Taos, New Mexico 2013

"Connection to Ancestors 3", Available Paintings page“If you look deeply into the palm of your hand, you will see your parents and all generations of your ancestors. All of them are alive in this moment. Each is present in your body. You are the continuation of each of these people.” —Thich Nhat Hanh

Visiting Taos for five days filled with art and grace. I will blog each day this week on one part of this rich trip. Doc Martin's, Nancy Ortenstone Gallery on Bent Street, galleries on Kit Carson Road and Ledoux Street, the Harwood Museum celebrating RC Gorman and Jim Wagner, Old World Art, Two Graces Gallery, Old Martinez Hall overlooking St. Francis of Assisi Church, Del Orr's Trading Post, Taos Opera Institute performance, Kathleen Brennan's fine art photos and video, Rancho Milagro Gallery, and a bear crossed our path on the way home. 

Internal becomes External

Each painting requires focused preparation. Sometimes the artist reads or writes or meditates. Linda almost always sketches and then makes color squares, sometimes a large charcoal preliminary sketch is made. Lately a series of oil on paper originals will inform the next large canvases. These originals on paper make an affordable offering, sold unframed. See Available Paintings.

All My Relatives

A good friend gave Linda a bisque fired pot with traces of bison hair burned into the clay surface. This 2 weeks after the sermon in Solvang about clay pots as vessels of spirit. As meaningful as the vessel, are these words traveling with it:
"The Native American people felt that they shared the Earth as equal partners with their animal relatives, especially the buffalo...philosophically connected with the creation of life. The Lakota end their ceremonies with the words "all my relatives", an expression of the belief that all life is connected." This gift is a validation for the visual artist that the message of the paintings is understood.

Back to Work

Linda returned from a wonderful visit with old friends and new friends in Solvang, California. She enjoyed visiting West Alpaca Ranch and the art studio of Renee Kelleher. Renee's paintings capture the light and landscapes of the Santa Ynez Valley, horse country. Buffalo energy is still filling Armantrout Studio and Linda, refreshed and reenergized, will settle in to her studio practice this week. 

Traveling to Santa Barbara County,CA

Really?Linda will be traveling April 24-28th. You can reach her with questions by email. Look for updates about the trip on her Facebook Page by clicking the f in the left column... or follow the trip on twitter.