Friday, December 30, 2011

Mammoth Village II

Mammoth Village II, inkwash, 4x6. Plein-air on location at Mammoth Village, northern California,  a couple of days ago.
Mountains in winter are beautiful! We wish there was more snow, like there usually is at this time of the year, but we have to accept what we have, and we have here beauty, love and laughter. We are blessed.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Mammoth Village I

Mammoth Village I, California.  inkwash, plein air sketch done a couple of days ago.
Lovely mountain town, normally totally snowed in at this time of the year, but not this year. Very little snow, yet Silver Lake nearby is frozen enough that we went ice-skating on the lake this morning. It was fun!

Auberge d'Arrioutou

Auberge d'Arrioutou, watercolor, 5x7" (12x17cm), available. Painted on location, at this restaurant on top of a hill near the town of Argeles-Gazost, in the French Pyrenees, France. This "auberge" or family hotel/restaurant, was started by the lady, still the owner, about 50 years ago. She's now in her 90s, still peeling carrots in the kitchen, but her children and grandchildren run most of the operation. She visits with the clients, when you are sitting there she comes by, table by table, chats a little with each customer, very well presented, then goes back and works some more. Lovely lady, with a positive attitude about life and work.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Early Training

Early Training, watercolor, 7x5, available. My granddaughter Marina and her friend were looking at shoes at a store in Marbella last summer, and I took several photographs. I  later used them to paint some  small watercolors and a couple of oils on canvas. This is one of the watercolors. Marbella is a high class summer resort in the south of Spain, with nice beaches, lovely shops, and a white marble esplanade between the main beach and the quaint old town shopping area, with about ten original Salvador Dali sculptures. Expensive and beautiful town to visit.

Friday, December 23, 2011

Andre et le lac

Andre et le lac, watercolor on hand-made paper, 20x26cm., available. Can you see Andre on the left? He cannot see you, my friend Andre is losing his eyesight, due to a rare case of macular degeneration. The lake is beautiful Lac de Gaube, near Cauterets, France.
Georgia O'Keefe said: "Painting is not good, unless it is good in an abstract sense."

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Venus after Botticelli

Venus After Botticelli, watercolor, 10x14, available. I painted this copy of Botticelli's Venus for a contest aboard a Princess cruise. Our table friends and I had a lot of fun creating an original presentation with costumes, floating devices, this painting as a banner, a march of all of us around the pool, etc. and we almost won!!!! but we didn't.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Marseille, Port des Belges

Marseille, Port des Belges, watercolor, 7.5x10", available.
Like the watercolor posted yesterday, this one was also painted alla prima, plein air in Marseille (France) this past October.
Joan Miro's exhibition in Baden-Baden (Germany) in 2010, had many pieces of his theme: women, stars, and birds. I also saw two series of "slow paintings" and some "spontaneous paintings" as he called them. It was a wonderful show! And the city of Baden-Baden itself is a garden of delights!

Monday, December 19, 2011

Marseille, Vieux Port

Marseille, Vieux Port, watercolor, 7x10, available. I was in Marseille, France, in October, and painted this watercolor sitting in front of this open-air market along  the Old Port (vieux port). Marseille is such a beautiful and colorful city! The old fort at the entrance of the bay is far-away on the right hand side of the painting.
Si quieres leer este blog en espanol:
1. Cliquear a la derecha, aparece una caja de dialogo.
2. Cliquear en "translate this page to English" dentro de la caja. Aparece una barra arriba de la pantalla.
3. Cliquear en la barra de arriba, que quieres traducir del ingles al....puedes elegir cualquier idioma que quieras, incluido espanol.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Runaway Dreams

Runaway Dreams, acrylic on canvas, 12x24" (30x60cm) Framed, available.
This painting is one of the four paintings I present in the show: THIS MUST BE HEAVEN, at the La Jolla Art Association Gallery, from December 19th -31st. Reception is Wednesday, December 21st, 6:00-8:30 pm. La Jolla Art Gallery is at 8100 Paseo del Ocaso, La Jolla, California. Come one and all! You are lovingly invited!!
THE ARTIST IS NOTHING WITHOUT THE GIFT. THE GIFT IS NOTHING WITHOUT THE WORK.---- Emile Zola.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Cauterets, coucher soleil

Cauterets, Coucher Soleil, watercolor, 10x15 cm (4x6 ") painted plein-air, alla prima, in the beautiful mountain town of Cauterets, in the French Pyrenees, this summer. SOLD.
Today my son sent me a beautiful quotation I'd like to share with you all: "Don't ask what the world needs; ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is more people who have come alive." theologian Howard Thurman.--- Painting makes me come alive...

Friday, December 16, 2011

Catedral de Burgos

Catedral de Burgos, watercolor, 6x4" (15x10cm) Available. Painted on location, at the cathedral, this past September. The Catedral de Burgos, in Spain, is an incredible beautiful church, in a gorgeously beautiful city. Sorry for the superlatives, but I had not heard too much comments about the beauty of Burgos, while other cities in Spain are very famous for their beauty, like Sevilla, Toledo, and others. Maybe that's why Burgos took me by surprise so much. The river and park along the river is magnificent, with modern statues, and extremely well kept gardens. The cultural life and friendliness of its inhabitants make Burgos, in the north of Spain, a city well worth visiting.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Golden Girl

Golden Girl, 2006, watercolor, 11x14" (28x35cm.) Available.
California is the state of the golden poppies, and sometime in April every year "the hills are alive" with these poppies. This painting will be in exhibition at the La Jolla Art Gallery in San Diego, California, starting next Monday December 19th till the end of the month and year in the exhibit: THIS MUST BE HEAVEN. The reception will be on Wednesday, December 21st, 6:00-8:30pm. You are invited!!
Dans Google Chrome, de lire mon blog dans une autre langue: 
1. Faites un clic droit ------- une boîte apparaît 
2 Cliquez sur "Traduire cette page à ..."---- une boîte de dialogue. apparaît en haut de votre écran 
3. Cliquez sur la langue désirée que vous voulez traduire --- magique!

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Winter at Balboa Park

Winter at Balboa Park, 2009, watercolor, 5x7". Available.
Balboa Park, in the city of San Diego, California, is the "largest urban park in the world" I read this morning at the San Diego History Museum. Size matters, I know, but beauty matters more, and Balboa Park is beautiful! My little watercolor from a few years ago, painted on location at the main fountain in front of the Museum of Art says nothing compared to the beauty of this park, its gardens, buildings and museums.
In Google Chrome, to read my blog in another language:
1. Right click-------a box appears
2. Click on "translate this page to..."----a dialogue box appears on top of your screen
3. Click on the desired language you want to translate ---magic!

Monday, December 12, 2011

Pinecove, Idyllwild, California

Pinecove, Idyllwild, California. watercolor, 5x7" (12x17cm.) This is the very first painting I ever exhibited at an art gallery. I used to paint and draw just for myself, as a hobby I enjoyed on weekends. I painted this watercolor sitting on the deck of this beautiful house in Pinecove we used to own,  in 1997.  A friend, who is a watercolor artist, insisted I enter  a couple of paintings in a South Bay Watercolor Society contest. I did thanks to him, Etti Andreani, and this one got accepted. I had tasted the sweet flavor of shows and exhibitions, and they haven't stopped since then, 14 years ago. Needless to say, this painting is not for sale. I cherish it.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Bora Bora Wave

Bora Bora Wave, watercolor, 2009, 8x10", available.
A few days ago I went to the movies to see  the opera "SATYAGRAHA", filmed at  the Metropolitan Opera, in New York. It is an opera in Sanscrit, about Gandhi. Philip Glass wrote it in Sanscrit as a sign of respect for Gandhi and his cause: help the poor and the downtroden. Four hours of intellectual challenge and beauty.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Emilie

Emilie, pastel, 20x16" (50x40cm.) Available, at La Jolla Art Association Gallery, in La Jolla, California, reception Friday December 9th, 6-8:30pm. You are invited!!! Come for the wine, stay for the art!!
Henry Matisse (1869-1954) said: "In most cases success equals prison...An artist should never be prisoner of himself, prisoner of a manner, prisoner of a reputation, prisoner of success."

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Dreamer

Dreamer, pastel, 40x30cm. Available, until December 19th at the La Jolla Art Association Gallery: "Help Us Free The Girls" exhibit. Reception this coming Friday, December 9th, 2011, 6-8pm. YOU ARE INVITED!
Odilon Redon, Prince du Reve (Prince of Dreams), his works remind us of a mysterious universe with strange figures. I saw his "Profile sur meandres rouges" at Musee d'Orsay, a mysterious and strange portrait in pastel, with a red background.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

View from My Garden, France

View from My Garden, France, watercolor, 4x6 (10x15cm.) Available, and in exhibition this month at the Gallery of the San Diego Watercolor Society, San Diego, California.
Ian Roberts, in Creative Authenticity, says: "A work of art is like a visual form of prayer."

If you would like to read this blog in another language:
1. Right click....a box appears
2. Select "translate..." ...a dialogue box appears on top of your screen
3. It says: "English to.."....choose your favorite language, click!
Voila!

Monday, December 5, 2011

Sitting the Gallery

Sitting the Gallery, watercolor, 6x9" (15x22cm.) Available.
While sitting the gallery at La Jolla Art Association, in La Jolla, California, last week, I found time between visitors to paint this quick watercolor of our gallery. Come visit us! at 8100 Paseo del Ocaso.

Zu meinem Blog in Spanisch, Französisch, oder vielen anderen Sprachen lesen: 
. 1 Rechts klicken --- erscheint ein Feld 
2 Klicken Sie auf "übersetzen ...". --- Bar erscheint auf der Oberseite 
3. Übersetzen Englisch ---- wählen Sie die gewünschte Sprache.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Recordando a Piazzola

Recordando a Piazzola, watercolor, 16x12" (40x30cm.) Available. This painting has been juried in the December show at the San Diego Watercolor Society, San Diego, California. When I was in the International Watercolor Festival in Brioude, France, this past July, I saw an artist complete a watercolor with a sponge, and decided to try it. "Recordando a Piazzola" was painted using no pencil, and no brush. I did the entire painting just with a sponge. I have painted several watercolors in this style and I must say it is not easy!!!
Per leggere il mio blog in spagnolo, francese, o molte allie lingue:
1. Fare clic destro--appare un riquadro
2. Fare clic su "tradurre..."--viene visudezza una barra sopra
3. Traduci inglese---scegliere la lingua desiderata

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Ma Chambre `a Chantilly

Ma chambre `a Chantilly, watercolor on my traveling journal, 4x6", available.
I stayed in Chantilly in the summer, in the house of my friends Fredrerick and Nathalie. Their beautiful house reflects their traveling experiences, and their love for beauty, stability, organization and order. This was my room/bed while I stayed there in July this year. Chantilly is a lovely town north of Paris, in France. Chantilly is famous for their thouroughbred horses, their castle, and now...this Blog which mentions it!
Si tu veux  lire cet Blog en francais, fai comme sa:
1.  Faites un clic droit---une boite apparait...
2. Cliquez sur "traduiere........"une barre apparait sur le dessus
3. :Traduire l'angais vers........"........choisir la langue que tu veux....et voila!
bon dimanche!

Estampida

Estampida, 20x25" (50x67cm.), watercolor on Yupo. Available at the Pool Art Fair, South Beach, Miami.
I was chatting about VALUE with an artist friend today, and decided to share with you: Value is the most important element in a painting. Value holds it together....or not. Value decides if the composition works.....or if it doesn't. Every year I do a notebook of value studies alone. No color. It's amazing how much I learn just by doing that. So now....go do value studies!

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Deja Vue

Deja Vue, acrylic, 16x12" (40x30cm.) Available at Pool Art Fair, South Beach, Miami, Florida for $500.-
Hundertwasser believed that nature was its own goal. That nature's perfect structure engendered universal harmony: beauty. Art is the road that take us to beauty. So beauty, or the expression of harmony in the world, assures everybody's happiness, if we are all creators.
Para leer mi blog en espanol:
1. Haz clic derecho.....aparece un recuadro
2. haz clic en "traducir...." aparece una barra en la parte superior
3. Dice "traducir de ingles a....".elije el idioma que desees, espanol en este caso.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Balboa Park Tower II

Balboa Park Tower II, watercolor on board, 10x8", available. Painted on location, plein-air.
Balboa Park  in San Diego, California, is one of my favorite places to walk, to paint, to visit museums, to watch interesting things going on, and to sit with a glass of wine at El Prado restaurant.
To read my Blog in Spanish, French, or many other languages:
1. Right click---a box appears
2. Click on "translate..."---a bar appears on top
3. Translate English to----choose the language you want.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Mother and child series # 4

Mother and Child series # 4, watercolor, 6x9, quick sketch while waiting to be helped. Available.
In 1926 Salvador Dali was expelled from the Academia de Bellas Artes, in Spain, for his refusal to sit for examinations with the professors of the moment. He claimed they were idiots and didn't know a thing about art. We have forgotten those professors' names....while we know very well who Salvador Dali is: a genius.
Mother and Child series numero 4, acuarela, 15x23cm. Disponible. La pinte rapidamente, mientras esperaba que me atendieran. 
En 1926 Salvador Dali fue expulsado de la Academia de Bellas Artes, en Espana, por negarse a dar sus examenes con los profesores del momento. El discutia que eran unos idiotas que no sabian nada de arte. Nos hemos olvidado de los nombres de esos profesores...mientras que sabemos muy bien quien es Dali: un genio.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Paris View

Paris View, watercolor, 12x5" (30x13cm.) One of my Paris series. Sold yesterday at La Jolla Art Gallery, California.
In "Styles in Painting", Paul Zucker says: "originality develops only with growth".  "Original forms of expression will arise under preassure of some urgent spiritual need." Food for thought.
Paris View, acuarela, una de mis pinturas de la serie Paris. Vendida ayer en La Jolla Art Gallery, California. En "Styles in Painting", Pau Zucker dice: "la originalidad se desarrolla solo con el crecimiento". "Formas originales de expresion apareceran bajo la presion de una necesidad espiritual urgente." Algo para pensar.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Salle Wallon, Cauterets

Salle Wallon, Cauterets, watercolor, 12x9" (30x22cm.) Available, $ 300.00 US. This is actually the view from the Salle Wallon, in the City Hall of Cauterets, France. When I teach watercolor and pastel workshops for the Office de Tourisme in Cauterets, I use this room, which I love. It is a large wooden floor room, with big windows overlooking the beautiful town, and one mirrored wall. What more can you ask for?
Salle Wallon, Cauterets, acuarela, disponible. En realidad, esta es la vista desde una ventana de la Salle Wallon, en la Intendencia de Cauterets, Francia. Cuando doy mis cursos de acuarela y pastel para la Oficina de Turismo en Cauterets, utilizo esta sala, que amo. Es una sala grande, con piso de madera, y grandes ventanas que miran a la hermosa ciudad, con una pared toda de espejo. Que mas se puede pedir?

Friday, November 25, 2011

Moorea Mood

Moorea Mood, watercolor, 8x10, available at SDAI: Museum of the Living Artist, Balboa Park, San Diego, California. $ 100.-
I recently read Paul Zucker's STYLES IN PAINTING, a comparative study. I found this book at a used book store in Hillcrest, a bohemian neighborhood of San Diego, California. He talks about the dual nature of artistic creation: on a first level it is a record of the artist's plastic vision. On another level, he says, the environment, traditions, political and economic circumstances, religious beliefs, etc. exert a powerful influence on the artist's creations.
Moorea Mood, acuarela, disponible en: San Diego Art Institute: Museum of the Living Artist, Balboa Park, San Diego, California: $100 US.
Hace poco lei un estudio comparativo escrito por Paul Zucker titulado: STYLES IN PAINTING. Encontre este libro en una libreria de libros usados en Hillcrest, un barrio bohemio de San Diego, California. El autor habla de la naturaleza doble de la creacion artistica: en un primer nivel, es un record de la vision plastica del artista. A otro nivel, dice Zucker, el medio ambiente, las tradiciones, las circumstancias politicas y economicas, las creencias religiosas, etc. ejercen una influencia importante en las creaciones del/a artista.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Constance's Vase

Constance's Vase, watercolor, 16x12". Available at  SDAI: Museum of the Living Artist for $200.- House of Charm, Balboa Park, San Diego, California. Reception Saturday, November 26th, 5:00-8:00pm.
When you're a beginner, quantity over quality is the motto. As you have more experience, you can concentrate on quality: brushstroke, value, color temperature, composition, etc.
Constance's Vase, acuarela, disponible en la exhibicion en Museo del Artista Viviente, en la House of Charm, Balboa Park, San Diego, California. La recepcion es este sabado 26 de noviembre, de 5 a 8 de la tarde. 
Cuando eres un principiante, la cantidad mas que la calidad es tu trabajo. Luego, al ganar mas experiencia, puedes concentrarte en la calidad de tu trabajo: pincelada, escala de valores, temperatura del color, composicion, etc.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Amore Toscano

Amore Toscano, watercolor, 2007. 22x30" (55x75cm.) framed, available at SDAI: Museum of the Living Artist, Balboa Park, San Diego, California, for the next two weeks for $300.- Reception on Saturday, November 26th, 5:00-8:00pm. Come one, come all!!!
Amore Toscano, acuarela, disponible en Museo de Artistas Vivientes, Balboa Park, San Diego, California, por las proximas dos semanas por $300 dolares. Recepcion el sabado 26 de noviembre, de 5 a 8 de la tarde. Vengan todos!!!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Sevilla!

Sevilla! watercolor on Yupo, 17x23" (43x57cm.) framed, $200 US at SDAI: Museum of the Living Artist, Balboa Park, San Diego, California. Opening Reception Saturday November 26th, 5:00-8:00pm. This show is called: "C-NOTE", because all the paintings in this show are either 100, 200 or 300 dollars, and you take the painting you like off the wall, walk to the tables set up at the exit, pay and take the painting home with you. It's a fun and very popular show. People wait in line before doors open, so come early!!
Sevilla! acuarela sobre papel Yupo. Esta pintura esta por $200 dolares en SDAI: Museo del Artista Viviente, Balboa Park, San Diego, California. La recepcion de apertura es el sabado 26 de noviembre, de 5:00 a 8:00 de la tarde. Este show se llama "C-Note" porque todas las pinturas en este show valen 100, 200 o 300 dolares, y tu sacas la pintura de la pared, vas a las mesas dispuestas a la salida, pagas y te llevas la pintura a casa contigo. Es un sistema divertido y muy popular. La gente espera en cola antes de que abran las puertas, asi que ven temprano!

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Cascade de Loutour, France

Cascade de Loutour, France, watercolor, 16x12". Available: $300.-shipping unframed included.
"Don't be fixated on making a good painting. You can't be afraid of making a bad painting if you are going to learn." Diana Horowitz.
Cascade de Loutour, France, acuarela. "No te obsesiones con hacer una pintura perfecta. No debes tener miedo de hacer una mala pintura si vas a aprender." Diana Horowitz.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

After the Rain

After the Rain, watercolor, 16x10" (40x25cm.) This watercolor is on its way to Pool Art Fair, South Beach, Miami, Florida, where it will be part of the exhibition from December 1-4. Available at the Fair for $600.-
Study the golden section: you should try to master the principles of design, so that you can build a composition organically. Some masters believe that color should always be secondary to a good design.
After The Rain, acuarela. Esta acuarela esta en camino hacia Pool Art Fair, South Beach, Miami, Florida, donde participara en la exhibicion del 1-4 diciembre. Disponible en la Pool Art Fair por $600.-
Debes estudiar la section dorada: hay que tratar de dominar los principios de diseno, para poder construir una composicion de manera organica. Algunos Maestros creen que el color debe estar siempre subordinado a un buen diseno.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Ancien Apart de Chris et Ger

Ancien Apart de Chris et Ger, watercolor, 12x17 cm., painted on location, from the window of my friends Christopher and Geraldine's apartment, in Toulouse, France. They have just bought a house, so their apartment is now "the old apartment".
Ancien Apart de Chris et Ger, acuarela, pintada desde la ventana del departamento de  mis amigos Christopher y Geraldine, en Toulouse, Francia. Ellos acaban de comprarse una casa, asi que el departamento es ahora "el viejo departamento".

Saturday, November 12, 2011

California Trails

California Trails, watercolor, 12x17cm. Available, $ 100.00, US shipping included.
Recently my friend Rose from Florida asked me what to do when you can't decide where to start, what to paint, what medium to use, in other words, when you're stuck. My advice to her, and to myself, because it's easier for me to tell somebody else, but sometimes I need it, too, is this: Paint NOW for 30 minutes, whatever is in front of you, even your own feet (I've done it). Decide this is Watercolor Week, and work only in watercolor for a week. Then change to pastels. Or oils. Or acrylics.  You're the captain of your ship. Tell that lazy sailor of yourself what to do, and you want it done immediately!
California Trails, acuarela, 12x17 cm. Disponible: $100.00, envio dentro de US incluido.
Hace poco mi amiga Rose de Florida me pregunto que hacer cuando uno no se decide por donde empezar, que tecnica emplear, etc. Blanqueo total. Mi aviso para ella, y para mi misma, pues a veces yo me siento igual, es este: Pinta YA durante 30 minutos, lo que este al frente tuyo, aunque sean tus pies (yo lo he hecho). Decide que esta sera la semana de la acuarela, y trabaja solo en acuarela por una semana. Luego cambias a pastel. U oleo. O acrilico. Tu eres el capitan de tu barco. Dile al marinero holgazan que eres lo que hay que hacer, y lo que quieres hecho immediatamente!

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Sandpiper Nostalgia

Sandpiper Nostalgia, watercolor, 14x22" (35x55cm.) Available, $400 US, shipping unframed included.
Tonalist Painters were associated with Romanticism, following from the Barbizon School in France. American Tonalism is a painting style characterized by moody effects that follow from the broad handling of saturated paint, vague linear marks, and harmonious color.
Sandpiper Nostalgia, acuarela, disponible: ver precio arriba, envio sin enmarcar esta incluido.
Los pintores Tonalistas estuvieron asociados con el Romanticismo, siguiendo la Escuela Barbizon en Francia. El Tonalismo Americano es un estilo de pintar caracterizado por efectos temperamentales, sentimentales, que resultan del manejo ligero de pinceles saturados de pintura, con marcas vagas, y colores harmoniosos.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Driving to L.A. in the Rain II

Driving to L.A. in the Rain II, watercolor, 4x6" (10x15cm.). This painting and the one I published yesterday were painted on the same trip from San Diego to Los Angeles, California, in the car, in the rain, while my husband was driving. I paint every day, but I usually don't publish the painting the same day, since it requires photographing the painting, and downloading the image to my laptop before I can use it.
The statistics of my Blog say I have about 200 visitors a day from all over the world. If you like my work, please become a follower.
Driving to L.A. in the Rain II (Conduciendo a L.A. en la lluvia II ) Esta pintura y la que publique ayer fueron pintadas en el mismo viaje de San Diego a Los Angeles, California, en el auto, en la lluvia, mientras mi esposo conducia. Yo pinto todos los dias, pero generalmente no publico la pintura hech en ese mismo dia, puesto que debo fotografiarla y bajar la imagen a mi laptop antes de usarla.
Las estadisticas de mi Blog dicen que tengo alrededor de 200 visitantes por dia, de todo el mundo. Si te gusta mi trabajo, por favor, hazte un "follower".

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Driving to L.A. in the Rain

Driving to L.A. in the Rain, watercolor, 4x6" (10x15cm.) This is what I do while my husband drives: I paint, no matter the weather. A word about Complimentary Colors: they set up a tension in the nervous system of the eye, making each color appear more exciting, and more intense. Think of Van Gogh's blue and orange! Think of the shopping enticements coming up soon, with decorations in green and red!
Driving to L.A. in the Rain, (Conduciendo a Los Angeles en la lluvia) acuarela. Esto es lo que hago mientras mi esposo conduce: Yo pinto, no importa que tiempo hace. Una palabra sobre los Colores Complementarios: ellos establecen tension en el sistema nervioso del ojo, haciendo que cada color aparezca mas excitante, y mas intenso. Piensa en Van Gogh, y sus azules y naranjas! Piensa en las atracciones de compras que vendran pronto, con decoraciones en rojo y verde!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Parc Gouvieux

Parc Gouvieux, watercolor, 13x17cm. Lovely park near Chantilly, France.
The four qualities of color are: Intensity, Temperature, Value and Hue. Regarding intensity, for better use of your money: buy bright colors that you can dull if needed. It's much harder to brighten up a dull color.
Parc Couvieux, acuarela. Hermoso parque cerca de Chantilly, Francia.
Las cuatro cualidades del color son: Intensidad, Temperatura, Valor y Color. Con respecto a la intensidad, es mejor uso de tu dinero comprar colores brillantes, que siempre se pueden apagar si es necesario. Es mucho mas dificil hacer mas brillante un color apagado.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Biarritz-17 Juillet

Biarritz-17 Juillet, watercolor, 4x6" (10x15cm.) Available, $100 US. I painted this watercolor the afternoon I visited my grand-daughter Alejandra in Biarritz, France. It was a cloudy, windy, sometimes rainy and cold day at the beach.
More on Delacroix: His father didn't want him to be a painter. When he was 18years old, he lost his father and his fortune. He was poor and free, so he became a painter!
Biarritz, 17 Juillet, acuarela, disponible. Esta acuarela la pinte la tarde que visite mi nieta Alejandra en Biarritz, Francia. Estaba nublado, ventoso, lloviznando un poco y frio ese dia en la playa.
Mas sobre Delacroix: Su padre no queria que fuera pintor. Cuando tenia 18 anos perdio su padre y su fortuna. Pobre y libre, se hizo pintor!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Pont St.Louis, Porto


Pont St. Louis, Porto, Portugal. Watercolor in my travel journal, 4x6" (10x15cm.) Designed by Eiffel, a couple of years difference with the famous Tower in Paris, this bridge looks like the Eiffel Tower lying down! I'm thinking of Delacroix, and his incredible infancy full of accidents. Few babies have gone through what he did: by the age of three, Eugene Delacroix had survived being hung, almost drowned, poisoned,  and strangled.
Puente St. Louis, Porto, Portugal. Acuarela en mi cuaderno de viajes. Disenada por Eiffel, con unos pocos anos de diferencia de la famosa Torre en Paris, este puente parece la Torre Eiffel acostada! 
Estoy pensando en Delacroix, y su increible infancia llena de accidentes. Pocos bebes han sobrevivido lo que sobrevivio: a la edad de tres anos, Eugene Delacroix ya habia sobrevivido de estar casi colgado, envenenado, ahogado, y estrangulado.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Les Vedettes de la Nonette

Les Vedettes de la Nonette, acrylic on canvas, 81x100cm.
This painting is totally autobiographic and just for fun. My friend Mireille and I had bought these hats in Paris, and decided to go for a picnic near this beautiful lazy river: "La Nonette", in Chantilly, about 30 km. north of Paris. We had a lot of fun trying to place the camera so that we could get our picture taken. Finally we did. Last week, I decided to paint our fun picnic experience, and...voila! "Les Vedettes de la Nonette".
Les Vedettes de la Nonette, acrilico sobre tela.
Esta pintura es totalmente autobiografica y solo por divertirme. Mi amiga Mireille y yo habiamos comprado estos sombreros en Paris y decidimos hacer un picnic en este hermoso y lento rio: "La Nonette", en Chantilly, unos 30 km. al norte de Paris. Nos divertimos mucho tratando de acomodar la camara para sacarnos una foto. Finalmente lo logramos. La semana pasada decidi pintar nuestra divertida experiencia del picnic, y...voila! "Las Vedettes de la Nonette".

Friday, October 21, 2011

Table `a Peinture de Delacroix

Table `a Peinture de Delacroix, watercolor in my travel journal. When I visited the Delacroix Museum in Paris a couple of months ago, I made this watercolor of his beautiful wood cabinet/table for his paints. I work from one made of aluminum and plastic from IKEA, very practical.
Table `a Peinture de Delacroix, acuarela en mi cuaderno de viajes. Cuando visite el Museo Delacroix en Paris hace un par de meses, pinte esta acuarela de la bellisima mesa/gabinete que el tenia para sus pinturas. Yo trabajo con una mesa de aluminio y plastico de IKEA, muy practica.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Cuisine de Nat et Fred

Cuisine de Nat et Fred, watercolor, 10x15cm. Available: 100 Euros, ou $140 US.
When I was in Paris a couple of months ago, one of the museums I enjoyed very much was "Musee Quai Branly" where different cultures "meet in dialogue" they say. A pathway of words projected like a river in movement lures you into the entrance to the main hall, where five continents open their artistic wealth to the visitor: Oceanie, Asie, Afrique, Amerique, Europe...c'est si beau!
Cuisine de Nat et Fred, acuarela, disponible. 
Cuando estuve en Paris hace dos meses, uno de los museos que mas disfrute fue el "Musee Quai Branly" donde diferentes culturas "se encuentran en dialogo", dicen ellos. Un camino de palabras proyectadas como un rio en movimiento te atrae hacia la entrada del salon principal, donde cinco continentes abren sus riquezas artisticas al visitante: Oceania, Asia, Africa, America, Europa....c'est si beau!

Monday, October 17, 2011

La Donna

La Donna, acrylic on canvas, 26x20" (65x50cm) Available: $695 US. This painting can be seen during October and November at "Petrini's Restaurant", in Little Italy, San Diego, California.
Astor Piazzola was born in Mar del Plata, grew up in New York. All his life he kept living a few years in each city, so both influenced his music very much. He loved jazz, and he wrote tangos that feel like jazz.
La Donna, acrilico sobre tela. Disponible. Esta pintura se puede ver durante Octubre y Noviembre en el restaurante "Petrini's", en Little Italy, San Diego, California. 
Astor Piazzola nacio en Mar del Plata, crecio en New York. Toda su vida vivio algunos anos en cada lugar, asi que ambas ciudades influenciaron mucho su musica. El amaba el jazz, y escribio tangos que se sienten como jazz. 

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Ma Fenetre `a La Tourette

Ma Fenetre `a La Tourette, watercolor, 12x18cm. Available, 100 Euros, or $140 US.
Taoist Lao Tzu warned in the Tao Teh Ching (year 300 B.C.) "The five colors blind the eye. The five tones deafen the ear. The five flavors cloy the palate. Racing and hunting madden the mind. Rare goods tempt men to do wrong. " The five traditional colors in China were black, white, yellow, red and green.
Ma Fenetre `a La Tourette, acuarela, disponible.
Taoista Lao Tzu avisaba en el Tao Teh Ching (escrito en el ano 300 A.J.C.) "Los cinco colores enceguecen la vista. Los cinco tonos dejan sordo. Los cinco sabores arruinan el paladar. Corridas de carreras y caza vuelven loca la mente. Las delicias exoticas tientan a los hombres a portarse mal." Los cinco colores tradicionales en China eran el negro, blanco, amarillo, rojo y verde.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Chateau Fort de Lourdes

Chateau Fort de Lourdes, France, watercolor, 15x23cm. Available: 150 Euros or $ 220 US. Painted on location, in the gardens of the castle/fort in Lourdes a few days ago. The Occitan flag is in plain view. You can see the several churches of Lourdes and the river: Gave de Pau from the castle's excellent situation on top of the hill. The museum of the castle has a great collection of Middle Age weapons and agricultural instruments, as well as typical period clothes and china table-ware.
Chateau Fort de Lourdes, Francia, acuarela. Disponible. Pintada en el lugar, en los jardines del castillo/fuerte de Lourdes hace unos dias. La bandera Occitana esta a plena vista. Se pueden ver las distintas iglesias de Lourdes y el rio: Gave de Pau, desde el castillo, ya que esta situado muy convenientemente en la cima de la colina. El museo del castillo tiene una buena coleccion de armas e instrumentos de agricultura de la Edad Media, y ropa y servicio de mesa tipicos del periodo.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Camino de Santiago

Camino de Santiago, watercolor, 12x18cm. Available: 100 Euros or $140 US. Painted on the road to Santiago de Compostela.
Lapiz lazuli provided more than blue color for artists when ground. In the 13th Century, some of the virtues attributed to it were: relief of pains in the eyes and forehead, and of ulcers in the tongue; it also encouraged chastity and offered protection against fraud, envy and terrors....yes....I've read it in a book: Color in Art, by John Gage.
Camino de Santiago, acuarela, disponible. Pintada en el camino a Santiago de Compostela.
Lapiz lazuli proveia mas que el color azul para artistas cuando se lo  molia. En el siglo XIII, algunas de las virtudes que se le atribuian eran: calmaba los dolores de ojos y frente, de ulceras de la lengua, y tambien ayudaba a mantener castidad, y ofrecia proteccion contra el fraude, la envidia y los terrores...si...lo he leido en un libro: Color en el Arte, escrito por John Gage.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

King Louis

King Louis, pencil and charcoal on paper, 8x5" (20x13 cm.), 2001. Available: $200 US mailing included within USA.
In addition to a physics and a chemistry, color has a geography. Let's take indigo as an example: In the Middle Ages, the best indigo blue came from Baghdad, in modern Iraq. The blue that is still the most expensive natural pigment is manufactured from the semi-precious lapiz-lazuli, until recently mined in Afghanistan only. It is often called "ultramarine", because it comes from "beyond the sea".
King Louis, lapiz y carbon sobre papel. Disponible : $ 200 dolares, precio de envio incluido dentro de USA. 
Ademas de una fisica y una quimica, el color tiene una geografia. Por ejemplo el indigo: en la Edad Media el mejor indigo venia de Baghdad, en el Iraq de hoy. El azul que todavia es el pigmento natural mas caro es el lapiz-lazuli, hasta hace poco solo se conseguia en Afghanistan. A menudo se le llama "ultramarino", porque viene de "mas alla del mar". 

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Lucrezia

Lucrezia, oil on canvas, 24x20" (60x50 cm.) Sold in San Diego, California.
William Turner was a pioneer in abandoning the old belief that pictures should have a predominantly warm tonality, which was actually the result of old yellowing varnish. He had the idea of "cool collaboration", and used it for the subject of fire and water, in his painting: "The Burning of the Houses of Lords and Commons" (1834).
Lucrezia, oleo sobre canvas. Vendida en San Diego, California.
William Turner fue un pionero en abandonar la vieja creencia que las pinturas debian tener una tonalidad predominantemente calida, que en realidad era el resultado del barniz viejo volviendose amarillo. El tenia la idea de la colaboracion de los colores frios, que uso para el fuego y el agua en su pintura: "El incendio de las Casas del Parlamento". (1834).