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

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 in 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.

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...