Life is what happens while we're busy making plans. That's what happened to me this week. I got the flu or maybe just a really bad cold complete with smokers cough - and I've never smoked. Today is the first time in 4 days that I've felt human so that's a good sign. Needless to say I haven't been painting - although I have been thinking about it and I believe that's a big part of the process, so it's all good.

Instead of posting anything I've done, today I'm going to post a couple of retablos done by a friend of mine, Marilyn Moyes. Marilyn and her husband John are very talented artists and for these pieces work together. John cuts and carves the wood plank and Marilyn does the rest.

Check out their web site at: http://reddesertcabinets.com/301.html

Retablos are portable, flat, two-dimensional painted wood designs that were used to honor the saints of the Catholic Church. Even though I'm not Catholic I think these are beautiful and I view them as art. I'm crazy about Spanish Colonial Folk Art - contemporary and antique - and these works by Marilyn are thoughtful and very well crafted. I love her subtle use of color and the metal milagros that she nails on are truly the icing on the cake.

Each on is approximately 16" wide by 27" high (to the top of the carving). Enjoy.