I make paintings of the wilderness and in cities and little towns before dawn that bring to life that awe-filled mystery of being alive on this planet.
I found this trail in the Jemez mountains when on a scouting drive with my wife Melinda and our friend Stelio (and his dog Eli). Recently I went back in the late afternoon and slept in our Element with the back doors open at a silent forest campground nearby, then got up at 4:45 to walk this beautiful trail.
There are hundreds of beautiful places like this all over the southwest, and I am just beginning to explore them. Paintings seem to happen a few months after these rambles….
I’m back at the Santa Fe Society of Artists this past weekend and next weekend, before driving my big watercolor up to Golden for the Rocky Mountain National Watermedia Show on the 16th. I’ve started working on little paintings while I’m in the booth; this is of a trail above Santa Fe in the Sangre De Christo mountains.
My painting, The Boarding House, Madrid was accepted into the Rocky Mountain National Watermedia exhibition this fall! They are one of the only ones that accept large work, so that’s very much appreciated.
Meanwhile this weekend is the second of the two Santa Fe Studio Tours, so if you’re around, please come visit our studio!
Turns out I won’t be showing with the Santa Fe Society of Artists until the holiday weekend in July. Next week is a down week, and then Melinda and I are participating in the Santa Fe Studio Tour so will be showing our work and our studios for a couple of weekends. I’m looking forward to the time so I can catch up, and paint, and take some photographs on rambles…
It eventually occurred to me that the large paintings that I love to do were not going to be seen in person by anyone except visitors to my studio. The vehicles (my Element and a helpful friend’s van weren’t big enough to allow me to take one to show in my booth, so I bought a very used van from a friendly plumber so I could properly take my stuff to the weekend exhibits downtown. This was the first time I had been able to show the watercolor, “The Boarding House, Madrid”, which is about 4 feet by 5 1/2 feet framed. Also this weekend in Santa Fe was the Low Rider parade and exhibition on the Plaza, so that made for a festive weekend.
Meanwhile I am slowly getting a little better at being prepared for the weekends, so I can start painting again during the week!
I’m learning more every weekend with the Santa Fe Society of Artists. It’s a pleasure to be able to interact with all the people who come to Santa Fe and get their feedback on my work. Meanwhile the sky put on a real show.
This weekend was the first weekend (of many) where I sold and showed my art near the plaza in Santa Fe with the Santa Fe Society of Artists. It was a pleasure to work with such a lovely group of people, and edifying and educational to have so many people come through and be able to hear their reactions. I have lots to learn about this whole process but am glad to be out in the world with my art!
Hint of a storm coming in over the Sangre de Christos today
I have a little time left to paint before I have to stop and start framing so I am ready for exhibiting with the Santa Fe Society of Artists starting on the 23rd of April. This is the first somewhat large acrylic painting I’ve finished since my reintroduction to that medium in January. I’ve posted this on my website, as well as the recent river photographs from Florida, and the paintings (that I can stand or have re-worked) from the January 30 paintings in 30 day challenge.
Jonathan Keeton Artist Blog 