Donna Clair

Southwest Contemporary Artist

Category: Art Journal

RIO CHAMA AT ABIQUIU, 20″x20″ Work in Progress (Underpainting)

STUDIO NO. 1513 – RIO CHAMA AT ABIQUIU, 20″x20″ Original Oil on Canvas, wrap-around paintingWork in Progress (Underpainting) – Pinon Trees:  Prussian Blue and Burnt Sienna for the darks, chrome Oxide Green and Ochre for lighter areas.  Trees:  Cadmium Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna.  Water:  Indanthrone Blue with Permalba White and touch of ochre to […]

30″x60″ GARCIA PARK, New Original Oil (Completed 8/24/13)

30″x60″ GARCIA PARK II — New Original Oil Painting on fine Belgian Linen – wraparound painting.  Free shipping.  This painting can be purchased through my Studio 0r Online Gallery.  My first large painting from Tesuque — blocked the underpainting in at the end of May.  Determined it would be completed before the aspens turned. Extra blanket […]

30″x60″ Work in Progress – GARCIA PARK II, Original Oil

PREVIEW!  GARCIA PARK II – 30″x60″ Original Oil on Belgian Linen – work in progress.  This is the first of many large canvases to be completed in this new Tesuque studio.  The different phases of this painting are posted to my Art Journal along with accurate color notes.  This canvas is unusual in that it […]

GARCIA PARK II – 30″x60″ Work In Progress – the Glazes – Color Notes

Studio No. 1413- GARCIA PARK II, 30″x60″ – The sky has been completed – a combination of warm and cool grays.  Foreground:  Combinations of Yellow Ochre, Mars Orange, Chrome Oxide Green Opaque, Prussian Blue and Burnt Sienna.  Middle Ground:  Snow – same pile of sky mixture (see previous post) Aspen Trees:  A wash of Yellow […]

GARCIA PARK II, 30″x60″ Work in Progress – Glazes and Opaques

Studio No. 1413 – GARCIA PARK II, 30″x60″ Original Oil on Wraparound Belgian Linen.  Work in Progress – (Glazes and Opaques) – Sky – Two mixtures with Permalba White – Davy’s Grey and Payne’s Grey in separate piles – using the same mix for snow.  Davy’s is warmer and Payne’s is bluer.  Pine Trees:  Prussian […]

STUDIO NO. 1313 – LLANO SAN JUAN, NEW 16″x20″ Original Oil on Belgian Linen, Framed in Gold with Linen Liner.  Completed 8/13/13.  Click here to preview/purchase. Hello from Tesuque!  Wow!  What an adventure so far!  A real monsoon season this year with hellacious thunderstorms – wind, hail – just everything!  Exciting – especially when the […]

“SUMMER STORM AT CHAMA” – New 16″x16″ Original Oil – Sold

  “SUMMER STORM AT CHAMA” – 16″x16″ Original Oil on Wraparound canvas. Ending Sunday.  SOLD Hello!  Still having a little trouble with new Photoshop – can’t “gray” the sky as much as necessary — The original is more of a midnight blue!   I need to cry “Uncle” and ask for help!   Also have […]

MUMS, NEW 10″x8″ Original Oil

  STUDIO NO. 913 – MUMS, NEW 10″x8″ Original Oil on Panel, Framed in Gold with Linen Liner.  Completed 7/13. Click here to preview/purchase.

SEARCHING FOR SUGARMAN – SIXTO RODRIGUEZ

Anyone seen “SEARCHING FOR SUGARMAN”? The story of Sixto Rodriguez who was more famous in South Africa than Elvis – totally unknown in America. Fantastic story – amazing music. His CDs are available on Amazon. Going there right now to buy mine! If you love good lyrics, great guitar…..Wow!!!  Inspiring!  Click here to find his […]

16″x16″ New Work in Progress (Glazes) – ASPENS

  16″x16″ Work in Progress – New Original Oil on Canvas “ASPENS” – All colors are thinned with painting medium.  Sky: Thalo Blue, Thalo Green – a touch of Gold Ochre & Permalba White.  Fir Trees – Burnt Sienna and Prussian Blue – Chrome Oxide Green Opaque.  Aspens:  Burnt Sienna, Yellow Ochre – a touch […]

PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION….YET!

Hello from Tesuque!  A lovely and most welcome drenching rain this afternoon — just when we thought that moisture was a figment of our imaginations, the Rain Gods smiled on us!  Longtime Art Friend Dr. David Reagan of Texas suggested I send photos of my new place – here they are.  Just getting started again […]

Change!

New Photoshop, computer upgrade, new studio arrangement, unfamiliar surroundings – strangeness — unfamiliar lighting on palette and easel – the word for the Day is ADAPT!!

MOVING ALONG! THREE NEW AUCTIONS ENDING FRIDAY.

Moving cartons arrived today…..giving away, packing up years and years of stuff.  Five paintings were “adopted” last week – would love to find good homes for these three as well.  Have my blank canvases all shapes and sizes ready for the new studio in Tesuque.  If you have any questions, just give me a call […]

MY EASEL AND I ARE MOVING TO TESUQUE!

Hello!  This past Sunday, after a lovely drive through Taos Canyon and seeing some early bird apple trees in bloom at Velarde, I was driven up a very narrow dirt road to an old compound of houses in Tesuque.  There it was… a casita, a perfect studio with wonderful skylights, brick floors, a fireplace and […]

WINTERLIGHT QUARTET NO. 3 – UNDERPAINTING

WINTERLIGHT QUARTET NO. 3 – “DOWN THE LANE” – 11″x14″ New Work in Progress (Underpainting) – Clouds: Rose Grey/Payne’s Grey.  Trees:  Ultramarine Blue/Burnt Umber.  Buildings & Highlights:  Cadmium Yellow/Cadmium Red.  Shadows:  Dioxazine Purple/Payne’s Grey.

24″x30″ Original Oil – RANCHITOS PASTORAL, Framed

  STUDIO NO. 413 – RANCHITOS PASTORAL (View of the neighboring fields from the Padre Martinez Hacienda, Ranchitos Road, Taos, N.M.), 24″x30″ Original Oil on Belgian Linen, Framed in Gold with Linen Liner.  Click here to preview/purchase or call my studio at (575)758-7454.

Studio No. 413 – Work in Progress (Glazes-Opaques): RANCHITOS PASTORAL, 24″x30 Orig Oil

3/11/13 Color Notes: RANCHITOS PASTORAL, 24″x30″ Original Oil on Belgian Linen – Sky:  The sky usually lightens at the horizon and deepens from middle to top.  Light:  Cerulean Blue, Titanium White, Yellow Ochre.  Deeper colors – Indanthrone Blue, Thalo Blue and Thalo Green mixed with lighter combination.  Tree:  Dark Shadows:  Prussian Blue, Burnt Sienna and […]

Studio No. 413 – RANCHITOS PASTORAL, 24″x30″ Work in Progress (Underpainting)

Work in Progress:  RANCHITOS PASTORAL – 24″x30″ Oil on Belgian Linen (Underpainting)  Color Notes:  All colors mixed with Grumbacher Fast Drying MGWhite and Turpentine, applied with a bristle brush.  Sky:  Thalo Blue, Indanthrone Blue.  Tree: Darks – Prussian Blue and Burnt Sienna.  Medium Tones – Chrome Oxide Green Opaque and Cadmium Yellow.  Foreground:  Combinations of […]

No. 71 – RIO PUEBLO – (Available)

100 Small Paintings No. 71 – RIO PUEBLO (View from the bridge at Padre Martinez Hacienda) – 8″x6″ Original Oil on Italian Gessoed Panel, Framed – Available

EL LLANO AFTERNOON, 8″x8″ Original Oil – Sold

100 SMALL PAINTINGS NO. 69 – EL LLANO AFTERNOON, 8″X8″ Original Oil on Linen Panel, Framed  – Sold STUDIO NEWZ:  Beginning to block in four or five larger paintings from my field trips last fall — it will take two to three weeks to do sketches and underpaintings.  I will post my progress on my […]

NO. 68 – HOW DO I LOVE THEE?

  NO. 68 – HOW DO I LOVE THEE?  New 6″x8″ Original Oil on Italian Gessoed Panel unframed  – Available at 100 Small Paintings

Studio No. 313 – WINTERLIGHT WORK IN PROGRESS, THE GLAZES

Studio No. 313 – WINTERLIGHT NO. 2 – SNOW CLOUDS ON SANTISTEVAN LANE, New 11×14″ Work in Progress – The Glazes (Dark transparent and semi-transparent colors) – Basic colors mixed with Painting Medium  Sky: Payne’s Grey, Permalba White and Holbein Rose Grey Trees: Cadmium Yellow, Burnt Sienna and Transparent Italian Pink.  Pine Trees:  Prussian Blue, […]

Studio No. 313 – WINTERLIGHT NO. 2 – WORK IN PROGRESS, THE UNDERPAINTING

Studio No. 313 – WINTERLIGHT NO. 2 – SNOW CLOUDS ON SANTISTEVAN LANE, New 11×14″ Work in Progress – The Underpainting – Basic colors mixed with MG Underpainting White and turpentine.  Sky: Payne’s Grey Trees: Cadmium Yellow.  Pine Trees:  Prussian Blue, Burnt Sienna and some Cadmium Red.  Road: Payne’s Grey. 

WINTERLIGHT NO. 1 – “LOOKING SOUTH” – New Original Oil (Available)

Studio No. 213 – WINTERLIGHT NO. 1 – “LOOKING SOUTH”  – NEW 11″x14″ Original Oil on Belgian Linen, Framed (Completed 1/18/13) – Now available for purchase at my ONLINE GALLERY/STORE. STUDIO NEWZ:  As promised, here is the first of four new canvases.  Early one evening about  two weeks ago as I took out the trash […]

ON THE RIO GRANDE – Sold

100 Small Paintings No. 61 – ON THE RIO GRANDE – NEW 8″x6″ unframed original oil on Italian Gessoed Panel.  Sold

EARLY MORNING LIGHT – SOLD

100 SMALL PAINTINGS – NO. 59 – EARLY MORNING LIGHT – NEW Original Oil on Handmade Italian Gessoed Panel. Sold

HOKUSAI……..

Taos Art Supply posted this wonderful quote from Hokusai – the greatest Japanese printmaker. Gives me the impetus to continue and to hope I can have the experience that “every dot, every dash – will live”! What a great thought to prepare for a new year of painting….. I have drawn things since I was […]

WINTER GIFTS……

To Art Friends Everywhere!  Those of you who have been with me a long time know I send out the same holiday greeting every year.  The original of this painting was “adopted” by some very special art collectors years ago and still resides in a lovely home here in Taos.  The street in this painting […]

GIVING THANKS!!

OUR DAILY BREAD – Taos Pueblo “At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” Albert Schweitzer 

LLANO SAN JUAN IN AUTUMN – NEW 16″x20″ Work in Progress (Underpainting)

LLANO SAN JUAN IN AUTUMN – 16″x20″ Work in progress, the Underpainting.  Colors mixed with Grumbacher Underpainting White and turp. Color notes: Sky & Shadows-Indanthrone Purple, Cerulean Blue and Cobalt Blue.  Fields:  Yellow Ochre.  Trees: Outlined in Prussian Blue.  Chrome Oxide Green Opaque and Ochre.

RODARTE (NEW MEXICO), Archival Giclee

RODARTE (NEW MEXICO) – Archival Giclee now available at my Online Gallery/Store.  Went past this spot on a field trip last month and it has all changed! The original of this painting was completed quite some time ago — what I know about the High Road after living and painting here for 45 years, sooner […]

REMEMBRANCE……

Remembering: Many years ago my friend Susie Romero, daughter of Truchas Mayordomo Cosme Romero, took me to the loft of this old church (La Nuestra Senora del Rosario) to show me the lists of Truchas men who had served in war. It was an unforgettable homage. Today I would also like to remember my uncle […]

WINTER FIELDS AT LAS TRAMPAS, Archival Giclee

WINTER FIELDS AT LAS TRAMPAS, Archival Giclee now available at my Online Gallery/Store.  From my kitchen window I can see it is snowing in the Pecos this afternoon – heavy winds and rain in Taos. This image is of the field on the left side of the highway just past the San Jose de Gracia […]

RIO CHIQUITO, Archival Giclee Print

RIO CHIQUITO, Archival Giclee Print now available at my Online Gallery/Store.  In the villages of northern New Mexico, after many trips to the mountains with chainsaw and pick-up truck, the fire wood is chopped and stacked — the chilis are roasted and in the freezer….all’s well with the World!

EARLY MOONRISE AT TRUCHAS, Archival Giclee

EARLY MOONRISE AT TRUCHAS, LARGE ARCHIVAL GICLEE now available at ONLINE GALLERY/STORE   Note: To view smaller version of this print or to view the entire gallery/store inventory, click on the small red door! ENJOY!

WILD ASTERS AT PICURIS PUEBLO, Archival Giclee

WILD ASTERS AT PICURIS PUEBLO, Archival Giclee Print now available at my Online Gallery/Store.  Just coming to the end of autumn in all its glory – Aspens, Chamisa (big sneeze!), and Wild Asters! Filling up the pantry, unhooking the garden hose, putting some plastic up on some of the windows, gessoing new canvases for my […]

ESPIRITU BLANCO, Archival Giclee (Available)

ESPIRITU BLANCO, Archival Giclee now available at my Online Gallery/Store   The white horse, one of my frequent afternoon visitors, standing guard in front of the capilla Don Eusavio built for his wife. This original painting was completed after he died as an homage to his life.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON STROLL – Archival Giclee Print

SATURDAY AFTERNOON STROLL, Archival Giclee Print (13″x19″) Sheet Size – From my time in Truchas – view from in front of the Old Church, La Nuestra Senora del Rosario, toward the main road in town….. beginning to fill up my Online Gallery/store for the holidays — You are invited to take a peek! 

SNOW IN AUGUST! – Sold

  STUDIO NO. 1712 – WINTERMOON AT PICURIS – NEW 16″x16″ (Study) Original Oil Painting on Canvas unframed (painting continues on side panels). Completed 8/21/12 –Sold

HIGH COUNTRY AFTERNOON – 24″X30″ WORK IN PROGRESS

STUDIO NO. 1712 –HIGH COUNTRY AFTERNOON – NEW WORK IN PROGRESS (UNDERPAINTING) – 24″x30 Original Oil on Belgian Linen.  Color notes:  – Colors mixed with MG Fast Drying White and Turp.  Sky – Indanthrone Blue/Payne’s Grey.  Yellows:  Naples Yellow, Yellow Ochre.  Trees:  Chrome Oxide Gr. Opaque, Burnt Sienna, Prussian Blue.  Road:  Yellow Ochre, Holbein Rose […]

HOW I PAINT – TONED GROUND

HOW I PAINT – Primed, stretched Antwerp Belgian Linen – 36″x36″, with braces.  TONED GROUND:  Gesso thinned slightly and mixed with Payne’s Grey.  Two to three coats.  Wait until each coat is thoroughly dry before applying the next.  Let canvas sit for about a week before beginning.

STRETCHED CANVAS

STUDIO NEWZ:  A thing of true beauty is a perfectly stretched canvas from Artisan/Santa Fe.  Antwerp Belgian Linen on heavy-duty stretcher bars with the back braced for sturdiness.  Blank canvas – Wow!  ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE! 

CELEBRATING 45 YEARS!  NEW 30″x60″ OIL PAINTING…. STUDIO NO. 1412 – “BESIDE STILL WATERS” New 30″x60″ Original Oil (wrap around painting) – Completed 7/25/12  (Available) Call (575)758-7454 Celebrating 45 years as a New Mexico artist!  Here is an excerpt from my book Taking the High Road to Taos…   My sincere thanks to each and every […]

ASPEN SHADOWS – 6″x8″ Original Oil (Sold) 100 Small Paintings No. 51 – ASPEN SHADOWS –  New 6″x8″ Original Oil on Italian Gessoed Panel,framed $250, Sold

 AGUA NEGRA IGLESIA CATOLICO – 6″x8″ New Original Oil – Sold 100 Small Paintings No. 50 – AGUA NEGRA IGLESIA CATOLICO – New 6″x8″ Original Oil on Italian Gessoed Panel, unframed.  Sold

BESIDE STILL WATERS – 30″x60″ New Work in Progress, the Underpainting COLOR NOTES:  SKY:  Thalo Blue,Thalo Green, Titanium White – touch of Ochre.  Trees:  Prussian Blue and Burnt Sienna, Chrome Oxide Green Opaque.  Water:  Sky colors and some Indanthrone Blue and Chrome Oxide Green Opaque.  Grasses:  Yellow Ochre, Aliz. Crimson, Burnt Sienna.  Stay Tuned!

“BESIDE STILL WATERS” – NEW 30″X60″ Work in Progress   STUDIO NO. 1412 – NEW WORK IN PROGRESS BESIDE STILL WATERS 30″x60″ Original Oil on Belgian Linen

100 SMALL PAINTINGS NO. 49 – SANTISTEVAN LANE, 6″x8″ Original Oil – Sold   NEW 3-DAY AUCTION – 100 SMALL PAINTINGS NO. 49 – SANTISTEVAN LANE, 6″x8″ Original Oil on Italian Gessoed Board, Unframed. 

100 Small Paintings No. 47 – JAKE’S LILACS (Sold) #47 –  JAKE’S LILACS – 6″x8″ New Original Oil Painting on Italian Gessoed Panel, unframed.  Completed 5/26/12  — Sold

LILIAS DE TAOS – NEW 10″X10″ Original Oil Studio No. 1312 – LILIAS DE TAOS – 10″x10″ New Original Oil, framed in Gold with Linen Liner.  (Available) This lilac bush resides in front of my house. The root stock goes back five generations to Mora, N.M.