Happy New Year!

Cimarron Alpenglow 15" x 30" oil on panel

Her Sweet Happiness 14" x 14" oil on linen panel

Space Traveler 8" x 8" oil on panel

 Greetings! It's been too long since you've heard from me here! I've recently deleted both FB and Instagram, deciding ultimately that both platforms have become too politicized for me.  It was a somewhat difficult decision since it started out to be such a great way to keep in touch with family and friends and I've had some success in marketing my art business that way. Unfortunately, it has become a source of  anxiety in my life and I've decided that to concentrate more on my blog/website and email list.  (please email me privately to join my email list where I regularly let my patrons know what's going on in my art business/shows/sales etc) 

Kind of a diverse group of paintings but these are some personal ones for me, and so I'd like to share them with you here on my blog.The marvelous view that I've translated into an oil painting of the Cimarron Mountain Range is mine from my living room sliding glass door.  This view reminds me daily how fortunate I am that I'm able to live in such a glorious place.  It changes with every hour, as the sun comes up from behind those mountains, illuminates first the trees and landscape in the foreground, then ultimately the alpenglow appears on them for a very few precious minutes at the end of the day.  My intention is to have painted the range in every season!  

The old woman in the second painting above is my sweet Oma! (german for grandmother)  She had this sweet parakeet that she called  her "Schnookie".  The bird had a cage, but he was mostly free to fly around the house and even drank soup from Oma's kitchen table where she warned him not to "burn his schnabel!" (beak)  My eldest sister took the photo reference when she lived with my grandmother in Brooklyn in around 1978.  I've entered this one in an upcoming California Art Club exhibit.  I hope the jurors find this couple as captivating as I do!

The lower image is going to be entered in another California Art Club exhibit, "Mars: An Artistic Mission"  My son, AJ is the subject.  He was my choice for a "fictional future space traveler" because he's always had such a fascination with and a healthy respect for space.  Using him as a subject however was a bit challenging because of our distance; AJ lives in Queens New York, and I'm here in Colorado!  At my request, AJ sent me photos that would match the lighting and position of the helmet reference I had in mind for the painting.  I imagined a future where young people would travel regularly within our galaxy and they might even keep momentos (stickers) from places they've traveled on their helmets. (the way people in the early to mid 1900's used to commemorate their travels with "luggage stickers") In "reality", on February 18, 2021, the Mars 2020 spacecraft-Perseverance-will land at Jezero Crater on the red planet!

I hope you enjoyed this little peak into the Tin Cabin Studio.  Ideas of future posts are already flooding my mind!  Stay tuned for more!

Still Available Borrego Springs Plein Air Invitational Work:

Pictured here are Available Borrego Springs Plein Air Paintings.  For pricing and more available work, visit my website, http://ritapacheco.com

"Borrego Romance" 9" x 12" oil on linen panel

"From the Shadows" 9" x 12" oil on linen panel

"Air Plein Mini" 5" x 7" oil on birch panel

"Welcome Oasis" 11" x 14" oil on panel

"Early Borrego"  8" x 10" oil on linen panel

Borrego Springs Plein Air Invitational

 The 10th Annual Borrego Springs Plein Air Painting Invitational was wonderful, the desert was glorious this Spring!  15 artists painted the small town of Borrego Springs, and it's surrounding desert which is the largest State Park in the United States! Many of the artists stayed with "host families", who graciously shared their homes, and even helped us with locating some iconic and in some cases hard to find locations to paint.  At the end of the week, the Borrego Art Institute showcased over 100 brand new plein air paintings!  Pictured here are most of the paintings I produced. When the show is over, (March 31st) I'll post my remaining (unsold) paintings on my website for sale.  If you get a chance to visit the desert before the end of the week, you are in for a treat! The Borrego Art Institute is a beautiful state of the art building in the center of town, at Christmas Circle.  Here's the link to their website http://www.borregoartinstitute.org

"Air Plein" 11" x 14" oil on linen, and awarded an Honorable Mention Ribbon by Juror Shannon O'Dunn

"Borrego Romance" 9" x 12" oil on linen panel

"Carlee's" 8" x 8" oil on linen panel

"Early Borrego"  8" x 10" oil on linen panel

"Ocotillo Garden" 12" x 12" oil on linen panel

"Ruby Red"  11" x 14" oil on linen panel

"Second Chance" 9" x 12" oil on linen panel

"Welcome Oasis"  11" x 14" oil on linen panel

California Art Club 105th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition

I am deeply honored that The California Art Club has invited me to display among other distinguished painters at the 105th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition.

AUTRY MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN WEST

4700 Western Heritage Way

Los Angeles, California  90027

Exhibition Dates: April 3-April 24, 2016

Museum Hours: 

Tuesday-Friday, 10:00am-4:00pm

Saturday-Sunday, 10:00am-5:00pm

Closed Monday

Artists' Gala Reception:

Saturday, April 2, 2016, 6:00pm

"Drawing Buddies" is 8" x 10", and depicts three of my young drawing students.  I've enjoyed teaching an after school enrichment program now for several years, and have been continually impressed with and inspired by the freshness and creativity of the children.  I hoped to convey their childlike approach to drawing, with eagerness and determination in each of their faces.  Drawing can be such a stimulating and rewarding activity, and one that I like to share and encourage in children.  

A short trip to New England

During my five-day stay in Arlington, MA, I got a chance to paint a few plein air works, and plenty of photo reference for work in the studio at home.  I stayed with my gracious niece and her family, who selflessly schlepped me from location to location to paint their area.  My son (pictured in my studio piece, "Take My Hand") even visited from nearby New York!  The weather couldn't have been more perfect, and I had a great time!

"Classic New England Home" 8" x 10" oil on linen panel

"Take Me Home" 8" x 8" from a beautiful morning in Winchester, MA This church was beautiful from a distance, but no clear shot of it, since the trees blocked much of it's view from the park.  I opted for this "cropped view", showing the beautiful red door and steps leading up to it instead!

"Thy Presence, My Light" 8" x 10" This was another historical church in the Winchester area, right behind a Starbucks where I enjoyed a hot cup of coffee to warm my hands. The morning was cool, but once I got going, I forgot all about that and enjoyed painting the patterns of light and shadow created by this scene.

"Take My Hand" 12" x 16" oil on linen panel (This one's not for sale) From photo reference of my son and his sweet friend walking ahead of me at the Wright-Locke Farm in Winchester, MA. 

"All That's Good"  8" x 8" oil on canvas panel From a glorious morning at the Wright-Locke Farm in Winchester, MA  The building was the farm house, and it was absolutely stunning in the morning light, along side this old tree and it's shadows falling on the path and side of the farm house.  

Borrego Springs Plein Air Invitational, March 2014

For the second year, I was honored to be among 15 artists invited to participate in the Borrego Springs Event.  Borrego Springs is a beautifully preserved National Natural Landmark. In fact it's the largest Desert Park in the United States! The paintings I personally created were a joy to paint, and my hope is that you enjoy viewing the body of work that all of the artists help to create this past week, and bring one or two paintings home with you! Here are some of mine in progression.  The invitational is sponsored by the Borrego Art Institute, and 50% of proceeds from sales go to support childrens' art programs at the Institute.  The Invitational artwork will be displayed and available for sale until March 31, 2015

"Rain Rain, Go Away" 9" x 12", from our first day of painting.  While it was raining off and on, I stepped outside of the condo where I was staying and was drawn to this bougainvillea and the patterns the drying rain created on the concrete.

By tuesday, the rain had cleared, and I couldn't wait to paint this dragon sculpture! This is one of the (2) views I painted of this magnificent metal sculpture.  The serpent extends over both sides of the highway; appearing to dive in and out of the sand.

This is "Hacienda del Sol",an iconic and historical hotel in beautiful "down town" Borrego!  It's 9" x 12"

Here's one of the (three) places of worship along Church Lane. "The Desert will be Glad"  8" x 10"

"Wheels Down" 11" x 14"; This is a "sky-van", which I understand is a very slow and noisy plane, but it sure was fun to paint!

"Airstream Living" 8" x 10" oil on linen, painted at a great little "retro RV park" on  Palm Canyon.  Last year, I had fun painting an even older model, and it was sold. I couldn't wait to get back there and paint a different one this year!  

I was thrilled to have been awarded an "Honorable Mention" for my desert painting, which I titled, "Borrego Sun-Down"  12" x 12"

The Debra Huse Gallery's "Just Plein Fun" Invitational

I was thrilled to have been invited to the "Just Plein Fun" Invitational this year, sponsored by the Debra Huse Gallery!  The week was very enjoyable, painting side by side with the other invited painters; many of whom were already good friends and some became new friends. The weather was glorious for painting; some sunny, and some hazy days.  I'm posting just a bit of the week's work below.  Here I am painting an overcast version of the ferris wheel at the Fun Zone, which was a short ferry ride across the harbor.  While I painted, people enjoyed their day; riding the ferris wheel or jumping on the bungie/jump trampoline or getting in line for a harbor cruise.

"Fun Zone" in the works, Thank you Toni Williams for the photo!

This piece was sold the day after I painted it, at the Debra Huse Gallery, and awarded a First Place Ribbon by our esteemed Juror, Jean Stern, who is the Executive Director a the Irvine Museum!  For a better photo of the finished piece, and the other winning paintings, visit https://www.facebook.com/debrahusegallery?ref=stream&fref=nf

"Bay Front View" 9" x 12" available at the Debra Huse Gallery

This one, painted on Monday morning I called "Bay Front View". Even though I brought my iPod, full of all my favorite music, I enjoyed listening to the sound of the water splashing against the boats and the beach-goers chatting as they passed on the sidewalk behind me, often asking me for my "autograph" for their Debra Huse Gallery "Passport".  The passports were to be signed by all the participating artists during the week, then turned in to the Gallery on Saturday for a drawing to win a free painting.  This was a great idea, and the community participated!  Even kids enjoyed the game of finding the artists stationed around the island on any given day, and we artists appreciated the interest!

"The Original Frozen Banana" 8" x 8", available at the Debra Huse Gallery

Here's one of my "Balboa City-Scenes", "The Original Frozen Banana".  This is only one of the two shops that claim to be "the original", and the one I decided to paint since I fell in love this it's cute retro-looking sign.  I also happened to have sampled one of their frozen bananas and it was delicious!  

"107 Amethyst" 16" x 12" oil on linen, available a the Debra Huse Gallery

 This was one of the larger paintings I created during the week; "107 Amethyst".  I was drawn to the shapes created by the light and shadow patterns on this spanish style home, and as I painted I learned that this was one of the remaining original homes of the Island.

"Afternoon Light"  8" x 10" oil on canvas, available at the Debra Huse Gallery

"Afternoon Light", painted in, you guessed it, afternoon light!  There's nothing better than crisp white fabric in the sunlight, except where it's highlighted by some complimentary purple shadows!  This, and the relaxing mood created by the soft splashing of the water made this another enjoyable experience!

"The Capitol", sold

Toward the end of the week, there was a sandcastle contest at the beach.  I had stationed myself in front of these two darling boys, not realizing that they were going to produce the best sandcastle of the lot!  I am witness to the fact that the brothers had absolutely no adult help to create this piece, "The Capitol" in about an hour's time!  Happily, their mother purchased my little painting of them, also titled "The Capitol". What a sweet morning, to watch and listen to children working together and being creative! 

"The Fire Engine", sold

I chose to paint the fire engine at the end of Marine Avenue for the Brush Off.  This is a gem of an engine, dating to 1920!  It was a thrill to paint, and happily the painting was sold at the ceremony directly after the Brush Off!  I am especially grateful to the fireman who accompanied me and my painting buddy, Kristen Olsen while we worked (the fire engine could not be left un-supervised) and to the captain working that day who graciously moved his truck to a nearby (but maybe not so legal) parking spot so we could stand in front of the engine. Who knew that parking here in Balboa Island for the fire fighters is as difficult as for us civilians and they even get tickets!  

To see my other paintings from the event, visit my website http://www.ritapacheco.com

or better yet-visit all of the artists' work in person at the Debra Huse Gallery 229 Marine Avenue, Ste E, Newport Beach, CA 92662 949 723-6171  The exhibit will be up until Labor Day!