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