Month: November 2017

As you know, my neighbor and friend , Lorie Topinka, and I paint every Friday. She updates our adventures on www.capillasma.org.

This past Friday we visited Vivienda de Arriba and found Capilla de Senor Ecco Homo. We painted plein air while many caballeros came riding through the town on their way home from several days at St. Martin.

St. Martin has become one of the most familiar and recognizable Christian saints and he is honored in the Roman Catholic Church on November 11th of each year. In Central Mexico, St. Martin’s Feast is an annual religious celebration and pilgrimage of thousands on horseback coming from all four corners of the state of Guanajuato as well as the neighboring ones to receive special blessings for both horse and rider after the long trek.

      Capilla de Senor Ecce Homo

This painting I did on site.

However, I was not happy with the tightness of the piece. The front stone wall was also too dark. So I painted the scene again at home.

Personally, I am happier with the looseness and lightness of this painting.

Below is a little painting of children which I found endearing and could not pass up the chance to paint.

 

Watercolor classes have been successful and busy. Almost painting everyday. Here are some recent paintings to share that are now in the San Francisco Gallery in centro and at the Fábrica Aurora Annex.

 

The focus above was a limited palette and strong shadows. Textures of aging walls and cobblestone streets of San Miguel  are always fun to paint.

 

 

Another painting of Calzada de La Presa. Cool shadows on warm colors is a complimentary palette.

 

Day of the Dead celebrations filled San Miguel November 1 and 2. I completed a few paintings of scenes from the cemeteries to commemorate these important dates and events. Again, the color field  is warm ; marigolds are the dominant flowers used for decorations.

In this painting I tired to use the warm and cold color scheme again: purples and oranges. The Abuelita in the foreground is arranging the flowers for her ancestors.

Lorie and I and a painting student of mine, Rick Wendling, recently visited this bridge, San Rafael, to paint. Soon after Saul and I kayaked there to see it from the water. Nothing replaces Plein air for a wonderful, meditative afternoon.

Visit Lorie’s Blog capillasma.org for more details about the importance of this bridge and the Camino Real.

I will frequently be posting more paintings for sale and exhibit at the gallery.

Best,

Linda