Tree O

   Tree O - Oil on Canvas 30" X 40" $3300      

This piece was inspired by listening to a cello composition, which was introduced to me by a friend. Jennie was learning to play her Mother's cello, which she had inherited after her Mother's passing. 

During this time Jennie shared a blog post about this experienced and in it she shared some cello music she had been introduced to by a friend. The album, titled Escape Artist has a track called Into the Trees, which Jennie related to her journey. 

Her mention of the love her mother and she shared for the cello, and this particular music moved me to sit and listen. I was transended by the sound and envisioned this scene. 

Here is a link to Jennie's blog post and here is a link to Zoe Keating's beautiful cello composition titled Into the Trees.  

Chaco

This was painted as a gift for my daughter to always remind her of the playful nature of her best buddy Chaco, who left us in 2016. He was a good boy.

"You can't dribble on bow ties" Dr. Seuss

  

                                           Chaco 24" X 30" Oil on Canvas

Deliverance

The fourth piece in my recent series, this piece originated in collage form and represents my experience with art as a coping mechanism for dealing with chronic disease and physical pain. Through the creative process of art there comes a transportation of mind and body to a realm free of disease and pain, and it is a place where all things are possible. In this place I am the creator of my own universe. 

                                          Deliverance 30" X 40" Oil on Canvas $3,300

Loss

This is the third piece in my recent series. In this scene the bride has her back to the frog, who may represent the husband who, for whatever reason is not present. The mushrooms suggest a dream state so maybe it reflects the woman's desire for a spouse, her disappointment that her dream of the frog becoming her prince never materialized, or perhaps it is the prince who longs for a bride.  It may also be a representation of the transformation or loss of her spouse early in a marriage through physical separation, emotional disconnection, disease, divorce, or even suicide or death by some other cause. 

                                          Loss 30"X40"
 The word honeymoon was originally a reference to the inevitable waning of love like a phase of the moon. 

This, the first known literary reference to the honeymoon, was penned in 1552, in Richard Huloet's Abecedarium Anglico Latinum. Hulcet writes:

 Honey mone, a term proverbially applied to such as be newly married, which will not fall out at the first, but th'one loveth the other at the beginning exceedingly, the likelihood of their exceedinge love appearing to aswage, ye which time the vulgar people call the hony mone. -- Abedarium Anglico-Latinum pro Tyrunculis, 1552

Passage

         

Passage 30" X 40" $3300

The second in my newest series, this piece holds great personal meaning for me. It represents the point of departure between this life and whatever comes next. Although we are grounded here we are still afforded the ability to explore until it is our time to move forward.  We are guided by nature, the comforting trees and messenger birds who bring tidings from far away lands. Father Earth watches over us while Mother Earth leads us as we navigate our individual journeys, and others who have already passed are patiently waiting to welcome us to a new experience. 

2016 NM State Fair Fine Art competition CONTINUES

Four of my original paintings will continue to be on display and FOR SALE during the 2016 New Mexico State Fair in the Fine Arts Building.

Also FOR SALE are very affordable 8 1/2" X 11" Giclee prints of the originals. Ask about them at the front desk - $30 each.

Below are images of the oil paintings but you can see them in person along with many great pieces by other artists.

Entry is FREE & all art is for sale.

Expo NM Fine Arts Bldg can be accessed via the Copper entrance to the fairgrounds off San Pedro.

"Birditudes" will be on exhibit and for sale at the 2016 Encatada! show at Expo New Mexico on the NM State Fairgrounds

                                     
                                            Birditudes Oil on Canvas 36" X 36" $5,000

Artist Reception 
for Art of the Flower 2016

Enchanted Blossoms Oil on canvas 24" X 3" $3000

Enchanted Blossoms

This piece was jury selected to be exhibited in the upcoming show Art of the Flower which will run from June 13, 2016-July 23, 2016 at the New Mexico Art League. 

Enchanted Blossoms Oil on canvas 24" X 36" $3000

Another that will be professionally photographed and re-posted at a later date, but I wanted to document my recent completions. This was finished yesterday, and I have to say I am pleased. 

When I first began to paint 11 years ago I had an affinity for painting realistic flowers. Then for some years as I began to focus on allowing my own creativity to surface, and to building my art techniques I moved away from that subject. Recently I have felt a pull back to flowers and plants, but now with a twist, applying my new knowledge and skills. 

This particular image came from a photograph of a prickly pear cactus in bloom which I manipulated to add Curvismo, a style developed by my mentor Ricardo Chavez Mendez. 

Many think of the desert as a monotone, static, dry, baron place. Having lived in the high desert for 44 years I see it very differently.

Through the use of color and curved line I captured the dynamic nature of the desert, the ability for beautiful things to thrive in the absence of nourishment. By adding elements of contrast I presented the way in which the desert produces plants that are hard and sharp for their own protection, but amidst all that are soft, colorful, magical blossoms. The flowing lines indicate the way in which life in the desert is dependent on water, temperature and timing, and that it is always changing.

Hebe's Alchemy in Aquarius

Hebe's Alchemy in Aquarius Oil on Canvas 36" X 36" $3500.00

It's a terrible photo, and once I've had it professionally photographed I'll replace this one, but I just felt I needed to post some updates on recently completed works.

HEBE was the goddess of youth and the cup bearer of the gods who served ambrosia at the heavenly feast. She was also the patron goddess of the young bride and an attendant of the goddess Aphrodite. She was the daughter of Hera and Zeus and her male counterpart was the boy Ganymedes, who was carried off to heaven by Zeus to be the god's lover and cup-bearer of the gods. Ganymedes also received a place among the stars as the constellation Aquarius, the sign under which I was born.

In this scene Hebe is pouring the universe from the shell with the Aquarius constellation over her shoulder. The Aquarius zodiac symbol represents water and air, both depicted here. She rides atop hippocampus, a mythological creature typically depicted as having the upper body of a horse with the lower body of a fish. Poseidon, God of horses often drives a sea-chariot drawn by hippocampi. The terms hippocamp and hippocampus now refer to the real animal called a seahorse, and the terms seahorse and sea-horse refer to the mythological creature.

Cosmojo

Cosmojo Oil on Canvas 30" X 40" $3300

Mojo came to us from the Jack Russel Rescue in 2005 at the age of 3 or 4, and even now in 2015 at her advanced age she loves to play ball and go for runs. She regularly runs 6.5 miles at an average speed of 10 miles per hour! She may have a small body but she has a big self image and a huge heart. 

When she plays ball she goes big, so in this tribute painting she is shown jumping so high to catch her favorite tennis ball that she is among the stars and her ball has become a comet. 

She is a special girl and we love her to the moon and back!

Clinging

                                       

"Clinging" Oil on Canvas 24" X 24" $1800

Inspired by a sketch "Clinging" represents the dangers of clinging. Grasping onto the false idea that things are permanent, and cravings for sameness, ritual, and the comfort derived from such practices can lead to disappointment and discomfort. For those with disease or disability only letting go will save one from the suffering that will come with clinging. 

This image is a reminder of the beauty that comes from letting go of the grasp; that moment when one liberates oneself and begins to ascend from the depths of the stronghold created by the clinging. The bubbles are a sign that there is no longer clinging, but release, rising from the grasp and going toward the light of freedom. 

This piece incorporates the style called "Curvismo" developed by Ricardo Chavez Mendez, my mentor in art and all things metaphoric.

This original piece is available for purchase at CDA and 50% of proceeds will be donated to an ME/CFS charity.

Tuscan Landscape

This original oil is not based on a real place, but rather one I created in my mind. It captures some of the elements of the Tuscan landscape that I saw when visiting there in 2007, but also includes elements that are more dreamy.

It tells the story of two people enjoying a casual bike ride through the country, stopping as they passed the vineyard to take in the scenery and pick some sunflowers, keeping a watchful eye on the rainstorm forming in the distance. They are intrigued by the villa on the hill, and perhaps they've walked up to meet its owners.  It is meant to convey an imaginary place and time, but with the feeling of an ancient memory.

Tuscan Landscape Oil on Canvas 36" X 48" $4,700.00

Biologique - Art Exhibition

*NOTE New Dates for the Opening Reception and Exhibit

Well, this is a little different, but a photograph of mine was juried into an upcoming art show at the New Mexico Art League. 

*New Show dates – Fri., Oct. 9 – Fri., Nov. 20

*New Opening Reception – Sat., Oct. 17 (5:00 PM-7:30 PM)

Location: New Mexico Art League, 3409 Juan Tabo NE, Albuquerque, NM  87111

The name of the exhibit is "Biologique" and the idea behind it is art inspired by nature, with repeated patterns and inclusion of constants such as the "Golden Mean", the Fibonacci sequence, π (Pi), fractals, and mathematical harmony.

I'll post a reminder as the date gets closer, but no sneak peaks on my entry. You'll have to attend the show to see it.

http://fineartamerica.com/events/nmal-biologique-exhibition.html

Benches - A Collection of Digital Images

Here is a series of digital images I call "Benches". I don't know what it is about them, but I seem to be emotionally drawn to empty benches. There is always a comforting isolation about them, but also the prospect that sitting there one might be able to experience all the memories captured from that seat over time.

 

This yellow bench resides at the Albuquerque Botanic Garden, and captures lovely shadows when the light hits it.

 I found this serene scene in a park while visiting Kansas City, KS. Beautiful area for walking/running, people watching, or taking photographs. 

Here's another at the Albuquerque Botanic Gardens. It's one of my favorite places to visit.

This was taken from the balcony of my room at a lovely and favorite B & B in Sedona, AZ.

And one more inviting bench overlooking the big pond at the Albuquerque Botanic Garden. Lots blooming and much to see there.

Birditudes

Birditudes has been jury selected to be exhibited at ¡Encantada! 2016.  The show is being held at the FINE ARTS BUILDING, EXPO New Mexico, 300 San Pedro NE Albuquerque, NM 87108, from July 6th thru July 27th 2016.  Opening Reception is 5 - 8 PM—July 6th (Awards at 6:30).  Reception is free to the public so please invite your friends.

Birditudes Oil on Canvas 36" X 36" $5,000

My latest completion, Birditudes is likely the most evolved piece I've created to date. This is not meant to be a statement of its deep meaning, although there is a narrative within, and it certainly doesn't mean that I have reached some higher level.

What I mean is that this piece went through more change during its creation than any other of mine.

A couple of months prior to starting this, and the day after Christmas my elderly Mom had been diagnosed with advanced stage ovarian cancer and all the subsequent doctor's visits, tests and chemo treatments had begun. I'd helped my parents find and secure help with their daily life, got home health nurses and physical therapy lined up for Mom as well as Meals on Wheels delivery. I'd been cooking, shopping, scheduling appointments, attending doctor's appointments, and visiting to help almost daily for weeks, and all the activity plus the stress of the unknown were taking a toll on my health. Given my own chronic disease this was sure to lead me to a relapse, and I knew I needed to be healthy and available for my parents.

Ten years after my diagnosis I had finally reached a point where I'd successfully learned to implement "pacing", a strategy used to cope with my symptoms and practiced with the intent to avoid relapses, but the added responsibilities (activities) caused me to enter back into the harmful realm of "boom and bust".

For those of you who don't know what this means, let me try to explain. With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) the signature symptom is post exertional malaise (PEM), a return of or worsening of symptoms which can last hours, days, weeks, months, or longer, following physical or mental activity of any type or intensity. This can be very minor activity like grocery shopping, or for some severely affected patients simply going to the bathroom or brushing one's teeth.

Pacing is a proactive strategy where all activities, physical and mental, as well as proactive periods of rest are carefully measured, scheduled and executed in hopes of avoiding PEM, or the relapse of viral, cognitive and pain symptoms that usually follow consecutive activities or behaviors requiring energy demands outside one's body's current supply.

In contrast, boom/bust is when one simply does activity without consideration of how it may result, and proactive rest is not regularly practice. This "boom" is usually followed by the "bust" or a crash of hours, days, weeks or more. Next comes rest, sometimes forced because the activity leaves one incapacitated. Then hopefully next is recovery, then resumed activity, or sometimes activity comes before recovery because life activities that can lead to PEM, like cooking, showering, running errands, doctor's appointments, and grocery shopping, housework or childcare are not always easy to schedule. For some there is no recovery, but years of relapse leaving them completely home or bed bound.

As part of pacing, I already live a very reduced life from my pre-sickness level. In order to manage this disease and its symptoms one typically reaches a point where it becomes necessary to take stock of and prioritize all regular activities, omitting all but what is required. For some months before my diagnosis my body had already failed to manage the physical and mental demands of getting through a day of work, and I'd been forced to resign from my job weeks before before the diagnosis. Then for some years  my husband Lenny took on the responsibility of many household chores, and fortunately we have had weekly housekeepers and yard maintenance crews, so although I did some laundry, and cooked I focused on my  health and I didn't do much more. Gradually as my health improved a little I took on some chores, but with the cyclic nature of the disease I am not always able to do them all. Because of this great reduction in activity and Lenny's help I have been able to continue to do some physical activity and paint. I am fortunate in that regard.

With the added activities for Mom and Dad I decided the only unnecessary activity that I could temporarily stop would be attending my weekly painting sessions, so I didn't do any artwork for a few weeks. Once there was help on board, including recruiting a friend of Mom's who would take her to chemo sometimes, and we had established a weekly routine and knew what to expect to some degree, I went back to art sessions when Mom had a friend who could take her to chemo. That first time back after being gone for weeks was compounded by the fact that I was at the point where I had completed a piece just before Christmas so needed to have a new idea to start painting. My mind was not in a creative place, so I just relied on the faith that being at Oro Fine Art Gallery, in the room where I paint, and talking it over with my mentor, Ricardo, my mind would find its way to the creative space once again. I told him I thought I needed to just throw paint around on a canvas, so he had me pick a color. I chose red, took a large 36"X 36" canvas and painted a giant spiral in red. The space between became the complimentary green, and all of it was created in a hurry with generous amounts of paint swirled in textures with various visible brush strokes. It felt like an emotional dump.

The next couple of sessions were spent studying the work in progress. Embedded in the strokes were human figures, lots of bodies appearing to be doing things, like swimming, running, etc. So over those next couple of sessions I began outlining them wondering why they had presented themselves in this piece. Given that this disease has limited my activity level and altered my former physical nature I can understand why I'd paint active human figures engaged in athletic or physical activities, but I felt like I was struggling with how to form this into a joyful narrative piece. Eventually as my mind cleared, and through discussion with Ricardo, I was reminded that although a portion of my life circumstances may be somewhat uncontrollable, I can steer the direction of my art.

So, I began to look for other hints in the piece; something to which I could relate, fall in love with, and manage moving forward. Birds. There were obvious beaks, so the three birds you now see came to life. They had presented themselves out of the other chaos, each with its own individual attitude. I have an affinity for birds and flora; in the past I have had recurring dreams of flying, so birds make sense.

The two main birds in this composition, male and female, have had a disagreement of some kind. The rooster-ish male struts off arrogant and angry, but suddenly, and with some self reflection he begins to see that he may be partially at fault so looks questioningly to the viewer for input. The female, with her dignity intact has emotionally separated herself from him, patiently waiting for the time when they can calmly reconcile their differences. The small bird in the foreground sits somewhat protected under a leaf looking on throughout the entire episode, uninvolved, and wondering, "what the heck was all that noise about"?

#May12BlogBomb

11 Minutes After Midnight

11 Minutes After Midnight Oil on Canvas 16" X 40" SOLD

This piece was inspired by a drawing I did while in art school some years ago.  We were instructed to draw the inside of a room, and although I was at the time very much a realist, and into photorealistic art, somehow a drawing of these crazy, imagined characters came to mind. The idea was that during the night the instruments stored in a music room came to life and played the music on themselves without anyone ever knowing.

I decided to dig out the pencil drawing and paint from it. I made some changes, but maintained the integrity of the idea and some of the original characters.

Shortly before I started this painting I began seeing the number 11 more often than before when I look at my phone or anything with a digital readout. I researched the number and in chinese belief it signifies a balance between masculine and feminine, and is considered to be a good number. I don't know what the significance is for me, but it is still happening, usually a few times a day, and believe me I don't watch the clock. It's more like I pick up my phone to check email and it is 2:11, or 9:11, or 3:11, well you get it.

So I decided to put elevens into this piece. If you look long enough you'll find many elevens, and the time on the clock face of the accordian player is eleven after midnight. The music on the rug is a section of the score for the song, "After Midnight" written by J.J. Cale and recorded by Eric Clapton. The upright bass player was inspired by female cellist Esperanza Spalding. I play the ukulele so naturally had to include that instrument, and the others as well as the scene itself were meant to impart an island vibe.

Wonder

Wonder Oil on Canvas 18" X 24" $1200

I began formulating the idea for this painting several years ago at the local botanic garden, where spring means wind and cottonwood. At the threshold of the large grassy section a huge gust of wind blew past and cottonwood filled the landscape, turning the scene into what looked like a snow globe. I immediately grabbed the camera and began to shoot pictures. Later when I looked at the pictures I was surprised to see that I had also captured a little girl wearing a pink dress and hat standing in the middle of the grassy park, who was looking up at the cottonwood in wonder.

The subjects and composition of this piece developed on their own, presenting as they do with art. Most interesting was the raven in the foreground, which I photographed a few weeks prior to starting the painting, but years after the photo of the girl in the grass. I was waiting at a nearby park for my Mom to finish an appointment, and there was a large raven walking in the parking lot eating a cube of cheese and occasionally drinking from a rain puddle. I sat right next to it for some time, taking many pictures, which I later deleted. When painting this piece I decided I wanted to place a crow or raven on the rock so I went to my phone to find the pictures I'd taken, only to realize I'd deleted them, well, all except one. That is where this black bird originated.

The trees developed on their own, as did the idea that the girl is on her life path, having chosen her path. The raven holds out the invitation of love (the red heart locket), the tree bends to convey a right of passage filled with goodness, and the limb holds the promise of peace, while time spills out in front of her. At the same time, she carries a flower. The yellow daisy signifies innocence, purity and cheerfulness, and like a magic wand her daisy seems to be another source of the same sands of time falling from the hour glass in her future.

It is a statement about time and space, but also about free will versus determinism, and is the first of a new series of pieces with recurrent themes about life phases and experiences with forest scenes and a magical or mystical feel.

The original digital photograph is included below the painting.

Abstract Mixed Media Light in Motion Series

Just a few abstract mixed media images. These were digital photos taken of lights at night while moving the camera, and then embelished on Photoshop for fun. 

Ofrendas Del Corazon

This year my painting mentor Ricardo Chavez Mendez invited me to participate in Ofrendas Del Corazon, a fundraising event taking place in Texas. Each of the donated works painted on a heart shaped wood panel will be auctioned to raise money. Below is their write up about my submission featured here, and about the cause.

This is Claudia's first time participating in Ofrendas, and she is an artist representing ORO Fine Art Gallery. For more information on Claudia's art visit claudia-goodell.artistwebsites.com "Pin Up" will be featured up for auction at the 8th Annual Ofrendas Del Corazón event benefiting the Michael M. Rutledge Legacy Award, February 2015. More details coming soon!

Clinging

 Clinging - Oil on canvas - 24" X 24" 

Continuing on the underwater and the chronic disease themes this image depicts the idea that suffering is a result of clinging to desire, and to let go of desire leads to the end of suffering. Chronic pain from a neuroimmune diseaseas naturally leads to the desire to be pain free, which leads to suffering.
It is only when one stops judging various experiences as good or bad, positive or negative, that the desire for something different will fade away.

In my attempts to stop judging my experiences I try to just acknowledge the presence of the feeling, rather than judge it. It is one of the most difficult tasks for me that come with managing this disease, and when I am successful at accepting that each painful experience is temporary; that nothing is permanent, not even those experiences that are more enjoyable, it is in those moments that I can let go of the desire for an experience to go away.

That is when the suffering subsides.

This original piece is available for purchase at CDA and 50% of proceeds will be donated to an ME/CFS charity.

The Juggler

The Juggler - Mixed media on canvas 15" X 30" $1250

I took an unusual approach on this one.  To start this peice I layed the canvas flat on a table and squirted acrylic paint randomly around. I blew through a straw to direct the streams of paint, and allowed some to drip and pool. Once the canvas was covered I allowed it to dry before applying the remaining layers of oils. The only preconceived notion I had going in was underwater. As the scene developed I realized some underlying meaning was surfacing. 

Having a chronic neuroimmune disease feels like being underwater, even drowning sometimes, but uniquely beautiful at others. The mermaid here presents as both human and fish, like the symptoms of the disesase she is inconsistent. A patient is never certain whether they wll face a very sick day or not, nor whether an activity will be tolerated by the body or if it will lead to relapse. She sits comfortably knowing she has no known enemy, there is no treatment or cure for this disease, and she sits above the octopus clearlyto her advantage.  

The octopus is me, struggling to manage all the symptoms while treading water, but yet facing the disease head on with determination, armed to beat it. 

Peace and hope come in the form of the sea turtle. It brings peace in the times when I am frustrated and grieving the losses this disease forces on me, and hope for future discoveries. 

I hope this information helps you relate more to "The Juggler".

NM State Fair Fine Art Competition Entries

(Left to right) First Flight Triptych (three separate vertical panels), The Visitor I and The Visitor II

                                   

Three of my peices have been juried selected to be included in this year's New Mexico State Fair Fine Art competition. They will be available for viewing and purchase at Expo New Mexico from September 10-21, 2014. I hope you will take some time to stop by the Fine Art building some time during those dates to see all the beautiful art.

Evening of the Arts will be held Tuesday evening September 9th beginning at 5:30. This is when the winners are announced. Following the awards ceremony there is an early viewing of all the Fine Art, and all originals peices and prints are available for sale. This is a good time to see the art and meet the artists, so I hope I will see you there!

First Flight Oil on canvas - 20"X48" $2700
The Visitor I Oil on canvas - 18" X 24"
The Visitor II Oil on canvas - 20" X 30"

The Visitor I and II (A Diptych)

The Visitor 1 Oil on Canvas 18" X 24" 

At times it may seem that our life is a steady stream of predictability, and then suddenly there is a shift. All that we knew and were comforted by is changed or gone and we are left with this unknown, uncontrollable existence that feels like chaos. It is precisely at this moment that we must learn to let go and just let it be. This is when we are truly carried gently by the flow to all that is good.   

The Visitor 2 Oil on Canvas 20" X 30" 

These originals are available for purchase at CDA  and 50% of proceeds will be donated to an ME/CFS charity.

Convergence

Convergence Oil on Canvas 24" X 36" SOLD

My most recent finished piece was a commission and a surprise for a friend's milestone birthday. She and her husband moved from Albuquerque to Portland, so her husband asked me to paint a landscape to incorporate Mt. Hood with Mirror Lake with a reflection of an iconic representation of New Mexico. This is the result.

It's titled "Convergence" and is 24" X 36". I really enjoyed the challenge of creating this composition, and had to include what seems to have become my signature for landscapes; the inclusion of a vehicle of sorts but an absnece of any people in the hope of encouraging the viewer to invent their own story about the scene. In this case the vehicle is a canoe.

Exhibit and Press

Two of my original pieces were selected to be included in the "Art of the Flower" exhibit from June 7th through July 25th at the New Mexico Art League.

The artists reception was very well attended, and a subsequent review was published in the Albuquerque Journal's Sunday Arts section June 22, 2014. It can be read on my website:

Please stop by!

Details here: Art of the Flower Exhibit at the New Mexico Art League

The two pieces are shown above.  On the left is a diptych titled "The Visitor" Oil on canvas 30" X 38" (Left panel is 18" X 24" and Right panel is 20" X 30"

On the right is "Spring Fling" a pastel on paper 12" X 17" then matted and framed SOLD

The Artistic Rose exhibit at the Albuquerque Garden Center

I am feeling very fortunate to have received a call today from the director of the New Mexico Art League inviting me to show my pastel on paper titled "Spring Fling" at the Albuquerque Garden Center's 65th Annual Spring Rose Show. The exhibit is called the Artistic Rose and runs Saturday May 31st 1-5 PM and Sunday June 1st 10-2 PM. This is truly an honor as there will be only 20 original paintings on display!

I hope some of you are able to go to see the live roses as well as photographs and paintings.

More information can be found here: Albuquerque Garden Center 65th Annual Spring Rose Show

Exhibit: Art of the Flower

Two of my original pieces were selected to be included in the "Art of the Flower" exhibit from June 7th through July 25th at the New Mexico Art League.

The artists reception was very well attended, and a subsequent review was published in the Albuquerque Journal's Sunday Arts section June 22, 2014. It can be read on my websitee:

Please stop by!

Details here: Art of the Flower Exhibit at the New Mexico Art League

The two pieces are shown above.  On the left is a diptych titled "The Visitor" Oil on canvas 30" X 38" (Left panel is 18" X 24" and Right panel is 20" X 30"

On the right is "Spring Fling" a pastel on paper 12" X 17" then matted and framed

First Flight - Triptych

Upon completion of this triptych I renamed it "First Flight". 20"X48" $2700

This piece underwent a great metamorphosis from an abstract sketch of entwined circles to birds and lilies. Now it tells the story of a baby bird reluctant to leave the nest while the parents try to encourage flight by conjuring the wind. The leaves and flowers begin to swirl and rise as the baby begins to feel confident enough to fly.

The photographer who captures images of my art for giclee prints digitally added a black frame around each panel, which I really like. It gives the effect of backlighting and gives it the look of a stained glass window. Although this is how prints will appear, the original is simply 3 separate panels with no black border. Prints may be purchased through my website linked above. Please feel free to contact me if interested in purchasing any originals.

Calypso (unfinished) Renamed to First Flight after completion

This new triptych (at the bottom) is nearly finished just in time for the March 6th deadline for juried entry into the Miniatures and More show to be held at the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History in October. Yes, October is a long time away, but these things require planning.

Each artist can electronically submit to the jury a minimum of 4 pieces and maximum of 8, as long as each piece is less than a certain size (mine are each at the maximum canvas size allowed). When I attended it in 2013 they grouped 3 of each artist's 2D work and hung them either horizontally or vertically with space in between. The exhibit was very nicely laid out, with easy viewing and it was nice to see 3 pieces of each artist's work hanging together.

I am taking a chance that:  A) my work will be selected and B) that maybe, just maybe they'll hang them vertically and touching one another, depicting one continuous image. However, in creating them I also considered that (if they're selected) they may be hung with space in between, and since each canvas must be be for sale separately, I made sure each had a strong enough composition to hang individually.

I am really happy with this piece because the composition was a long and arduous evolution which really pushed my creativity.

The images below show the evolution from the original sketch to the final piece. I copied my sketch in charcoal onto the canvas. Next, I flipped the image vertically and horizontally for the next 2 canvases. Applying the concept of curvismo with paint, I connected the curved lines in various directions to create a 3 dimensional continuity and to improve the flow. After a couple of sessions I felt very frustrated and sat with my instructor Ricardo telling him I thought it was not sophisticated enough. Together we discussed ideas, and kept working the curves until it was clear that the canvas was showing calla lilies and birds, so that was the direction I followed.

Update: This peice was renamed to First Flight upon its completion. It is 20" X 48" Oil on canvas $2700

2014 Masterworks of New Mexico Entries

Today I achieved my first goal for the new year, which is to submit 3 entries into the 2014 Masterworks New Mexico exhibit. 

This is a juried show, so I will have to wait to find out whether any of my submissions are selected to be in the spring exhibition held at the NM State Fair Grounds.

The first piece (top left) is titled "Dancing Hyacinths", the second (top right) is titled "Support", and the final (bottom center) is called "Perplexity". 

Each piece can be further explored on previous posts here, or on my website at http://claudia-goodell.artistwebsites.com/

Thank you for your interest!

Perplexity

Perplexity is painted in the style called Curvismo, developed by Ricardo Chavez-Mendez, an artist from Mexico. The curved lines and colors take the viewer on a journey much like that of a time lapsed video of a growing vine. It is life, with all its unexpected twists and turns and the question of where it will take us next. The original is one of three pieces recently selected to be exhibited at the New Mexico State Fair Fine Art show.

36"X 36" SOLD

Art Accepted For NM State Fair!

An important milestone has been achieved!  My fine art goals for this year included entering one new piece into the New Mexico State Fair Fine Arts competition.  I entered three, and to my great surprise all three were selected by the judges.

The originals are available for sale.  Scroll down to the previous individual posts below. 

You can read more about the fair art exhibit on my fine art web page: http://fineartamerica.com/events/new-mexico-state-fair-fine-art.html

I hope you are able to make it over to Expo NM Fine Art Gallery to see them and all the great art that will be on exhibit!


Purple Hyacinths - Oil on canvas 18X24



Support - Oil on canvas 20X24

Perplexity - Oil on canvas 30X30

SOLD

Three Teaser Detail Images Of Current Piece

Three detail thumbnails from my current work in progress.... Stay tuned

 

Dancing Hyacinths

Dancing Hyacinths 18" X 24" Oil on canvas 

Dancing Hyacinths is another piece in an ongoing series of collaborative works begun as a sketch by the late artist Brandon Crotty, and completed by me under the direction of Ricardo Chavez-Mendez.  Using techniques of Curvismo developed by Ricardo, for this piece I have also applied my own style, but maintained the integrity of the unfinished composition sketched by Brandon.  This collection is a tribute to his passion and talent for art.  A portion of the proceeds from purchases of these collaborative works will be donated to the New Mexico Philharmonic, formerly the New Mexico Symphony, as Brandon was a supporter of them and their music.  This was one of three originals accepted to be exhibited at the 2013 New Mexico State Fair - Fine Arts.

The original is available for purchase at CDA and 50% of proceeds will be donated to an ME/CFS charity.

Support

20" X 24" Oil on canvas

"Support" is part of a collaborative series begun by the deceased Albuquerque artist Brandon Crotty, and they were completed by me under the tutelage of Ricardo Chavez-Mendez.  Although I remained true to Brandon's original compositions and basic colors, I applied Curvismo techniques and additional contrast in values, along with my own concepts.  A portion of the proceeds collected from the sales of this collaborative project will be donated to the Albuquerque Philharmonic, formerly the NM Symphony Orchestra, who Brandon supported. This project is a tribute to him.

This original piece is available for putchase on CDA and 50% of proceeds will go to an ME/CFS charity.