Turbulent Lands 15x25 2024 NM Masterworks Award
- Title
- Turbulent Lands 15x25 2024 NM Masterworks Award
- Size
- 15x25
- Material
- Oil
- Price
- $1300
Thrilled to hear that my entry into the prestigious annual 2024 Masterworks Show in New Mexico won Third Place in Oil/Acrylics. This is part of a new series of paintings in the Abstract Landscape category. I am trying to capture the feel of the texture of the land and the form of the cliffs all around us in New Mexico. Aspect Ratio: 1.67. Near Golden Mean (1.62). Capturing the shapes of the hills leading up to Los Alamos and the texture and the aged feeling of these ancient hills. These were visible to the World War II scientists on their way up to the Labs to work in secrecy to win the war and as Oppenheimer said, to stop future wars forever.
Armature =>
Painted in the studio, based on several plein air works in the past couple of years. You can read a detailed account of the development of this painting on the Radical Impressionist: A Mathematician Paints' blog at:
Anatomy of a Painting - Turbulent Lands .
Turbulent Lands 15x25 2024 NM Masterworks Award 15x25
Abiquiu Cliff Abstraction, 10x16, PAPNM 2025 Award
- Title
- Abiquiu Cliff Abstraction, 10x16, PAPNM 2025 Award
- Size
- 10x16
- Material
- Oil
- Price
- $600 NFS Yet
Won an arward in the National Show for the Plein Air Painters of NM!! Judge QIang Huang's comments:"This painting is unique. The asymmetric color shapes are on top of a symmetric geometrical pattern, showing a mathematical beauty." Will be showing at the Legends of the West Gallery in Santa Fe, July 12 - Aug 1. Painted "en plein Air" from atop the cliffs overlooking the Chama RIver above the Abiquiu Overlook. Golden Rectangle Dynamic Symmetry Armature.
Abiquiu Cliff Abstraction, 10x16, PAPNM 2025 Award 10x16
Chama River Hillside, 11x14
- Title
- Chama River Hillside, 11x14
- Size
- 11x14
- Material
- Oil
- Price
- $600
Plein air during the winter retreat at the Abiquiu Inn.
Chama River Hillside, 11x14 11x14
Ghost Ranch Piedra Lumbre 10x16 2025 oil
- Title
- Ghost Ranch Piedra Lumbre 10x16 2025 oil
- Size
- 10x16
- Material
- Oil
- Price
- $600
Juried into the National Show for the Plein Air Painters of NM. Will be showing at the Legends of the West Gallery in Santa Fe, July 12 - Aug 1. "En plein air" 80 percent with studio touch-ups. Extensive use of straight edge tools such as a squeegee, Catalyst wedge and palette knife, plus brushes of course on site and in studio.The geological formations of the cliffs at Ghost Ranch lend themselves to abstraction considerations. 10x16, 1.6 aspect ratio, is near Golden Mean proportions (1.618...).
Ghost Ranch Piedra Lumbre 10x16 2025 oil 10x16
Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the Winter 10x16
- Title
- Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the Winter 10x16
- Size
- 10x16
- Material
- Oil
- Price
- $600
I"En plein air" from the WW II Internment Camp Monument Park in Santa Fe while the snow was still on the mountains (Feb). Near golden mean proportions.
I
Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the Winter 10x16 10x16
Cliff Abstraction 18x24
- Title
- Cliff Abstraction 18x24
- Size
- 18x24
- Material
- Oil
- Price
- $1500
Available at the Karen Wray Gallery - (505) 660-6382: www.karenwrayfineart.com.
Capturing the texture and the chroma of the cliffs of New Mexico. Tools used: squeegee, painters' trowel, Catalyst wedge, palette knives and paint brushes.
Cliff Abstraction 18x24 18x24
Black Mesa 12x16
- Title
- Black Mesa 12x16
- Size
- 12x16
- Material
- Oil
- Price
- $700
"En plein air" over two days in July 2023 and Feb 2024 at the White Rocks Overlook Park. The Black Mesa in the San Ildefonso Pueblo stands out when looking out toward the Sangre de Cristo Mountain range.
Link to armature superimposed on the painting =>
Black Mesa 12x16 12x16
Cliffs of New Mexico 12x16
- Title
- Cliffs of New Mexico 12x16
- Size
- 12x16
- Material
- Oil
- Price
- $700
The cliffs of New Mexico continue to astound one.
Cliffs of New Mexico 12x16 12x16
Camino la Tierra 9x12
- Title
- Camino la Tierra 9x12
- Size
- 9x12
- Material
- Oil
- Price
- $500
Exhibited in the National Juried Members' Show for the Plein Air Painters of New Mexico. at the Legends of the West Gallery in Santa Fe, Sept 2 - 16, 2023. Plein air near my home with the Santa Fe Pleinarians. Title changed and slight modifications made.
Link to the Painting with Armature.
Inquiries: call the Karen Wray Fine Art Gallery - (505) 660-6382: www.karenwrayfineart.com.
Camino la Tierra 9x12 9x12
Chromatic Lands V 8x10
- Title
- Chromatic Lands V 8x10
- Size
- 8x10
- Material
- Oil
- Price
- $450
Available at the Karen Wray Gallery - (505) 660-6382 : www.karenwrayfineart.com.
The aspens above Santa Fe are glorious during the fall and are part of my continuing series to
capture fall color. One of the most important points is for the viewer's eye to travel around the painting. The painting encourages the viewer to follow the foreground tree line up to the upper right clouds and then, follow down and around the painting.
Armature =>
Inquiries: call the Karen Wray Fine Art Gallery - (505) 660-6382: www.karenwrayfineart.com.
Chromatic Lands V 8x10 8x10
Chromatic Lands III 8x10
- Title
- Chromatic Lands III 8x10
- Size
- 8x10
- Material
- Oil
- Price
- $450
Available at the Karen Wray Gallery - (505) 660-6382 : www.karenwrayfineart.com.
Part of a series to capture the brilliant chroma of the fall in the Mountains of New Mexico.
I did not use an armature when designing this painting; Iwere concentrating on the curves of the hills and of course the use of chroma. One could find points in the picture plain that when joined would create lines and curves following the armature. Note that the top ridge seems to go through or close to the "eyes"
Armature =>
Chromatic Lands III 8x10 8x10
Chromatic Lands I 8x10
- Title
- Chromatic Lands I 8x10
- Size
- 8x10
- Material
- Oil
- Price
- $450
Available at the Karen Wray Gallery - (505) 660-6382 : www.karenwrayfineart.com.
In this painting, the darker ‘path’ is an s-shape leading to the cliff in the distance. This is a well- known device to lead the viewer’s eye to a focal point. Chromatic Lands I is a favorite painting due to its range of colors and its textures.
Link to Painting BASIC Armature =>
Link to Painting wirh Combined PHI Armatures =>
Chromatic Lands I 8x10 8x10
Dawn - Los Alamos 10x16
- Title
- Dawn - Los Alamos 10x16
- Size
- 10x16
- Material
- Oil
- Price
- $600
"En plein air" at dawn on the road to Los Alamos. I've enjoyed painting the cliffs at many times of day, either "en plein air" or in the studio. My landscaped abstractions are often based on this or similar scenes.
Armature =>
Dawn - Los Alamos 10x16 10x16
Georgia's Towering Cliff 14x11
- Title
- Georgia's Towering Cliff 14x11
- Size
- 14x11
- Material
- Oil
- Price
- $600
The clouds opened up on Georgia's cliff while hiking in her back yard.
Georgia's Towering Cliff 14x11 14x11
Los Alamos Hills Impression 10x16
- Title
- Los Alamos Hills Impression 10x16
- Size
- 10x16
- Material
- Oil
- Price
- $600
Available at the Karen Wray Gallery: - (505) 660-6382 www.karenwrayfineart.com.
Continuing the series of the hills and cliffs of New Mexico.
Los Alamos Hills Impression 10x16 10x16
Land Fusion - Los Alamos 15x25
- Title
- Land Fusion - Los Alamos 15x25
- Size
- 15x25
- Material
- Oil
- Price
- $1200
Available at the Karen Wray Gallery: - (505) 660-6382 www.karenwrayfineart.com.
Continued series with more abstract landscapes. Painted from photographs and smaller on-location studies of the dramatic cliffs of Los Alamos. Tools used include a squeegee (straight edge), brushes, palette knife and wedge to mark the lines during the painting process. Yes, this is the home of the Atomic Bomb from WWII but it's also the home of advanced research in Fusion, a promising source of soloar powered electricity.
Link to Armature =>
Land Fusion - Los Alamos 15x25 15x25
Luminous Lands I 12x19
- Title
- Luminous Lands I 12x19
- Size
- 12x19
- Material
- Oil
- Price
- $700
First phase of the painting: flat color blocks, with brighter colors in the foreground. Then the colors were modified with lighter or grayer colors to show form. The overall intent was to show how light illuminates the southwest as if the sun is infusing the land with its light and power. The eternal question to ask: is the viewer’s eye drawn around the painting. Another question to ask is: is there a resting point? The sky is a good restful area to pause for a few moments.
Luminous Lands I 12x19 12x19
Luminous Lands VI - Northern Lights
- Title
- Luminous Lands VI - Northern Lights
- Size
- 15x24
- Material
- Oil
- Price
- $1000
This painting of the Taos Gorge Overlook anticipated the recent sightings of the Northern Lights in the New Mexican Skies. The intent at the time of the painting was to place the main focal point near the eye of the golden spiral at the upper right where the brightest part of the sky meets the mountain.
View this painting with an Armature.
Luminous Lands VI - Northern Lights 15x24
Spring at Ghost Ranch 10x16
- Title
- Spring at Ghost Ranch 10x16
- Size
- 10x16
- Material
- Oil
- Price
- $600
Available at the Karen Wray Gallery - (505) 660-6382 : www.karenwrayfineart.com.
En plein air. The views of the cliffs around Ghost Ranch are amazing. It's hard to decide what to paint. For this view, I liked the feeling of the sun raking over the nearby hillside.
Spring at Ghost Ranch 10x16 10x16
Turbulent Winds III 12x16
- Title
- Turbulent Winds III 12x16
- Size
- 12x16
- Material
- Oil
- Price
- $700
The growth of trees is so intriguing, which makes them natural candidates for painting. Capturing the feeling and sound of the wind as it moves through the trees is part of the joy of plein air painting.
Armature =>
Turbulent Winds III 12x16 12x16
Turbulent Lands IV Borrego Springs
- Title
- Turbulent Lands IV Borrego Springs
- Size
- 10x16 Aspect Ratio PHI
- Material
- Oil
- Price
- $600
En plein air in Borrego Springs, Ca.. The shadows were remarkable. Visit the Blog Post: here
for a detailed analysis of this painting. The dramatic shape of the main shadow on the upper right dictated that it be the main focal point.
Link to the Painting with Armature.
Turbulent Lands IV Borrego Springs 10x16 Aspect Ratio PHI
Taos Gorge Nightfall 20x16
- Title
- Taos Gorge Nightfall 20x16
- Size
- 20x16
- Material
- Oil
- Price
- $1000
ITaos Gorge is one of New Mexico's iconic landmarks. The inspiration for this series of paintings came from a plein air piece painted during a storm. The lighting was unusual, leading to many possibilities for capturing this scene.
Inquiries: call the Karen Wray Fine Art Gallery - (505) 660-6382: www.karenwrayfineart.com.
Taos Gorge Nightfall 20x16 20x16
Turbulent Lands VI 11x14
- Title
- Turbulent Lands VI 11x14
- Size
- 11x14
- Material
- Oil
- Price
- $600
Natural geological formations result in patterns that attract the viewer. These striation patterns appear throughout the cliffs around Abiquiu, Ghost Ranch and the Chama River in northern New Mexico, forming a natural landmark on a par with the most spectacular of the world.
Armature =>
Inquiries: call the Karen Wray Fine Art Gallery - (505) 660-6382: www.karenwrayfineart.com.
.
Turbulent Lands VI 11x14 11x14
Yellow Cliffs 15x24
- Title
- Yellow Cliffs 15x24
- Size
- 15x24
- Material
- Oil
- Price
- $1000
Available at the Karen Wray Gallery - (505) 660-6382: www.karenwrayfineart.com.
Full disclosure: I utilized chat gpt to help with the wording here. "Upon traversing Monastery Road, the commanding presence of the yellow cliffs on the right beckons the artist's gaze, evoking an irresistible urge to capture their essence upon canvas. Utilizing near golden mean dimensions for the painting, I orchestrated a composition designed to guide the viewer's eye along a journey across the canvas, following the subtle curvature of the implied golden spiral. Each brushstroke was meticulously placed to accentuate points of interest, with a deliberate emphasis on the point of sharpest contrast near the right-most dominant cliff, ensuring a captivating visual experience that resonates with the discerning collector".
Link to Painting Armature =>
Yellow Cliffs 15x24 15x24
Ashley Pond II 9x12
- Title
- Ashley Pond II 9x12
- Size
- 9x12
- Material
- Oil
- Price
- $500
First pleln air of Ashley Pond during the Plein Air Painters of New Mexico Paint Out in Los Alamos. I enjoyed painting at the pond during the very hot days.
Inquiries: call the Karen Wray Fine Art Gallery - (505) 660-6382: www.karenwrayfineart.com.
Ashley Pond II 9x12 9x12
Ashley Pond Los Alamos 12x16
- Title
- Ashley Pond Los Alamos 12x16
- Size
- 12x16
- Material
- Oil
- Price
- $700
Available at the Karen Wray Gallery - (505) 660-6382 : www.karenwrayfineart.com.
"En plein air" during the Los Alamos Paint Out sponsored by the Plein Air Painters of New Mexico in Aug 2023. This pond in the middle of town was named after a prominent resident of Los Alamos. Painting at the edge of the pond was delightful. Cool breezes could be felt off the pond even during 90 degree weather. (Of course, there was a pavilion for cover).
Link to an armature of the painting =>
Ashley Pond Los Alamos 12x16 12x16
Golden Sunset
- Title
- Golden Sunset
- Size
- 9x12
- Material
- Oil
- Price
- $500
The ocean keeps calling me, having lived by the ocean for most of my youth: I miss the Puget Sound and Hawaiian waters as well as the San Diego waters where my son and family now live.
Golden Sunset 9x12
Luminous Waters II 16x20
- Title
- Luminous Waters II 16x20
- Size
- 16x20
- Material
- Oil
- Price
- Inquiries: karen.halbert@gmail.com.
I think that my love of the woods comes through in this painting. This was up at the Big Tesuque Campground near the Santa Fe Ski slope. No, I no longer camp out, but it was tempting. And painting this brought back may childhood memories.
Luminous Waters II 16x20 16x20
Turbulent Waters I 12x16
- Title
- Turbulent Waters I 12x16
- Size
- 12x16
- Material
- Oil
- Price
- Inquiries: karen.halbert@gmail.com.
Fond memories of many walks along rivers and creeks seeing the turbulence in the waters and listening to the sounds. I like the 's-shape', zig-zag of the river/waterfall to help draw the viewer's eye around the painting. The ripples of the water also keep the viewer's eye moving. The brightness of the waterfall makes it a natural focal point (area).
Armature =>
Turbulent Waters I 12x16 12x16
Turbulent Waters II 12x19
- Title
- Turbulent Waters II 12x19
- Size
- 12x19
- Material
- Oil
- Price
- Inquiries: karen.halbert@gmail.com.
Larger studio work based on an award-winning "en plein air" painting, titled Santa Fe River Turbulence. Painted after the storms when the water was flowing. The river runs along Alameda Drive near Canyon Road. An understanding of turbulence is one of the great unsolved problems in Physics/Mathematics.
Armature =>
Turbulent Waters II 12x19 12x19
Wild River Santa Fe 10x16
- Title
- Wild River Santa Fe 10x16
- Size
- 10x16
- Material
- Oil
- Price
- $600
I"En plein air" at the Santa Fe River, one of my favorite painting venues. Painted during the Spring run-oof when the water is most turbulent. The canvas proportions are near golden mean proportions, with the top of the waterfall intentionally near the polar point of the golden spiral, a spiral found throughout nature.
Wild River Santa Fe 10x16 10x16
Waimea Waterfall II 12x16
- Title
- Waimea Waterfall II 12x16
- Size
- 12x16
- Material
- Oil
- Price
- $700
Preparing for my North Shore Oahu trip.
Waimea Waterfall II 12x16 12x16
Ghost Ranch Hilla
- Title
- Ghost Ranch Hilla
- Size
- 12x24
- Material
- Oil
- Price
