Today is the first day of winter, the Winter Solstice. It will be the longest night of the year, meaning that despite the cold winter, the days get progressively longer after the Winter Solstice until the Summer Solstice in 2015.
Here in New Mexico the skies are unusually grey and it is unusually cold and dry. As in most parts of the country, most of the trees have no leaves. However, for the southwest, winter means brown grass and shrubs. There is little green to break up the endless shapes of sienna and umber.
New Mexico Late Fall #3, acrylic on paper, 12×20 inches, 2014. ©Ann Hart Marquis
For the next few months I plan to continue my New Mexico series to see the colors of the landscape as it becomes colder. I already see that the clouds are a blue-grey, without the subtle pinks and oranges of fall.
And my last fall painting:
New Mexico Late Fall #4, acrylic on canvas, 9×12 inches, 2014. ©Ann Hart Marquis
I spent the Winter Solstice dancing, my second favorite creative activity. Did you celebrate the solstice?
I am moved by both of your NM paintings. I am drawn to the colors of NM, the browns, Ochres and umbers. Your sense of color always delights me, and I’m enjoying your abstract take on the NM landscape, very much.
Peace, Karen
Thank you Karen. I am also getting into the browns and greys of New Mexico. They are new to my palette. I am also getting into painting New Mexico, which after all of these years I have never done.
To many people the colors of New Mexico are seen as only brown and beige. But NM has so much more to offer and you have captured that beauty well! I too love to paint New Mexico, and I am grateful for the chance to fall in love with this state a second time. I look forward to more of this series!
Thank you Linda. It is interesting to me that in all of the time that I have lived here, I have not gotten into painting New Mexico until now.
I am enjoying a more neutral palette and experimenting with abstraction.
Linda, thank you for being the person who most often commented on my blog in 2014. I so much appreciate your support and feedback.
You’re welcome! I admire how you continually challenge yourself and try new mediums and methods. And as you know, I do love color, even the neutrals are gorgeous to me.