZZ Top, as we ate French 'Ready to Eat' meals at the Pecos River Station. Made it to Santa Fe. We saw antique and vintage cars. One was a Ford 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 in gratitude. 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, but, 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 Abiquiu Image © 2011 Melinda S. Esparza Sixth day: All better 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 beautiful 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. 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. What's with all of the water stuff?! 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 it, and not to be trifled with.

Embracing the Time Out--Looking Through the Glass Brightly

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?

Tucson Artist, Melinda, and the Quick Plein Air Study

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. It 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.

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.