Artist Hiatus.....

I've been spending the summer on an artist hiatus in New Mexico....exploring, getting reference photos, and ideas for new paintings.

Thought I'd share some images from locations (many off the beaten path) in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, & western New Mexico. There's so much natural beauty, wildlife, history and culture in this amazing area...

Ancient Zuni Indian Pueblo
El Morro National Monument, Ramah, New Mexico

Sandstone Mesa
El Morro National Monument, Ramah, New Mexico

Bed of volcanic ash and new growth
El Calderon, Grants, New Mexico

Sandia Mountain at sunset
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Albuquerque at night
Sandia Peak Tramway

Sunset paints the mountains blood red
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Surreal sandstone rock formations
El Malpais National Monument, New Mexico

La Ventana..... the largest natural arch in New Mexico

Tiny oasis in the desert... a Vernal pond explodes with temporary life after the rains,

including tadpoles,  daphnia shrimp, insects, and birds....then within days they may completely dry up.

Pygmy Pinon pine.....tree growth stunted by harsh desert environments
Grants, New Mexico

Gaping cracks in a volcanic lava bed.....some 20 feet deep!
Thousands of yrs ago western New Mexico was a big volcano (that explains the hot weather)!

Ropy Pahoehoe is the name of lava with a thick ropy texture...common in lava fields.
El Malpais National Monument, New Mexico

El Santuario de Chimayó
A religious Spanish Catholic Holy Pilgrimage village near Santa Fe, New Mexico

Ancient Petroglyphs
Petroglyph National Monument, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Ancient Petroglyphs near Albuquerque, New Mexico

Ancient Petroglyphs near Albuquerque, New Mexico

The foothills of Sandia Mountain

Recent rains cause cacti to bloom
Sandia Mountain

Spectacular views of entire city of Albuquerque from Sandia Foothills 

HooDoo volcanic rock formations
Tent Rocks, New Mexico

Deep arroyos carved from wind & water
Slot Canyon, New Mexico

HooDoo volcanic rock formations
Tent Rocks, New Mexico

The Road Runner is a large bird.... over 12" tall
This fellow was curious & tame....allowing me to come close.

Recent rains turns the desert into golf turf green.
Socorro, New Mexico

Gigantic radio telescopes (Very Large Array)
Magdalena, New Mexico

Approaching storm at the Very Large Array
Magdalena, New Mexico

Desert Jack Rabbit......this buck was very tame allowing me to approach close!

Gotcha!

The slow moving chameleon is a wizard at changing colors......but lightning fast with his spring-loaded sticky tongue.  This sapphire blue chameleon is about to make a meal of an unlucky grasshopper!

Details of Chameleon

Gotcha! is an asymmetric diptych...two piece painting on separate canvases....12x24 and 12x12.  

Earth Art Studio, Sister Bay, Wisconsin

I'm excited to be represented at Earth Art Studio, a fine craft/art boutique way North in Sister Bay, Wisconsin.  Sister Bay in Door County is a renowned recreational area with year round boating, fishing, shopping, and a vibrant art community.  

Clara's Art.......on Custom Checks!

My artwork is now on custom personal checks, checkbooks covers, and address labels.   They are available thru Check Advantage Artist's Collection in four fabulous animal series! 

 African Safari - Iconic animals of Africa!
 Sea Life - Variety of cool animals from the sea!
Paint Ponies - For Pony lovers only! 
Owls - My trademark crazy colored owls!

Order yourself a set or two!!

Nappy Capybaras on Mulberry

Capybaras, the world's largest rodent from South America, are social animals with funky alien feet, stiff fur, and black slanty eyes!  They gather in small groups to eat, groom, and nap together....like this vibrant neon family.

Nappy Capybaras on Mulberry on 24x24 gallery wrap canvas....available at The Green Phoenix in Annapolis, MD.

Family Fish Night!

This colorful otter family was based on some real life otters I saw at the Washington Zoo, several yrs ago.   They were total beggars......squeeking at me for handouts!   So I painted them with an ample supply of fish!

Family Fish Night......is an 18x36 gallery wrap canvas.

My Artwork w 6 Large Online Retailers!

My artwork products....are now being sold on six large online retailers....including SEARS.com.  Check them out!!

SEARS.COM, a major online home goods and home appliances retailer, with over 240 million annual online visitors.

HAYNEEDLE.COM is on online retailer based from Omaha, NE that specializes in home products.  

WAYFAIR.COM is a US based multi-national e-commerce company that sells furniture and other home products.

GILT.COM is an exclusive online flash sales home decor company, that focuses on designer brands and unique labels. 

ZULILY.COM is an online retailer who specializes in items for moms, infants, and children.

JOSS & MAIN is a premier members only online home decor retailer that features unique interior design housewares, accents, and gifts.   

Gems of the Jungle on Apricot

My latest commissioned painting of birds and animals from Amazon rainforest....including macaws, toucans, sun conures, an Amazon wood lizard, a purple coronet hummingbird, and land snails.   

Details - Amazon Wood Lizard

Details - Macaws & Purple Coronet Hummingbird

Details - Toucans

Gems of the Jungle on Apricot is a 15x40 gallery wrap canvas.....thanks so much David & Vanessa!

Luscious Longhorn on Lapis

This big Texas Longhorn bull....has fire orange horns that span the canvas...and wild splatters of spots that are common with this breed of cattle. 

Luscious Longhorn on Lapis  is a commissioned painting...on a 30x30 gallery wrap canvas....sold to collector from Texas.

Seahorse Sparklers on Marine Blue

Seahorses are fascinating creatures that come in amazing colors and unique patterns that are individual.....like a fingerprint.  This dazzling group includes males.......who get pregnant and bear the young!  

Seahorse Sparklers on Marine Blue is a commissioned painting.....on a 20x40 gallery wrap canvas.   

Many thanks to Cathy & Stephen!!

Fiddler's Joust on Custard Yellow

Fiddler crabs spend their lives running around the sand...out & into burrows.  These brilliant crabs are busy jousting and fighting over a well located burrowing hole.  

Fiddler's Joust on Custard Yellow, a commissioned painting, is on a 20x40 gallery wrap canvas.  

Thank you Cathy & Stephen!!

Art Buyer Magazine Feature....

I have been featured in the upcoming Summer 2013 issue of

Art Buyer Magazine, the premier Art and Design Licensing Magazine for the trade.  
Check it out!

Art Buyer Magazine

Painted Ponies on Wisteria

This small band of brightly dappled wild ponies with kinked manes....and a blue-green spotted foal...are contrasted on a soft purple background.  

Painted Ponies on Wisteria is a 30x40 gallery wrap canvas, available exclusively at Mat About You Gallery in Ellicott City, Maryland.

My Artwork Products at Kohl's Stores!!

I'm so excited to announce that a few select items of my artwork products will be available for Kohl's Stores!!  

 

Kohl's will start by carrying my work in their test markets and online store.  Then these items will be available......nationwide in their stores......by Summer 2013!

Image Courtesy: longbeachlouie.com/shops/kohls

Gum Ball Hedgehogs on Lapis

This yummy trio of bright fruity flavored Hedgehogs with delicious strawberry, orange, and grape quills.....are on a tiny 12x24 canvas.  

 Gum Ball Hedgehogs on Lapis is a follow-on piece to Neon Hedgehogs on Boysenberry Blue, and is for sale directly from my studio. 

Artwork Feature on Colorado Magazine

My artwork was recently featured on the cover article of Colorado Expression, a luxury lifestyle magazine from Denver Colorado.....check it out!

Ice White Bison on Mango Cranberry

The rare and sacred White Bison is a symbol of peace and prosperity in Native American cultures.  This lone white bison celebrates the extraordinary birth of an Albino Calf on a Connecticut farm in 2012.  

Ice White Bison on Mango Cranberry is 24x30....contrasted on tangy orange and dark cranberry background....with Native American symbols.   Thanks to fellow artist, Charlene Clark for inspiring me! 

Neon Hedgehogs on Boysenberry Blue

My latest commissioned painting is a family of adorable hedgehogs and "piglets".....with neon spines!   I was finally able to finish them.....after alot of quills!! 

Neon Hedgehogs on Boysenberry Blue is uniquely shaped 
at 12x36.  Many thanks to Amy!