"When dawn spreads its paintbrush on the plain, spilling purple... ," Sons of the Pioneers theme for TV show "Wagon Train." Dawn on the mythic Santa Fe Trail, New Mexico, looking toward Raton from Cimarron. -- Clarkphoto. A curmudgeon artist's musings melding metaphors and journalism, for readers in more than 150 countries.

Saturday, February 7, 2015

The twisting, uphill Road to Los Alamos--framed

Road to Los Alamos, 8" by 10" oil
Framed!  It's amazing how getting that done boosts my attitude. 
It's been sitting here drying for weeks, and I put on a light coat of retouching varnish this week. It'll have to dry another five months before the final varnish. But. First oil. Hanging! There's a slight bluish tint to the photograph I can't seem to correct, but this was exciting.
A month ago
"Do you like oils," a friend asked. "I don't know," I replied. Not sure. Don't dislike them, but I'm out of my comfort zone here. Yes, there are advantages compared to watercolor, but it is so different. And I have so much I don't know. 
I'm hesitant to start another, because they take so much time, and I'm short on that right now. I do know that when I'm painting, the rest of the world goes away. 
With each brush stroke, I'm experimenting, and growing in wonder at what my Dad and other oil painters have accomplished. 
I guess it's fitting that the road to Los Alamos, New Mexico,  is a twisting,  uphill journey in beautiful country.

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1 comment:

  1. Yogi♪♪♪February 8, 2015 at 11:19 AM

    Nice!! My mother painted scenes of the southwest like Canyon del Chelly. When she came to visit she brought her varnish to apply to the paintings she gave us.

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