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My Beautiful Bride

56 Years Together

Woody's Blog
October 2020

Our First Cruise 2013

2020 Blog began March 2007
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2018 over
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january
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Our Mountain From Our Backyard
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October 31 - - Old Memory:
I created "Babe in Toyland" in 1962, my last year, in High School. It now hangs in our house where the sun doesn't hit it. I don't remember the girl's name. Our art teacher took us on a field trip to the Plaza at Christmas. I worked from a photo I took on that outing. It's a print I made from a sheet of glass from Miss Hughes desk. I don't remember if I ask her for permission. I put my drawing under the glass and used a tooth pick to draw with black watercolor on the glass. Then I placed a sheet of damp newsprint over the glass to create the monoprint. My mother had it framed - I don't dare open it for fear it might fall apart. It was considered for a Hallmark award at Scholastics - but Miss Hughes told the judges it was printmaking. Only drawings and paintings were accepted for that award. It's a wonderful memory of my years at Wyandotte.

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October 30 - New Watercolor:
I broke down and bought some new watercolor paper. Now I won't need to paint on the backs of old paintings. My new subject is a deserted cabin up near Angel Fire in Northern New Mexico. I've photographed it before - but on this trip the light was just right.

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October 29 - FaceTime:
Who says old folks can't learn something new - my cell phone rang - my bride pushed a button and we were on FaceTime with our first born and his girl friend Judy back in Kansas City. Had a wonderful conversation - we will try this again.

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October 28 - Finished:
I want to thank everyone for all the suggestions on my new watercolor "Frontier Gas" - It's an old gas station near Taos - It's actually a museum now. My painting is 19 x 26 inches on 300 lb Arches Rough. I brightened the pumps, I darkened the center area and the last thing was spraying the corners with a mouth atomizer. THANKS

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October 27 - Snow in October:
A perfect morning to sleep in late and have a warm bowl of Kasha (Cream of Wheat) and toast. I'll have a little time to paint before the sixth game of the world series comes on. We are rooting for the Dodgers.

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...	October 26 - New Watercolor: This is a different type of subject for me - plus a different style. The subject is from photos I took last week on our trip to Taos. I'm anxious to remove the liquid mask, then I'll have a lot of work to do on the details.
October 25 - Finished: I finished my newest watercolor "Securing Phoenix" - my subject is Albuquerque's 1 % for art installation at the new Fire Station #9. The painting is 23 x 18 inches on 300 lb Arches Hot Press. I thought about doing a looser more painterly version - but, this tight version seems to reflect the subject more correctly. The sculpture is 23 feet tall and is constructed from recycled automobile hoods. If you wrecked a car recently - we thank you for your contribution to the art world.	...
October 24 - Silly Stuff: With this Pandemic - we are all looking for something to do - for my bride, she crushed up water bottles to see how many she could squeeze into an empty Pork Rind container. For me I had to take photos of it in hope that it might be an interesting subject for a new painting. What will we do next ?	...
October 23 - Arlo is Hanging it Up: Sad - but, understandable - Arlo Guthrie is hanging it up and will no longer do concerts. He posted a very long GOODBYE on Facebook. He does love to talk just like in his concerts. I'm reposting just the last bit of his post here: "A folksinger's shelf life may be a lot longer than a dancer or an athlete, but at some point, unless you're incredibly fortunate or just plain whacko (either one or both) it's time to hang up the “Gone Fishing” sign. Going from town to town and doing stage shows, remaining on the road is no longer an option. I don't remember answering the question on the other side of that piece of paper when I was asked “Kid! Have you rehabilitated yourself?” But, the short answer is now clearly, “No!” In fact, I hope to be a thorn in the side of a new administration pretty soon. Tom Paine once wrote “To argue with a man who has renounced the use … of reason, and whose philosophy consists in holding humanity in contempt, is like administering medicine to the dead….” In other words, you cannot and should not argue with people who don't care, or hold the caring of others in contempt. A healthy suspicion of authority, left, right or center has been the hallmark of my career since the beginning, and I will continue to poke fun at cultural, political, or personal absurdities as I see it. I'm actually looking forward to it. I'm happy, healthy and good to go, even if I'm not going anywhere. I've taken back 6-9 months that I used to spend on the road, and enjoying myself with Marti, my family and friends. In short - Gone Fishing." We have been to many, many of Arlo's concerts - we wish him well in retirement ...

October 22 - Backyard Spot:
We put these pieces in this corner of the backyard so the winds won't blow them over.

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October 21 - A Bit of Progress:
At least I got the sky in my new watercolor of "Securing Phoenix" - plus a pit of color.

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October 20 - Another Drawing:
Another drawing for a new watercolor - "Frontier Gas" - I'm working from a photo I took on our recent trip to Taos. I want my finished painting to look and feel like a painting and not like a photograph.

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October 19 - New Watercolor:
I'm starting on a new watercolor today "Securing Phoenix" - larger this time - it's 23 x 18 inches. I'm working on the back of an old painting - it's on 300 lb Arches Hot Press.

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October 17 - Back From Taos:
                My bride and I just returned from two nights at the Sagebrush Inn in Taos, New Mexico. It's an easy drive from our home in Albuquerque. We really have not been any where in the last seven months.We enjoyed the drive Wednesday morning taking the High Road to Taos through Chimayo, Truchas and Las Trampas. I had got two free nights ant the Sagebrusn Inn for a painting I donated last October. On Thursday we drove the Enchanted Circle through Angel Fire and Red River. I took photos along the way. The yellow trees seem to glow in the morning light. It's a beautiful time to see Northern New Mexico.

          It's still seven months before our annual watercolor workshop in Taos but I fear that if things don't improve I won't attend. I did confirm my reservation for next June for my room/studio #115 at the Sagebrush Inn. But if we still wear masks and avoid each other why bother. Without hugs from old friends, or breakfasts and meals together - what fun is that. While in Taos, we had a dinner reservation at Old Martina's but cancelled it out of caution. We have not eaten in a restaurant in the last seven months. I hope that things will improve after the vaccine is available and if enough people are willing to take it. All our meals in Taos were all take out.

          While in Taos, I bumped into Lynn McClain at the Sage Gallery. We got to visit for a short while. I really admired one of his new watercolors on display there. I sure hope everything improves by next June.

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October 12 - Watercolor Finished:
I finished my watercolor of "Raising Phoenix" this morning - what is the subject ? It a 23 foot tall sculpture constructed out of automobile hoods. It stands in front of the new Fire Station # 9 in Albuquerque. It was funded by the 1 % percent for art program. As a member of the city art board - I'm having fun spending the tax payers money on art to enhance our city. This painting is 21 x 14 inches on 140 lb Arches rough. I plan on a doing a much larger version on 300 lb paper. What should I change in the full sheet version.

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October 11 - Artical in the Journal:

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October 10 - Tess Is Fantastic:
My bride an I just finished watching our grand daughter's "Senior Concert" live on YouTube - She did a fantastic job - Way to go girl. Today - everything is virtual - so, We had to watch Tess on our computer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIFHG-Xo578&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1T4-7AmZBlM97LrFqURftwOyDrU2JHsBKUDYRZlxw_vJs5rBml_On1178

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October 9 - Steps Along The Way:
It's hard to believe that I'm working differently - No Liquid Mask, No Wet-n-Wet, No Splashing of Color - This is more like putting a puzzle together.

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October 8 - "Raising Phoenix":
I'm working on a new watercolor about the new sculpture at Fire Station #9. This painting should tell the whole story. Working on this watercolor is a lot like putting a puzzle together.

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October 7 - Productive Day:
Yesterday was a busy day - Early in the morning I took Blossom to the groomer, later we shopped for groceries, then I cut 5 lbs of pork into small chunks to create a large pot of my famous Red Sauce, and finally we watched our Dodgers defeat San Diego - it was a very productive day. Today I should get back to painting.

October 4 - Balloons:
Our skies are not full of balloons this October because this years Balloon Fiesta was cancelled. But, there are a few balloons despite the pandemic. You can accually spot masks on the faces of those in the balloons. I shot a few photos from our backyard this morning.

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October 3 - Balloon Museum:
My paintings are framed and ready to deliver to the Balloon Museum - https://www.balloonexhibition.com/art-gallery?page=2 The exhibition is posted on-line now. I deliver my paintings later this month to be hung in the museum.

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October 2 - New Watercolor:
I started a drawing today for a new watercolor "Art Workers" - it's based on photos I took at the installation of the Phoenix at Fire Station #9 here in Albuquerque

October 1 - Santa Fe Street Music:
This is my second version of this same subject. I think it's finished - here is my "Santa Fe Music ll" finished (step by step) This weekend my friends may have suggestions in our ZOOM critique sessions. It took me way to long to finish. I've been distracted playing Bookworm on my computer and by watching the LA Dodgers on TV. We live in our own little bubble here getting lazy and eating way to much.

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