Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Chubby & Cetti



Chubby & Cetti (Cetti's Warbler)
10 x 12 Oil/Panel

Here is my painting that I did for Steve Worthington's book in aid of Animal Shelters. I have never done anything like this before and just loved painting Steve's wonderful bronze mouse, called Chubby.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Another painting by my husband, Barry McCuan


I have to share this. I think it's beautiful and not many people are following Barry's blog.... so please take a look!

Friday, August 27, 2010

Friday Night



It's 9 pm on Friday and I have just finished this painting, (except for a few finishing touches I am sure) I was so happy! I thought I would post it since I haven't posted anything recently... been too busy. As my Dad keeps telling me it's now 30 days until I leave for the UK. I still have quite a few paintings to finish. Help!

Anyway, you have probably figured out that this is another Tweed Valley painting, but from a different view point from my usual.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Late Afternoon, Tweed Valley



Late Afternoon, Tweed Valley, Scotland
12 x 20 Oil/Linen

I guess I am getting ready for my journey back home!

Saturday, August 14, 2010

The Big Day!



Some of you know that I had my Oath of Allegiance ceremony yesterday. It was quite a day and really very moving. There were 39 countries represented at the Ceremony. Over 200 people were getting their citizenship.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Workshop in Scotland 19th September, 2011


I have finally firmed up the dates for my workshop in Scotland. I will post more information as things evolve, but here are the facts so far.

Cost of the actual workshop $450


Place to Stay - Skirling House


If I fill the hotel, I should get a little discount. There is another cheaper place if anyone is interested, but so far this one is the favourite! It is beautiful and the village of Skirling is pretty.

For 7 nights, single occupancy, 525 GBP, double occupany 805 GBP, so if you share it's 402 GBP per person for the most expensive room. This includes breakfast.

On top of the basic price of the workshop, factor in your flight to Edinburgh, your accommodation and meals other than breakfast.

Depending upon how many people want to do the workshop I will hire a 'people mover' as we call them in the UK... a van with seats and will pick people up from Edinburgh airport. Of course some may wish to hire their own transport and possibly people can double up. But whatever happens if anyone is worried I can drive them and meet them from the airport.

Biggar/Skirling is 45 minutes south west of Edinburgh. You may even want to spend the first night in Edinburgh to get over jet lag. I have recommendations for a nice place to stay if anyone is interested.

So far, the cost of the workshop and accommodation for one week works out at around $1300. Add on flight and the cost of transport and extra meals. As I said earlier, there is another cheaper alternative for the accommodation.

Please email me if you are interested or need further information. mcwin@newmexico.com

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Ducky - Etching



I am at the second stage of my Ducky etching. Here I am wiping off the excess printing ink from the copper plate.



First Stage



Second Stage



Close up of the Second Stage

I won't be able to go to etching this week... not happy about that, but I have more exciting news. At 7.30 am I have to go to the Convention Centre in Albuquerque for my Oath of Allegiance ceremony, so we are staying Albuquerque the night before. I shall be an American Citizen on Friday! Last night I dreamt (just found out that this is an British English term), that I arrived early, but then almost missed the ceremony because I wasn't paying attention! It's funny what goes on in our minds when we are sleeping.... and when we are awake!!

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Painting In Scotland



Painting Tinto in the distance.



A little blurred, but I still like this photo of Jasmin and me. I had been laying out the painting of Tinto and was pretty happy when Jasmin and Janet came by on their way back from work! It's so easy to paint in this area, the roads are so quiet and the views so beautiful.



The view from my easel a couple of September's ago.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

More Morning Mist, nr. Biggar, Scotland




Another oil pastel study from Scotland. It's fun to play with the colours!

Monday, August 2, 2010

Scotland



Another view of the Tweed River Valley.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Morning Mist, nr. Biggar, Scotland




Oil Pastel

Here is a little taster of a good old Scottish early morning mist! For some strange reason when I wake up and look outside and it's all misty, you can't stop me from grabbing all my supplies and a flask of coffee and driving off somewhere to do some painting! This morning was no exception! October 18th and there was such a heavy mist I could hardly see anything, but I knew that the sun would be breaking through, which it eventually did. It was quite an amusing morning because I was happily painting away and I heard a cockerel crow in the distance and because I was shrouded (I like that word) in mist, I couldn't see a nearby farm. All of a sudden I remembered that my friend had 'blue-toothed' the cockerel sound from her phone to mine and it was actually my phone ringing! The cockerel, which we still have today on our phone here in the US, was a real Scottish cockerel, named Hannibal who lived with Jasmin. Sadly, he no longer with us. But his crow lives on!