Work by artist Chris Pennington is on display at Rose Chocolatier in Central Park Square. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

Horses are a favorite subject in the art of Chris Pennington. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

Glowing aspens are the subject of this landscape by Chris Pennington. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

Artist Chris Pennington is back in her hometown of Los Alamos for a one-woman show of her vibrant acrylics at Rose Chocolatier, 149 Central Park Square.

The daughter of Kenneth and Joy Crandall, Pennington lived in Los Alamos until leaving home to attend Eastern New Mexico University, where she received her degree in graphic design.

“Eastern is a great place to go to school,” Pennington said. “The friends you make while there are lifelong friends.”

Pennington has been drawing since childhood. She took classes with local artist Mary Stovall and at Los Alamos High School with Leslie Duran, who she said “encouraged me to experiment with different mediums.”

In 1994, Pennington began working with acrylics and, “fell in love with them.”

“I love the brightness of the colors and the way they pop,” she said.

Pennington now lives on a few acres between Edgewood and Moriarty. She and her husband Carlton own http://xltshirt.com/  a screen printing firm. Pennington telecommutes from home so she can paint in her down time.

“I’m living the dream,” she said. “Our nearest neighbor is about three-fourths of a mile away, but it never gets lonely when you have ideas!”

Her country home has inspired many of her paintings, including a recent contribution to the “Meanwhile Back at the Ranch” show at Fuller Lodge Art Center. That painting, “Trespasser,” is of a handsome bull. It was inspired when he broke down her fence and invaded her property. The sale of paintings of this bull and other bovine invaders paid for the fence repairs, so things worked out okay, Pennington said.

Horses also feature in many of Pennington’s paintings, and one of her sidelines is doing custom pet portraits. Landscapes are another of her passions.

“I just love how she captures the spirit in both her animals and her landscapes,” said Fuller Lodge Art Center Director Ken Nebel. “There’s so much life in what she does. She uses such a perfect color palette!”

Pennington is an award winning painter and a member of several art groups, including the Rio Grande Art Association. Her work has been included in a number of shows around the Southwest, including the prestigious MasterWorks of New Mexico.

Her work displayed at Rose Chocolatier is for sale. Pennington can take payment by phone at 505.615.2268 or online through her website www.chrispenningtongallery.com.

An opening for her show is 1-3 p.m. Saturday, March 3.

Pennington and Rose Chocolatier also are hosting a Painting Party 1-3 p.m., March 17. Pennington will provide “gentle guidance” to aspiring artists as they create a landscape painting. The cost is $35. Call Rose Chocolatier at 505.695.1156 to register. Space is limited.

Stop by Rose Chocolatier during store hours to see the show.