Tuesday, June 18, 2013

TRAVELS!

GHOST RANCH, NEW MEXICO, JUNE 2013
Wow, I didn't realize how long I have been absent from the blog!  I promise to do better.  The past month has been a series of travels and I have some paintings to prove it.  We went with a wonderful group of artist friends to Santa Fe and then to Ghost Ranch in New Mexico where Georgia O'Keefe lived and painted.  I had the opportunity to tour her house and studio which was a very exciting event.  Sadly, they did not allow photography which was a big frustration to me.  Santa Fe was full of inspiration and I have some images in mind to translate into future paintings.  I only photographed in Santa Fe but I did some plein air work at Ghost Ranch.  Landscape is not my oeuvre but I enjoy capturing my surroundings when I travel with a painting or two in my travel sketchbooks.  Traveling with serious plein air artists put the pressure on and I was actually out in the parking lot at 6 AM one morning doing an ink drawing!  I did bail on a hike up the trail and opted to sit on the patio of the art center (near the bathroom!) and paint the plants of the southwest.  I know my limitations!  I plan to post one image a day to draw things out.  The image above was our view from the room.  This fabulous rock formation changed every few minutes as the sun and clouds moved overhead.  So far, this is my favorite painting of the trip. It is painted in my small watercolor handmade book on a double spread.   

26 comments:

Nancy Standlee said...

Very nice painting..

Myrna Wacknov said...

Thanks, Nancy. Nice to see all the great work you are doing. I am following but not doing commenting lately. Hope our paths cross again soon.

Unknown said...

Wow Myrna! That's a little gem!

Myrna Wacknov said...

Thanks, Carrie. It has the feel of the place. No lush greenery like Oregon!

Sheila Sonnenschein said...

Love your work, Myrna! I know some people in KC who go to Ghost Ranch for writing workshops!

Meera Rao said...

Oh such a beautiful sketch/painting!I think you have captured the feeling of vastness! I had been wondering about not seeing any posts here and glad to hear that you were having a good time :) I am in India now and continuing with my sketch a day during my stay (three months this time) Looking forward to seeing the rest of your sketches/paintings.

Autumn Leaves said...

You've captured the beautiful desert colors, Myrna. I like your landscapes!

Mari Brown and Colourblob said...

Love the colours!!! I have been away from my blog too for a while, kind of flying in once in a while when Im able to find time or energy... But its lovely to see your sketches from your travels and again, I love the colours of this one!

Gayle Miller said...

The colors are so gorgeous, you brought them to life.

Mary Paquet said...

Landscape may not be your thing, but you sure are good at it!

Bob and I loved Ghost Ranch, Santa Fe, Taos, and the wonderful ancient landscape that we saw.

Myrna Wacknov said...

Thanks, Sheila. Lots of activities at Ghost Ranch. Saw the wonderful write up on you in the paper. You are doing great work!!!

Myrna Wacknov said...

Hi Meera, Thanks for you generous comments. How nice you can spend such a long visit with family. I look forward to seeing your daily sketches.

Myrna Wacknov said...

Hi Sherry, The desert does take on some remarkable hues which constantly shift. Thanks for the compliment.

Myrna Wacknov said...

Hi Mari, Thanks for checking back in! And thanks for the nice words!

Myrna Wacknov said...

Hi Gayle, The most fun I have had painting and traveling was with you in Bruge! I love that you are progressing so fabulously with your art.

Myrna Wacknov said...

Thanks, Mary. You are always so generous!

Anonymous said...

Hi Myrna, Thanks for sharing from you sketchbook. I've never been to Ghost Ranch, but now I'm interested. I should think that you would be good at landscape after all the face is a like landscape of sorts, only oriented differently :)

Suddenly, the reason they call it "portrait" or "landscape" orientation knocked me over the head.

I enjoyed your study and look forward to seeing more!

Myrna Wacknov said...

Hi Peggy,
You would love Ghost Ranch, being an outdoors type of person. I did start to see faces in the rocks!

laura said...

Great painting!
I love Ghost Ranch ... can't wait to go back!

Dan Kent said...

Well I certainly wouldn't know that landscape is not your oeuvre from this beautiful sketch! You really captured it, I think. Love it.

Myrna Wacknov said...

Thanks, Laura. It is a magical place.

Myrna Wacknov said...

Hi Dan, Nice to hear from you again! Thanks for the nice words. I think my friends inspired me to paint landscape. You should have seen their work!!!!!!!!!

RH Carpenter said...

I am so envious of your trip - this is one place I do want to visit sometime!! Sad they didn't let you take photos inside - what's the harm? Guess they were selling postcards and things instead?

Myrna Wacknov said...

Hi Rhonda,
I hope you get there one day. I thought about the no photography thing. There are no postcards of her house. Maybe it would slow the tour down too much or be a distraction. They didn't give a reason. They are going to have a painting session at the house in the fall. That would be really special,

Crazy RAvens Studio said...

When I saw the Ghost Ranch area, I decided that that is what heaven will look like for me. My dream is to go and stay for a couple of weeks and paint.

Myrna Wacknov said...

I ope your dream comes true really soon. The tour guide at abique house said there would be a painting event at the O 'Keene house In rhe fall.

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