Monday Dec 30th no plein air.

Sandra and Roberta with me during last February workshop 2012

No plein air on Monday....regular studio classes Wednesday, Thursday Friday.  Feliz Ano Nuevo everyone......and happy painting  Donna

Mon Dec 24th Plein air location and new watercolors

"Afternoon Plaza Civica"  my watercolor 11" x 15 " A great afternoon painting last week with perfect weather. We were joined by Yvonne, Bill and Isaiah.

" En la Plaza Civica" oil 12 " x 9 " by Tom.  Very interesting to see our two different interpretations of the plaza last Monday.

 

 

So next Monday the 24th  at 12:30 pm - we will be  meeting on Calle Hernandez Macias in front of the Bellas Artes building. Don't forget your cameras for reference photos and  gathering interesting pics of folks passing through. Some great views across the street and along H Macias. The Bellas Artes center is still under repair so we can't access the courtyard yet.
And here's another watercolor I've done recently ;

"Restaurante en la Calle Hidalgo"   watercolor 15 " x 11" This a second floor restaurant with an attractive view from the street. I haven't tried eating there yet, so can't report on the food. Feliz Navidad everyone , Happy Painting ! and thanks for viewing my blog.  Donna

Plein air on Monday Dec 17 Plaza Civica 12:30pm

The Oratorio Church in front of the Plaza Civica is always a challenge to draw and paint. We 'll see what we can find on Monday at 12 :30. Most of us will  be doing watercolors this time and we'll be meeting on location.

Sometimes it's a good idea to isolate some small area of a large complicated scene and concentrate on getting the essence of that part. Simplify and squint alot!  See you on Monday 
PS new winter schedule is posted. Just  hit on Art students link /Classes info at top of page.

A sampling from the Guayabitos Beach plein air workshop

One of the many picturesque beach scenes at Guayabitos

A typical day at Rincon de Guayabitos. We had so much fun! A wonderful workshop and lots of great painting time.

Lots of color and reflections at La Penita!

Gretchen painting at San Pancho in the shady palmas

Tom checking out a nearby beach at Sayulita

Colorful Beach front Chacala

On  location at Los Ayala

After painting, relaxing at Dan's with a wicked Margarita!

Fisherman at Guaybitos

A final sunset at Jaltemba Bay. Not enough time to paint it all!

A perfect day of plein air painting at Old San Miguel

San Miguel Viejo Church and corn stooks

San Miguel Viejo Church from afar

Wandering on his own

Last row of corn to chop

Mothers love!

Some days you get really lucky and this was one of those. Sunday  afternoon was perfect, sunny  with very little wind, perfect temperature, beautiful subject matter....this is why you get addicted to plein air painting. You just have to be there! A magical day!

An artisan friend Renato Pacheco in San Miguel

Okay one of Renatos jokes a fireplace insert! Renato is an artist and artisan living in San Miguel.  When we first met Renato back in 1987, he was a plein air artist in San Miguel and we used to paint together in centro. We were the only ones around painting on the streets at that time. That winter a guy down the street from us "Tony Cohan"  was writing his classic book "On Mexican Time"! He really captured the flavor and feel of Mexico. A must read!

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And here's mi amigo Renato with the whole candelabra he had hidden in the fireplace. One of many jokes he likes to play. You can put candles in the circular discs at the top of the arms. He's a great artisan and can custom make you anything from wooden decorated boxes, chests ,tables, wooden screens, decorative painting on your walls etc. His popular work is found in many shops in San Miguel. We will be painting back at San Miguel Viejo Sun. afternoon at 1pm. Meeting across the street from the Post office in front of Cumpanio Restaurant and Bakery! Hard to pass up those scones while you're waiting Verdad?

 

 

Plein Air NOV. 18 th Sunday 1pm

We'll be going back to the countryside Sunday afternoon this week end, 1pm til 4pm' ish  If you need a ride we'll be picking up people across from the Post office in front of Campanio at 1pm. Please let me know if you are coming as we will be sharing rides. Don't forget to bring your camera , hat, snacks ,water etc. There are no stores where we'll be painting. A view finder and sketch book for your initial thumbnail sketch is helpful.Bring all your equipment but pare it down for plein air. Keep it simple. I have a couple of folding stools for anyone who needs one.
We had a great group on Monday and found some wonderful" cornstooks" - like a haystack only using corn stalks......  Fun morning! I will post some pictures soon from last Monday. Donna

Schedule for studio classes Nov /Dec 2012

Painting by American artist Charles Hawthorne oil.

 Hi  this is an update on the class schedule with a couple of changes due to the workshop in Guayabitos I will be teaching  at the end of November right after Thanksgiving.
Next week Monday  Nov 12th  plein air - meet at 9:10 am on Correo near Campanio for share ride to San Miguel Viejo area.
Nov 14th Wed. watercolors -10 am til 1pm as usual
Nov 16th. Friday oils /acrylics - 10  til 1pm   as usual
 Following week:  Nov 19th  Monday watercolors or oils or acrylics  10 til 1pm
                            Nov 20th Tuesday   wc.s or oils or acrylics 10 am til 1pm  You have your choice of days  either or both if you wish.

Okay I'm away after that until
Dec 12th- Wed- watercolors  1pm to 4pm switching to afternoon classes during the winter.
  Dec 14th-  Friday oils/acrylics  1 pm to 4 pm
More classes and info when I get back. Watch my blog for new schedule in December.
Feel free to join me at the beach , love to have ya' all. Donna

2012 Nov 12th Mon. am Plein air in the counytrside

What a change a little sunshine will make, all the colors are livelier then on the last cloudy morning, when Les, Tom and I painted. In cloudy conditions all the color changes are more subtle. We'll try this one again under sunny conditions.

Lots of activity on the Rio on last Tues am. Many Egrets ( Garzas). This  Monday morning we will be meeting to go back to the campo.  We'll meet on Correo near the Post office in front of Cumpanio Restaurant 9:10 am for pick up, otherwise if driving your own vehicle meet at the Bodega Aurerra (foot of Calzada de la Estacion)  parking lot at 9:20 am . Bring warm clothes as you never know what the weather will be like. Camera,  hat , snack , & water are essentials. Some would say cafe an essential too!  Travel light with your equipment. Don't bring every tube of paint you own. A small sketch book for doing some thumbnails, compositional sketches is handy. View finder too. A few brushes and a small panel for your on location impression. See you soon. Let me know if you are coming and whether you are driving or need a ride. Thanks Donna

Monday Plein Air postponed til Tues morning Nov 6th

Looks too wet and damp after all that steady rain for our plein air today. Not looking good. Temperature will be cooler too.
We'll try for tomorrow morning same time, same meet up location.  Too bad! 
I will be in the gallery today most of the day if you wish to come by to paint. Hasta manana everyone. Donna

Plein air Monday Nov 5th /12 El Campo

Curious calves while Tom checks out the scene.Yesterday  near the presa.

Searching for subject matter ...Les in foreground with Tom ahead.

The  grey conditions are  actually an asset, as the light doesn't change all that much. This was our subject after walking about , subtle color on a grey day. The distant blues very important. Bright electric green band in middle ground relating to greens at the waters edge. A fun day of painting! 

Plein air Monday  Nov 5th 2012  9 :15 am----, this will be weather permitting .....cloudy is okay but about to rain , threatening to rain,  raining it will be cancelled and transferred to Tuesday am at same time. I will be working in the studio Monday if  plein air is cancelled and you may paint Monday if you like. If we go out we will be going out to the country again near San Miguel Viejo for landscape practice. Sharing ride. Meet in front of the gallery at 9:15 am or a wee bit before. If the street is blocked off we'll meet in front of  Cumpanio at 9:15 am on Correo, near the post office. Keep your fingers crossed! Remember to bring a snack, hat ,sunglasses and that will be sure to bring out the sun! Let me know for sure if you're coming. If in doubt , call me about 8:30 am. at 154 4291, Hasta luego Donna

Plein air change of venue Oct 30th 9:15 am

We've decided to paint out in the countryside, so we'll be going tomorrow Tues . Oct 30th - meeting in front of the gallery at #1 San Francisco  at 9:15 am.  If you want to go to San Miguel Viejo area please let me know. We'll be staying in the area after painting and having lunch at the new restaurant at Rancho La Trinidad organic farm....should be fun. I'll post photos this week. Donna

Last Mon. of October the 29th - plein air location

Moi! Contemplating a scene plein air. This was near Dolores Hidalgo.  Soo ..many decisions to make and so little time to do it in!

Thought we would paint just inside "the Institute" this Monday at 9 :00 am. It was fun at Espinos corners last Monday. A bit chilly starting out. Haven't finished my painting yet but will post when finished. Donna

Monday Plein air and some new oils for October 2012

"Morning Shadows on Codo" oil 9 x 12" plein air. The colors were really interesting at this intersection. Couldn't resist the electric blue windows! 

This painting is from last Monday and we'll return to that area again  Monday morning OCT 22nd at 9:00 in front of Espinos  store at the start of CODO.

"Vendedora de Munecas" the Doll Seller, 24" x 20"  oil on canvas.

The vendors are really colorful, as colorful as the dolls they sell. I've wanted to paint this one for quite awhile.

 

Oops, not an oil but a watercolor from this week in the studio "Sunny Window" 15 x 11" Fun making those warm and cool changes of colors in the shadows.

Monday am Plein Air Oct 15th on Codo 9:00 am

A morning photo looking up Calle Codo

Here's another one at the entrance of Codo with Zacateros going off to the left. Beware of the great divide! Here we have 2 views competing for our attention. If most of the right side was cropped off , this might make a decent painting. We'll have to see what we can do in the area.  Meeting at 9 am right around here. We'll try to stay on the shady side and it should be a nice morning. Those of you who aren't here are welcome to give the great divide a try. Let me know how it works out. Happy painting! Donna

October 8th plein air afternoon on Recreo

Butterfly  and Girasoles....beautiful at this time of year.

As stated in the title we'll be meeting in the afternoon on Recreo at 2:30 pm near the Bull Ring area. If not there, we'll be close by. Shouldn't be hard to find if you find yourself on Recreo, look for the guys wearing funny hats and squinting a lot and holding up strange squares!  We'll stick to the shady side of the street and hope for lots of sun. It's definitely been into a winter pattern this week, with clear skies . cool mornings and hot afternoons.Great painting conditions. The sunflowers (Girasoles) are so abundant this year beautiful to see fields and fields of flowers.
hope to see you all there. Vamanos  Donna

A trio of watercolors, and news about workshops.Sept 20 2012

Still life with Teapot w.c. 15" x 11"  Just had to try out my new prop....love Mexican pottery!

"Window Shadows" 20" x 16" w.c  A friend bought me some wc paper 16" x 20" I like this size. 

 "Globos and Tiendas" w.c. 11 x 15" El Iris is my favorite store to paint in San Miguel ! It's a stationery store selling everything under the sun. The balloon seller was great in this setting!

                  

Workshop news: San Miguel de Allende  Feb 25 to Mar. 3rd  2013  is full. I am taking names on a waiting list.
Workshop:  Rincon de Guayabitos , Nayarit ( near Puerto Vallarta) starting to fill but 5 places open.  Begins Nov. 26th to Dec.1st 2012 let me know soon.
Workshop:  Sanary, Provence France.... Sept . 2013  Only a few committed so far, let me know if you're interested.
Check out Robins blog. She's just posted an article about our gallery/ studio with some in studio photos  -  robintalkscookstravels.blogspot.com   She has a great blog and leads some wonderful tours in Mexico; to shop and see crafts being made and enjoying wonderful food along the way.   -there's a link to the right on the  home page.  Donna

Sunday exploring in the country. Sept 16 2012

A country church El Coecillo our first stop.

We had a fantastic day exploring in the countryside today.  We went west of Dolores Hidalgo towards Guanajuato into some terrific areas. Perfect weather a great mix of sun and cloud. Found some beautiful painting spots. In fact a couple of us are going back tomorrow to paint!

Mystery lake. We set out to find this lake about a month ago after finding it on Google earth. We finally found it today and it was worth it. It's in another interesting area.

Orange and blue church why not add a little color to your landscapes! This was in a very beautiful setting.

This landscape is just to the right of the El Coecillo Church. We went down through this valley and continued to explore. Between Tom and I we probably took about 75 photos, so this is just a wee sample of what's out there. You've just got to get out there looking around there's at least a zillion scenes waiting to be painted! As Carl Franz said when he was touring Mexico in the 60's "Where ever you go there you are!" Still true today! Happy painting everyone! 

A note about workshops 
November 26 to Dec 1st 2012 ...........Rincon de Guayabitos- let me know soon -1/2 full. This  will be a fun new venue on and off the beach. Palm trees, boats, beaches, ocean, palapas and islands. Cold Margritas at sunset!      
Feb. 25th to Mar 3rd 2013 ... workshop San Miguel de Allende -almost full 2 places left!  I'll write more about the workshops in my next post. 
****Note  the SMA  workshop is now full I'll start a waiting list for those who are still 
interested. DD
                              
                                                              

 

Plein air Monday Sept 10 /12 San Antonio Church Plaza

In front of the Church San Antonio de Padua

We'll be meeting here at 9:00 am. From here I have a couple of spots in mind. Don't forget your camera, sunhat, paints, brushes etc.  There are many corner stores in the area so don't worry about water. This is in Colonial San Antonio, between Orizaba and Callejon San Antonio, just off the Ancha..If you have a problem finding the location e mail me before Monday. 

Looking forward to painting in this area.  Calle 20th de Enero

Saturday Organic Market ... Get in the habit of having your camera at the ready , easily accessible, because you never know when you'll see something that just needs to be painted!!

Colorful fruit and veggie boxes being made up for home delivery.

Plein air Aug.20th 2012 9:00 am Plaza Civica

The Oratorio Church from Plaza Civica

 We'll be meeting for plein air roughly near the Oratorio Church or in the Plaza Civica in front of the Church near the fountain. Just look around when you arrive and you'll find us setting up or hunting for scenes.
This will be weather permitting. We have had so much rain and or cloud it's hard to say what the weather might be like.I'm hoping we can get out for my last painting session before I leave for B.C.
So 9:00 am Monday Aug 20th bring your sketch pad for doing a preliminary quick thumbnail sketch ( small)
Bring a  view finder?? What's that?  Something small maybe 3" x 4" or 4" x 6" like a small frame for selecting your scene. I usually have extras of these if you don't have one.You want one that is roughly the same shape (ratio) as the canvas or panel you will be painting on. Eg. - If my panel is 9" x 12" then I can have a view finder with a 3" x 4" window cut out of it. Just thin cardboard works fine, - from cereal boxes or whatever. Don't forget your camera for reference photos. Hat , water, snack, etc. Go light, put out your paints on your pallette  ahead of time if your equipment allows for that. See you there.

Reminder : Next studio class Aug.30th 10am - for oils. Aug 31st - for w.c.s 10 am til 1pm

No classes after this week til the end of Aug 2012

Sorry folks ...I'm very saddened  to report that my Mom, Florence Newall , passed away this week end in N.Vancouver. Aug 11th 2012.
 I'll be flying to Vanc. on the 20th Aug. and won't be back til the 29th. I hope this won't be too inconvenient for everyone. I know some of you will be leaving soon. Sorry to miss your last classes. Tom will try to fill in where he can.
Tom and I will be able to do the Monday morning  plein air  9:00 am ( weather permitting) as I'm leaving that evening. My Mom was almost 86 and went very quickly so we're grateful for that. She'll be missed by friends and family across Canada.

Mom and I in Aug 2009 on Van. Is. B.C.

Dear old Mom's favourite colour green!! Must of been the Irish heritage.

 Mon. Aug 20th 9:00 am  plein air location to be announced soon.
 I  will resume classes on Thurs Aug.30th  for-  oils 10 til 1pm and
  Fri.Aug 31st  10am to 1pm for watercolors for this week only.
Please  send me an e mail  if you plan to attend.
Regular schedule the following week. Sept 5th -Wed 10 til 1pm watercolors/ or water based medium.
Sept 6th -Thurs, 10 til 1pm. oils/ or acrylics