New Works

Two new finished paintings. The first painting is Jasper. My son was cat sitting for a friend who was out of the country for about 6 months. He and Jasper became quite close and Matthew was very upset when his friend returned and took Jasper away. I have so many wonderful photos of him in very unusual poses. You can say that my son appreciates animals as much as I do and laughs at their great anecdotes. The last painting I completed of Jasper is called "Do Not Disturb". You can see the painting on my website. http://www.terrydchacon.com/.


The second painting is finally finished. I actually started this painting of my greyhound April last year. Other things got in the way and this week I finally completed the painting. April likes to rub her back in this huge "hibiscus" bush that we have outside our bedroom door. Many artists who come to my house to paint always end up painting this bush. Of course, April likes to try and steal the spotlight, so you either paint her or wait until she decides to move. I especially liked this photo because of the dappled light on April through the leaves and flowers of the bush.


I am enjoying some time to complete paintings I want to complete for myself, but if you would like to have your special animal painted, please let me know. Commission prices are available on my website, or contact me. shacone@aol.com Until next time, ENJOY THE ART! Terry d. Chacon

Feedback on the paintings is greatly appreciate.

Joshua Tree National Park 2009

Joshua Tree National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

Humans have occupied the area encompassed by Joshua Tree National Park's nearly 800,000 acres for at least 5,000 years. And let me tell you this is an understatement. The minute you arrive through the gates you have the feeling you are on another planet. This is a must see place. Make a special trip, it is worth every minute spent.

Terry's 8 x 10 oil on canvas board "Joshua Tree Boulders 2009"

Terry painting her view. I really need to thank the guy who was out hiking. If it weren't for his truck sitting there I would have had no place to lean my umbrella. I wanted to make sure and stay out of the sun.

Ada and Terry discussing the views. The fun thing about Joshua Tree is every place you look is a painting waiting to happen.

Erin, Pat and Terry after painting. Relaxing in the shade of Pat's SUV.

Erin O'Connor from Jackson Hole, Wyoming is the artist in residence at Joshua Tree right now. She contacted us (PAAR) to see if we would like to meet with her for an informal day of painting the beautiful park. Ada Passaro arranged the date and times and we met on wed. Pat Ford, Lilli Miles and myself left my house around 6 a.m. and drove to the town of Joshua Tree which is where you will find one of the entrances to the Park. We stopped at this cute little cafe to buy some sandwiches for lunch and a refill on coffee. Ada had emailed us a map, but of course none of us brought it along, but we did remember she wanted to meet Erin at Hidden Valley. We were the first to arrive at Hidden Valley, which there were several camp grounds which have great views of the ever famous boulders that surround the park area. Pat and I wanted to paint wild flowers and when we drove towards Barker Dam we came across this great little spot. Wildflowers, Joshua Trees and boulders were in abundance. Lilli dropped us off so we could get started and capture the wonderful morning high desert light. She then went back to the main road to wait for the others and to try and find Erin. We had ran into fellow artist Camilo Granadas and he had some information which was very helpful on where we were to meet, unfortunately cell phones do not work in the park. Lilli found Erin and the rest of the group and they all joined us for a wonderful painting session.

Camilo, Susan and Pat painting at Barker Dam Camp Ground.

After everyone completed their paintings we followed Erin up to her place where she has been staying for the past 3 weeks painting the beautiful scenes of the park. Erin fixed us some much needed iced tea and all of us enjoyed viewing her wonderful paintings, talking about plein air art and eating our lunch. After lunch we took some photos of the group and decided to head out towards the Cholla plants which were about 30 more miles into the park. Along the way we saw so many wonderful rock formations and beautiful flowers on the road side. We were like kids in a candy shop, we wanted to paint everything.

We arrived at the Cholla plant garden which were unbelievable and Ron warned us to be very careful. They are called jumping Cholla's. The thorns are in little balls and sometimes are lying around on the ground. Do not touch. They will stick to you and the only way to get them off is with pliers. If someone tries to help you, they will be stuck. They glistened from the light even though by now it was overcast skies. The plants have lots of buds on them and I suspect in the next couple weeks they will be in full bloom. cholla (plant) -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia

Someone mentioned Ocotilla gardens down the road, so we hopped back in the car and away we went. It is amazing. I have never seen so many ocotilla in one area. You always see them on the side of Interstate 10 when traveling to Az., but never like this. Pat and I quickly set up our easels and painted the scene. Sometimes you get it on location, sometimes you don't. Lesson learned which I should know by now is that the contrast of the lights and darks is what makes a painting as you can see in the first painting. In the second painting the light was just not there and there were no beautiful shadows to capture because of the overcast skies. The painting has the feeling of the time and day, but not the wow factor that you get from brilliant shadows and shimmering light. When I stepped out of the car there was this wonderful fragrance. It was this fabulous deep purple bush, which is what reached out and grabbed me to paint this painting, unfortunately the finished product is not worthy of the blog appearance!

Terry painting the Ocotillo garden.

I would like to thank Pat for driving us through the park. And I mean it literally. When we came out on interstate 10, we laughed so hard to realize we had our choice to go to Blythe or Indio. We really saw a lot of the park and were probably 2 hours out of our way back home. When you are driving through the park it is very easy to go left instead of right or vice versa. We stopped for a nice late dinner in Banning and headed home. Thank you Pat and Lilli for sharing your photos with me to put on my blog. Until next time, ENJOY THE ART! Terry d. Chacon

Green Earth Day - Dos Lagos

Saturday April 18, 2009 was Green Earth Day at Dos Lagos. Welcome to Dos Lagos Online! GIVE is the nonprofit organization who sponsors the event. Earth Day 2009

PAAR (Plein Air Artists of Riverside) was invited to participate in the festivities. This is the 3rd year PAAR has been invited to paint the event. Every year is a challenge to decide what to paint as there are so many beautiful areas around the 2 lakes. This year upon arriving and after we set up our booth with some paintings, note cards and prints, we walked up to the Starbucks to get our morning coffee. As we were walking up we were all talking and scoping out different areas to paint. I saw the area of the new Miguel's Mexican Restaurant, of course the purple part of the building kept me captivated. The theme this year was "Community" and "Celebrations". As I looked around I saw the fabulous reflections in the west side lake. Nothing better to get you in a celebratory mood than beautiful colors. At the time I started painting the reflections were so vibrant and I definitely want to capture that into my painting. My view was a challenge as I had to keep peaking through the bamboo slats on the bridge, motioning up and down as I completed the painting. All in all, I was very pleased with the outcome.

After painting we had a celebration with the artists at the amphitheatre, closed up our booth and all of us were invited to Bob and Susan De'Armond's home for a late afternoon barbecue.

Another great day of painting. Until Next Time, Enjoy the Art. Terry

Afghan Hound Club of America Breeder's Cup

Afghan Hound Club of America Breeder's Cup "California Dreamin" April 9, 2009. I was commissioned by the club to create the trophies for the Best in Breeder's Cup, Best Opposite Sex in Breeder's Cup and 1st placements. On the day we arrived it was spitting rain, so you can imagine the confusion. They were able to set the trophies up on the trophy table, but I forgot to take photos. I later found one of the winners of the Ceramic Mural trays and was able to take a photo. The image was a portion from the original oil painting I did and gave framed and ready to hang, as a donation to the AHCA for a raffle prize. Anne Evans from Ohio was the lucky winner. The portrait image as seen here was used on the 1st place ceramic tile jewelry music boxes.

The show chair of the event (Karen Larsen) also asked me in the beginning to create the logo. This logo was used to publish and promote the event. They also made memorabilia to be sold at the event.

It was a fantastic event and I was very proud to have been the artist.

Oh, here are two of our Afghan Hound puppies that Abbe and I showed in the event. Missing was Mija who didn't want to participate and the black and tan puppy which is her 1/2 brother Freddie (owned by Jennie Pearce from Las Vegas) who was in another class. The cream puppy is Whetto and the Red puppy is Mijo. The puppies are out of our last litter by Apache and Tootsie. You can see how cold it was by the big sweatshirts Abbe and I were wearing. (This photo was actually taken on April 10, 2009, I don't have a photo either of the puppies from the BC. Bill Pearce took this photo). At the Breeder's Cup Mijo was 2nd place under judge Tony Saia. The next day in sweepstakes under Mike Strockbine, Whetto was 1st and Mijo was 3rd, in the regular classes under judge David Frei, Mijo was 1st, Whetto 2nd. Their father Apache won an Award of Merit.

The following day, April 10, 2009, was the Afghan Hound Club of California. They also commissioned me to create their trophies. They chose to go with ceramic statues with a faux bronze patina. Below are some photos taken by my good friend Wynne Kalish from Miami, Florida.

Trophy Table AHCC 2009

Above is Best of Breed, far left is Best Opposite Sex. The medallion is for all 1st placements. Below Winners Bitch and Reserve Winners Bitch, not pictured are Winners Dog and RWD.

Framed artwork below: "Puppies by the Sea" Best Bred By Exhibitor award, "Home Alone" Best of Winners, and "Tootsie" Best Puppy.

It was a great couple of days, visiting with friends from near and far, showing my afghan hounds, and selling my creations. Thanks to everyone who really appreciated my artwork. I would also like to thank the AHCA and AHCC for entrusting me to create their trophies for this very special weekend. Until Next Time, ENJOY THE ART and the Afghan Hounds. Terry d. Chacon

Lolita - New Bronze is coming out!

A sneak preview of my new lost wax bronze "Lolita". Shown here in plasticine, Lolita is almost ready for her trip to the foundry. Final details and a final go through to make sure all the little buggers are off and she will be ready to go. She measures 10 1/2 inches in height and 7 inches across both directions. She will be displayed on a pedestal type base.

Terry's bronzes have won awards in national and local competitions. They adorn the homes of many collectors throughout the USA, Canada, Germany and South Africa.

Reservations are now being taken on this limited edition piece of work by Terry d. Chacon. contact Terry at: shacone@aol.com

I would like to thank G. Marco Sagona of Xantudd Kennels from Italy who took the photo that was my inspiration for this new bronze. Also, would like to thank "Lolita" who has been very patient modeling for me. I know it is a tough job, but some dogs just have to work for a living! I pay her very well!

You can see more of Terry's bronzes on her website press on the link below or the title of this post. http://www.terrydchacon.com/AFGHANBUDDIES/blankthreebronze.html

EMAIL COMMENTS:

Wynne Kalish: It looks like it will be wonderful! What's my price?

Ada M. Passaro: It's a winner!

Andy Kalmanash: Lovely Bronze
Do you have any more pictures of the details? The face, backside?