The View, 11:33 am

The Sandia mountains in the middle of the day. This is a painting where I felt something "click". There were some bright highlights on the edges of the walls that were too thin to catch with a paintbrush. I loved the way the colored pencil grout looked in the tile paintings I did the other day, so I thought I'd try that for the highlights. I started out drawing the rooftops accurately, but I quickly got bored. I like the way it's an impression because that's what it feels like when I look out the window, like I'm looking at the mountains over a jumble of adobe rooftops.

The view, 5:14 pm

The view is what I'll miss most about the house.

I waited all afternoon for the moment when the Sandia mountains turn bright orange. It lasts just minutes. As soon as I put down a wash of blue sky the full moon rose straight up from behind the mountains. It was one of those magical moments as an artist when your subject notices you noticing it, and plays right back with you.