A short story of art and change

One thing we can always be assured of is that things will not remain the same. Change is constant, and life is very fluid. I say "fluid" because like water, life can be directed, redirected, or flow freely. Water, on its own, finds the path of least resistance. It will flow wherever it is allowed. A river or stream follows the same path until it is changed either by some major event or a purposeful redirection. If it is allowed to stop, it will eventually stagnate and everything in it and around it will die and decay.

In 2010, my life began to take another direction. It was not my choice that circumstances forced Linda and I to face some major uncertainty, and eventually make choices that brought us to Boerne, Texas. A series of events led me to leave familiar ground - in my business, our social circles, and our family. At the time, I thought it was purely for economics, and it made sense for me to change careers and find employment that required this move south. 3 years later, some of the reasons for moving are becoming more apparent, and clearly, it has been a good move. I might even say it has been the best move we have ever made.

After commuting weekly for 8 months - 3 hours one way, we moved here in May of 2011. Two weeks after moving here, on the 2nd Saturday of June, I walked into an art gallery on Main Street that changed my life. I remember there was a wall directly in front of the door that had several oil paintings of the Texas hill country. I walked over to one particular painting, and as I was looking at it, I was overcome with emotion. The painting (by Bill Zaner) drew me in immediately, and somehow was able to convey something very deep, and reassured me that Linda and I had made the best decision. There was peace in the painting - something that took me back to a time long before Linda and I met - a scene of the hills that said, "Welcome home." I allowed the emotion to consume me, and I stood there, weeping, feeling peace, like a hand was on my shoulder comforting my soul.

It was months later, after frequenting that gallery, and hanging out (I made it known I wasn't leaving) with several artists who have become my friends and support, that I decided I wanted to paint again. I had no clue where to start, but I mentioned to my nephew that I needed to buy some paints, and he told me he had a whole box of them someone had abandoned. I paid him a few bucks, acquired some canvas panels, pulled out my collection of brushes someone had given me years back, and started painting.

My life has changed as I have uncovered a passion that began years ago, as a teenager that loved to dabble with watercolor. I was lucky enough to meet my friend, Johny Rosa, a man of similar passion for life that shows in everything he does. And I was lucky to meet those artists whom I now call my friends - I've drank a lot of beer with these guys...and traveled places with them to paint. They have all encouraged me to pursue excellence, and I have gotten better.

So here I am in Boerne, an artist struggling to get better, building what will be my next career to take me through "retirement." And life is good. I am lucky to have a good company in which to work, that pays me well. I have a boss that encourages me to get out of my comfort zone. All I am learning at work, I am applying to my art. I'm being challenged, I'm striving to get better, and I am learning how to be me.

There are many of you reading these words that have been an encouragement to me, and I thank you for your friendship. For those of you that have commented, called me, or sent me a note along the way, know that means so much to me. Thank you.

Much love,
Pauly

New work

Summer days start early. The sun rises at 6:30 or so, and it's twilight by 6:00. Once the sun is up though, it can heat up in a hurry. I like that cool part of the morning - it's quiet, people are still stirring, but the birds are lively, and there is still plenty of wildlife up and around. The hills around here have an abundance of deer, rabbits, roadrunners, raccoons, etc...  it's a perfect time to be up and around. And a perfect time to paint.
With yesterday's temps being over 100°F, it was critical for me to begin early. I was determined to finish a painting before I left, and I was able to do that, as well as a couple of pencil sketches, and start another oil painting. I am practicing painting fast, challenging myself to stay loose and work with my pallet knife, and limited color pallet. So far, I am digging what's coming out.
I am missing one thing though - I want some painting partners. I learn so much seeing what others are doing, how they compose a subject, how they mix colors, how they do different things. If anyone out there reading this would like to join me, please send me a note or give me a call and let me know. I would really appreciate it!
My friend Lora has 4 longhorn cattle, and a nice herd of deer that feed in her pasture. Her husband had put out about 1000 lbs. of carrots in the pasture, and the cows and the deer were happily grazing when I got there. I did this quick painting of Faith, one of the cows. I also took a lot of pictures, and a couple of sketches. Here is the finished painting.

"Faith" Oil on canvas panel, 8" x 8"

I kept it as loose as I could and it took me about 2 hours to finish. I still think I want to work faster. But this is working now...

Pintura Fresca

I love that I live in the Texas Hill Country, and even more so, that I am in Boerne, and one only has to drive a short distance to have a decent place to paint. My favorite place by far is the Cibolo Nature Center. It's always quiet and peaceful, and gives me a great place to go paint. Mornings are especially nice, because even in the summer, one can find a cool, shady place.

I went out to one of my favorite spots, where two branches of the Cibolo Creek converge. There is a steady stream of water over the rocks, and the banks are lined with some very old, very tall cypress trees. Few people make it out there, but occasionally, a wandering couple will come by and spend a moment watching or talking to me. I can spend a few hours out there, and create some pretty nice art.

I just completed this in the studio this morning - the paint is still fresh and wet. I'll have it framed as soon as it's ready.

"Twin Sentinels on the Cibolo" Oil on Canvas Panel, 8" x 10"

Newsletter Mailing list

I've finished another step toward positioning myself to make this a full time occupation down the road... My website is getting closer to reality. I'm meeting with the web designer again today to finalize the new website. Stand by for an announcement to follow in the next couple of weeks when I launch the new website.

In the meantime, some of you have expressed that you would be interested in being on my email list. I now have a link over in the right column to sign up for future mailings. I plan on a periodic (maybe once a month) newsletter that will include what I am working on, what I have sold, what's new, and provide some insight, links to other artists, and events. I may even throw in an occassional short instructional video. At any rate, I promise I wil not bombard anyone with daily emails, or blow up your email box with junk.  just want to have another way to stay in touch other than Facebook.

Please take a moment to sign up for my email list. Again, the link is at the top of the right column... all you have to do is share your email with me.

More to follow soon. Inthe meantime, Nigel will be standing by.

What's going on

After resisting doing this again, I reopened a profile on Facebook, and will be posting things from this blog on my page, "Pauly Tamez Art." I thought it was just part of something I need to do in order to promote my art. I do this somewhat reluctantly because I have a lot of concerns about Facebook in general. But if it's a piece of my art marketing, where everyone else is, I guess I couldn't find another place just as hot to do that.

I'll have a website soon, until then, I'll be testing Facebook for a while.

Would you please take time to "Like" my page "Pauly Tamez Art?"

Here is a new painting from last weekend. It is a smaller version of another painting I previously posted.
Also, the other 2 are completed works of the "Wette Painte" below.

"Spring Verbena" Oil on canvas, 4" x 5"

"Spring Verbena near Sisterdale, TX" Oil on Canvas board, 8" x 10" 

"Oak in the morning" Oil on canvas panel, 8" x 8"

If you are on my email list

Please let me know. I am going to be changing up my outreach soon. I am going to get my own website, and want to include anyone who reads this. So please send me an email so I can notify you as soon as that happens.

Wette Painte

Just finished a 2-day, 2-event art display. Yesterday I participated in the Best of BoerneFest Art show, which was well attended, and I had a great time meeting folks and getting my name out. Today I did the first ever Boerne Art Waddle - an event that highlighted some of the artist who live in the "Flats" and several other artists that were hosted in different homes. It was a blast - I finished 1 painting Saturday, and completed 2 on Sunday. I took my easel to both events and painted and talked to people.

I am coming to understand art is a lot about joy. It brings me joy ( and satisfaction, peace, and relaxation) to paint. I enjoy it, other people enjoy it, and sometimes they buy it. I was able to let a few people take the pallet knife, and contribute to my painting. Whenever someone asks how difficult it is to paint with a knife, I hand them the knife and let them put paint on the surface...it's that easy, and I get to show someone they can do it too.

I'm happy, they're happy - Er-body's happy.

Here's my unsigned paintings from the weekend - still drying...

Oak on a hill, Oil on board, 8" x 8"

Spring Verbena, oil on canvas board, 8" x 10"

Spring Verbena #2, oil on canvas, 4" x 5"

Boerne Art Waddle

Coming up. I will be participating, with some new knife paintings. Come out and see some great art!

Terlingua Sunrise

One of the joys of having some time off and relaxing in Terlingua is waking up, pouring myself a cup of coffee, spiking it up with some bourbon, and sitting out on the front porch will Bill Zaner watching the sunrise over the mountains. The day starts quietly, usually with me and Bill on the deck, no one saying a word, and we are soon joined by David, then the rest of the group starts stirring.
It's a kind of Zen moment. No one says a word, because no words are necessary. It's a sacred time to sit, reflect, and observe. As the sun rises, the day awakens the little town of Terlingua, and one can see people moving about. I get up to fix breakfast as people begin arriving, and we talk about where we'll go paint that day. Plans are made, breakfast is eaten, showers are done, and everyone get ready within a short time, and we're off. It's a blessed time, and one I miss, as I frequently think  about it. Sometimes, when the time is right, I escape my desk, and go watch the sunrise at work before I begin my day - coffee in hand (without the bourbon), and I think about being out west, watching Terlingua awaken.



Terlingua Sunrise, Illuminating Maverick Mountain and Pulliam Bluff. Oil on Panel, 11" x 14"

"Morning on the Cibolo Creek"

Painted en plein aire. That's French for "I painted outside."
The Cibolo Creek runs through Boerne, and a private foundation has set up an area of land called the Cibolo Nature Center. (www.cibolo.org/) It is pretty much untouched, and with a short hike from the parking area, there are several places along the creek where one can sit for hours and enjoy the peace and quiet, and paint, write, reflect, or just be still. I was out there yesterday for about 2 1/2 hours and saw a total of 2 couples that walked by to see what I was doing. My dog, Nigel, had a great time romping through the shallow creek and greeting those that came by.
The morning lights create some interesting shadows and reflections on the water. This is at the end of one of the trails where 2 branches of the creek converge.

"Morning on the Cibolo Creek" Boerne, TX. Oil on panel, 9" x 12"