Arthur's Chair, Ghost Ranch 8

6 x 6 iches, oil on archival masonite, © 2009 Ann Painter
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It was pouring rain one day last week when I was working with a private student. I'm willing to be out in wind, heat and cold but not rain. For one thing, it doesn't mix with oil and makes painting almost impossible. So, on this day, Lori and I decided to find an indoor place to paint. What better than the historic Ghost House. It is the oldest building at the Ranch and a frequent visitor site. An original old adobe, out of the rain.

Arthur's chairs were recently discovered under a coat of brown paint. The skull that O'Keeffe designed was the giveaway. As they removed layers of old paint, the Ranch archivist recognized the symbol and chairs from old photos taken when Arthur Pack owned the Ranch. I loved working on this painting and getting the walls to glow. I hope that at least one or two more in the series are interiors.

3 Pinions and Pedernal, Ghost Ranch 7

6 x 6 inches, oil on masonite, © 2009 Ann Painter
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In Northern New Mexico, Pedernal Mountain is an immense presence. Georgia O'Keeffe looked out at Pedernal from the patio of her house at Ghost Ranch for almost 50 years and loved it. She climbed to the top of its 10,000 feet at 62! She painted the mountain over and over saying that "God told her that if she painted it enough, she could have it". When she died, her ashes were scattered on top of it.

Pedernal is not an easy subject. Most of the time it appears flat or is hidden in the clouds that congregate around its peak. When it rains, it can disappear altogether. Depending on the time of day and weather conditions, its color changes minute by minute. Over all these years of visiting Ghost Ranch, I have avoided painting it. She was just too grand, too big and overwhelming a presence. I couldn't imagne how to get what I felt and experienced of this place into a painting, especially one that is 6" x 6".

The day I painted this, it was early morning because that is when the color on the mountain is most saturated and 3-dimensionality of it apparent. It was very cold and windy. We chose a place where we could see Pedernal across Abiquiu Lake. The first thing I noticed, after the mountain, were the three Juniper bushes in front of me. I decided to try and make them the focal point with Pedernal and the lake in the background. I am happy with the results though still think, there is no way for Pedernal not to overshadow everything and make its presence known. But that is how I experience it so it works.

Feeling the Love, Ghost Ranch 6

6 x 6 inches, oil on masonite, © Ann Painter 2009

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The title for this painting came from a student's comment when describing how she felt when she saw something she wanted to paint. The day we were out in the Painted Desert at Ghost Ranch, this was it. We hiked into the desert to get a really good look and make a decision about where to set up. The weather was clear and sunny when we started in the morning but by afternoon, clouds built up and our perfect light was gone. The painting had to be finished in the studio but while we were there, the morning light was intense turning the normally brownish hills, an sunlit red color. I actually see these hills as intensely saturated and painted them that way building layer upon layer of color until I get the effect that I want. I suppose I judge whether I have achieved what I am looking for more by feeling than sight. I know in my gut when a painting is finished. There is simply nothing left to do, no place else to go and I have no anxiety about any part of it not working. Over the years I have come to trust that feeling. As with other paintings, I have simplified reality to suit myself and still capture the essence of the place.

Almost Home, Ghost Ranch 5

6 x 6 inches, oil on masonite, © Ann Painter 2009

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Originally, I titled this painting "The Road to Ghost Ranch" but when I looked at it after it was finished the title that came to mind was "Almost Home". Even though I only live at the Ranch during the 6 weeks or so that I teach there, it is my spiritual home. When I reach this point in the road I know that the entrance is just on the other side of the hill. The spot I painted from is directly across from Pedernal and Abiquiu Lake and also marks the beginning of the Red Rock at Ghost Ranch. It is a spectacular location like so many others that inspire me at Ghost Ranch.

Red and Purple Hills, Ghost Ranch 4

6 x 6 inches, oil on canvas © 2009 Ann Painter

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This painting began during an outdoor painting class that I was teaching at Ghost Ranch and was finished in my studio. There are many challenges inherent in plein air painting or painting outside. The light changes all the time and in New Mexico is often so bright that seeing color is very challenging. An umbrella can help but it seems that as soon as I open mine, the wind comes up making its use impossible.

I love painting outside despite the shortcomings. There is something about being right in front of my subject that is very grounding and wonderful despite the challenges that the elements present. I finish most paintings that I start outside, in the studio and this painting was no exception. The studio is where I fine tune values and colors until I experience the "yes" in my body that lets me know the painting is done.

This particular formation had both red and purple colors and many different shades of each. Integrating the broad white band into the body of the hills so tha tit did not look like a decorative ribbon was a challenge as well and took several attempts until I was happy with it. Friends say I take too much time with these things but if I try and shortchange the process, I am plagued by the painting and cannot rest knowing it is not quite right and there is more to be done. The painting has to "sing" before I can let it fly away. This one flew quickly.

Storm Clouds, Ghost Ranch 3

6 x 6 inches, oil on archival masonite, © 2009 Ann Painter
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At Ghost Ranch, the weather can change in minutes. A blue sunny sky can suddenly be filled with dark, ominous clouds that block the sun in some parts of the desert and leave others glowing with intense light. This was the case on the day I painted this image. The clouds move so quickly on days like this that the landscape is continuously transformed. I tried to capture this experience by contrasting the intense red of the hill where the sun broke through the clouds with with the dark sky and cloud covered landscape in the background. This is the third painting in the ongoing series of small paintings about Ghost Ranch that I started on October 1.

Hills Behind the House, Ghost Ranch 2

6 x 6 inches, oil on board, © 2009 Ann Painter
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Georgia O'Keeffe's house at Ghost Ranch is closed to visitors. As a special thank you, the O'Keeffe museum which owns it, too our group of museum docents through it. The interior is simple but the views from the house of golden cliff faces, rolling red hills, and Pedernal Mountain are spectacular. It was easy to see how she found living in this place so inspiring that she came back every year for over 50 years after she discovered the Ranch in 1929.

During my visit, I managed to shoot a picture of the red hills behind the house she lived in with her beloved Pedernal Mountain behind. I had looked for the place she painted red hills with the mountain behind for a long time. It wasn't until I stood on her patio that I realized how close to home her vantage point was.

This painting happened quickly. I did not get fussy with it and just let it happen. The process of letting the painting guide my process was fun and exciting. I helps that I know these shapes so well that sometimes, I can just paint my feeling without looking.

Red Hills, Golden Chimneys, Ghost Ranch 1

6 x 6 inches, oil on archival masonite, ©2009 Ann Painter

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I just finished teaching a plein air painting class at Ghost Ranch. This is something I do several times a years. The week is very busy for me and any painting I do is usually the last day and then quite small like this painting. In October I will be the artist in residence at Ghost Ranch and my intention is to do a painting a day while I am there. This is the first in a series that will equal 30 or more small paintings. I was delighted to sell it the same day that I finished it.