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Where Woody's Watercolors Are Entered or on Exhibit in 2013 To see watercolors created by my friends in Taos every June CLICK HERE click on any photo with a blue border for a larger image |
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| ......................................................... | ........................................................................................................................................................ Remember - Click on Any Image Outlined in Blue to View a Larger Version ... |
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| Just a Rose (2/29): I was unhappy with the rose I started on a gessoed board - So, I'm doing it over on "paper" no gesso this time.  "Just a Rose" on Paper ... |
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| Jayhawk Myth in Bronze & Snow (2/27): In Lawrence, Kansas, in front of Strong Hall on the University of Kansas campus, there sits a 600-pound bronze sculpture that has been displayed on campus since 1958 and has been in its current location since 1975. This bronze, created by sculptor Elden Tefft, is ostensibly of that mythical flying creature (and KU mascot), the Jayhawk. The Myth: If ever a virgin shall graduate from the University of Kansas, the Great Bronze Jayhawk shall acquire the power of flight, and within a week shall leave its perch to wreak havoc on all states other than Kansas (where havoc is not to be tolerated).  Bronze Jayhawk / Strong Hall ... |
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| Watercolor USA 2013 (2/25): I just completed putting together my entries for Watercolor USA in Springfield, Missouri - It's a tough show to get into - Last year, I sent two of my best watercolors and they were both rejected - but, I'm stubborn - I just keep trying again and again.  ... |
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| Snow on Our Mountain: Back in Kansas, they are getting even more snow. I'm so glad to be at home in New Mexico. Yes, it snowed last night - there was a dusting in our yard but of course it melted quickly. My bride is disappointed that she had nothing to shovel. But, we can see the snow on our mountain (where it belongs).  Beauty, Seen From Our Backyard ... |
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| Ranchos Redo Finished (2/23): Here's my newest watercolor step by step - it's on a full sheet of gessoed hand made paper - matted and framed it is 36 x 28 inches - the texture on the church buttress is acrylic molding paste applied with a pallet knife before I began to paint - it's all transparent watercolor.  "Ranchos Redo" ... |
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 "Ranchos-Redo" |
Painting Today (2/22): This morning, I made more progress on re-painting a watercolor from 2001. I'm calling it "Ranchos-Redo". By tomorrow, I'll be able to add the dramatic shadows on the large adobe buttress. The original hangs in a friends home back in Kansas. No snow in our yard today - but, it's up on the mountain where it belongs
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Snow (2/21): This morning, I woke up to a normal Albuquerque snow fall. The temperature was 33 degrees at 6 am - the snow will be gone by 10 am so I shot a few photos. I hear Kansas City is going to get their snow later today.  Our Back Yard At 6:00 AM ... |
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New Mexico's Land  Pays For Education |
Start Education Early (2/18): President Obama urges increased Pre-K education for all - There is an effort to change the New Mexico constitution to do just that by increasing the funds withdrawn from The Land Grant Permanent Fund to fund pre-K education in our state. The Land Grant Permanent Fund (LGPF) is New Mexico's largest endowment and permanent fund. It was established through, and continues to be maintained in part by leasing fees the State charges for 13.4 million acres of mineral resources and 8.8 million acres of surface land. The State Investment Council manages day to day operations of the Land Grant Permanent Fund, including investments and distributions. In Fiscal Year 2009 the Land Grant Permanent Fund distributed more than $523 million to the benefit of the LGPF beneficiaries, with the lion's share going to New Mexico public schools and public education. I'm in favor of the effort to take more money from the fund yearly to fund Pre-K education. It's really an investment that will pay off way into the future. It's the early years of education that have the biggest impact on children's minds. If in acted the investment would mean more students graduating from high school and college. It would also mean a well educated work force earning more money therefore paying more taxes. It would mean fewer teen pregnancies and fewer citizens locked away in prison. We need to invest upfront - because it will pay off way down the road. Let's do this for our kids future. ...
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| Jayhawks Back On Track (2/17): KU Basketball is back into it's winning ways. After loosing three in a row, especially a loss at home, KU ran over Texas, at one time being up by 30 points. While, this season, the UNM Lobos are also doing very well. Is there a chance the two teams would meet in the NCAA tournament. Of course, I'd be rooting for KU while wishing New Mexico to do well. As the weather warms up, it should be over 60 today, my Chevy got a much needed bath. I have not been keeping it as clean as in deserves. I'll be sure to get it back to Octopus Car Wash before we drive to Fort Worth for NAEA. Watch out Billy Bob's, here we come for some good old country music.  My Chevy Got A Bath ... |
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| Finished Yellow Cactus (2/16): I finished my "Yellow Cactus" painting this morning. It's painted on a very rough sheet of handmade paper I got in Taos. I coated it with gesso before I began to paint. Handmade paper sucks up the paint because it does not have sizing. I'm trying to decide now wheather to crop it to display in a mat, or perhaps to float it.  Which Way To Frame It ??? ... |
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 "Ranchos Re-do" Detail |
New Watercolors Started (2/15): I've begun on a couple of new watercolor experiments. In one, I'm attempting to re-create a successful image from twelve years ago. A friend of mine, back in Kansas, has the original painting. Watercolor depends upon "happy accidents" - so, doing the same thing again is problematic at best. This time I'm doing the Ranchos Church on a gessoed sheet of handmade paper rather than the 300 lb Arches I used in 2001. My other experiment is painting transparent watercolor on a gessoed sheet of masonite. The NMWS is going to accept entries on "alternate surfaces" so I thought I'd try it. I coated the board with the new Daniel Smith's Watercolor Ground. My subject is a large rose. I started by protecting the white areas with liquid mask. If successful - the 28 x 22 inch painting will be sealed and framed without mat or glass.   "Ranchos Re-do" "Gesso Rose" ... |
 "Gesso Rose" Detail |
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| Taos Watercolor Workshop 2013 (2/13): I've been attending the watercolor workshop, every June, since 1985. The annual workshop is sponsored by Adams State University out of Alamosa, Colorado. The workshop will again be held at the wonderful Sagebrush Inn in Taos, New Mexico. I go back to paint with old friends, and enjoy the fantastic food the Sagebrush is famous for. This years workshop runs June 9th through the 15th. Below are details about the workshop. To enroll contact the ASU Art Department art@adams.edu or 719-587-7823.  ...  ...  ... |
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 Van Gogh - 1963 |
Lost And Found (2/12): I'm not too organized - I know that already. While looking through a drawer where I keep slides - I found several bumper stickers from 1972. One was very special. It was the "McGovern/Eagleton" bumper sticker made right after the Democratic Convention in Miami. I was a delegate, from Kansas, to the 72 convention. It's even got a union label on it - of course.  ... Van Gogh Catalogue:
I
also found the catalogue from the Van Gogh exhibition, I attended, in
1963. The Nelson Gallery had a massive exhibition of Van Gogh's
paintings. I was very impresses to see so many original works close up
and personal.
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| Living In Space (2/11): This is for all you space nerds (like me) out there - learn how one lives, works and sleeps in space. When will Hilton open up a hotel in orbit ? Probally, not in my lifetime.  Click On Photo To View Video ... |
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 Happy New Year Gung Hay Fat Choy |
Valentines Day Approaches (2/10): After getting my bride her new ring at Christmas - how can I top that for Valentine's Day ? Candy and Roses don't quite seem good enough.  New Ring For My Bride ... |
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This morning, I finished my painting of a workman in Taos mudding the final layer on the Ranchos de Taos Church. Here are seven septs in the development of the watercolor. I worked on a sheet of handmade paper which I first coated with gesso. I applied acrylic molding paste with a pallett knife to create the adobe texture.  "Mudder" ... |
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| Watercolors For Fort Worth (2/8): I framed three small watercolors to display at NAEA in Fort Worth, Texas. They have an exhibit planned titled "Teachers as Artists" at the Omni Hotel. The paintings will be displayed on USSEA website as well on the convention site during NAEA. The on-site exhibition will run from March 7-10. I'm shipping the paintings to Fort Worth. I'm putting some descriptive text on the back of each watercolor (posted below).  San José de Gracia de "Las Trampas"
mission church is located in Las Trampas, a Spanish colonial village
established in 1751, set in a beautiful mountain valley south of Taos
on the old "High Road" (NM76). This old adobe church is a favorite of
artists. Originally a lay chapel, San José de Gracia is situated on the
original town plaza. The church was completed in 1780 and is considered
to be one of the best preserved examples of Spanish Colonial Mission
architecture in New Mexico. San José de Gracia de Las Trampas is still
an active parish church and was fully restored in the 1970s.
“Taos Truck” sits behind the “Studio de Colores Gallery” of artist Ed Sandoval in Taos, New Mexico. One of the most renowned, and popular contemporary artists in northern New Mexico. Ed Sandoval is often seen riding his Arabian horse, El Patron to breakfast. The locals just smile, because it is who Ed Sandoval is, a warm, accessible man, with a heart as big as the landscapes that he paints. “Street Music” was painted after a visit to New Orleans. One of the best things to do in the French Quarter is to enjoy the many street performers that you will encounter. You will find French Quarter Street Performers on Bourbon Street, Royal Street, around Jackson Square, and scattered else where throughout the French Quarter. Royal Street is usually a good spot to find street performers because it is closed off to traffic most of the time. While technically the street performer’s entertainment is free most of them are very good and make a living performing for you. So if you enjoy their performance, or take their picture, or they some how enhance your visit to the Crescent City then please leave a tip. ...
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 Progress on my New Watercolor |
Spring Entries (2/7): The prospectus for the NMWS Spring Members Juried Exhibition is not yet available. But, I've decided which three watercolors to enter. Now, I need to get busy painting more so I can enter Watercolor USA in Springfield, Missouri. That's a show I've always wanted to get accepted into.  NMWS Spring Entries ... |
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| Staying Busy: Yesterday, the Nominating Committe for the NMWS met at my house. We made a good deal of progress and plan to meet again in two weeks to finalize a slate of officers & committee chairs to present to the membership. The five of us also enjoyed good conversation and my bride's famous cake & coffee. I feel good about the future of the watercolor society. After the meeting, I went outside and shot photos of the clouds as the sun was setting in front of our house. I'm having fun playing with my new toy. This little camera is really making me look good. Today, the MasterWorks of New Mexico organizating committee meets at Barbara Lobach's house. We need to firm up last minute details for the exhibition in April. I hope to get a list of the watercolor artists selected by the jurors in time to post them in the next Brushstrokes.  Shot From Our Front Yard ... |
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| Voting Yesterday (2/6): We voted yesterday, in the APS School District election. My candidate won - my brides choice did not. The school bonds both passed by overwhelming margins. They make voting very easy here in Albuquerque. There were 56 voting locations and you could vote at any of them. We cast paper ballots that are read in optical scan machines. The paper ballots are preserved in case a recount is needed. WFWS: I've been busy the last few days - getting all our tax info together, I'll take it to Karen (our accountant) this morning. Also, I've been sending notices out to artists who were accepted (or rejected) for the WFWS exhibition in Texas. I'll be attending the WFWS opening in late May because I'm the NMWS delegate - but, I too got rejected. 13 wonderful artist from NMWS were selected by Mark Mehaffey to be included in the WFWS exhibition in Texas. I send out e-mail notices to those artists yesterday. Of course I received my rejection - I'm entering one of my rejected watercolors into the NMWS Spring Show. This morning, I sent out notices to the artists who were not selected. Congratulations to everyone who made the cut. There will be a total of 120 paintings in the Exhibit, from 12 watercolor societies, in Irving, Texas this June. ...
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 I took this photo of the moon at 8:00 am this morning |
Waiting On Jurors Decisions (2/2): While I keep painting more watercolors, for more shows, I'm waiting for decisions from several juried shows I've entered. I have entries out right now in Alabama, Washington, Missouri, Texas as well as New Mexico. Perhaps, I'll be lucky and get into a couple of those exhibits - or, am I just donating my money to support art societies around the country ? Demos Finally Finished:
I used three incomplete paintings, at various stages, in my demo at the NMWS-SC meeting, in Las Cruces, last month. This morning I finished the last of the three hollyhock paintings. Each watercolor is on handmade paper which I coated with gesso first.  Demo Hollyhocks Finished Daniel North:
Today's NMWS program was presented by, a local treasure, Daniel North. He loves texture as was apparent by the examples he brought to the meeting. Check out his work and his process at:  ... |
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 Blossom Back From the Doggy Salon |
Going To Fort Worth (2/1): I registered for NAEA a couple days ago. The National Art Teachers Convention is in Fort Worth, Texas this year. My bride and I are driving to Fort Worth. I do hope the New Mexico Art Teachers are able to fill their bus, but we do love to drive. We are staying at the Hilton Fort Worth for three nights (March 7th, 8th & 9th) driving back to Albuquerque on Sunday. The only session I signed up for was the Retired Awards Luncheon - Saturday at Noon. I plan to take a donation of art for the Retired Silent Auction. I also plan to take three paintings for the "Art Educators as Artists" exhibition on Thursday night. While in Fort Worth we plan to go to Billy Bob's on Friday night for some good old country music.  ...
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 "Cookie" Entry in Alabama |
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