Director’s Note

March 2023

by Patricia Cream

“March is a month of expectations” (Emily Dickson). We are happy that The Gallery ABQ received Best of City, Top 5 Galleries. Our expectation has always been to be one of the best galleries in Albuquerque.  We strive to be current, relevant, and inspiring through our various media.  “Spring forward!” with a visit to The Gallery ABQ.

The Gallery ABQ will showcase “That Is Then and This Was Now--” a clash of vintage and contemporary art, by George (Hauie) Hayes, III. This salon show will be kicked off with a very special VIP Sunday sale at the gallery, on Feb 26th, 4:00 – 6:00 pm. The sale is a chance to purchase older works, studies, and ideas for Hauie’s paintings—a must-see art event! Hauie’s art will be available through the end of March.

Featured Artists will be Vickie Pleau (oils/acrylics) and Maurita Hudson (pastels). Vickie says her art is an expression of what inspires her—her faith, and life experiences with the outdoors and nature. Maurita loves the forms of softness and motion around her. She loves the skies of New Mexico and rises early to catch sunrises and the change of light at sunset as it bursts with bold colors.

The ARTScrawl artist reception for March will be the First Friday, March 3rd, 5:00-8:00 pm. Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be on hand for this event.

Call for Artists: If you are a local artist looking for a Contemporary Fine Arts Gallery to show your art, please go to our website (link below) to get more information about our gallery. The application is online.  If you are interested, please send in your application and we can set up a jury date. 

In the Salon in March

George (Hauie) Hayes III

That Is Then and This Was Now

The Gallery ABQ February Featured Artist

Maurita Hudson and Vickie Pleau

Maurita Hudson (pastel)

An Interview

by Linda Weiss

Maurita Hudson (pastel) is one of the Featured Artists at The Gallery ABQ First Friday reception on March 3, 2022, from 5-8:00 pm. This First Friday reception will be sponsored by Tractor Brewing, and hors d’oeuvres will be provided.

Maurita began taking art classes in the 1970’s, sketching cones and cylinders. She loved sketching Raggedy Ann in pencil. She studied painting with pastel pencils for the next few years, and then took a break from art for the next 30 years. In 2000, she started painting with acrylics. Three years ago, out of curiosity, she switched to pastels (first pan pastels, and then soft pastels). She fell in love with the medium.

Maurita often paints in church. She is inspired by the service and the music. Her art has evolved from tight and precise, to more impressionistic. She was so inspired by the work of Alain Picard (who paints like the old masters) that she went to France to participate in his workshop. The skies of J.W. Turner inspire her as well as New Mexico artists Natasha Isenhour, Tobi Clement, and Denali Brooke.

Come to The Gallery ABQ on March 3rd, from 5-8:00 pm, to meet Maurita and the other artists, and to have an enjoyable evening out!

Vickie Pleau (oil/acrylic)

An Interview

by Linda Weiss

Vickie Pleau (oil/acrylic) is one of the Featured Artists at The Gallery ABQ’s First Friday reception, March 3, 2022, from 5-8:00 pm. This First Friday reception will be sponsored by Tractor Brewing, promising a fun night! Hors d’oeuvres will also be provided.

Vickie, originally from Albuquerque, has always been creative although she never had any formal art training. After a full career of teaching, including at the Albuquerque Public Schools and the Department of Energy, Vickie retired 5 years ago, dedicating herself to her painting.

She says that her art is an expression of what inspires her—her faith, and life experiences with the outdoors and nature (Vickie did a lot of hiking and camping growing up). She says that her faith in a Divine Creator anchors her to a deep connection with nature which influences much of her art.

Love for detail and experimentation has fueled her artistic growth from landscapes to abstracts in acrylics and oil, which include her love of realism and impressionism. Vickie hopes her paintings draw the viewer’s interest into an experience.

Come to The Gallery ABQ on March 3, 2022, from 5-8:00 pm, to meet Vickie and the other artists, and to have an enjoyable evening out!

MasterWorks of New Mexico

Two of our artists have been accepted into

MasterWorks of New Mexico:

Maurita Hudson and Nancy Schrock

The show runs from Saturday, March 25 to Sunday, April 16 at Expo New Mexico, Hispanic Arts Gallery

Reception: Friday, March 24, 5–8 pm. Awards at 7 pm

All works are for sale.

Below left, A Place of Rest and Peace, (pastel) by Maurita Hudson

Below right, Prickly Pear (pastel) by Nancy Schrock

Creativity Quote

 “Creativity takes courage.” – Henri Matisse