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We have been lucky enough to have a beautiful place to stay near Rockland, Maine for a month.

While the first days were rainy, the weather has opened up to quintessential Maine sunny skies and glistening waters. In between meals of lobsters, clams, steamers, crab and oyster, I have been painting a variety of scenes and vistas. The painting choices are a nice change from our home base of Mexico.

All watercolors are 12 x16 on Saunders 150 lb. paper. For information, prices and availability, please contact me.

Enjoy these lovely scenes of Maine..more to come..

Continue reading “June on the coast of Maine”

This past Friday Ric drove us up,up into the mountains to the south to Alonso Yanez. The little capilla we chose to paint is called Capilla de Santa Cruz de Oro y Plata.  The scene was a cacophony of banners and cross stitched shadows. We all approached the scene with different strengths. The sounds of the flapping banners and birds songs made for a wonderful painting meditation.

Ric and his truck are a godsend for these adventures.

Continue reading “Shadows,shadows,shadows”

On March 23rd, Lorie and Ric and I went to paint at a Capilla in Boca de Canada. Ric had discovered the Capilla on one of his Sunday walks. It was the first time in  awhile we had been out to paint. It felt great. The church happens to be right above where our grandkids go to camp!

Lorie did write a piece on her blog about the outing…www.capillasma.org

Continue reading “Catching up”

It has been quite some time since my last post. We took a winter break to go to New York and then to visit family for the holidays.  Just before the break , I ended with a wonderful class and workshop at the Galeria San Francisco annex. Students gained expertise and experience…excellent work.

Now, we have been vacationing and painting in Loreto in the Baja Sur. Water and beach and flowers and shells have been great subjects.

There is a large market for Loreto paintings here!

 

 

Before we left for the Baja, some interesting subjects caught my eye and these paintings are now framed and on exhibit at the galeria in centro.

    

There are new workshops scheduled for March 7,8,14,15  and March 21,22,28 &29. There is limited space, of course. If interested, please email me vellum1@mac.com. Positive, painless and pleasant.

This past Friday, Lorie, Ric and I drove to Juan Gonzalez and painted Capilla del Señor del la Piedad. The only entrance to this little pueblito was to cross the river in Ric’s truck. The day was sunny and we were treated to unique and different architecture with interesting wall designs and church tower.

I was intriqued with the surrounding wall and  shadows.

 

On the gate of the wall, it says “El Corazon del Jesus” written in a combinatión of words and sculpture.

We were surrounded all afternoon with interested bystanders, children, sheep, goats and horses. This all adds to the charm of the Plein Aire experience.

 

I am getting more pleased with looseness and light.

Another set of classes has started with newbies and experienced painters….Successful outcomes with new techniques and Concentration!

   

 

I also used an example of 2 paintings as a lesson in composition.: one I started and realized the focal point was dead center, a nono. The second is more successful.

New classes will restart early February and all of March.   Join us.

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

It is an exciting time in San Miguel..Day of the Dead celebrations  November 1 & 2 and pre- events and post events. Susann Santiago posted a wonderful opening at Fabrica Aurora for the traditional, well-atended Art Walk. The gallery featured works from all represented artists as well as an altar honoring her mother.