Deep in the Sandias

"Deep in the Sandias"

12" x 9", Oil on Linen, Mounted on Birch 

The subtle colors of the aspens and the scent of pine in the fresh mountain air drew us deeper into the forest high atop Sandia Peak, near Albuquerque. Very early morning, just before the sky completely cleared, this grove of aspens came into view.

Solo Trip

A year ago in May, I set out on a solo trip for the mountains of New Mexico. I don't think my husband fully understood the need for a solo trip but he felt it was important enough that he gave a reluctant nod. I was on the highway hours before dawn with the anticipation of a small child at Christmas. I pushed out the thought of, "what the heck am I doing/thinking" by recalling the following quote by Georgia O’Keeffe, "I've been absolutely terrified every moment of my life - and I've never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do." The only difference was that it was not a want, but rather a need, and was so deep and personal that there were no words that could help anyone understand why. Some things in life don't require words; they just need to be heeded. So, off I went on my solo trek for the first time since I was seventeen years old, stopping only for gas and a quick bite along the way. It took twelve hours to reach my first destination; Santa Fe.

Even after almost a year, I am still unable to articulate the experience, save for a few blips and blurbs here and there. What I have been able to do is create a series of paintings of what inspired me most in the High Desert, ranging from Albuquerque to Taos. I will do my best to express what moved me about each one as I post them.

Thank you for following my blog. I hope you will feel some of what I felt as I traveled through the "Land of Enchantment".