<<<    to my website    >>>

>>> Check my Countdown Clock <<<
scroll to the bottom for the newest entry

.......	....................................................................................................................................................................	..................	........................................
	April Fools Day (4/1):         I'm back at writing in my blog.  Today Frank LaLumia did a watercolor demonstration for MasterWorks.  I ran the camera and projector for his demo. He explains his procedure very clearly.  His painting style is loose, wet in wet and very clean.  Tomorrow he starts a three day workshop for twenty students. Frank used to live in Santa Fe but now resides in Trinidad, Colorado.  If you are interested in any of his future workshops click here.  You might want him to juror an exhibition.  I know he has good taste because he selected two of my watercolors for MasterWorks.
	Below are pics of Frank LaLumia doing his demo.		Woody at MasterWorks
			About Me March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007
	Frani and I walked our three miles today, around the neighborhood.  We should do it everyday but things seem to get in the way.  We both need to loose weight.  We see ourselves as when we were younger (a self image thing).  We are thinking of putting labels on the bath room mirror: "Objects in the mirror are older than they appear".           Our neighborhood is up in arms about a proposed Wal-Mart Super Center being planned for a vacant 22 acres, nearby off Osuna.  Frani and I think it's fine - we could walk for groceries and stuff.  Now the concept being put forth is that the balloons need that landing site.  But it's just a ploy to keep the "Big Box" out of our area.  We went to one meeting but left after hearing so much anger and shouting.  I wish my neighborhood would get so up in arms about the war in Iraq or poverty or something really important.		August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December 2007
	Busy Day (4/2):         This morning I ran the projector so our watercolor workshop pupils could see what Frank LaLumia was painting.  The NMWS has a novel set up for demos.  Each artist we have do a demo for us comes away impressed.  It sure beats the overhead mirror method.  There are two more days of the workshop. Below is the painting I did today.
	It's a rather strange watercolor for me, almost abstract. I did it from a photo I took in Gregory Lomayesva's studio when the docents went to Santa Fe. All this "stuff" was piled on a counter in front of a bright window.  I had to take that photo. Check out Gregory's Website Today's Watercolor Workshop
	Tonight I gave a demo at the Rio Rancho Art Association meeting. I was trying to help other artists learn how to take digital pics of their paintings and edit them for entry into juried exhibitions.  The world is going digital and we all have to adjust.  The RRAA is quite well organized and plans an open studio tour on the 28th and 29th of April.  35 of their members will have their homes and studios open to the public those days.  Rio Rancho adjoins Albuquerque on the North.  It calls itself the "City of Vision" and is the fastest growing city in New Mexico.
	Letter to the Editor (4/3):         Now I get political - there was a lengthly article in this mornings Albuquerque Journal titled "Thin Green Line" about our police offices working after hours in some neighborhoods. Some people find it unfair that "richer" neighborhoods can afford this. My letter was as follows: Concerning "Thin Green Line" 4/3/07 Albuquerque police officers are paid to work after hours in some neighborhoods. This is seen as an unfair disparity to some. It's not unusual for off duty police to be hired by churches, bars or groups hosting large events - so why not a neighborhood wanting extra patrols ?  People with enough money buy books for their children, send them off to camp for enrichment, hire tutors to teach them about music and art, etc. etc. Yes, some neighborhoods are too poor to afford hiring off duty police. If concerned citizens really want to deal with true disparities in our society, let's start by improving the educational opportunities for all our young people. Let's also start by developing real job opportunities with adequate pay for their parents so they can afford to live in better neighborhoods. Let's put quality art and music programs in all our schools. Let's provide health care for every citizen so families won't be forced into poverty by a major illness. I'm not suggesting a socialist leveling of society. I'm suggesting giving everyone a chance to reach the American dream. The dream of living in a nice enough neighborhood where folks can afford to pay for a few off duty officers to patrol. If we can go to the moon - we can also end poverty in our society. Most all poor people are honest, but poverty brings stress, frustration, anger and an attitude that there is no hope for a future. This all breeds crime. With an end of poverty perhaps no one will feel the need to hire off duty police for their neighborhood. Think about it.
	Homework (4/4):         My homework assignment for this Saturday's watercolor class is to paint a colorwheel.  So I did my assignment like a good student.  It's really a good exercise, especially for someone like me who has avoided learning anything about the pigments I paint with. To claim that my color mixing is "intuitive" can only go so far. I'm even learning that watercolor tubes have unique numbers on them so you will know what the pigment really is no matter what fancy name they give it.
	My Colorwheel         That's not all I did today - I finished my taxes - well, at least I got it all together and sent everything off to our CPA in Kansas City. He won't be happy getting it this late - but it's a relief to have them on the way. By the way - Larry, I gave you a plug on my Blog.  Does that mean Frani and I get a discount ? Or do we pay extra ?           Also, if anyone really reads this - the news just announced that Wal-Mart lost. We get soccer fields and a big balloon landing area on those vacant 22 acres.  I guess we will continue to waste gas driving for milk and eggs.  There are 4 and a half acres just behind our house where balloons land now.  It is suppose to be converted to a park this summer so it will remain available for balloon landings.         Tomorrow we hang our watercolors at Arts Alliance.
	An Invitation (4/5):         If you are near Albuquerque - I'm inviting you to attend the opening reception of our watercolor exhibit.  Tomorrow, April 6th from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Arts Alliance Gallery at 1100 San Mateo NE, Suite 10.  We hung 59 watercolors today.  It is an impressive show and Frani is bringing her famous "Cheesecake Squares" with chocolate drizzled over them and the tang of orange zest within.  Our group is called "Local Color Artists", it's made up of artists who get together to support, challenge and inspire each other.  We meet as three separate groups on different days at various locations around the city.  Artists in each separate group contributed paintings for this exhibit.  Our opening is part of this months First Friday city wide gallery tour. If you can't make it Friday night, our paintings will continue to be on display until April 30th. The gallery hours are 9 AM till 5 PM, Monday through Friday.         Many of the artists I paint with were students of a teacher named Dorothy Vorhees.  She passed away before I moved to New Mexico but still continues to inspire.  Dorothy was more than just a teacher to many in Albuquerque.  She was a friend and mentor. one of my watercolors on exhibit      >>>		Shadows II
	Local Color Opening Reception (4/6):         Fifty-nine paintings, lots of good food and a nice crowd: that's the formula for a very successful art opening.  We had a full house from 5 until 8 PM.  It's great to see this many people out on a Friday evening to view art.  Below is a photo to give you an idea of how the evening started out.
	Local Color at Arts Alliance M - F  9 to 5 Ends April 30
	Laurie's Demo (4/7):         After attending Jan Hart's second watercolor class this morning - I headed over to the MasterWorks to run the projection equipment for Laurie Johnson's watercolor demo.  She did an excellent job of explaining her process. Laurie is strong on creating a good design and making all the major decisions about composition and values before she ever touches the watercolor paper.  From the photo you can see her value study in pencil. Also notice her three color palette.  Yes "just the primaries" to create every color from.  Laurie is an accomplished artist and was president of the NMWS when I moved to Albuquerque three years ago.
	Lauren Johnson MasterWorks Watercolor Demo April 7th 2007
	"Dripping Tess"         Today, I finished by beach painting of Tess.  I'm happy with it except perhaps for the drops of sea water which should be the theme of the composition.  I worked the painting from photos I took in 2005 in California.  We took a break from Disneyland and went to the beach at Santa Monica.  I wanted the drops to be apparent but not shout at the viewer.  These beach watercolors have become a series that seem to work.         Also, the masking tape had a roughly torn edge around the edges of the watercolor paper.  This was done, so when it was removed the painting would appear to have a deckled edge.  This painting will be 22 x 28 inches when matted and framed.  I'm much more comfortable painting this size.
	Revised Colorwheel (4/8):         In my attempt to learn more about the pigments I've put in my new pallet - I've created a colorwheel to tape to the lid of the pallet.  It's a colorwheel based on Cyan, Magenta and Yellow as the primaries.  You might call it a tertiary color wheel, although I plugged in other pigments in between.  I got most of my pigment selections from the workshop I'm taking from Jan Hart.  Although after seeing Frank LaLumia and Laurie Johnson paint with a limited pallet - I'm temped to go that way.  Years ago I painted with a very limited pallet using the Liquid Luma Inks (light fast) that Matthew Monks introduced me to.  Notice the spots within the color circles, I'm testing which colors will allow me to lift while I'm painting.		Peace from Tiffanie
	Wonderful News:         The fantastic triplet grandkids are flying to Albuquerque in July.  Since they are big kids of eight now, they get to fly by themselves.  Poppie and Grandma will be waiting at the gate to meet them when they land at the Sunport in what we call the "Land of Enchantment". We have lots of plans including a trip to Carlsbad Caverns so we can go down into the caves and stay to see thousands of bats. Perhaps we can also ride the new Rail Runner.
	Watercolor Selected:         Our juror, David Daniels, selected my favorite cactus flower painting from among my three entries to the NMWS 2007 Spring Exhibition.  The exhibit opens on Friday, May 11th with a reception from 6 to 8 PM in the Hispanic Arts Building at Expo New Mexico. The notices have yet to be mailed to the artists but there will be 103 watercolors in this years NMWS Spring Show.
	April 14 Just received new pics of the girls dancing. Check out more on my website or CLICK HERE for a slide show
	New Water Feature (4/14):         We are replacing the water feature which froze and cracked (because I did not drain it). The plumbing is not connected yet, but it looks good just sitting there. We bought it at Jackalope. The pot was made in Vietnam. "We fought a war for this ?"         Yes, there is snow on the Sandia's (behind our wall). We only got rain. The higher altitudes got snow, and they call this spring. No roses yet, but I see a few buds.
	Water Feature Works I had to but a stronger pump to run both the blue pot and the frog - but now it's up and running.
	Good Fortune (4/18):         Luck must be going our way. We won $7 in the Powerball Lottery and we will get $9 back from the IRS. It's hard to beat that. I'll get back to painting tomorrow. I'm going to try and paint the "Chihuly" we acquired at Tuesday Morning. Below is a pic I took this morning to paint from.
	Franie's Balloon (4/20):         I didn't get to paint this morning because I was sitting our exhibit at the Art's Alliance Gallery. I did get some quality time visiting with two other artists: Mary and Lannie. I will make sure to paint tomorrow with our Saturday group.         In the photo to the right is Franie's new balloon. It's made of stained glass which now hangs in our living room. We found it at the "Blue Portal" in Old Town.  They sell only items made by senior citizens. Now, even if balloons don't land behind our house - we will always have one in our window.         Frani wasn't sure of hanging it there, at first, because it might block her view of our mountain. But, as you can see, the Sandia's are in full view.
	Saturday Painting (4/21): I'm playing with the faux deckel edge idea I got from Russ Ball.  Here are two Poppies I finished on Saturday.  I'm seldom successful painting all the way to the edge of a sheet of Arches. This way I can give the appearance of a torn edge. These two watercolors are about a quarter sheet. When matted they will fit into a 20 x 16 frame.
	Carol Channing (4/23):          Tonight we went to see Carol Channing perform at Albuquerque's KIMO Theater. What a marvelous person at 86 years of age. This lady got a standing ovation before she said or sang anything. We really enjoyed our evening. At the end, her new husband (Harry - 87 years young) spoke of their strong support for art programs in the schools. Tomorrow they both meet with Governor Richardson about support for art education in New Mexico. Who could say no to this wonderful lady ?         Three of us attended the concert to see Carol. Franie's sister, Mary, from Jackson, Mississippi is visiting us this week. An elderly crowd watching an even older entertainer perform. Perhaps there is an active life after 70 or 80 or whatever. This night gives us hope. Take Me Out to the Ball Game (4/24):
	These two ladies, Mary and Frani, took me to an Isotopes AAA baseball game today. We had a great time even though our team was losing to the New Orleans Zephyrs, 16 - 8, when we left at the top of the ninth inning. One great reason to attend baseball games in Albuquerque is the food. We settled for Dion's Pizza and hot chocolate because it was a cool day today. Of course we had green chili's on our pizza. Mary is Frani's sister from Jackson, Mississippi.
	Ladies Day (4/25):         I left Frani and Sister Mary at Sandia Casino. I'll pick them up when they win a fortune or loose all our money.  It's a beautiful day to be outside, not in a stuffy casino, so I left. Tomorrow we drive to Santa Fe to shop, eat and take in some music. South by Southwest with Michael Hearn will open for Asleep at the Wheel. They will be playing at the Santa Fe Brewing Company. That's just a fancy name for a Beer Joint which we are taking a Carmelite Nun to, but she's on vacation so it's OK.         I got smart - now when someone clicks on a link to my Blog, they are taken directly to the newest entry (at the bottom of the page). It was simple, I created a "target" just below the last entry. I added the "target" to the URL for the current Blog and here we are at the bottom of the page. If someone wishes to read earlier entries - they can simply scroll up.         If anyone wants easy software to build web pages like these, go to: http://www.nvu.com/index.php the software is called "Nvu" (pronounced N-view) you can download a free version for your PC or your mac.
	Santa Fe (4/26):         We enjoyed our day in Santa Fe, window shopping and good New Mexican food. We found out that the Brewing Company was an outdoor venue, but the weather cooperated and the music was great. We will do this location again. South by Southwest with Michael Hearn play at the Sagebrush Inn in Taos quite often. Hearn writes much of his own tunes, many about New Mexico and especially Taos. Asleep at the Wheel played songs from their new CD - but we knew all the words because they were songs from the 1950's. They play a lot of music made famous by Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys. A film crew was at the Santa Fe Brewing Company shooting footage for CBS Sunday Morning. I don't know if it will be broadcast this Sunday or at a later date.         On Friday, we went to the "Gathering of Nations PowWow" at the Pit. (that's where the Lobos play basketball) It was crowded to the rafters. The dance competitions go on for three full days. Talent is one thing, but the amount of labor and love that goes into the thousands of dancers regalia is beyond belief. Of course there were artists selling all sorts of Native American items too, there was lots of beaded work which we don't always see. So of course Frani went shopping. And for lunch - Navajo Tacos of course, with green chili on top.
	Gathering of Nations PowWow             Albuquerque, New Mexico
	End of April (4/30):         I walked through Old Town, this morning, after docent training. What surprised me most was that roses were in full bloom in Old Town. Why are mine just starting to open ? The prickly pear cactus in Old Town also had new pads as large as a child's hand. Mine are just beginning to develop. I was in Old Town shopping for presents for the ladies in my life. I was successful.         Saturday I picked up my watercolors from MasterWorks. Tomorrow I pick up my paintings from Arts Alliance. Of course, next Saturday I'll hang about 15 watercolors at a West Side Unitarian Church. I'm sharing the space with one other artist for the next two months. Hopefully, I'll post pics of some of my roses in my May Blog, perhaps as soon as tomorrow. To see my May rambling thoughts go to: http://www.taospaint.com/WoodysBlog/May07.html
	Scroll Up to View Earlier Entries
	let me know what you think woodyduncan@comcast.net

>>> Check my Countdown Clock <<<

<<<    back to march

on to may    >>>

END