Challenge 13: Roses from the garden

                                                                   
                                                                       

                                                             Roses from the Garden

                                                       Oil Painting on Canvas 12x9

                                                                Available Here

The roses are from my garden . The yellow ones are Peace roses and pink ones I'm not sure but they are pretty. The mug I bought at an antique store. It is fairly tall and handy as a vase for flowers.



Day 12: Red Gladiolas

                                                                     "Red Gladiolas"

                                                               Oil Painting on Canvas Panel

                                                                            16x8

                                                                         Available Here


I have red gladiolas along with yellow gladiolas. In fact there is a wide array of  colors in the flower garden.

Challenge Day 11" Yellow gladiolas

                                                                 "Yellow Gladiolas"
         
                                                       Oil Painting on Canvas "16x8"

                                                                  Available Here

Meanwhile back to the flower garden the yellow gladiolas are beautiful this year. And thank you for viewing my blog.

Challenge Day 10: Farmers market

                                                                   "Farmer's Market"

                                                       Oil Painting on Canvas Panel "6x8"

                                                                     Available  Here


Farmer markets have become a regular venue in every city and town in NM as well as the country. Fresh bread and produce, arts and crafts, and musicians are a staple for these markets. Markets are on Saturday mornings usually which is nice to stock up for weekend with goodies.

Challenge Day 9 : Blue Pipe

                                                                     "Blue Pipe"

                                                          Oil Painting on Canvas "12x24"

                                                                     Available Here

On a farm work is never done, much like housework, and there is always something that requires maintenance or improvement. Like much of the Southwest, we are experiencing a significant drought in the Sacramento Mountains. Not knowing how much water is left or when the drought will end necessitates responsible and efficient use of that finite and essential resource of water. In order maintain the health and growth of our orchard we have steadily transitioned to modern and efficient irrigation systems. The scene depicted in the painting is our work truck staged with the new irrigation pipe waiting to be installed.  As I stated earlier work on the farm is never done and every time you set out to accomplish a task you first spend a day repairing tools and equipment so that you can start the task and then finish it.  The truck depicted in the painting is a workhorse, but it certainly demands attention to keep it working. I'm not sure what it is about our dogs, but they all seem to possess a bit of destructive nature. You may have already read the story of Whiskey, the flower destroying dog, but if not, it can be found  here.  In the past year we have had to completely replace  the electrical systems of two of our farm trucks.  The culprit of the damage is, none other than our Blue Heeler Cattledog, Moe.  An almost obsessive compulsive affliction takes over Moe when in pursuit of squirrels, such that when squirrels have taken refuge in the undercarriages of vehicles, Moe after having waited patiently for hours,proceeds to tear out electrical systems and essentially attempts to dismantle the vehicle around the squirrel. My husband, loves Moe, however, he has not been amused by Moe's antics, but I hope that you are and that when you look at this painting you can imagine Moe waiting under the truck patiently for a squirrel to depart its hiding spot.



                                Moe, squirrel hunter extraordinaire and dismantler of vehicles

Challenge Day 8 Erma's garden

                                                                   "Erma's Garden"

                                                        Oil Painting on Canvas Panel "8x16"

                                                                     Available Here

      The scene in today's painting is a familiar one to the residents of La Luz, NM.  Depicted in the painting is the residence belonging to members of the Garcia family. The Garcias have been part of La Luz as long as anyone can remember and are a central element of the fabric that makes up the  tiny village.  The wall and gate are situated on the opposite side of the road from the historic Our Lady of the Light Catholic Church.  I titled the painting "Erma's Garden", because the behind the wall, longtime La Luz resident, Erma Garcia, maintained a beautiful garden.  Behind the walls also grew massive old  cottonwood trees. At some point around 10 - 15 years ago lightning struck one of the cottonwoods breaking a good portion of the tree apart.  From the remnants members of the Garcia family carved the beautiful crosses that you see in the painting. Beyond the wall is an abundance of beauty to include the old dead cottonwood trunks with crosses carved on top of them, a large cottonwood limb laying across the field reminds me of a Diego Rivera, Banana Tree painting, and there is also a massive rose garden with a wondrous variety of colors. I drive by this wall and gate at least a few times a week, if not daily, and the rustic southwestern beauty of the scene always,  without fail, brings joy to me and appreciation for the natural beauty of the world and all that we can do with it.  The crosses that were born out of the dead cottonwood trees, in the aftermath of the devastating thunderstorm, have powerful symbology, that I fear may be taken for granted because I know I catch myself doing it.  Whether it's the resurrection of Jesus Christ or the rising of a Phoenix, the crosses eloquently demonstrate that there is life, beauty, and hope, always present in the aftermath of great destruction and death. I hope you enjoy the beauty and symbolism of this scene as much as I do.

Challenge Day 7:Gladiolas with pitcher

 

"Gladiolas With Pitcher"

Oil on Linen Panel "8x16"

Available Here

    The gladiolas in this painting are the ones pictured on Day Four's Post in the picture of the infamous canine, Whiskey.  Thankfully these flowers averted the flower hating rage of Whiskey and I was able to use them for the subject of this painting.  You may have noticed by now that some of my favorite items to paint are brightly colored flowers and objects from the past. The pitcher featured in this work is Frankoma Pottery.  Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle are famous for the distinctive red dirt that makes up the Earth of that region.  Frankoma Pottery has as it's base element, that very red dirt that is the soul of Oklahoma. The company actively produced its pottery line for much of the 20th Century but has regrettably fallen on hard times the last few decades.  I love the unique style and distinctive color produced by the soil of Oklahoma. My Mother and my husband's, Aunt Lucille "Tootsie" had several pieces of Frankoma Pottery that they collected over the years. The particular pottery in the painting belonged to Tootsie, who was very much and icon of the Sacramento Mountains and even received a female pioneer award for her contributions to the region. To read more about her life click here. Lucille loved to garden and grow beautiful flowers like the gladiolas in this work. In many ways this painting is a simple tribute to her.