Puerta 6-28-09

Doors have a certain mystery. We pass by this intriguing puerta each day. Then one day the rising sun illuminated it with rosy morning light and made the colors glow from inside. It seemed like an invitation to another world . . . a gateway. Though you can't see it, there is another set of stairs behind the wrought iron, that curved up and around nearly 2 stories. I wonder who lives there.

Suzie
Sayulita Mexico

Hibiscus at 11 am 6-27-09

Everything starts looking like a painting. . . This hibiscus glowed in bright 11 am sunlight while the background was in dark shade. Amazing. The leaves looked translucent green. Many things in Mexico have this glow: doorways, birds catch the light, even palms in the sunset radiate back light in this latitude.

Technique: Instead of using out of the tube greens, I mixed pthalow blue and burnt sienna, with a little indian yellow for high lights. I tried using both cool and warm reds, but it didn't quite catch the color that glowed in the sun. Masking fluid preserved the white space with the yellow area. I cheated on the whites using a little gouache.

Huachinango (Red Snapper)

People are easier than Petroglyphs. This comes as a surprise. Or maybe I'm just loosening up. I notice the drawings are coming a little faster and easier. Painting those shadows makes a difference, and seeing them is the challenge. . . maybe there's a message in this.

Suzie
Sayulita Mexico

Petroglyph at Altavista Mexico

Petroglyphs. We walked through mango and guanabana groves to what feels like a very sacred spot in the jungle. Walking along the creek that looked untouched by modern civilization, petroglyphs peaked out behind moss, palms, with birds calling in the tree tops. This site dates back to the time of Christ and the legends say that Jesus' apostle Matthew (Mateo) came as far as Mexico spreading the word.

This painting started out as water color and it was clear my skills weren't equal to the task. So I pulled out the acrylics, which are much easier to work with. I used molding paste to get the texture of the sandstone and lichen. A light wash of green, red and ocher gave it the purpulish color. Then I splattered on some diluted greens to get the lichens. . . . Most paintings look better in person, this one looks better on the internet!

I loved this petroglyph because the rock was cleaved in two, just right of the concentric rings. . . nice contrast.

Suzie Wolfer
Sayulita Mexico

Breakfast!

I thought this would be an easy one. Was I wrong.

The shading and shadows seem very easy just looking at them. I've never looked at a watermelon so closely: the lovely pinky translucence, the nearly white edges where the light catches, the clear white rind and the tiny little ticks of green at the rind. The grass challenged also, and still looks a little like astro turf. Learning as I go.

Tomorrow we go to Altavista the site of 2000 year old petroglyphs.

So many things to study through painting. I wonder what it will be tomorrow.

Suzie
Sayulita Mexico

Cinnamon Hummingbird 6-23-09

The weather forecast said "hurricane." That got my attention. So we loaded up on provisions and got out the paints. And the cinnamon hummningbird came for a visit. . . . no hurricane so far but we got lots of refritos, spicy lime salted peanuts and avocado for our 4:00 salsa break.

These little coppery irridescent visitors flash by throughout the day rain or shine. Larger than our local Portland Anna's Hummingbird, these little flying gems make a distinctive chirping making them easy to spot.

Being here in Sayulita at Casa Mango feels like a full time artists date.

Deserted Beach 6-22-09

The night before, the thunder and lightening shook the windows, dropping bathtubs of water, flooding the streets. All plans were canceled. Usually these storms pass through quickly, but at 2:00 am it was still thundering.

The next morning, no one but the dogs were on the beach. It was more gray than this picture shows, but artistic license took over. I sketched this scene as we enjoyed breakfast with a gentle breeze blowing the 90 degree weather over and dropping the "feels as" temperature from 112 to a balmy 99 degrees.

Good weather to stay under the palapa and paint!

Suzie
Sayulita Mexico

Streak Backed Oriole 6-21-09

This gorgeous little oriole showed up on our first day and has only made a rare appearance when I hike down the other side of the hill from our place. They "roo-chee-roo-roo-chee-roo in the trees and bushes around the house here.

I have a lot to learn about watercolor. I'd like to learn how to paint rather than illustrate so these images have a little more life.

Streak-backed Oriole icterus pustulatus . . . . apparently only rarely found outside Mexico

Kiwi Love

Here's another little photo for you . . . sending you lots of love from Sayulita!
Suz

View from El Expresso Friday 6-19-09

Inspired by Leigh, I've challenged myself to do a painting a day. And here's my first one. Mostly watercolor, I struggled to see let alone draw how to do those scalloped overhangs under the balcony. After a zillion attempts and the help of my camera I finally figured it out. I have a lot to learn about watercolor. I may attempt this again in a more free form Charles Reid style. On this trip,I packed more art supplies than clothes, and I still forgot some things. Out comes the list.

I finished My Banner Swap project! by Lenall Siebenaler

Last weekend, I brought an old crazy quilt with me to Menucha. I had long had an idea of using it to make fabric embellished hearts. I brought it a long, as I needed to do some prototyping for our show in December. I thought I might think of a way to use it if I brought it. Once I got there and started working, I had an idea to use it for my banners for the PAC Banner Swap. And the rest came easily!

Who isn't attracted to Crazy Quilts? Looking at the old quilt conjures up all kinds of questions about who made it and who used it. I am sure the quilt could tell us many a story. I have fond memories of watching my mother making pillows with old velvets using the crazy quilt style. When I found the crazy quilt in an antique mall I knew it had my name all over it.

Recycling the tattered old quilt into banners will allow me to share the beauty of this old handicraft with my friends. It actually could be considered a "double recycle." If there is any such thing. The woman who made it was also recycling her old clothes.

I can't wait to exchange our banners at our annual July picnic. Till then here is a peak!

Lenall

My monthly inchie overview/ten months down two to go

Above is my monthly inchie overview for May. I now have been drawing everyday for ten months. Below is probably my favorite drawing for the month.