Pastel on Paper 25 x 19.5 $2,200.00 USD Available
Here is the story of the painting, “It was a Very Good Year.”
I discovered the Anasazi Fields Winery on my first visit to the Village of Placitas, where my realtor and
I topped off a full day of successful house hunting with an enthusiastic introduction to fruit wines from
local orchards. One year later, in 2005, after I had experienced the full cycle of changing seasons, made
new friends, and participated in my first Placitas Studio Tour, I returned to visit the Winery which was
open on weekends for impromptu artist discussions, music, poetry readings, and wine tasting. On this
brilliant autumn afternoon, a beautiful golden poplar tree set against the foothills caught my eye. Jim
(“Fish”) graciously gave me permission to set up my easel so as to work in pastel, undisturbed, with
just company of birds and wind. Over the course of the afternoon, that wind kicked up and nearly took
all off all the leaves from that tree, and it was delightful to stand witness as the season quickly changed
before my eyes. I added weights to the easel and worked fast.
Once Jim saw the completed piece, he asked if I would consider trading it for his sculpture or wine. For
me, that was a swell idea! He said, “It had been a very good year, for the fruit harvest and wine
production were outstanding.” It was a good year for me, too, so the title of the painting was clear.
It took Jim 3 years to finally finish the sculpture in trade, an abstract bird/woman made of apricot and
cherry woods. When he delivered it, we talked about the great local hiking. I’d been exploring and
painting the nearby wilderness areas, and was surprised to find out his extensive history with
environmental study, the BLM, mapping and traversing the region.
Meanwhile I completed an oil painting from the pastel version, which was quite well-liked and
purchased by a local collector. The pastel painting hung behind the tasting area at the Winery, until Jim
passed away in June, 2017. The Fish family returned this original pastel to me. It was subsequently
borrowed by a major film studio for use on 2 movie sets here in NM. Unfortunately, the production
crew dropped it, broke the frame and glass, which damaged the artwork. Now unsalable as damaged
work, it is perhaps time for a new generation of It was a Very Good Year to be borne.
In the tenacious spirit and fortitude of A Very Good Year, I hope this imagery attracts the attention of
many art lovers and collectors so that we all have a great Studio Tour 2019!
Additionally, it would greatly please the late Jim Fish, in a remote way, as a continuation of his legacy
supporting our Placitas artist community.
Contact The Artist About This Artwork
Here is the story of the painting, “It was a Very Good Year.”
I discovered the Anasazi Fields Winery on my first visit to the Village of Placitas, where my realtor and
I topped off a full day of successful house hunting with an enthusiastic introduction to fruit wines from
local orchards. One year later, in 2005, after I had experienced the full cycle of changing seasons, made
new friends, and participated in my first Placitas Studio Tour, I returned to visit the Winery which was
open on weekends for impromptu artist discussions, music, poetry readings, and wine tasting. On this
brilliant autumn afternoon, a beautiful golden poplar tree set against the foothills caught my eye. Jim
(“Fish”) graciously gave me permission to set up my easel so as to work in pastel, undisturbed, with
just company of birds and wind. Over the course of the afternoon, that wind kicked up and nearly took
all off all the leaves from that tree, and it was delightful to stand witness as the season quickly changed
before my eyes. I added weights to the easel and worked fast.
Once Jim saw the completed piece, he asked if I would consider trading it for his sculpture or wine. For
me, that was a swell idea! He said, “It had been a very good year, for the fruit harvest and wine
production were outstanding.” It was a good year for me, too, so the title of the painting was clear.
It took Jim 3 years to finally finish the sculpture in trade, an abstract bird/woman made of apricot and
cherry woods. When he delivered it, we talked about the great local hiking. I’d been exploring and
painting the nearby wilderness areas, and was surprised to find out his extensive history with
environmental study, the BLM, mapping and traversing the region.
Meanwhile I completed an oil painting from the pastel version, which was quite well-liked and
purchased by a local collector. The pastel painting hung behind the tasting area at the Winery, until Jim
passed away in June, 2017. The Fish family returned this original pastel to me. It was subsequently
borrowed by a major film studio for use on 2 movie sets here in NM. Unfortunately, the production
crew dropped it, broke the frame and glass, which damaged the artwork. Now unsalable as damaged
work, it is perhaps time for a new generation of It was a Very Good Year to be borne.
In the tenacious spirit and fortitude of A Very Good Year, I hope this imagery attracts the attention of
many art lovers and collectors so that we all have a great Studio Tour 2019!
Additionally, it would greatly please the late Jim Fish, in a remote way, as a continuation of his legacy
supporting our Placitas artist community.