These serene clouds were rising from the Rio Grande Valley at sunset last week. Spectacular! Tomorrow I start setting up for the big NM Arts and Crafts Fair so I'll be selling rather than creating the rest of this week.!
One of my favorite things about living above the Rio Grande Valley is that you can see the weather before it arrives. When an isolated downpour of rain moves from one area to another, it's called "walking rain". This image is a good example of a walking rainstorm.
I ride on trail 365 with my bike a couple times a week. I especially love going out on an early summer morning when I get to ride through patches of sun and patches of shade like this image.
The "thumb" is probably the most recognizable feature of the Sandia mountains. It's really spectacular when the clouds move between it and the other rocky areas of the mountain like in this image.
Last monsoon season (summer) was dramatic both in terms of rainfall and stunning skies. This painting shows a view of "walking rain" south of Albuquerque during a typical monsoon sunset.
Somewhere between Laguna Pueblo and Albuquerque heading east, there was a delay because of road construction. But the scenery was great. This view was looking north from interstate 40.
Although I pursued wildlife science and environmental communication as a career, creating art has been a way for me to capture the natural places I love.
Upon moving to Albuquerque in 2001, I quickly became infatuated with the wide open spaces and clear sunlight and eventually switched to art full-time. With soft pastels, I am able to capture the rich colors and dramatic lighting that I find in the New Mexican landscape.
I hope my paintings will not just be a record of beautiful places, but an expression of the affection I have for these special areas. By sharing the beauty of the outdoors, I hope to inspire others to appreciate the importance of nature...whether it’s a sweeping wilderness or a special corner of a backyard.