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.
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. 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 you just hope 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 Northeast, 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 neocolours 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 sit this one out.
Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza
Image © 2010 Melinda S. Esparza
However, we had a great turnout at the open studio tour. 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. 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 to have more developed work soon.
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.
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 and to share it with my artist blogger buddies who cannot attend, but will be here in spirit--and for 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. 
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!
This is a Caran D'ache (Neocolour) 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.
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 paper.
Hope you're all having a great week and working in the studio!
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 their studios, 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 flour tossed as 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.
Daydream Sabino (8" x 8," oil on artists' board)
Catalina Palimpsest (5" x 7," oil on artists' board)
Hope you are all having a great weekend, painting away, dreaming of beautiful fall days.
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, I think of 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 GarcÃa 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," on artists' 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.
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 a '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!
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 sick 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.
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.
(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...
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?
Left brain response: That's a really ugly painting!
Don't let your left brain drive the painting. Your heart knows the paint a lot better. 
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. 
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.
Speaking of family, my son, Ell, reached a landmark age this year which, of course, got me thinking and planning another mailart 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 in which we have no say.
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 mailart 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.
