I'm going to summarize the rest of our marathon here. Sue Modrak and I had a great time. I failed to get a photo of the painting Sue did when I painted the trees that she took with her. If you recall, I was using my iPhone as my camera was broken.
Anyway, we went on the road toward Hidden Lake and found a valley with great views. I managed to arrive there without the support part of my easel. I couldn't find it anywhere and then forgot about it until we arrived. I could have taken my second easel, right? I found it later at the house. I had left the board from the previous day attached and sat it on the window sill so it was "hidden" behind the board. I think we managed to have all our other gear.
I taped my foamcore board to my tripod and it worked very well. We painted in the sun which tends to make a painting darker when you bring it back inside. I was satisfied with my painting in that regard. I did not like the foreground so I wiped it off and finished it here at home a few days later.
This is Sue's painting with a couple of horses down by the water. I really like her saturated colors and a bit of an abstract style. She put in a fence without closing off the entrance into the painting. Artists forget that sometimes and paint the fence they see right across the foreground and that closes off entry into the painting, like closing the door!
My finished painting of the Pump House on a quarter of a sheet of U-Art 400 grit sanded paper. This is my favorite of the paintings we did. I used the marshy area looking off the porch to paint the bottom as it was basically the same. Does that mean it is still a plein air panting? Ha.
Gene's sister, Virginia, was here so we went to Red River to have dinner at Texas Red's, http://www.texasreds.com/, a tradition in this area. It is always good and has a nice old time mountain feeling. Red River is a nearly 2,000 feet higher than Angel Fire. Very pretty and more touristy with more shopping and restaurants than Angel Fire. It is a pretty drive, too.
Mike Addington performing at Texas Red's. Great original music.
The street out front of Texas Red's in Red River, NM.
Looking west from Texas Red's.
Day 4 found us painting just past the Vietnam Memorial on the side of the hill with water, trees and valleys far and wide below us.
I didn't get a photo of this painting, but did get this of Sue painting it! We had a bit of shade from one of the big pine trees.
This was the painting I did. I traded it to Sue for the house painting she did on Day 1. It is about 10 x 10 inches on Colourfix sanded paper, Sue's Trees.
View from that area. We had beautiful painting days with some rain in the evenings. We took lots of reference photos and enjoyed being out and about which goes with our painting expeditions.
Sue being a photographer and a couple of our reference photos.
Day 5. Then, all to quickly, our marathon was over. It was time to take Sue to Albuquerque to catch her flight back to Michigan. We took the backroads through Peñasco, Las Trampas, Truchas and had lunch at Rancho de Chimayo, another tradition.
Another plein air painter in Peñasco.
Sue in Las Trampas.
Adding some new art along the highway.
Sue, Gene and me (Jo) at the restaurant in Chimayo. One of my favorite eateries.
On the way back to Angel Fire, the Rio Grande Gorge just before arriving in Taos.
Look back at our marathon here and put Sue Modrak in my search at the upper left of the blog to see prior years and times we have been together. Sue left here and went to three paint outs in a couple of weeks in Michigan. I bet she is worn out! It takes a lot of energy to paint outside and lots of brain energy to paint period. I am always exhausted after our get togethers. I wouldn't miss them for the world, though. I did paint one painting since Sue left. I need to get with it!
8 comments:
I have stood in many of those same places and taken those same photos. NM does have the views!
I like your paintings, especially the Pump House. Your little pond is great. I don't do water very well and am easily impressed.
Bag Blog, hi and thanks. Maybe we should find some water and paint some when you are here? Sounds like a plan.
Gonna make me work hard?
Bag Blog, I can't be too hard on you 'cause then I would have to work hard, too!
Looks like you had a great marathon with your friend. Love the paintings. The restaurant in Chimayo looks familiar. I think Jerry and I ate there once.
Joan, thanks. I bet you did eat there. It is so popular and near the Sanctuary of Chimayo. We will go again and stay there when we leave here.
Mike Addington is the guy on the right!
Mike Addington was a great performer/song writer. He is a big draw for Red River this weekend. They are having Hot Chili Days and Cool Mountain Night.
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