Ann Stubenrauch Watercolors

Okay...so this rabbit doesn't know the season

2011-12-21T14:41:00.001-07:00

View from North Side of Condo

2011-09-17T14:43:00.000-07:00

View from South Side of Condo

2011-09-17T14:41:00.000-07:00

Our Summer Condo

2011-09-17T14:32:00.000-07:00

My Summer

2011-09-17T14:26:00.000-07:00

While some were sweltering in the heat, I was privy to this outstanding view every day. Am I lucky or what?

2011-06-21T14:24:00.000-07:00

One has only to post a photo of their work to truly see what's missing in a painting. Thus, I see that my Flamenco Dancer needs correction in several areas. Also, once again, am having issues with Picasa 3 and my Blog communicating...or it could be a case of operator error. At any rate, both issues need work.

#193 - Flamenco Dancer - Phase 4

2011-06-20T17:42:00.000-07:00

#193-Flamenco Dancer - Phases 1,2,3

2011-06-20T10:35:00.000-07:00

Yosemite in mid-May 2011

2011-05-25T10:26:00.000-07:00

Cactus Flowers

2011-05-14T16:29:00.000-07:00

Phase 4 - Dancer from Ecuador

2011-04-17T15:25:00.001-07:00

Still needs work, but moving along. Believe I need to darken values.

European Breads

2011-04-17T15:22:00.000-07:00

Breads - Phase 2, 3, and 4. Am I finished? Let me know.

European Pastries

2011-04-17T15:18:00.000-07:00

Phase 3

Our March Travels

2011-04-17T14:23:00.000-07:00

Even though I have tried to post this photo several times, I am hoping this one will finally succeed. This is one of the many views that we encountered in our March travels. We covered the weather spectrum from mid-90s to downright frosty. What a treat!

March Flood Waters 2011

2011-04-15T11:01:00.000-07:00

Picasa 3 and my Blog are at odds.

2011-04-04T12:41:00.002-07:00

Unfortunately, my Picasa 3 program and my Blog have decided to not to communicate. Will keep trying to post photos of travels and WIPs and see what happens

Snow Capped Mountains

2011-04-03T11:31:00.000-07:00

This is one of our beautiful views from last week.

Phases 1,2 & 3 - Dancer from Ecuador

2011-03-08T16:17:00.000-07:00

Well, I tried to put all 3 phases of my current painting but don't know if that happened. Even though I have a long way to go, I am experiementing with a couple of techniques I haven't used previously.

My Apple Tart

2011-03-06T11:48:00.000-07:00

This is going to be a painting one of these days...in my "Food for Thought" series. I baked two of these yesterday...the other one also had roasted chopped pecans lightly scattered on the top. I'd take a photo of that one, but it has already been consumed.

Here's the Second Attempt

2011-02-27T15:12:00.000-07:00

AZ Ice Storm from new camera...what a difference.

Test for New Camera Photos

2011-02-27T15:10:00.000-07:00

In an attempt to differentiate how much better one camera is over the other, I photographed the same subject. AZ Ice Storm....now I don't know if I can get it posted.

Arizona Ice Storm

2011-02-27T14:40:00.000-07:00

So many of my friends share their snow photos that I thought it would be nice to see photos of an Arizona ice storm.

Cold Coyotes

2011-02-01T17:42:00.000-07:00

After finishing a rather brief walk late this afternoon....it was cooooold (60) and windy....we saw these coyotes at the end of the culdesac where our home is located...this is the end of the driving range. So, I quickly went inside for my camera, came outside and took these photos. 6 coyotes were clustered in one pack and a lone outcast was a few yards to the right. I took numerous photos and then their ears, then heads started to look up because they could hear our voices. One (3rd photo) decided he was "outta there" regardless of what the rest of the pack did. In the meantime, the "outcast" didn't move a muscle. We came back inside and shortly after, they all started their howling....which is very loud and can easily be heard inside the house.

This morning, I watched 2 coyotes walk to our "across the street" neighbors front door and yard, then over to our front patio. One passed just 2 feet from the window.

About 2 weeks ago, one coyote walked into our front courtyard carrying a rabbit in his mouth. He was searching for a place to bury it for later dining because he went to our next door neighbors front yard, dug a hole with his paws, deposited the rabbit, and covered it with the landscape rock with his paws and nose. Tough nose is all I can say. My New Year's resolution was to keep my camera handy for future coyote escapades and I've already blown it.

La U'iltima Cancio'n - The Last Song

2010-11-03T17:48:00.001-07:00

I thought I had posted progress reports of "La U'iltima Cancio'n" (The Last Song), but they are not appearing in the blog. I am almost finished and then this cowboy (I am uncertain of how to title - The Last Song OR Los Caballeros) is on his way to his new home in California. He is watercolor; free-hand drawing; on 22x30 unfinished 300# paper....should frame out at 30x40. He was fun to do and as you can see, I truly need to focus on drawing/shading hands.

Hawaii Orchids, Crab Cove and me

2010-11-03T17:10:00.000-07:00

The Botanical Garden in Hilo is a fascinating "must see" place to add to your bucket list.
The swirling surf at the edge of Crab Cove and a photo of me taken by our fab SCW friends - B&T - who joined us on our 14-day Hawaiian cruise.

Summer Sojourn

2010-09-10T17:53:00.000-07:00

In an ongoing effort to escape the desert heat, this is the type of weather we were seeking and actually experienced for a few days. Being near water, foggy skies, and a large variety of water vessels was most appealing. Of course, it was greatly appreciated when viewing the photos upon returning to the heat. Actually have very few photos from several weeks of travel because I had wrong camera setting.

"The Pond" in North Carolina

2010-07-18T15:17:00.000-07:00

This is a photo looking down from the upper deck of R&A's home in the mountains. As I mentioned before, R&A had an extremely talented and creative architect/builder who designed and placed each stone by hand to construct this masterpiece. The wonderfully peaceful sound of falling waters puts you in mind of the Frank Lloyd Wright home inn Falling Waters, WI. Thank you, R, for sending this fantastic photo.

Views from Chimney Rock, NC

2010-07-18T11:49:00.000-07:00

Because of our busy schedule, it appears that I photographed little in the way of scenic wonders. Or, perhaps I was just enchanted with the beauty of the area. At Chimney Rock, taking the elevator up 26 floors and then walking up an additional flight of stairs to this fab sight was great. Walking down 27 floors on a combo of wooden steps and rocks was rough on the back of the legs. Walking around the hills of Ashville, the Biltmore Estate mansion (up and down stairs) and their beautiful gardens (up and down stairs), the Antler Village, their stables, and then their winery (the wine tasting softened the stairs), staying on the 3rd floor (no elevator) of our beautiful B&B Albermarle Mansion, and because we had LB's sister (it was her 80th BD celebration)use the MBR in the cabin, we used the 2nd floor...lots of walking. LB's nephew/spouse had just finished a beautiful waterfall and pond feature in their mountainside home. It is not only a beautiful creative masterpiece, but the sound effects are wonderful.

Interior of "Little Log Cabin"

2010-07-18T11:16:00.000-07:00

First, a view of the kitchen;
second a view of the adjacent DR; third a view of the LR

Didn't take photos of the bdrms and baths, but it was all delightful and tastefully decorated.

Little Log Cabin in the NC Mountains

2010-07-18T11:11:00.000-07:00

This is the front entrance to our little log cabin in the NC mountains. It was a 2-story 3 bdrm 3-1/2 bath. Now THIS is my preferred style of roughing it. What a beautiful area and it was definitely cooler than AZ. More photos of interior coming.

It's anyone's guess how many photos will show up this time.

2010-06-09T15:50:00.000-07:00

Okay - 3 photos at a time

2010-06-09T15:47:00.000-07:00

River Cruise - second try

2010-06-09T15:45:00.000-07:00

River Cruise - Antwerp to Basel

2010-06-09T15:37:00.000-07:00

Let's see if this works. This is a collage of photos taken along our cool....and I mean temperature cool as well...our river cruise. We left from Antwerp and visited Willenstad/Kinderduk, Nijmegen, Bonn, Cochem, Bernkastel, Trier, Traben Trarbach, Boppard/Speyer, Speyer, Strasbourg, Baden-Baden, and Basel. We had a couple of side trips to Augustusburg Palace and Marksburg Castle, visited a brewery built like a castle - with fab brauts, beers and mustard and pretzels; a stork preserve and a well-preserved medieval village which I believe was called Stein-am-Rhein. To be able to dock along the river and walk right into town is priceless. Even though it was too cold to fulfill my vision of basking on the top deck cruising along the Rhine and Mosel rivers gazing at the many, many castles and ruins whilst reading a good book...I was not disappointed.

Flowing Water - Final

2010-04-28T16:08:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the guidance of Woodie Mackie, Susan Roper and Barb Lang, I have now completed this piece. If every aspiring artist was lucky enough to even know these three artistic masters, they would be very fortunate indeed. This was painting was named Pueblo Pottery #2 but after incorporating Woodie's idea, Flowing Water seems more appropriate. It will be going to its' new home in early June after I return from Europe.

Lighting a Candle - Phase 3,4,5 and going

2010-04-28T15:59:00.000-07:00

Another piece in the works and again, a ways to go. This is my third "head" and my newest attempts to work with light values and Frisket application.

#189- Bakery Bounty - Phases 1,2,3

2010-04-28T15:53:00.000-07:00

Of course, this is a long way from being completed, but thought I would try my hand and capturing the different phases of the painting to determine where and how I can improve.

South Beach - Miami, FL

2010-04-12T17:41:00.000-07:00

Yeah -- I really liked South Beach!.

Comiing into Rio-4.5 hours late

2010-04-12T17:33:00.000-07:00

City of Montevideo, Urugua

2010-04-12T17:30:00.000-07:00

PORT at Montevideo

2010-04-12T17:22:00.000-07:00

Does this not remind you of some of the buildings in Dubai? That's because this is done by the same architect. What a beauty.

Tin City - Buenos Aires, Agentina

2010-04-12T17:18:00.001-07:00

This is a really big tourist area now in B.A. It is what immigrants to the city started in when they moved from the countryside to the big city. These houses are still lived in by local residents and it has become a very artsy/craftsy vibrant community within the city. I'm trying to get caught up on a few photos to complete our 30-day cruise, when ended in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. From Rio, we flew to South Beach Miami, where we spent Christmas.

Falkland Islands

2010-02-10T18:05:00.000-07:00

After we left Port Stanley and were 3-4 hours into our cruise up to Montevideo, Uruguay, we had to return to Port Stanley for an emergency evacuation of a passenger. The RAF (Royal Air Force) sent a helicopter which hovered above the ship and removed the passenger with an evacuation carrier. This took place about 1 AM and after it was completed, we turned around again to head towards Montevideo.

Port Stanley, Falkland Islands

2010-02-10T18:00:00.000-07:00

Just a collage of a few photos taken.

Port Stanley, Falkland Islands

2010-02-10T17:55:00.000-07:00

A very, very small town. It was about a 20 minute tender into the port. Again, the week before, snow..snow..snow. Today...sun. I have several photos of this port because I also fell in love with its charm.

Cape Horn Eastern Side

2010-02-10T17:52:00.000-07:00

Well, WE made it around the Cape. This is the Albatross Memorial Sculpture and lighthouse on the Atlantic side of the ocean.

Cape Horn

2010-02-10T17:50:00.000-07:00

These were some of the obstacles sailors encountered in stormy weather. Lots and lots of ships never made it around this corner.

Cape Horn Crossing

2010-02-10T17:49:00.000-07:00

Look closely.....do you see ANY waves??

Starting around Cape Horn

2010-02-10T17:47:00.000-07:00

As we start to round Cape Horn, there is a lighthouse on the Western side of the Cape and a sculpt piece of albatross that is a memorial to the travelers that never made it around the Horn. Again, the week before our crossing, it was rough and stormy, everyone aboard (including crew) was seasick, and it was generally a pretty messy crossing. I personally was rather hoping for some of those rough seas and stormy weather so I could truly experience being on the water. But, alas, it was supposedly one of the smoothest trips in years...sigh!

One last photo of Ushuaia

2010-02-10T17:41:00.000-07:00

As you can read along the wall, Ushuaia says it is "the end of the world and the beginning of everything". I would return here in a heartbeat. The week before we arrived, all of this area had a severe snowstorm....which I (think) would have loved. But today, it was beautiful, a light coat, a slight breeze, and a beautiful place to stroll around.

Ushuaia, Argentina

2010-02-07T13:33:00.000-07:00

Yes, I fell in love with this port. It was soooo neat!

On the way to Ushuaia, Argentina

2010-02-07T13:30:00.000-07:00

Shoreline scenery-Argentina

2010-02-07T13:27:00.000-07:00

This is some of the snow capped mountains prior to arriving in Ushuaia, Argentina. Weather so nice and crisp. So refreshing.

Piazza in Punta Arenas, Chile

2010-02-07T13:25:00.000-07:00

I took several photos of this Piazza as these trees were stunning. It also had lots of monuments, crafts vendors...rather like a mini botanical garden with the beautiful and old trees.

Punta Arenas, Chile

2010-02-07T13:21:00.000-07:00

This is touted as being the most beautiful cemetary in the world. It was truly remarkable.

Punta Arenas, Chile

2010-02-07T13:20:00.000-07:00

The most charming port we have visited thus far. AND, the weather was beautiful. Really enjoyed walking around here.

Amalia Glaciers

2010-02-07T13:16:00.000-07:00

Amalia Glaciers

2010-02-07T13:15:00.001-07:00

2010-02-07T13:15:00.000-07:00

Magellan Straits

2010-02-07T13:14:00.000-07:00

Up the Magellan Straits to Amalia Glacier

2010-02-06T18:05:00.000-07:00

The day spent cruising up the Straits of Magellan to see the Amalia Glaciers was deliciously cool and refreshing. I loved it and in some of the following photos, you can see some of the most beautiful scenery. It reminded me of Alaska in many ways.

Valparaiso, Chile

2010-02-06T18:03:00.000-07:00

See that little yellow car? That is one of the many tram systems in the city. This one has been in operation since early 1800s and we rode it up and down. A really fab view from inside the little rickety wooden house. The 3-story house is a restaurant.

Valparaiso, Chile (Santiago)

2010-02-06T17:59:00.000-07:00

Coming into Valparaiso. 50% of the passengers left here to go into Santiago for their airline departures. More passengers got on. It was really hot and humid here, but delightful to walk, take a train, etc.

La Serena (Coquimbo) Chile

2010-02-06T17:56:00.000-07:00

From the ship - we also learned that Chile is pronounced ChiLAY, not ChiLEE. This photo is actually Coquimbo - just on the outskirts of La Serena. The cross is massive in size...having elevators, exhibits, and offices on the horizontal and vertical segments of the construction.

Puerto San Martin, Peru

2010-02-06T17:52:00.000-07:00

Fishing vessels - waiting to go out

Pisco, Peru

2010-02-06T17:50:00.000-07:00

Does this look barren or not??? And it is this way for MILES. We actually took a coach over to Puerto San Martin, Peru....a charming but small seashore settlement.

Lima Towers

2010-02-06T17:48:00.000-07:00

Lima, Peru

2010-02-06T17:46:00.000-07:00

So much of this Park of Love reminds you of Gaudi's park in Barcelona, Spain. Not the statue, but the rolling walls embellished with broken pieces of tile.

The Park of Love, Lima, Peru

2010-02-06T17:44:00.000-07:00

Ah, the cows have it in this special exhibit at the Park of Love in Lima, Peru.
This one is so perfect for Valentine's Day.

Our escort into Callao, Peru

2010-02-06T17:42:00.000-07:00

You can see all of the fishing vessels, the pelicans on the stones and our tug escort.

On the way to Callao (Lima) Peru

2010-02-06T17:40:00.000-07:00

More of these fishing crafts as we start into the dock in Callao, Peru

A foggy day at sea

2010-02-06T17:38:00.000-07:00

Dec 2 - A day at sea and all of a sudden, these fishing boats appeared. We figured there were more than 100 all total that passed by the ship. I might add...this day was blissful comfortable temperature wise.

Panama Hats

2010-02-06T17:36:00.000-07:00

Did you know the birthplace of Panama hats was in Ecuador?? Well, it's true!

Manta, Ecuador Charmers

2010-02-06T17:34:00.000-07:00

These young dancers were so talented, so charming, and so proud of themselves. They were delightful to watch.

Manta, Ecuador

2010-02-06T17:30:00.000-07:00

Some of our charming entertainment ashore.

The dock in Manta, Ecuador

2010-02-06T17:28:00.000-07:00

Manta is definitely a fishing area. The boats at the dock were unloading fish and all of those boats in the background are waiting to dock and unload their catch.

Manta, Ecuador

2010-02-06T17:25:00.000-07:00

Dec 1 - This was taken from the ship after docking. Too far to walk into town and because it was an industrial dock (see next photo), we were allowed to walk in dock area.

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

2010-02-06T17:23:00.000-07:00

The nicest thing about Puntarenas is that it had a dock and we didn't have to tender into shore. My ship is on the right.

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

2010-02-06T17:20:00.000-07:00

Nov 29 - Basically just a long peninsula of land surrounded by water. Lots of native vendors snuggled under all of those palm trees. It was VERY hot and VERY humid....and although picturesque, a rather dismal little settlement.

San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua

2010-02-06T17:14:00.000-07:00

Nov 28 - view as ship is coming into San Juan Del Sur port. Lots of new (but unfinished) construction going on. And, as in many of the countries visited, a religious statue on hilltop.

Princess Star in Acapulco, Mexico

2010-01-21T17:36:00.000-07:00

After leaving Los Angeles on Nov 22, we spent Nov 23 at sea, Nov 24 in Cabo San Lucas and Nov 25 in Acapulco. It was quite warm (okay HOT) and humid. Living in AZ you forget there is something else besides "dry heat". The men on the beach are fishermen pulling in their nets.

NYC Skyline from Liberty Island

2009-09-22T17:26:00.001-07:00

I can only describe this as a "wow" skyline and marvel at the fact that we were just 3 blocks from the Empire State Building. Our group went Sunday evening, navigated our way thru lots of other people going thru circuitous lines and security checkpoints, taking the elevator up to the 80th floor; then walking up the last 6 floors. It was a crystal clear evening and we could see everything. The public transportation system - both above and below ground-is so nice as well as inexpensive. It is easy to see why New Yorkers opt to not own a car. One day we walked from Central Park, down 5th Avenue to Madison Square Gardens...across from our hotel. The store windows are a shopper's dream....and inside the stores....a bill payer's nightmare! Many thanks to Bruce and Tom of SCW for sharing their years of experience in NYC. We also did evening walks through Greenwich Village and Harlem.

Statue of Liberty

2009-09-22T17:16:00.000-07:00

Everytime I've seen the Statue of Liberty it has been from an airplane window. Many of those times,she was still in the process of being refurbished and covered with scaffolding. This, my very first visit and stay in NYC, is the first time I have actually been on her island. We flew into Newark on 9/11 and had a fantastic rescheduled Elderhostel program to keep us active and educated. On this day, 9/14, we took the subway from Penn Station to Battery; the ferry to Liberty Island; the ferry to Ellis Island; then the return ferry to Battery, a beautiful walk along the shoreline to the Towers site; then back to Penn Station and the New Yorker Hotel. A really fab day!

Another "wet" illusion.....

2009-08-27T17:18:00.000-07:00

I kept thinking it was coming our way....but it traveled Southeast instead. A bonus is the outline of some petals of the Fiddly Fig cactus at the side of our house. As you can see from the neighbors garage, this cactus is BIG and very tall!

A Little Spot of Rain in AZ

2009-08-27T17:14:00.000-07:00

This is one of those photos that make you think you are actually going to experience a raindrop. Wrong! It never made it to our house. But isn't it dramatic?

How about this??

2009-08-13T17:43:00.000-07:00

When I saw this view from my back patio, could not resist taking a photo. I thought it was just stunning.

Christmas Quail

2009-04-30T18:29:00.000-07:00

Hopefully, this is the "fini" of this 11-month project. My photo is not the best in the world, but following the critique comments, advice, counsel, suggestions, and everything else, I have darkened the shadows both in and between the cactus petals and the underbody of the quail. I have darkened and textured and highlighted to emphasize the light source on all of the petals and pods. At this point, there are between 40 and 50 washes on the petals because everytime I looked at the cactus (which is in my back yard), the petals changed colors. When I decided to count the different greens this cactus has (I chose 3 PM as this was the time of day when I took the original photo) and decided to forget it when I hit 30. What struck me the most was the petal in lower right....it was decidedly a gray-green and the thorns just faded into the petal. As I mentioned previously, this was proposed to be my 2008 Holiday card; now it will be my 2009 card. If this doesn't pass muster at the next VG and AAG meeting, it may well be my 2010 card. This is 22"wx28"h and will be framed in a rustic oak frame which really gives it a finished presentation.

Grand Canyon view

2009-04-13T08:45:00.000-07:00

We took our houseguest to see the Grand Canyon. The weather was absolute perfection...cool and crisp and clear with sunshine...which allowed us ample time to enjoy the famous views and gorgeous colors. I know two fellow artists that would take this photo and transform it into a vision on canvas thru oil or pastel on paper...Woodie Mackie and Susan Roper. This is truly outside the realms of my skillset, so I must only admire the talent of others in this arena.

Colorado River in Grand Canyon

2009-04-13T08:39:00.000-07:00

This photo was taken from the Watchtower at Desert View Point in the East end of the Grand Canyon - April 2009.

Another Blossum

2009-03-23T14:17:00.000-07:00

I've been challenged by one of my mentors to paint one of these blossums....petal by petal....so I have decided to make this one of my projects during an April getaway.

Flowering Cactus

2009-03-21T17:49:00.000-07:00

Since I appear to be "in to" cactus for a bit, did an adjustment to this 2004 painting which was used as a seasonal greeting card for an international corporation. I tried to put a little more depth into the shadows and also bring out the petals of the blossum. I believe it makes for a more dramatic look.

Cactus in Bloom - March 2009

2009-03-21T17:33:00.000-07:00

Well, these beauties are starting to bloom again....even though the rabbits think of the cactus as a piece of celery and continue to chew away. I understand they chew continuously in order to keep their teeth filed down, but how do they digest the thorns that they also eat. This one is in our back yard. The blooms open in daytime; close at night and always face the direction of the sun.

Stunning Saguaro

2009-03-04T16:59:00.000-07:00

This is a beautiful example of a mature saguaro. Keep in mind that a saguaro takes at least 50 and sometime up to 100 years before any arms start to grow. These beauties sometimes live up to 200 years old. So, in terms of "saguaro years"....I am still very young. I intend to revisit this piece of natural sculpture in about 3 weeks to take photos of blossums that will appear at the crown. Thanks to Ginny for sharing the day with me; thanks to Tony for buying the regional/state park pass; and thanks to Larry for taking us to lunch while we were still hot and sweaty. It was a great day!

Lingering Lizard....

2009-03-04T16:45:00.000-07:00

This little guy must be a professional model for hikers trekking in his/her domain. He stayed on this rock while I took several photos...each time getting a little closer. He moved his head around so I could get most of the face. I'm surprised he didn't ask for a contribution to keep the park open.

What can I say...I love saguaros

2009-03-04T16:41:00.000-07:00

I tried to get close to these two beauties without straying off the track, again using my camera lens. In reviewing this photo, I can just see the balancing rock in the far left of the photo.

Saguaro sillouettes

2009-03-04T16:38:00.000-07:00

These were perched on the mountaintop and I used strongest lens to bring them close.

Colors of Mother Nature

2009-03-04T16:36:00.000-07:00

This whole mountainside was a vision of yellow.

White Solitaire

2009-03-04T16:35:00.000-07:00

Almost missed this treasure! It was the only white flower seen all day.

Flowers in the White Tanks

2009-03-04T16:31:00.000-07:00

These are absolutely gorgeous colors against the rocks.

Spring in the White Tanks

2009-03-04T16:25:00.000-07:00

I took a hike today in the White Tank Mountains and although many flowers were just getting started, the yellow Brittle Bush was astonishing.