North of Taos

During the High Desert Painters Taos paint out in October 2008, we set up our easels just north of Taos. The sunny weather turned a bit colder and the clouds rolled in as we painted. The colors and shadow patterns on the mountains were amazing, and we stayed out in the cold wind as our fingers turned numb. What a wonderful afternoon, followed by the outdoor fireplace on the patio and then dinner at Orlando's. The photo above is of Judy Howells and Janis Loverin, l. to r.

Painting in the High Desert in Autumn

On a gorgeous October day, Ann Templeton worked her magic and allowed us to watch her create a painting of Abiquiu Lake from an overlook near the entrance road for Ghost Ranch New Mexico. As she painted she gave an eloquent description of her complicated thought process during the design of a plein air landscape painting and then on to the finish. Just on the right edge of the photo is the beginning of the Pedernal - the mountain that Georgia O'Keefe made famous.

This mesa overlooking the box canyon in the heart of Ghost Ranch, New Mexico is a favorite painting location for the High Desert Painters. Some of us choose the upright red rocks as our subject; others decide to let the casitas weave their story into the painting. This day dawned with the crisp October air at 40 degrees so by midday the warm sun on this mesa is a welcome participant in our painting experience.

October 2008 Taos Plein Air Paint Out

During mid-October 2008 four members of the High Desert Painters painted on location in Taos, New Mexico. Luckily one day was rainy so, in addition to painting outside, the group could spend time indoors at Taos museums. Pictured above at the historic Taos Art Museum & Fechin House, l to r, are Jana Van Wyk, Nita Harper, Janis Loverin, and Judy Howells.

5th Annual Plein Air Paint Out at Ghost Ranch NM

Members of the High Desert Painters met at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico for a seven day plein air paint out in the Abiqui, NM area during the second week of October 2008. Members participating included (top l to r) Judy Howells, Nita Harper, Coni Grant, Jana Van Wyk (bottom l to r) Ann Templeton and Janis Loverin. (Nelson Hubley is not pictured)

The paintings created during this event will be in the High Desert Painting group show entitled "Autumn at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico" which was curated by Ann Templeton. The show runs from November 6 through December 5, 2008 at http://www.highdesertpainters.com/

Be sure to view the show and the accompanying descriptions so that you too can experience the glory of the High Desert at Ghost Ranch New Mexico during the golden Autumn season!

Opening for "Autumn at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico" will be held November 6, 2008.

Camille's workshop

It was a great week painting studies and watching demos in Maryland. Jana and I learned a lot. Camille Przewodek is such a fabuloous teacher, that we barely noticed the flies, chiggers, mosquitos, snakes, and 95 degree days and electric black-outs! I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

Two High Desert Painters near St. Michaels, Maryland

Two of the High Desert Painters -- Nita Harper and Jana Van Wyk -- spent a week in July painting "en plein air" in Maryland and studying with Camille Przewodek. The photo above is (l to r) of Jana, Camille and Nita. It was a wonderful week in a spectacular area of the country along the Chesapeake Bay shore. Camille is a wonderful teacher and a warm, caring person. And her husband Dale also helped with the workshop - they are both wonderful painters who studied with Henry Hensche. And Dale did a great job facilitating Camille's teaching, as we say now "everyone needs a Dale"!

The workshop was held at Maple Hall B&B in Claiborne, MD, and most of us ended up painting the waterway along the shore, in addition to many other spectacular views on the property. Here is Camille painting late on Tuesday evening.

Our last night in St. Michael's Nita and I enjoyed a Maryland seafood buffet. Notice the sunburn and "hat hair". It was very hot and humid during our stay in Maryland, so some days were an endurance test.

Our workshop was the week after the Plein Air Easton paint out event, and we did visit Easton, MD to see some of the paintings. Many of the paintings sold immediately; the show was a huge success with over $200,000 in sales.

Painting at Ann's Studio in the Hondo Valley

Springtime painting is the best for High Desert Painters! The Hondo Valley in May is a magical place to be. Jana (left), Ann (middle), and Janis (right) spent a week painting at Ann's Ruidoso, New Mexico studio fueling the creative fires. You can see one of Ann's abstracted landscape paintings in the background of the photo above.