What are you up to?
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OliveOyl
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And…before I start painting and head back into my winter hibernation, I wanted to say this stuff:
So, I woke up to the news of the election just as we were also being hit by an “unprecedented” blizzard that lasted for the following 3 days. Figures. This storm did the usual kind of winter damage that other parts of the country are used to getting - a state emergency declaration, school and airport closings, major highways being shut down, huge tree branches broken and fallen, and thousands of people affected by outages. There was dense fog, blowing winds, freezing temperatures and black ice. People around here don’t have a lot of “snow driving” experience and still drive too fast. Lots of accidents. And it doesn’t seem that the state uses sand or has plowing equipment because hundreds were stranded in their cars and needed rescuing. This was all the winter drama I thought I left behind in New England.
So after many days stuck inside, huddled under a blanket, watching the news, and being too bummed out and numb to move, today was “freedom, freedom, lalala, oh blah.” Since the sun is out and the sky is blue and it’s back to regular southwestern winter days, we headed out for a walk. Never saw the wide open grasslands covered with snow (already melting) and it was VERY sparkly in the sun! It felt like my feet and their attached legs forgot how to work, but they did! And, I wore “unprecedented” gloves…for the first time in 2024! See? Who says life can’t be fun anymore?
In the foothills, there’s a small herd of bison owned by the Sandia Pueblo and sometimes you see them from the road, but usually, you don’t. Again, the fact that there’s enough land INSIDE OF A CITY to have a herd of big animals, is still amazing to me. Now, I didn’t take any snow pictures because I was a sad sack lump on a log, but I saw this one online. I think this person was lucky to get close enough to capture some pretty good pictures.
They look wise, huh? And hardy. I wonder what they’re thinking about all this mess of unprecedentedness….
So, I woke up to the news of the election just as we were also being hit by an “unprecedented” blizzard that lasted for the following 3 days. Figures. This storm did the usual kind of winter damage that other parts of the country are used to getting - a state emergency declaration, school and airport closings, major highways being shut down, huge tree branches broken and fallen, and thousands of people affected by outages. There was dense fog, blowing winds, freezing temperatures and black ice. People around here don’t have a lot of “snow driving” experience and still drive too fast. Lots of accidents. And it doesn’t seem that the state uses sand or has plowing equipment because hundreds were stranded in their cars and needed rescuing. This was all the winter drama I thought I left behind in New England.
So after many days stuck inside, huddled under a blanket, watching the news, and being too bummed out and numb to move, today was “freedom, freedom, lalala, oh blah.” Since the sun is out and the sky is blue and it’s back to regular southwestern winter days, we headed out for a walk. Never saw the wide open grasslands covered with snow (already melting) and it was VERY sparkly in the sun! It felt like my feet and their attached legs forgot how to work, but they did! And, I wore “unprecedented” gloves…for the first time in 2024! See? Who says life can’t be fun anymore?
In the foothills, there’s a small herd of bison owned by the Sandia Pueblo and sometimes you see them from the road, but usually, you don’t. Again, the fact that there’s enough land INSIDE OF A CITY to have a herd of big animals, is still amazing to me. Now, I didn’t take any snow pictures because I was a sad sack lump on a log, but I saw this one online. I think this person was lucky to get close enough to capture some pretty good pictures.
They look wise, huh? And hardy. I wonder what they’re thinking about all this mess of unprecedentedness….
PaintBoss
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Oh, they probably really enjoyed the snow. Animals often do you love the first few snowfalls. And especially if it’s something rare. They do look warm enough.
Well, the idea of you coming out after three days into glistening, sparkling snow or ice covering the land is just lovely. I hope that was a real treat for your soul. Now you don’t want the cold all the time, but it sure can be gorgeous!
I can’t remember exactly where you are. It’s lovely to have that space around you. I’ve had to move for my husband‘s job and for some services I needed closer to the biggest part of the rat race in Ontario and I gotta tell you we don’t enjoy it- we have tried. I came from a hobby farm as a child so getting that space around is so important. I miss it dearly. it is just so densely populated down here and I cannot get out to the trails. I’m glad you have access to that.
Well, my Horse in the Clouds canvas print, which was huge on a beautiful gallery quality frame was not my favourite. We played a little bit with the colouring of it when the printer and I were going through the professional photos and printing it for the first time years ago. He kicked up the colour a notch, and I kept it. But I was pretty tired of it at the end. I liked the original better. I was very happy if someone else took some joy from it. I wanted to find a home for it, and if I could raise some money for some kids to do art in the community, great.
Yes, I do think some of your stuff would definitely get sold if donated. This was an auction the first night and then after that they had a week where they had general prices that were very reasonable on a scale. They had different rooms with different prices and we saw all kinds of different art there. One of my favourites was one of those landscape scenes you see from the 70s above everyone’s couches in the original gaudy frame. All they did was paint very roughly with a very thick hardware store brush in white, “Things don’t need to stay the same.” Loved it, and so did everybody else. So much so that the artist went out to thrift stores to find more paintings to do similar phrases. What I do know of the public is everyone has different tastes. And many people delight in finding stuff that’s different, not the run of the mill.
Well, the idea of you coming out after three days into glistening, sparkling snow or ice covering the land is just lovely. I hope that was a real treat for your soul. Now you don’t want the cold all the time, but it sure can be gorgeous!
I can’t remember exactly where you are. It’s lovely to have that space around you. I’ve had to move for my husband‘s job and for some services I needed closer to the biggest part of the rat race in Ontario and I gotta tell you we don’t enjoy it- we have tried. I came from a hobby farm as a child so getting that space around is so important. I miss it dearly. it is just so densely populated down here and I cannot get out to the trails. I’m glad you have access to that.
Well, my Horse in the Clouds canvas print, which was huge on a beautiful gallery quality frame was not my favourite. We played a little bit with the colouring of it when the printer and I were going through the professional photos and printing it for the first time years ago. He kicked up the colour a notch, and I kept it. But I was pretty tired of it at the end. I liked the original better. I was very happy if someone else took some joy from it. I wanted to find a home for it, and if I could raise some money for some kids to do art in the community, great.
Yes, I do think some of your stuff would definitely get sold if donated. This was an auction the first night and then after that they had a week where they had general prices that were very reasonable on a scale. They had different rooms with different prices and we saw all kinds of different art there. One of my favourites was one of those landscape scenes you see from the 70s above everyone’s couches in the original gaudy frame. All they did was paint very roughly with a very thick hardware store brush in white, “Things don’t need to stay the same.” Loved it, and so did everybody else. So much so that the artist went out to thrift stores to find more paintings to do similar phrases. What I do know of the public is everyone has different tastes. And many people delight in finding stuff that’s different, not the run of the mill.
Artyczar
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I have the same fears about not being able to sell the work in fundraisers, Olive. I only give work out that I'm pretty sure is going to sell. That's why I only give to this one place every year because the audience pool tends to buy everything up for the sake of this particular charity to raise as much money as they can once a year. It's called the Laurel Foundation, and all the artists are queer or trans. The money goes to trans youth and children with HIV and AIDS. They organize many programs and lots of help for them despite their backgrounds.
PaintBoss
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Well, it’s pretty universal I think to be nervous our work will be the item that won’t sell. Instead, mine was given the pride of place and that gave me a lot of encouragement. I never expected that.
Arty, that is an important cause. Sounds like a wonderful charity to donate to. I just think your work is wonderful and it’s a bit different from everybody else’s too. Unique. I think people will really gravitate to it.
Arty, that is an important cause. Sounds like a wonderful charity to donate to. I just think your work is wonderful and it’s a bit different from everybody else’s too. Unique. I think people will really gravitate to it.
brianvds
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I accompanied my landlady and her daughter, who were looking for a cheap dress, to a local Chinese mall. The place is wondrously tacky, a surreal, intoxicating, creepy plastic paradise of dirt-cheap junk and exploited workers. Every time I go there I promise myself not to go overboard with photos, but I can never help myself... 
Maybenartist
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Your writing always amazes me, you bring everything to life through your words. The bison look amazing and would make a nice painting.
PaintBoss
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Yeah, we need to use that photo for a challenge somewhere on the forum! But what should it be? Water media, oil or acrylic? I think it should be wide open for any interpretation of the piece. All those photos are great. Looks like a very fun place to visit.
As far as I’m up to? Well, Canada’s Thanksgiving is over, but I’m still enjoying one of my favourite movies, Planes, Trains and Automobiles. I loved John Candy. His home was in the wider general area where I’m from, not particularly close to me. But he used to always frequent a particular fine dining restaurant my friend worked at. This was back a few years before he died. And he was well loved and just as nice as you’ve always heard. A generous tipper too.
Right now I want to try and get back to finishing up a few paintings that have been waiting a long time. Unfortunately, one of them is big, but I want to get it done. I don’t think it’s possible, but I’m trying to figure out how I could do it -in bed! Lol I can maybe do the bottom part but I don’t think I can do other areas. But you know me, I might try!
john
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You are an inspiration Christine. I'll just have a sore back and that keeps me from painting. But you women are stronger than us wimpy males. And I dare any male to dispute that.
Yeah that was a good movie. Should watch that again.
A few days ago I saw this guy near our house figuring out how to jump the fence and eat all the tasty nice things in our yard.
Yeah that was a good movie. Should watch that again.
A few days ago I saw this guy near our house figuring out how to jump the fence and eat all the tasty nice things in our yard.
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Great shots, Brian!I accompanied my landlady and her daughter, who were looking for a cheap dress, to a local Chinese mall. The place is wondrously tacky, a surreal, intoxicating, creepy plastic paradise of dirt-cheap junk and exploited workers. Every time I go there I promise myself not to go overboard with photos, but I can never help myself...
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This place reminds me of visiting what we call a "flea market" here in the USA. I got thrown out for taking pictures that look very similar to this - creepy mannequins, bins full of all kinds of glittery junk, etc.
Yep, they accused me of taking pictures for a nearby - and apparently rival - flea market. Hustled me right out the door after I refused to turn over my camera. I pissed them off by laughing, too.
Good times.
PaintBoss
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Aw thanks John. 
My inspirations are having a second chance at being here and trying to make the most of it even if it’s in small ways compared to many others. It’s all a gift. And the late Mexican artist Frida Kahlo (1907-1954), who had such severe pain with back issues and failed surgeries, she was bedridden in braces and did her art laying flat sometimes looking at mirror.
My inspirations are having a second chance at being here and trying to make the most of it even if it’s in small ways compared to many others. It’s all a gift. And the late Mexican artist Frida Kahlo (1907-1954), who had such severe pain with back issues and failed surgeries, she was bedridden in braces and did her art laying flat sometimes looking at mirror.
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brianvds
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Acrylics, of course - plastic paint for a plastic subject.
Incidentally, anyone is welcome to use any of the photos I upload here for reference. I consider them to be in the public domain.
brianvds
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Yes, we have flea markets here as well, though usually open-air affairs rather than in permanent structures. And then I visited the local farmer's market this morning. Another bewitching, bewildering array of farm produce, handmade items, second-hand books and who knows what else.
Hand-carved stone sculptures:
Girl browsing the leisurely way...
Busker at work:
Beadwork ornaments:
They keep some live animals in enclosures too, just for the show:
Beadwork key rings:
Sitting area:
Pony rides for kids also available:
A heap of slingshots, enough to give a European bureaucrat a heart attack. When I was a kid you couldn't buy there - you had to make your own!
Want some cheap cacti? The farmer's market is your friend:
A bloke on stilts; he entertains children by making balloon animals:
An artist displaying his work:
And thus I reach my upload limit; will add a few more in next post.
brianvds
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And a few more from the farmer's market:
Amusing Christmas paintings with springbok instead of reindeer pulling Santa's sled:
And a performance by a brass and percussion band:
On the way home, some nice clouds, hinting that we may possibly have some rain later (even though the weather bureau forecast none):
Last but not least, I took two short videos of the band performing. They are sponsored by an upliftment organization known as the Field Band Foundation ( https://fieldband.org.za/ )
And that concludes my report on a fun morning.
Amusing Christmas paintings with springbok instead of reindeer pulling Santa's sled:
And a performance by a brass and percussion band:
On the way home, some nice clouds, hinting that we may possibly have some rain later (even though the weather bureau forecast none):
Last but not least, I took two short videos of the band performing. They are sponsored by an upliftment organization known as the Field Band Foundation ( https://fieldband.org.za/ )
And that concludes my report on a fun morning.
brianvds
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I got invited to go along to a fancy whiskey tasting at a fancy local mall, and began to feel like a celebrity. In between I was pleased to see the mall displaying sculptures by a locally famous sculptor (one Anton Smit; I don't think he has made much of an international splash):
The lovely ladies are my landlady's daughter (left) and adopted daughter (right).
This, I am sure, is coincidence and has nothing to do with recent American political events.:
And outside, I saw this:
None too sure what it's all about, but it looks like BRICS is heating up.
The lovely ladies are my landlady's daughter (left) and adopted daughter (right).
This, I am sure, is coincidence and has nothing to do with recent American political events.:
And outside, I saw this:
None too sure what it's all about, but it looks like BRICS is heating up.
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