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

Monday, Aug 13 th 2:30 pm...plein air CANCELLED

HERE'S CHET AND YVONNE  painting last week at San Juan de Dios Church.

  And now for something different. We are going to do an afternoon scene for a change. At the corner of Calle Nuevo where it runs into Juarez Parque.(Aldama) Tom assures me, there is a great scene just waiting to be painted. So we'll have to take his word on this. ....Arrive at 2:30pm .. and there is shade. Get your gear together and we'll see you soon. Aug 13 at 2:30 pm. Calle Nuevo at Aldama
Last week at San Juan de Dios was fun. We were surprised to be accompanied by some Federales who were very bored supposedly guarding the area for Mexican  Pres. Calderone"s wife who was visiting San Miguel. Having nothing better to do the guys  came over to watch us paint! Definitely a different experience having an AK47 by ones side as you paint!! They were pretty young and curious.
I'll try to post some photos this week end. DD
STAY TUNE FOR NEXT WEEK THIS WEEK WAS TOO CLOUDY AND WET!! DONNA

August Plein Air San Juan de Dios Aug 8/12 9:00am

 Monday morning  at 9:00 we'll be meeting in the San Juan de Dios churchyard, just cross the street from Warren Hardy's Spanish School . If you cross Quebrada Bridge go north then turn left at the first street Callejon Blanco , (a great street to paint) and it takes you right down to SJ de Dios.We'll have a look around the area and see what we can find. The forecast is calling  for good weather but if it looks iffy at all we won't go. It's been awhile since we painted this area and  we're looking forward to it. Don't forget to bring sunhats, drinking water, a snack, painting equipment etc. brushes, garbage bag, clean up baby wipes.....all the good stuff. I don't recall seeing a coffee shop in the area so bring your own or fuel up before hand!  See y'all soon.. Donna

From Quebrada Bridge  looking up Canal  on the way to San Juan de Dios Church

I painted this last year in watercolors at SJ de Dios this time I'll be working in oils.