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Woody's October 2009 Blog began March 2007 .......................................... |
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Painting on Halloween (10/31): This morning we painted at the La Mesa church while teenagers rushed around getting ready for some sort of Halloween party. We have our bowl of candy bars ready for this evening. My watercolors made some progress today. Perhaps I will have three decent entries ready for Western Fed. I love shadows and the one I'm doing of the mule in the French Quarter is quite a challenge. I also made some progress on the painting of Pavina's nephew on his first day on school. I do wonder how his teacher is holding up. But if he's anything like his mother or his aunt - he will be a delight to teach. They were both in my art classes at Rosedale. I can see that Frani's newest quilt will be a real dazzler. I shot a pic of her ironing a portion of the quilt top when I got home from painting.   This Mornings Progress on my Watercolors |
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 Another Drawing from New Orleans  Just A Start |
 Today's Progress |
 "Street Dancer" Finished |
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Roses and Snow
Roses and snow at the same time seems strange for a boy from
Kansas - but walk into my backyard here in Albuquerque and there they
both are. I took a photo with my roses in focus and another with the
mountain in focus. Perhaps Ansel Adams could get both in focus at the
same time but he had a different kind of camera.
A few hours after I took the photos above - it snowed in our neighborhood. So I took some pics of the snow on my roses. They won't be with us much longer - but after I cut them back, we will have lots more next summer. Of course a couple hours later - all the snow had melted. |
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 Blossom The Other Lady |
The Ladies I Live With (10/29): The two ladies would be Frani and Blossom. I had better mention Frani first. She has been busy sewing bindings on some of her quilts. Yesterday, I photographed two of Frani's new quilts. She is getting more courage with her patterns and colors lately. The other lady in my life is Blossom. Her love is unconditional - no matter what I do - she loves me anyway. Below are photos of Frani's newest quilts.   |
 Starting on "Street Dancer" |
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 Duct Tape Tuba (before frisket removed) I posted my new watercolor on Artists Daily |
 Snowing On Our Mountain This Morning |
 "Duct Tape Tuba" Finished Mardi Gras beads were added to help it look more like New Orleans |
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| click on map for a larger image  93 people viewed my website yesterday this map shows where my visitors are from but not who they are why not send me an e-mail and say hello woodyduncan@comcast.net |
Common Ground (10/27): Docent training, yesterday was a gallery talk my our new art curator Andrew Connors. He plans to do a second session two weeks from now. Andrew wanted to explain why the newly reconstituted "Common Ground" gallery was arranged the way it is now. The gallery is basically in chronological order. ''Common Ground'' displays art owned by the museum to give visitors a fair idea of the evolution of art in New Mexico. It begins with the Spanish colonial period. Next is a section containing a good number of the early Taos artists. Additional sections are more and more modern. Learn more about what is at the Albuquerque Museum by clicking here.  Andrew Connors Speaking to Museum Docents |
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| Getting Ready for Winter: Today, I changed the filters in our furnaces. I even turned one furnace on and set the thermostat at 66. It's going to get near freezing tomorrow morning. Next, I changed out the screens in the storm doors for glass. Now Blossom can keep warm, while sitting inside inside, and still look outside. We have to keep Blossom comfortable. My next job is to install eight new smoke detectors. I just got tired of the others going off for no reason. And, Blossom said it hurt her ears. We can't have that. While I worked - Frani is making Chicken Enchilada Casserole - Yum. Blossom sits there waiting for bits and pieces to fall her way. |
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Frani's Art in Progress
 This is what she does while I paint or play on the computer. |
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 Tiffanie Getting Messy |
Pumpkin Carving Back in Kansas (10/25): We just received photos via e-mail of the pumpkins our triplet grandkids are carving way off in Kansas. That's Tiffanie getting messy - of course - that's why it's so much fun. How did Jack-o'-lantern's get started ?  Five Little Jack-o'-lantern's |
 Tess Gets Messy Too |
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 "Dew Drop Rose" |
Pink Rose Finished (10/24): Painting, this morning, with friends at the La Mesa church - I finished my watercolor of the pink rose with water droplets. One artist suggested that I title it "Dew Drop Rose". I may make a few small adjustments - but basically it's finished. I also started on my painting of the "Duct Tape Tuba" player. I'm considering adding a few Mardi Gras beads to help it look more like New Orleans. While I was away painting, Frani tore out our two tomato plants. They were still producing - but, Frani was tired of reaching past my cactus to get tomatoes. There were still 100 green tomatoes remaining on the plants. She counted them before throwing them out. She decided to plant in a safer location next year.  "Duct Tape Tuba" |
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 "Street Dancer" |
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 "Duct Tape Tuba" |
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 "Duct Tape Tuba" |
"Street Dancer"
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| Snow On Our Mountain: Over the last couple of days, Albuquerque has gotten a whole inch of rain. In New Mexico, that's a deluge. We are near 6 inches for the year now - still short of our normal percipation of 8 inches per year. Today the clouds lifted allowing us to see our mountains (The Sandia's). I heard it snowed up north in Taos - but, now we can see snow on our mountain, here in Albuquerque, as well. I took a few photos at 3:00 this afternoon from our backyard. I just love my new Canon camera.   Sandia's from eight miles away through clear clean air.  After the clouds lifted. |
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| Stretching Watercolor Paper (10/21): I've got to do some serious painting for upcoming juried exhibitions. I will need 3 entries each for Western Federation of Watercolor Societies (2010) in Salt Lake, City and for MasterWorks of New Mexico. Then, this December, I will need 7 or 8 paintings for my exhibit in Placitas. This will be my third year that I was accepted into the Placitas Artist Series. So, today I soaked some sheets of 140 lb Arches in the hot tub so I could stretch more paper. I then stapled the wet paper around sheets of gator board. As it drys, it shrinks quite tight around the gator board. I love the taunt surface, on a such a very light support, to paint my watercolors on.  Stretching Watercolor Paper MasterWorks Prospectus Click Here Western Federation Prospectus Click Here |
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| 30 Republican Votes (10/20): It is hard to believe that 30 US Senators voted against this amendment. Senator Al Franken, (D) Minnesota proposes getting rid of the old "It's OK if you get raped" clause in government contracts, but 30 Republicans object. Of course, the only place this story gets much coverage is on the "Daily Show". Thank you John Stewart for giving us the real news.  Click On John Stewart for the Details |
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| Finding Old Friends: When we attended the opening of the Mississippi Grand National Watercolor Exhibition in Jackson, Mississippi - I was delighted to find paintings by artists I knew from back in Kansas and Missouri. There was a painting by Jonathan Knight, a Kansas City artist. Another watercolor, in the exhibit, was by Marilynne Bradley - a Missouri art teacher and watercolor artist. I once took a workshop by Marilynne in Arrowrock, Missouri. Since returning from Mississippi, I have made e-mail contact with both of them. It is a small world - at least in the watercolor world. |
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| October Tomatoes (10/19): More than half way through October and Frani is still picking tomatoes in our backyard. Of course she has to be extra careful because of my cactus and spanish saber plants. She is looking for a different location for her tomatoes next year.  October Tomatoes |
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 Contemporary Art by Local Artists |
Docent Training: Today was the first day that I had a chance to see this new exhibit. I was blown away by Albuquerque Now. Albuquerque Now is the first of two installations of diverse work by artists of the metropolitan area and is organized by Andrew Connors, our new Curator of Art. He must be cool - since he is on Facebook. Albuquerque Now celebrates the diversity of visual culture in all of its active manifestations, from traditional woodworking to digital video, from printmaking to installation art. Today we had three experienced docents giving us sample tours of this new installation. Tomorrow, my team will be taking 2nd graders through this and other art exhibits in the museum.  Model Tours |
 Home Grown Art |
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 Frani on Ferry |
Memories of New Orleans (10/18): Next time we travel to New Orleans, we will be sure to stay at the Ambassador Hotel again. It's located in the Warehouse District. It's just a short block to the French Quarter, close to the Art Galleries on Julia Street, as well as several museums and only two blocks from Harrah's Casino (where they have a great buffet breakfast). The Ambassador is an old converted coffee warehouse best described as a boutique hotel. The rooms have high ceilings and old concrete and brick walls. If you want a unique and affordable place to stay - this is it. The rates are more than reasonable and there was no charge to store the car for the four days we were there. Most hotels downtown charge $26 a night to park your vehicle.   Our Hotel Room Canal Street Trolley Getting Around New Orleans:
You really don't need a car in New Orleans. We walked through the French Quarter every day. I have the blisters to prove it. Since we were not driving I could drink beers with my meals. You can even carry a drink on the street as long as it's in a plastic cup. We took the free ferry across the Mississippi River to Algiers and back. The floats and decorations for Mardi Gras are stored (and repaired) in Algiers at "Mardi Gras World" but we saw them last time we were in New Orleans for the NAEA convention. We took the St. Charles Street Trolley (40 cents for old folks like us) through the Garden District to see all the old homes which line the street. Some date back to the 1850's. Or, take the Canal Street Trolley which will take you to the Audubon Zoo and to the New Orleans Art Museum. We stopped at the museum on our way out of town on the last day. |
 St Charles Trolley |
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 Two Deer in the Headlights |
<<< Frani and Me in Mississippi |
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 Frani Working |
Photos From Kansas (10/16): Grandma and Poppie (that's me) got new photos of those fantastic triplet grandkids back in Kansas. They are posed next to our son's orange tractor along with the props fitting to the season. Someone don't look especially cheerful about the photo shoot - perhaps because it was cold. New Rose Painting: This morning I started a new watercolor of a rose. This time it's of a red rose with water droplets on it. I paint with a group of other artists each Friday morning at the Unitarian Church. Tomorrow I paint with another group. Each Saturday, I paint with a group of artists at the La Mesa Church. Below is a start on my new watercolor.  Starting a New Rose Painting Sucking Up Leaves:
While I paint or play on my computer, Frani must work. I do buy her the best tools to do the job. Right now, while I type, she is outside sucking up the leaves that have fallen in our yard. She wants our yard (all rocks) to look just right. |
 Triplets Fall 2009 |
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 Rick Rehorn |
Politics Back in Kansas (10/15): When we picked up our mail, included was an invitation to a fund raiser back in Kansas. Our friend Rick Rehorn in running for Wyandotte County District Judge. Rick was our state senator when we lived in KCK. His father Tom Rehorn was our county chairman in the Mc Govern campaign in 1972. Rick was a boy then and reminded me that he remembers me being at meetings at his dad's house back then. A couple years ago, Fran and I supported Rick when he ran for mayor in Kansas City. He wasn't successful in that election. He would have made a good mayor - but Knowing Rick, he will be a great judge. |
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 Today's Roses |
Too Many Things At Once: I found out I made a few too many commitments at the same time. I missed the WFWS 2011 meeting at Dave's house last night and the Art in the Schools meeting today at Barbara's house. I did keep my committment to sit the Watercolor exhibit at the NM Fair grounds this morning. This was my first time to see the fall exhibition - it really looks good. I'm always impressed that the quality gets better with each new show. I also had not seen the 70 year old Fine Arts Building since it was remodeled. I'm very impressed with the look - it really looks like New Mexico.  NMWS Fall Exhibition Photos: I took hundreds of photos at the Mass and Reception for Sister Mary when we were in Mississippi. I edited them down to 90 photos and put them on CD's. This morning I mailed 20 CD's off to Mary so she can send them on to family and friends. |
 Lunch in the Backyard |
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| Playing With Photos (10/14): This morning I'm editing more of the photos I took in New Orleans - looking for material to paint from. I love working with shadows - so those are the one's I'll paint first. As we walked through the French Quarter, I saw several images that would make great compositions. My first efforts at paintings will be eliminating or minimizing the background but still maintaining a sense of place. I don't want to include all those busy facades behind my subjects. To help me I'm using Photoshop to wipe out the clutter.   Early Morning French Quarter Shadows material for watercolors |
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 Blossom |
Blossom Still Loves Us (10/13): I picked up Blossom from her Bed and Breakfast and she still loves us. After 10 days - I wasn't sure she would even care. But then, it's not unlike the old joke about how to find out who loves you more - your wife or your dog. The way the test works is to lock both of them into the trunk of your car. Then, three hours later - open the trunk - that's when you will find out which one is really glad to see you. Just before I picked Blossom up, she had a bath and haircut. When we got her home - I gave her the bone I bought in Louisiana - that's her souvenir. Roses in October >>>
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 October Blooms |
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 Sister Mary |
Return from Mississippi (10/12): It's always good to be home, even after an enjoyable trip. We drove 2700 miles - in 10 days - over 45 hours of driving (much of it through heavy rain) to Jackson, Mississippi and then on to New Orleans and later back to Jackson. We had two reasons to be in Jackson - first to attend the opening of Mississippi Watercolor Societies Grand National Watercolor Exhibition. I was fortunate to have a watercolor selected for that show. The other reason was to help celebrate Sister Mary's Golden Jubilee. Frani's oldest sister has been a Carmelite nun for 50 years now. So many of the family traveled there to share the special moment with her. Mary is the reason I painted the yellow rose - it was a gift to Mary. The weather turned beautiful when we returned to New Mexico. It must have rained a bit, here too - the paper said a 1/5 of an inch this month - bringing us to just over 5 inches for the entire year. I'm fairly sure we had that much rain just driving across Texas. We returned, to Albuquerque, to find my roses still blooming and we picked fresh tomatoes, in the backyard, when we got home. |
 Yellow Rose for Mary |
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New Orleans: Frani and I spent four fun days exploring the French Quarter in New Orleans. We stayed at the Ambassador Hotel on the edge of the French Quarter just two blocks from the Hilton where we stayed for the NAEA Convention in March of 2008. The Ambassador, once a coffee warehouse, is a boutique hotel near everything we wanted to explore. The rate was 1/3 of what we paid at the Hilton and the parking was free this trip. Check this place out if you plan a visit to New Orleans. <<< Lady I slept with in New Orleans We had breakfast at Harrah's Casino each morning. We walked over to Julia Street to explore the many Art Galleries up and down that street for blocks. One stop was the National World War II Museum which took us hours to see and I especially loved the Odgen Museum of Southern Art nearby. Then, for only 40 cents (senior rate) we rode the St. Charles Street Car through the Garden District to see all the historic homes. We walked and walked, many, many times, through the French Quarter looking and buying some art as well as souvenirs for people back home. It's good we have a mini-van to carry stuff on these trips. On these walks, I took plenty of photos which may soon turn into watercolors. |
 Street Dancing French Quarter |
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   Photos Around the French Quarter |
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 American Artist |
Paintings on the Web (10/3): I signed up for a new artist's blog where any artists can post their paintings. It was put together by American Artist magazine. The link to the free artistdaily.com site is http://www.artistdaily.com/ - there are several thousand paintings posted on the site so I doubt it's of much value accept for the artist's ego. Perhaps that's why I posted. When on the site you can narrow your search by putting in words like "watercolor", "dogs", "portraits" or "children", etc. Of course that only helps if the artist added those "Tags" when they posted their work. This new site is of course great advertisment for American Artist magazines. I myself subscribe to their "Watercolor" magazine. Of course they also post paid ads on the site as well. |
 Watercolor Magazine |
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 The Cherokee Nation and the Trail of Tears |
Trail of Tears (10/2): I'm currently reading (listening to) an audio book on the Cherokee "Trail of Tears". I'm supposedly part Cherokee on my Dad's side - but don't know for sure. The book stirred my interest in the varied routes that "Indian Removal" took to get to "Indian Country" - what is now Northeast Oklahoma. Much of the route was by water - which surprised me. I assumed they walked most of the route. The two maps below can be enlarged by clicking on them. I had read "American Lion" about Andrew Jackson but found too little information on the "Indian Removal" which was the major reason I read the book.   Many other native peoples (not just Cherokees) were removed from the eastern states to make room for white settlers to take their land. |
 American Lion |
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| Artists Blog: Today, I started adding paintings to an online blog: http://www.artistdaily.com The site was established by American Artist Magazine. I put two watercolors online. There appear to be hundreds of artists putting their work on the site. The service is free. When I first opened the site, I found a watercolor by an artist in West Texas who had a similar painting in the WFWS exhibit in San Diego. |
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 Catrinas |
That Time of Year Again (10/01): It's cooler now, and the nights come quicker - the ghosts and goblins are about us. Frani and I have already stocked up on candy to pass out to the "trick or treaters". I even posted a couple of goolish little girls on the heading to this months blog. Of course the two goths are really my grand-daughters Tiffanie and Tess in their Halloween costumes. It's a fun time of the year. In New Mexico, it takes on different meanings - it's called "Día de los Muertos" or "Day of the Dead". During the Day of the Dead, it is easier for the souls of the departed to visit the living. Celebrations can take a humorous tone, as celebrants remember funny events and anecdotes about the departed - some get drunk to celebrate the deceased. During this two-day period, families usually clean and decorate graves - most visit the cemeteries where their loved ones are buried and decorate their graves with "ofrendas" (offerings). My friend Cattinna (a past student of mine) is always really well dressed - her name sake is part of Dia de los Muertos celebrations - a Catrina is depicted as a very well dressed woman at the turn of the century as a skeleton. |
 "Día de los Muertos" |
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 Virgin River - Zion |
Propaganda: Yosi Sergant lost his position with the NEA because he encouraged artists to create art that would further ideas and values held by the president. Or as someone said to me lately, "to promote Obama's agenda." Glenn Beck won that one. But haven't many artist's for years created art to promote a "national agenda" ? As I've been watching THE NATIONAL PARKS: AMERICA'S BEST IDEA a series directed by Ken Burns and written and co-produced by Dayton Duncan. What a marvelous piece of propaganda. I hope no one in the government loses their job because they assisted or suggested any content in this program. I'm so glad that we had the opportunity to take our triplet grandkids to experience many of these great national resources each summer. How many past artist's were responsible for the propaganda that helped preserve these great places for the rest of us. Was the artist Albert Bierstadt (1830-1902) a propagandist with his spectacular landscapes of the unsettled west ? Of course he was creating propaganda to show images of the American West to the powers back east especially the government in Washington DC. Was there a Glenn Beck back in those days ? Thank you Ken Burns for the gift of this amazing piece of propaganda continuing to promote this large piece of our national agenda. What's wrong with artist's today creating art to promote "health care for all", "better schools" for America's children or even "eliminating poverty" - why not "healing the planet's air". My fellow artist's, out there in America, what type of propaganda can you create. I'm considering several ideas myself. I just need to get the brushes moving. |
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