Good Grief, it's been 8 months!

Our Cabin in New Mexico

I can't believe it has been this long since I posted.  Since last May, I've moved across the country,

had to buy a house on my own, move in  by myself, and then begin getting ready for winter, which involved

lots of firewood splitting and stacking because our log cabin doesn't have any heat source except a wood stove and a pellet stove.  And then came a serious car accident, and I'm  still dealing with 

the injuries from that .  So, I've just not had much time or ability to paint.    My wonderful hubby Steve had to stay with his job in New Hampshire, until just this week! WooHOO!!!! He finally got a job in Albuquerque, and he's right now, as I type,  driving across the country to finally join me!  Yay!!

After losing our much loved dog, Tucker, I was finally able to adopt a new pup.  Here he is, although he's not a puppy anymore!  Sweet little mutt, named Gibbs, at 8 and 1/2 months. Well, maybe not too little - I guess he's about lab size.  He's been a lot of company for me, and he has the habit of "grinning" when he greets anyone.   He curls his upper lip and "smiles".. of course, he looks like Cujo when he does it, but it makes us laugh.

This is a great area to paint.. so once I'm finally able to get out, there is sure plenty of inspiration!  And the terrain is based mostly on elevation.. up at our house, we're in the spruce and pines and aspen, where the elk roam.  Go a little lower, and the views change to steep canyons and  mesas and cottonwoods. Here's some shots in November when the cottonwoods were brilliant gold.

Of course, there's also these....

He was migrating.

We are near many fascinating historical and geological sites.  Here's some cliff dwellings a few miles down the road.   I could get here on foot, but then, I'm a long distance runner, and could get pretty much anywhere on foot if I had the time. This is called Bandelier National Monument. There is 140 vertical feet of ladders to reach the top.

And of course there is Taos, and Abiquiu , where Georgia O'Keefe lived and painted,and, Santa Fe, 2nd or 3rd (depending on who you ask) largest art market in the country!  I have not even had a chance to walk the galleries there yet.

I hope to get busy painting now.. though it will have to mostly studio work for the time being.  My studio

is a cramped basement room with no windows.. I do miss my big ol' barn attic with the beautiful north light window!    I was able to finish a couple of small works for the Monadnock Arts Auction 

Here's one of them. This is about 98% finished.. just a few small details to wrap up..

Ginger Jar and Rice Measure