Yes, home again, home again! The last week in July I had several wonderful days painting at sites along the Turquoise Trail in New Mexico. The weather was interesting - more rain than I have ever seen in NM. I was told it was the monsoon season which I did not know occurred in NM. Live and learn! Even though my long-time painting friend, Elaine Koehler, and I had good shelter under the canopy of her sport van, it didn't always help. One day while painting under it we were informed by a local resident that we really didn't want to be in that arroyo when it was raining. He had seen a five foot wall of water swoop down from the mountain, giving only about 5 seconds to seek higher ground. Reluctantly, but grateful for the warning, we packed up and headed for another safer site.

Another day on the Sandia Crest road in a nice picnic area we had wonderful paintings going when thunder and lightening began. Again we packed up and left! All in all, we felt more like storm chasers than painters! However, plein air people are a hardy determined bunch, and the PAPNM mounted a show of about a hundred works that will hang at the Sumner and Dene Gallery in Albuquerque for the month of August. Check it out if you're in the area. In a few days I will post some of my new works which came out of that week.  I will also be sharing some tips for getting out there and enjoying the great outdoors with brush and canvas.  Tip #1: Continually work on lightening your load. It makes running from a storm so much easier!