Tiendita de Chile This painting is from photos and memories of New Mexico. Is there any better food around? Chile is a staple in New Mexico and is shipped and eaten all over the world. No hot peppers come close to the wonderful taste. Pastel on Pastelbord, 16 x 20 inches. Gift to longtime friend, in her collection, Truth or Consequences, New Mexico

Regina's Geraniums Painted at a Regina's with soft pastels. They were a beautiful new plant, perfect for an afternoon of painting. Soft pastel on dark maroon Colourfix card. 9 x 12 inches. Framed in gold wooden frame, no mat, against the glass. In a private collection near Datil, New Mexico.

On the Edge These pine trees were just hanging on the edge of this little lake. It was very nice to be in the shade looking out over the water. Jo painted this scene twice before, but it is so interesting, why not do it again? Soft pastel on R-tis-tx artist board, 8 x 10 inches. Framed in a brown wooden frame. Private collection, Magdalena, New Mexico.

Cloudy in the West This scene is very typical of the high desert in New Mexico. It would be a perfect day to be out working with cattle. Soft pastel on Pastelbord, 5 x 7 inches. In private collection in Socorro, New Mexico.

Rocks on the Water Painted from reference material from New Mexico. The light was so interesting falling on the rocks, making lovely reflections. Soft pastel on Ampersand Pastelbord, 24 x 18 inches. In private collection in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Hometown Sunset A glorious sunset in Jo's hometown. New Mexico has the most beautiful sunsets with the clear atmosphere and high altitude. Acrylic on board prepared with Colourfix medium and gesso, 11 x 14 inches. In private collection in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Malpais and Cacti Beautiful cacti found in the malpais, lava beds, in New Mexico. Pastel on Kitty Wallace paper. 9 x 12 inches. In private collection near Datil, New Mexico.

Mom's Cosmos Cosmos growing in the yard at Mom Frances' in Magdalena. They are so delicate and graceful in the wind, a look that is difficult to capture. Colored pencil on Pastelbord. Fixed to be framed without glass. 5 x 7 inches. Framed in plain gold wooden frame. A gift to Mom Frances.

Windmill, Too This is a typical New Mexico windmill. The painting is from a couple of reference photos and the lower tank is from a memory of a tank at the Pie Place in New Mexico. It fills underground from the large tank and has a float to cut off the flow of water. This is at Peppers Art Gallery. Pastel on masonite with Colourfix medium. 10 x 16 inches. In private collection in Albuquerque.

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Water Canyon A painting of the entrance to Water Canyon near Magdalena, New Mexico. There is a beautiful canyon hidden around the point of the rocks. Soft Pastel on board with Colourfix medium. Framed in black metal frame. In private collection in Albuquerque.

Alamo Alamo translates to cottonwood tree. You will find this one near I-25 south of Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was a hot steamy day when Jo photographed the tree. Soft pastel on R-tis-tx artist board, 8 x 10 inches. Framed in a black wooden frame. In private collection in Albuquerque.

Loop 150 Sunset This scene is entering Bastrop from the east. That is the best place for sunsets. The house sits in the trees. A very typical scene. This is a donation for the Family Crisis Center dance. Soft pastel on Jack Richeson gator foam, 9 x 12 inches in a gold frame.

Mary's Route A gift for Mary that delivers our mail. She is so special. Pastel, triptych, each painting is 5 x 7 inches, soft pastel on Colourfix sanded paper.

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Oh, Fair New Mexico A gift for a friend in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Pastel diptych, each painting is 5 x 7 inches, soft pastel on Colourfix sanded paper.

Susanne's Elephant This painting was done for a gift to our landlady at the rent house in Silver City, New Mexico. Pastel on Pastelbord, 8 x 10 inches, framed in black gallery frame against the glass, no mat.

Jo's Pots These are Bolivian flower pots that sit in the yard. No plants in them, so they won't crack and crumble. They remind me of the Cholitas, ladies, just sitting there waiting and talking. When you glance at them out of the corner of your eye, they seem alive and peaceful. Beautiful memories of Bolivia. Pastel on Daler-Rowney navy blue paper, 5 x 7 inches. In private collection in Albuquerque.

Adobe Memories The old adobe houses in New Mexico are so fascinating. New Mexico was so green this past summer. It showed all over the state, new growth and green everywhere. This close-up shows some of the texture and detail created with a palette knife. Acrylic on canvas fixed on panel. 11 x 14 inches. Framed in a brushed blue wooden frame. In private collection in Albuquerque.

Peppers Window This is the window at Peppers Art Gallery in Magdalena, New Mexico. It is much like any window in the old adobe houses in the area. The walls are very thick, sometimes 18 inches or more. This creates such good insulation that the houses are cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Painted during a show at the gallery while Jo visited with customers and other artists. Another favorite of the artist. Read more about it here on the blog. It was also the featured painting on ArtBlogs4U the first week in January, 2007. Pastel, 8 x 10 inches on Art Spectrum Pastel card. In Peppers Gallery in Magdalena, New Mexico. In private collection in Magdalena, New Mexico.

Papalote This is a typical New Mexico windmill. The photo and memory are from the summer of 2006 when there was plenty of rain. Normally there is more wind than rain and it keeps the well pumping water. In a private collection in Magdalena. Pastel on Colourfix paper. 9.5 x 15 inches. In private collection in Magdalena, New Mexico.

Sun Pears Cactus pears are beautiful when in bloom and very good to eat. On a hot day riding horseback and working at the ranch, it was great to get off, pick a pear, rub the stickers off with your gloves and eat the juicy fruit. My mom never made jelly, but they are great for that. In Bolivia they were huge, called tuna. We would slice them like cucumbers and eat as a snack. Memories, memories. Pastel on sanded paper. 4 x 6 inches. Door prize for show at Peppers Art Gallery, Magdalena, New Mexico, July, 2007.

Old Barn This is a very typical barn in this part of Texas at the edge of the Lost Pines. There is something comforting about an old barn filled with memories. Wildflowers in the spring liven up the landscape. Acrylic on panel, 9 x 12 inches. Antique looking wooden frame. A prize in the raffle at Daddy's Grille,March, 2007, now in a private collection in Bastrop, Texas.

Our Little Corner Plein air of the corner of the Nova Scotia farmhouse. Acrylic, 9 x 12 inches. In a private collection in the Bastrop, Texas, area. A prize in a raffle at Daddy's Grille.

Texas Pasture Box A donation to the First State Bank in Bastrop's Relay for life in May, 2007. The painting is a pasture in the area. The box is lined with midnight blue velvet. Very rich and elegant looking. Soft pastel on Colourfix paper mounted on illustration board. 5 x 7 inches. Framed in a dark wooden frame on jewelry box. This little painting will reside in a private collection in Bastrop, Texas.

St. Mary Magdalene Church This church painting is of the church in Magdalena, New Mexico. The church was never finished and is a basement with a roof. The snow was in December 2006. The skies in Magdalena are spectacular. Must have something to do with the mountain air and altitude of near 7,000 ft. Acrylic on masonite with gesso. 8 x 10 inches. A gift for Jo's mother-in-law and is is Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Tulip Cup This set of dishes, "Tulip Time" was purchased in the seventies when Jo's family was going to Bolivia the first time. This cup is all ready for hot tea, which is not a popular drink in the Castillo family. Cups are mostly used for coffee and cocoa. Jo has a collection of mugs that she rotates to use most of them. Fond memories in old dishes. They have traveled many miles! Soft pastel on Colourfix paper mounted on illustration board. 5 x 7 inches. Framed in a dark blue wooden frame. This little painting is in a private collection in Bastrop, Texas.

Pedaling Pines This painting was created for the Pedal Through the Pines Bicycle Race, a fund raiser for the Family Crisis Center on March 3, 2007. This will be in the gift basket for the winner along with a bottle of Gene's Drinking Buddies Wine. Other prizes donated by supporters of the Crisis Center. Soft Pastels on Colourfix paper mounted on illustration board, 5 x 7 inches in brown wooden frame.

Out My Window This little 4 x 6 painting was painted with a small set of pastels given me by Jennie. You can read about it on Jo's blog. The painting was put in this photo box that can hold 96 photos and donated to the Children's Advocacy Center for their "Cowboys and Caviar" fundraiser. It will be in a private collection in the Bastrop area.

Little Powwow Dancer This is one of the dancers at the powwow in Austin. (Scroll down to see He Dances and She Dances) She was getting ready for a grand entry or one of the blanket dances where everyone, even the audience, dances. Such a beautiful sight. Pastel on Ampersand Pastelbord.11 x 14 inches. Framed with no mat. In private collection in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Old and New Actually both pots in the pen and ink drawing are pretty old. The taller pot is from the Acoma area and was purchased in about 1960. The round pot was found about 85 years ago. It was buried in a trail and Jo's father thought it was a piece of pottery. When he tried to pick it up, it was a complete bowl. The age has not been determined. The drawing is about 2.5 inches square so the frame is about 6 inches square. This was created for a gift and is in New Mexico.

Roadside Blues Bluebonnets in the hill country. A favorite subject for Texas artists. So of course, you will find bluebonnets on this page. Acrylic on canvas panel. Framed in black wooden frame. 8 x 10 inches. This was donated to the Bastrop Food Pantry, spring 2006

Along the Colorado Always beautiful along the river. This is along #17 in the Pine Forest Golf Course. Pastel on Ampersand Pastelbord, 8 x 10 inches. Framed in black, no mat. This painting will be donated to the Family Crisis Center to be a gift under the tree explained below, in Little Bluebonnet Paintings. November 2006

Little Bluebonnet Paintings These two mini paintings were created for the Festival of Trees, the fundraiser for the Family Crisis Center in Bastrop, Texas. The Festival is on Saturday, November 18, 2006, at the Lost Pines Hyatt Spa and Resort. All auction and sale items money goes to the Crisis Center to prevent violence and abuse. Call the Crisis Center for information about their programs and to purchase tickets. 512 321-7760 The paintings are about 2 x 3 inches. Watercolor. Jo chose to paint the bluebonnets in the pines as most paint them in the oak trees. There are lots of bluebonnets in the piney woods. They are the State Flower of Texas. They will be ornaments on the tree donated by the Bastrop Fine Arts Guild. Artists painted the small bluebonnet paintings for the 7 foot white tree. It will be decorated in blue and silver. The tree should be a hit and hopefully make some money for the Crisis Center. Photos later in my blog.

Shipping Pens These are the shipping pens at the "Trails End" in Magdalena, New Mexico. They have not been used for many years, but at one time the railroad moved many cattle and sheep from the area. Cattle and sheep were brought from Arizona and western New Mexico on the Driveway, a fenced trail for the drives. Fall was a busy time in Jo's home town. Many, many memories here. Watercolor on paper, matted and framed in old wooden frame. 11 x 14 inches. In a private collection in New Mexico.

He Dances Another of the Powwow feet. The dancers are so colorful and beautiful. The day is filled with color, music and wonderful people. Who can resist the fry bread? Pastel on Art Spectrum paper, matted white with black trim in a black, museum style frame. 8 x 10 inches. In a private collection in New Mexico.

She Dances Jennie loves the Powwow in Austin and we go every year in October. These are dancing feet from the Powwow. Pastel on Art Spectrum paper, matted white with black trim in a black, museum style frame. 8 x 10 inches.  In a private collection in New Mexico.

Hondo Watering Hole This is a spot along the highway in the Hondo Valley between Capitan and Roswell, New Mexico. It is beautiful in every season. It is in a private collection in Albuquerque. Pastel on black Daler-Rowney paper, 6 x 8 inches.

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Yuccas These yuccas, the State flower of New Mexico, were beside the highway. They have such delicate flowers for such a sturdy plant. The blossoms do dry into a hard shell, somewhat like a bell. Lovely to see. In private collection in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Oil on canvas, 11 x 14 inches. In a blue/silver frame with an off white liner.

Tres Amigos Three yearling calves, belonging to Jo's sister, Barbara, and husband, Paul. Photographed a few years ago. They look so inquisitive. A gift for their fiftieth anniversary. Pastel on sanded paper, 8 x 10 inches.

Larry at Sawgrass This painting is of Jo's son, Larry. He says he may never golf at Sawgrass, so she put him there at number 17. Oil on canvas, 11 x 14 inches.

Trio in the Pines Pastel on Ampersand paper in shadow matted frame. Created for the Relay for Life Raffle at the First State Bank. It will be in a raffle. You can buy tickets at the bank in Bastrop. They have many fine prizes. The raffle date is in May, 2006. Date will be posted here. Images are 3.5 x 5 inches.

McKinney Falls Plein air pastel of McKinney Falls between Bastrop and Austin. Regina Burchett and Jo painted this together (Regina sat on her stool and Jo stood up in the Texas heat on the spot) for their "Pastel Pair" show in June 2005. The painting was donated to the fundraiser for CASA, March 18, 2006. Pastel on masonite with a ground of pumice and mat acrylic medium. 16 x 20 inches. Framed with blue/silver frame, linen liner, with no mat.

Roses, Wine and Sunshine Painting created for the Messina Hof Wine and Roses Festival April, 2004. It was selected as a top ten finalist in the wine label competition. Private collection in Cedar Creek, Texas. Pastel on mounted sanded paper in gold frame with no mat, 13 x 26 inches.

Trifecta Painted for the Family Crisis Center dance, Night on the Nile, for January 2006. A pastel trio of views in the loblolly pines. Three 4 x 6 in paintings. This is an annual fundraiser for the Crisis Center and an annual donation for Jo. She paints something special every year. The painting will be in a private collection in the Bastrop, Texas, area.

View from My Kitchen Window In a private collection in Bastrop, Texas. How great is that? Oil 16 x 20 inches, truly a view from my kitchen in the loblolly pines.

Spanish Bayonets In a private collection in Magdalena, New Mexico. Yucca plants are so fascinating and beautiful. These were standing at attention along the highway in New Mexico. From a photo and memories. Created for the Austin Pastel Society Corridor Show. Pastel on mounted Canson paper (rough side), 16 x 20 inches. Framed in wooden frame with gold and a liner. Non glare glass, no mat. Framed.

Sunshine Lilly Painted at Peppers Gallery in Magdalena, July 2005. Started as a demo and finished later in Española. At home in private collection in Magdalena. Acrylic on canvas on board originally 11 x 14 inches, trimmed to 8 x 10 inches to emphasize Lilly.

Tomatoes		Peppers
Still life painted from real objects, created especially for the show at the First State Bank in April and May 2004. Pastels on sanded paper, 5 x 7 inches. Four ,are in private collections in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Corn and Radishes	Tubers
Still life painted from real objects, created especially for the show at the First State Bank in April and May 2004. All pastels on sanded paper, 5 x 7 inches.

Fallen Rock A rock on the road between Magdalena and Socorro. We had passed this place hundreds of times. Even have several photos of the scene, but this last year we passed when the light was showing through the rocks like an arch. Just had to paint it! Exhibited at Peppers Gallery in Magdalena, New Mexico. Now in a collection in Sedona, Arizona, of dear friends we first met in Bolivia. Pastel on sanded paper in a wooden frame with wooden mat, 8 x 10 inches.

Highway 21 Scenes Spring in central Texas is so beautiful. These two scenes are from the Highway between Bastrop and Bryan/College Station. Flowers are just beginning to pop out, warm clear skies. Great. Pastel on sanded Art Spectrum paper, Spring is on dark green paper and Hay Bales is on dark rust paper. They are 5 x 7 inches, framed.
Highway 21 Spring Awarded as a prize, May 6, 2005, at a Raffle for the Relay for Life Cancer, project. Raffled at the First State Bank, Meet the Artist. This painting was selected from several by the winner, Mike Henderson.	Highway 21 Hay Bales This painting is in a private collection in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

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Old Red, Too. A barn north of Dallas. Reminds me of a covered bridge. So fun! Pastel on black paper, 5 x 7 inches. Framed to sit on a table, black, burnished silver and glass. Donated to the Children's Advocacy Center for a fund raiser.

West Texas Farm This scene was sketched on the road in the Llano Estacado of West Texas. The dark sky was after the storm had passed, east of the highway with the sun hitting on the farms as we drove home. The painting is in a private collection in Bastrop, Texas. Acrylic on board. 13 x 19 inches.

Happy Mountain Scene This scene was painted in front of the Bastrop Fine Arts Guild Gallery on the day of the Fourth of July Celebration in Bastrop. We invited artists to come and paint on the street. Jo painted this in the Bob Ross/Bill Alexander method with big brushes in 45 minutes or so. The painting is in Jo's home in Bastrop. Oil on canvas.16 x 20 inches.

Mountain Scene This was created for an anniversary gift. At home with family in Magdalena, New Mexico. Painted from a photo and memories of Canada, near Nelson, B.C. Acrylic on Pastelbord, 11 x 14 inches, framed in gold leaf frame.

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Sisters A commission created from a few snapshots and a sister's memories of playing jacks on the porch. Private collection in Texas. Pastel on Pastelbord framed in gold leaf frame, no mat. 8 x 10 inches

Drinking Buddies Painted from snapshots from the 80's taken by Jo's Mom and memories of Orphan and Cough Drop. Orphan was raised on a bottle and was the "Prince of the Range". Loved being at the ranch and detested the city, he was a true country bumpkin. Cough Drop was a companion by default, belonged to the owners of the ranch. In a private collection in Florida. Pastel on sanded paper, 11 x 14 inches

Another Kelly Church  Done as a commission for a friend, Jo's favorite of the Kelly Church. Done on a canvas prepared by artist friend Rebecca Neef. At home in New Mexico. Oil, 8 x 10 inches.

Loblolly Blues There are bluebonnets in the pines. Beautiful, too! In a private collection in Buda, Texas. Pastel 11 x 14 inches

Kelly Church Iglesia de San Juan, Catholic Church, in Kelly, New Mexico. Kelly is a mining ghost town but the church is still used on the saint's day of St. John the Baptist every year. It is the only building standing. Sold from Peppers Gallery in Magdalena, New Mexico. Acrylic on board, 5 x 7 inches.

Private Property An old adobe house in disrepair in New Mexico. Fond memories of days gone by. Entered in the Austin Pastel Society juried show in March/April, Corridor of Art Show. Found a home in Plano, Texas, from Peppers Gallery in Magdalena, New Mexico. Pastel on mounted paper. 16 x 20 inches

Peaches and Plums Two 3.5 x 3.5 watercolors (Framed size about 9 inch square) created from the fruit in the yard of our B&B, Nature's Doorstep, in Westbank, BC, and given as a gift to Cecile, owner. Beautiful place, roomy and great home away from home.

Iglesia de San Juan The Catholic church in Kelly, New Mexico, south of Magdalena. Kelly is a ghost town, but the church still stands and mass is said their once a year on the saint's day for St. John the Baptist in June. The painting is in a private collection in Magdalena. Oil on board, 5 x 7 inches.

Bloomin' Pears Cactus pears are great fun to paint. There is another down the page. This one found a home in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Oil on board, 5 x 7 inches.

Golden Church Out on the road with Sue, both artists took pictures and both painted this church in New Mexico. In a private collection in Bastrop, Texas. Pastel on sanded paper. 8 x 10 inches.

Clouds Over Encino Church We came through Encino on our way from New Mexico home to Texas and the clouds were so dark and beautiful and the adobe church against that dark and the shadows from across the street just were beautiful. The painting is in a private collection in Austin, Texas. Pastel on sanded paper, 11 x 14 inches.

Mismatched Pair Started as a demo for doing an under painting for Regina, ended up as a painting. Entered in Austin Pastel Society juried show for the Corridor of Art in March/April. After that it has a home in a private collection in Bastrop, Texas. Pastel on sanded paper, 5 x 7 inches, gold frame.

Winding Down A donation painted especially for the Woodside Trails fundraiser in Smithville, February, 2004. Pastel on bright orange Canson paper, 8 x 10 inches.

Sailing Nova Scotia Based on the sailboats and lighthouse near Badeck, Nova Scotia. Painted especially for the "Adventures on the High Seas" fundraiser silent auction for the Family Crisis Center, January 24, 2004 in La Grange, Texas. Pastel on sanded paper, 8 x 10 inches.

Old Red An old barn and truck spotted somewhere in north Texas. Barns have been a fascination for years and many more will follow. Oil on board, 11 x 14 inches Donated to the Fireman's Charity Auction, sold, and has a home in the Bastrop area. :)

New Mexico Evening Painted as a remembrance of a typical house in the small towns in New Mexico. Love the yellow - purple complimentary excitement.. Pastel on sanded paper, 11 x 14 inches At home in Rosanky, Texas

Smaller Turkey?? ...or Bigger Dutch Oven?? Idea came from doing a November harvest painting and father, Dutch, having his first paying job as a cook on a cattle drive when he was 18 years old. The placement of the cooking items around the fire was taken from a picture of him. Acrylic on board, 11 x 14 At home in Portales, New Mexico

Hollies Donation painted especially for the Family Crisis Center Safari Dance January, 2003, in La Grange, Texas. Watercolor 8 x 10 inches

Bastrop County Blues Off to live with Kathy, Joanna's friend in Austin. Pastel on sanded paper 8 x 10 inches

Pumpkin and Then Some Private collection, Buda, Texas Pastel on sanded paper 11 x 14 inches

Swingin' Found a good home in Cedar Creek, Texas, private collection. Pastel on paper 16" x 20 "

No You Don't Working cowboy framed in old lumber with cactus. Private collection in Texas. Oil on Canvas 16" x 20"

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Yellows Donated to Family Crisis Center Auction, Pastel on paper 5"x 7"

Vermilion Cliffs On the Navajo reservation near the Vermilion Cliffs, Arizona. Private collection in Missouri.  Oil on canvas 16"x 20"

Almost Taos This is a recollection of Taos pueblo. Jo loves pottery, so it is only natural...... The painting is in the home of Jo's son in Kentucky. Oil on canvas 16" x 20"

New Mexico Windmill Windmill in the Black Mesa area of New Mexico. The painting is in a private collection in Los Lunas, New Mexico. Oil on canvas 16" x 20"

Room With a View Acrylic 6 x 8 inches, framed in weathered wooden frame. Finished April 1999. In a private collection in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico

Out of Bounds on 16 I've been there! Pastel on pastel board, 11 x 14 inches. Framed in heavy oak frame (4 inches wide) no mat. In private collection in Boerne, Texas.

Pair-ots Framed in red, this painting is in the private collection of Jo's granddaughter in Kentucky. Acrylic on glass 11" x 14" Acrylic on glass 11" x 14"

Oak Creek Canyon An old painting, but a favorite place. Peaceful and beautiful. Private collection in Bolivia. Oil on canvas 16" x 20"

Cold Hogs Finished in October 1999. Framed in brown wooden frame, under non-glare glass with no mat. Created for the Pearls Before Swine Art Show at the Hogeye Festival in Elgin, Texas. Pastel on pastel board. 11" x 14"

Saturday Chore A memory of the boys at Jo's parents, probably at the Pie Place. In a private collection in Pennsylvania. Pastel on Paper 14 x 18 inches

Portrait Sketch Portrait commission, private collection, Elgin, Texas. Oil 16 x 20 inches

Potted Reds Pot of geraniums started as a demo at the Mina PTA Art Walk. Finished and donated to the Lions Club auction. Pastel on paper, 8 x 10 inches.

Hibiscus Hibiscus, pastel on paper, 11 x 14, framed and donated to the Family Crisis Center for their annual dance and auction in February, 2001.

Iquitos on the Amazon, Peru Oil, 18 x 24 inches, on board. Framed in 3 inch oak frame. Private collection, Bastrop, Texas, area.

Garden Morning Oil, 16 x 20 inches. Framed in old, dark wooden frame. Private collection, Bastrop, Texas, area.

Blues and Wildflowers Pastels on sanded paper, 8 x 10 inches, matted and framed. Bastrop area, private collection. Donated to the Family Crisis Center.

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