Cave Painting

Last weekend we discovered that plein aire painting from inside a cave is quite convenient, especially during monsoon season!


Nerd in a cowboy hat and the lizard hunter


Best-dressed hiker on the mesa!

Poultry Pics

The secret to making good paintings: a small animal made from kneaded eraser. Honest.


What do you see in this picture?

Happy Birthday Mercia!

Brush Soap

Below you will find a picture of the Mexican laundry soap that is currently in fashion at the Ryder Studio. John's brushes seem to last forever, and are very very pointy despite being used repeatedly for months. He credits this soap. As a bonus, it comes in an attractive, flowery package. Still life, anyone?

Above: Miraculous Mexican Brush Soap

Tequila

Hardy souls of the Ryder Studio braved a seriously flooded arroyo (see below) for the sake of tequila this weekend. We hiked in, drove the long way round, and forded the raging river in order to sample the sweet nectar of the blue agave. A seriously committed lot, aren't we? Thanks so much to Jane and Clai for hosting a really fantastic party!

Welcome Lai Lin (Larine)!

A week ago Bethany hosted a fabulous part to welcome Lai Lin (Larine) to the studio for a five week portrait pose. Pictures of the party below. Warning: we may not send her back!

Still Life Week 2

Still life week is pretty much over, although some people will continue their still lives over the weekend and beyond. Below you will find some photos of work in progress from earlier today. Some of these paintings were begun before the start of still life week, and many of them are not finished in the photos. Please excuse the glare and the bad photography. The photos may be rough and ready, but I thought I'd at least post something to let you all see what we have been up to.


Bethany Williams, untitled, 7" x 13"



Jim Richards, "Chinese Eggs", 8" x 10"



Anna Wakitsch, untitled, 8" x 10"



Clai Lange, "Tequila Shot", 4" x 4"



Colt Prehm, "To take a page out of a book", 5" x 11"



Deborah Allison, "Cherished", 10" x 10"



Tony Ryder, untitled*, 8" x 12"



Tara Juneau, untitled (typewriter poster study)



John Reger, untitled, 10" x 12"



Mercia Moseley, untitled



Krista Schoening, "A prayer to St. Cajetan", 8" x 10"


* Suggested titles include, "Requiem for a Papaya", and "Apricot Rebellion in the Kingdom of the Evil Papaya." Feel free to use the comment form to submit your own suggestions!