" Oil Painting Experience "

Hello Everyone,

After much thought and reflection, the time has come to focus on new adventures. The past year and a half has provided me with many valuable insights and knowledge into the professional world of art and painting in general. The privilege of meeting so many talented new friends, while simultaneously discovering firsthand what it takes to be a professional artist has been an added bonus. Having my works accepted into some of the national juried plein air contests has brought me much satisfaction, and has opened my eyes to the many ways that artists approach their craft.

I will now let "THEMEWORKS" and "ASTURIAS" stand as one of the more interesting endeavors of my life. Now, I have decided to continue my studies in mechanical engineering at New Mexico Tech in Socorro, as the economic times are not the best for small town fine arts.

I wish to thank everyone who has visited these blogs, especially those who have left their comments, insights, and encouragement along the way.

All the very best, Jon Conkey j@jonconkey.com

" Acequia "

Every year groups of volunteers go around and dig out these water ways, (acequias), to ensure a share of water strolls through their farmlands. Way off in the distance "blue" is the Mora Mountains.

" Rio Grande River Gorge "

This view is from the same span, but facing north instead, Oil 14.00" x 10.00"

" Rio Grande Gorge "

A view of the Rio Grande facing south from near the span, showing the turquoise glow of the rock in the distance. The foot trail that runs along the rim seems to go on forever...the gorge is huge, people seem as small as ants in comparison to its' massive size. Oil on linen 8.00" x 11.00"

" Sangre de Christos Mountains "

These high mountains reach over 13,000 feet above sea level, yet one finds sea shells and fossils everywhere. Oil on linen 15.00" x 10.00".

" Raking Light and Shadow at Night "

Here is another nightscape of the moon setting behind the high mountian peaks, casting long shadows in formation with the landscape...it seems as though the shadows are alive as the breeze blows through the trees causing them to move. Oil on linen 13.50" x 9.00" available.

" Dawn in the Mora Valley "

Dawn's morning light breaking through the valley, even before the sun rises over the mountains. Painted from a small study I did last year during "themeworks", the colors in this valley are unexpected and surreal, especially during the dawn and dusk hours. Oil on linen, 20.00" x 13.00" for sale.

" High Mountain Blue Moon "

A high mountain meadow bathed in bright moonlight. Painted from a study done last year during my "themeworks" project. This one is a 13.50" x 9.00" oil on linen, for sale.

" Lavender, Oaks, and Rolling Hills "

Another lavender field amongst the oaks. 13.50" x 9.00" oil on linen.

" Lavender Fields and Oaks "

A field of French lavender growing in rolling hills of amber colored grass, and large Oak trees. Oil on linen, 13.50" x 9.00" by artist Jon Conkey.

" Mother and Child "

This oil painting was done from a pastel study of a mother nursing her infant. The first two steps where shown in previous posts, this is the finished one. The painting is painted on primed masonite in oil, dimensions are 28.00" x 16.00" unframed, this piece is for sale...email j@jonconkey.com for details.

" Second Stage Portrait "

The second stage is the fabric, its' folds, and the light and shadow areas start to become somewhat defined. From here, I stand back and look at both the figure and the fabric, making little adjustments in color and form as I slowly refine my painting to near completion...I now consider what colors I will use for my background, that will hopefully help support what I have already done so far.

" First Stage Portrait "

Here are the stages I go through to produce a portrait, the first stage for me is to color the background a neutral color, then I draw my image with a color that will help me if it shows through the finished painting, then I loose-lay in the fleshtone colors, both light and darks areas, finding their proper locations. This is one sitting.

" Carmel Oaks "

This was the last painting I was able to get out before I had to leave Carmel Valley Road and this pristine valley to head back to New Mexico...the beauty of this area rivals that of where I live in the northeastern mountains of New Mexico. I surely hope to return to Carmel any chance I can get...and I will bring more canvas' with me next time to capture these glorious scenes. This is an oil on linen 13.50" x 9.00" , email j@jonconkey.com for purchase info.

" Carmel Canyon "

This little piece is yet another of the Carmel Valley completed in a four day period, these hills were so beautiful I came out daily to paint them...not to mention the fog at the coast was too chilly for me. Oil on linen 13.50" x 9.00" email j@jonconkey.com for purchase info.

" Cervelli's Vineyard " Carmel California

The highlight of my trip to Carmel's 14th annual Plein Air event this year was the generous offer of Matt and Georgene Cervelli inviting me onto thier vineyard, and showing me the true beauty of the Carmel Valley. This little painting is a little washed out, due to the fact I was standing in high noon daylight without an umbrella...which would have surely blown away in the wind. 13.50" x 9.00". email j@jonconkey.com for info.

" Carmel Valley " Carmel, California

These "palomino" hills of Carmel Valley, California caught my eye, I pulled my car off the road and painted on the trunk lid with a towel over it...it worked great as an easel. This is an oil on linen 13.50" x 9.00" email me if you want to buy it at j@jonconkey.com

" Cannery Row " Monterey, California

This plein air painting is from the restaurant parking lot across the water...we only had two days to paint for the 14th annual Carmel Plein Air Contest. Needless to say, I was up at dawn daily, and I even went out and painted during the actual show downtown, as the area is so beautiful and I rarely make it out this way to paint. This is a oil on linen 13.00" x 26.00".

" Harp Concerto "

An original oil painting of a talented lady playing a "Lyon and Healy" grand harp...and an expensve one at that. I wonder how many people will ever see someone play such an amazing instrument in their lifetimes? Grand Harps are a rare indeed, but great players are even more scarce. This is an oil painting on linen, the painting is 18.00" x 12.5/8" and it is for sale...email j@jonconkey.com for more info.

" Spanish Dancer "

An original oil painting of a young Spanish dancer resting before her "flamenco dance" set inside the cool shade of a tent. Oil on Linen laid down on masonite panel, 18.00" x 12.00", email j@jonconkey.com for purchase inquiries.

" By the Annabelles "

An original oil painting of a lady looking through the "Annabelle" flowers one hazy morning in Springtime. Oil on primed masonite panel 20.00" x 10.00", email j@jonconkey.com for purchase inquiries.