Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Manzano Morning

Maybe you remember the photo above, which I posted last November
The morning light was pretty darn amazing. Blog reader and artist Leenie Black thought so, too,
and she asked for and received my permission to use it as a reference for one of her paintings.
A week later, Leenie let me know the painting was done, saying, "My work never turns out 
exactly as I imagine, but I hope it at least comes close to capturing the wild beauty 
of the New Mexico morning."


 Hell, yeah, it does. The moment I saw it in Leenie's Etsy shop, I knew it belonged on my wall.



I finally got around to having it framed, and now it hangs next to my bed, opposite the real view.
I couldn't love it more.

But the story doesn't end there.
Leenie had tucked a surprise into the package:


It brought me to tears.



This one hangs in the kitchen and stops me in my tracks every time I pass it by.


53 comments:

  1. Oh yes, it belongs on your wall. Very beautiful.
    And yes, the surprise brought me to tears, too, in an instant. I've been thinking about a painting of Hank, but this one, of The Four, beats what I had imagined. It is a true heart painting.
    Chapeau to Leenie, not solely for her beautiful art.

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  2. Diane K. Eastern NC2/23/16, 4:31 AM

    WOW on both. What a treasured surprise. So glad you feel like sharing with us again. Hugs

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  3. Wow and Wow and Awwww....... (:

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  4. I've seen some special paintings in my life but nothing to top the one of your herd.

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  5. I ADORE the watercolor of the four musketeers. Well done to the painter and well done to the muse!

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  6. It brought me to tears too, which is not nice! I am recovering from open heart surgery. Please withhold tear jerking activities for at least another two weeks!

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  7. That brought tears to MY eyes!

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  8. Amazing paintings, and what a thoughtful surprise!

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  9. she is so very talented, these are both fantastic paintings. your photo is gorgeous. what a view you have. i agree with Teri.. wow and Wow and Awwwwwwwww

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  10. I absolutely love the mountain painting but I can see how the herd picture would have taken your breathe away. Leenie caught them beautifully.

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  11. Both of them are wonderful pictures, and the one of the equine gang chokes me up too. Now we must find a portrait of Smooch and Johnny.

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  12. They look beautiful as I knew they would! Love the placement of the gang, you can look at it while you get your coffee water.
    I jut love those mountains and the watercolor color looks just like the photo...amazing!
    Ethel

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  13. Northern AB gal2/23/16, 6:28 AM

    The first painting is lovely but the second is priceless. Hats off to Leenie!

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  14. What a wonderful surprise. Both are beautiful one just has special something with those faces looking back at you, what a gift.
    Wendy in thailand

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  15. wow...just wow... Alicia in Austin Texas

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  16. Wow and double WOW. Very nice.

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  17. Wow! Brought me to tears too. How incredibly special.

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  18. Awww. That made me a bit teary-eyed. Both paintings are beautiful and another person cared enough to share something very special. Just "Awwww".

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  19. Both paintings are just beautiful. The one of the herd brought tears to my eyes. What a wonderful gift.

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  20. Oh geesh. Here I go again. What a wonderful and beautiful surprise! The other painting is beautiful, too. Nice work, Leenie!

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  21. A true artist is one that can convey emotion in their work. In this case in and with. What a delightful and heartfelt surprise. xoxo Oma Linda

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  22. Love the framing. Perfect rustic wood and great colors. I'm sorry sweet Hank has stepped out of your view. But I'm glad I was prompted to keep his memory available. We all miss him. Love, Leenie

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  23. Wow! What a great surprise! Both are beautiful, but the one of your herd is very special. I also teared up when I saw it. Thanks for sharing.

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  24. Beautiful.

    Laurie

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  25. The painting of the four is beyond what I would imagine as a gift. How generous of heart Leone is. How full your heart must be on receiving it.

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  26. Both paintings are BEAUTIFUL!!

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  27. Lovely! Your photos are inspiring us all. Leenie could find a wallop load of great subjects in your gallery. Great job Leenie!!

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  28. Michelle from Vancouver2/23/16, 9:03 AM

    Wow....I know many have said the same thing but ....wow.

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  29. I didn't expect that - it made me cry too.

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  30. Me too. XO

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  31. A gift from the heart for us all. Thank you for sharing.

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  32. Wow. Just plain old "Wow".

    Linda D
    Tucson, AZ

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  33. More proof of the interwebs fulfilling its potential for awesomeness!

    When I scrolled down over the fab four painting, it literally took my breath away.

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  34. Beautiful and the surprise is extraordinary.

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  35. The painting is beautiful but oh my the one of your babies is awesome. That is heartwarming

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  36. Tears! Isn't it a wonderful thing when someone uses their talents to brighten someone else's life?

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  37. So gorgeous and so kind!

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  38. Both are beautiful and the last one brought some tears to my eyes too

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  39. The last one is my favorite....

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  40. These are both absolutely incredible.

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  41. Well those are just beautiful--especially the second one.

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  42. Wow, she is very talented. Just beautiful!

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  43. Wow those are so beautiful!

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  44. First said to myself "that's cool!" Then I said " THAT'S COOL!!!" Lol

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  45. An American in Tokyo2/23/16, 7:44 PM

    Beautiful! I am tearing up just thinking of how wonderful a person she is for adding in such a beautiful surprise!

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  46. Really neat. Now if someone would paint the pig Dudley from my blog post today life would be complete...although I'm not sure the husband would go for said portrait in my living room. Take a look at Dudley here if you have a minute. This is one happy pig!
    https://naramatablendblog.wordpress.com/2016/02/23/wilbur-no-longer-worried-about-being-killed-for-he-knew-that-mr-zuckerman-would-keep-him-as-long-as-he-lived-charlottes-web/

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  47. Crap, that brought me to tears, too. Beautiful!

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  48. I have to echo that they are both beautiful, but the one with Hank brought me to tears. I need to have some done with Cali and Beauty and Lucille.

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  49. Gorgeous painting. And your surprise painting? Took my breath for a moment. Absolutely love and what a beautiful way to say good morning to Hank every day

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  50. The paintings are beautiful!

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  51. She even got Hank's fat knee right. Love both of them.

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  52. Oh goodness me, seeing that made me cry, so can imagine how affected you, Carson! So kind, and a totally lovely and skillful rendering of the Four Amigos. Good work all round, Leenie!

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