In Monet's Garden

In Monet's Garden is a small watercolor (7x9") I painted standing there in Monet's Garden at Giverny last Spring. The wisterias in bloom were exquisite. There was so much to chose from, so many flowers, that it was very hard to make a decision about what to put on the page. This is a quick watercolor on my journal. "In Monet's Garden" es una pequena acuarela de 17x23 cm. que pinte la primavera pasada alli en los jardines de Monet in Giverny. Las wisterias estaban exquisitamente florecidas. Habia tanto para elegir, tantas flores, que era muy dificil decidir que poner en el papel. Esta es una acuarela rapida de mi cuaderno de pinturas diarias.

Pierre Bonard has said: "Il ne s'agit pas de peindre la vie, il s'agit de rendre vivante la peinture". "It's not a matter of painting life, but of giving life to the painting". He used to nail the canvas to the wall to paint, he didn't need an easel. He didn't like "great installations" to paint. He loved his houses and used to represent them with geometrical designs, and with special care like Vermeer. Bonnard considered the work of art as time stopped for a moment. He hated to paint outdoors, when all his contemporaries were painting "plein air", he continued painting indoors. Of all the different stages of his oeuvre, it is the COLOR that makes his paintings. Pierre Bonnard ha dicho: "No se trata de pintar la vida, sino de darle vida a la pintura". El solia clavar la tela a la pared para pintar, no necesitaba un caballete. No le gustaban las "grandes instalaciones". Solia representar sus casas con diseno geometricos y con mucho cuidado, como Vermeer. Bonnard consideraba la obra de arte como detenida en el tiempo. El odiaba pintar al aire libre, cuando todo el mundo estaba pintando "plein air", el seguia pintando adentro. De todas las etapas de su obra, siempre es el COLOR el que gana la pintura.

Statue in Trocadero Gardens

Statue in Trocadero Gardens, watercolor from my Paris journal 2009, 9x7" (22x17 cm.) Estatua en los jardines de Trocadero, acuarela de mis cuadernos de Paris del 2009.

When I was in Paris last Spring, one day I went to paint in Trocadero gardens for a couple of hours. I sat on some steps overlooking the Eiffel Tower, with big statues on my left side. The statues had many female characters in different positions. Here on the left is my watercolor of that statue. As I was finishing, a young man approached me and asked me if I could paint a portrait of his sister from a picture he had of her, and the Eiffel Tower behind her. I loved the challenge! We agreed on the price and the time I needed to do it, and he left. When he came back, he was very pleased with my work. He left quite happy with his new painting, and I left with a little money, this watercolor of a statue, and great satisfaction on meeting a fun challenge. Cuando estaba en Paris la primavera pasada, un dia fui a pintar a los jardines de Trocadero por un par de horas. Me sente en unos escalones mirando hacia la Torre Eiffel, teniendo grandes estatuas a mi izquierda. Las estatuas tenian formas femeninas en diferentes posiciones. Aqui a la izquierda ven mi acuarela de una estatua. Cuando estaba terminando, un hombre joven se me aproximo y me pregunto si yo podria pintar un retrato de su hermana, con la Torre Eiffel detras. Me encanto el desafio! Nos pusimos de acuerdo en el precio y el tiempo que yo necesitaba para hacerlo, y el se fue. Cuando regreso estuvo muy contento con mi trabajo. El partio feliz con su nueva pintura, y yo parti con mas dinero, esta acuarela de una estatua, y gran satisfaccion de haber cumplido con exito un desafio divertido.

Summer Palace

Summer Palace, oil, 22x28"(55x70cm.) is hanging at Petrini's Restaurant, in Little Italy, San Diego, California. As I said in my previous Blog entry, I have recently changed the exhibit there, this is also part of "Impressions of Little Italy...and Beyond". Summer Palace, oleo, tambien es parte de la exhibicion en el restaurante Petrini que acabo de cambiar, llamada: "Impresiones de Little Italy...y mas alla".

I'd like to invite all of you to come to Carlsbad on Saturday, May 1st, for the SD Museum of Art Artists Guild's exhibit, at the Front Porch Gallery. The reception will be 12:00 to 3:00pm. I've presented my "Falling Stones" painting for that exhibit. You can see "Falling Stones" in a previous Blog. So depending on where you live, if you like my work, you can see it "live" this week at the following venues in California and France. And as usual, you can see my work on the net in four places: this blog, my website: www.minnievaleroart.com , the San Diego Museum of Art Artist Guild page: www.sdmaag.org , and on ArtSlant, international.

-San Diego Watercolor Society, San Diego, CA.

-Front Porch Gallery, Carlsbad, CA.

-City of Brea Art Gallery "Made in California Exhibit", Brea, CA.

-Petrini's Restaurant, solo exhibition, on going, San Diego, CA.

-Au Village Galerie, Saint-Savin, France.

-Bordenave Immobiliere et Galerie, Cauterets, France.

-Les Amis des Arts de Verfeil Galerie, Verfeil, France.

Los invito a todos a venir a Carlsbad el sabado 1ro. de mayo, a la exhibicion del Museo de Arte de San Diego Liga de Artistas, en la galeria Front Porch. La recepcion tendra lugar de 12:00 a 3:00pm. He presentado alli mi "Falling Stones". Pueden ver "Falling Stones" en un blog anterior. Asi que depende de donde vivan, si les gusta mi trabajo, lo pueden ver "en vivo" en los lugares indicados arriba esta semana. Y como siempre, en la internet, en cuatro lugares: este blog, mi pagina web: www.minnievaleroart.com ,en la pagina web del Museo de Arte de San Diego Artists Guild: www.sdmaag.org , y en ArtSlant, international.

Reflection

Reflection, oil, 28x22" (70x55cm) is part of the new solo exhibition at Petrini's Restaurant, in Little Italy, San Diego, California. Last Saturday, April 24th, I took out the unsold paintings from last year's show, and decorated the walls of the restaurant with new oils of this series I call: "Impressions of Little Italy...and Beyond".

Next Saturday, May 1st, opens a new exhibit by San Diego Museum of Art Artist Guild members at the Front Porch Gallery, in Carlsbad, California. Reception is 12:00 to 3:00pm. You are invited.

This week, you can also see my work at the San Diego Watercolor Society, in California, at the Verfeil Art Gallery in Verfeil, France. Life is Art. Art is Good. Life is Good.

Smooth Sailing

Smooth Sailing, oil, 10x10" (25x25cm.) This is one of my new oils in exhibition since Saturday, April 24th at Petrini's Restaurant in Little Italy, San Diego, California. This is an on-going exclusive exhibition, this year it is called: "Impressions of Little Italy...and Beyond." All the paintings have been inspired by living for a few months in San Diego, with its beautiful bay, coastline, hills, gardens. I will be showing more of the paintings in this exhibition, in my blog. Stay tuned.

Smooth Sailing, oleo. Este oleo es uno de los nuevos en exhibicion desde el sabado 24 de abril en el restaurante Petrini's en Little Italy, San Diego, California. Esta es una exhibicion continua y exclusiva, que este ano la llamo: "Impresiones de Little Italy...y mas alla". Todas las pinturas de esta colleccion fueron inspiradas al vivir por unos meses en San Diego, con su hermosa bahia, costa, colinas, jardines. Mostrare mas pinturas de esta coleccion en el blog. Mantenganse alerta.

Passion

Passion, oil, 33x46 cm. (16x23"). This is one of five portraits in exhibit at Les Amis des Arts de Verfeil Art Gallery, in Verfeil, France. Opening-reception was yesterday Saturday April 24th. Pasion, oleo. Este es uno de los cinco retratos en exhibicion ahora en la Galeria de Arte Les Amis des Arts de Verfeil, en la ciudad de Verfeil, Francia. La recepcion fue ayer sabado 24 de abril.

One of the museums I enjoyed very much in Paris last year was the Dali Museum in Montmartre. I have found a quote in my notes but don't know who said it: "La oi il y a Dali, je ne m'ennuie jamais." (Where there is a Dali, I never get bored.) I love it because it is so appropriate! This museum has more than 300 original works by Dali, the largest collection of Dali's works in France. Two of Dali's obsessions were: fire, and women with drawers. This refers to the mystery of hidden secrets. Salvador Dali said: "I am in a state of permanent intellectual erection." Uno de los museos que mas disfrute cuando estuve en Paris el ano pasado fue el Museo Dali en Montmartre. He encontrado una frase en mis notas, pero no se quien la dijo: "Alli donde esta Dali, nunca me aburro."Me encanta porque se aplica tan bien! Este museo tiene mas de 300 obras originales de Dali, la coleccion de obras de Dali mayor en Francia. Dos obsesiones de Dali eran: el fuego, y las mujeres con cajones. Esto se refiere al misterio de secretos escondidos. Salvador Dali ha dicho: "Yo estoy en un estado constante de ereccion intelectual."

Dig Wayne

Dig Wayne, pastel sketch, 7x5" (18x12.5 cm.) Dig Wayne is an actor. I was having dinner with Dig and the family one night last month, and just did this quick sketch while waiting to be served. He liked it, and is now in his home in Los Angeles. Dig Wayne is actor. Una noche del mes pasado, yo estaba cenando con el y la familia. Hice este bosquejo mientras esperabamos que nos sirvieran la cena. A el le gusto, y esta ahora en su casa en Los Angeles.



"Patience, Planning and Practice" is the best advice I ever got. I've heard about "marinating ideas", I like to think about "digesting ideas", but whatever the expression, it means the same: A good painting requires those three Ps: Patience, Planning and Practice. I practice all the time, and I know that's the reason I've improved in the past few years, lots of practice. I've also learned to plan my paintings better, and to be patient about them. I've wanted patience so badly, I've insisted: "I want my patience right now!"just kidding, I'm still striving to reach those goals, and "patience" is the most difficult for me to obtain. "Tener Paciencia, Planear y Practicar" es el mejor consejo que he tenido. He escuchado "marinar las ideas", pero a mi me gusta la expresion "digerir las ideas", el sentido es el mismo: Una buena pintura requiere esas tres Ps: Paciencia, Planeamiento, y Practica. Yo practico todo el tiempo, y se que esa es la razon que mi trabajo ha mejorado en los ultimos anos, mucha practica. Tambien he aprendido a planear mis pinturas mejor, y a tener paciencia. Tanto he deseado tener paciencia, que he insistido: "Quiero mi paciencia ahora mismo!"bromas aparte, todavia estoy luchando para cumplir esos objetivos, y "paciencia" es el mas dificil para mi.

Searching

Searching, oil, 10x10" (25x25cm.) is one of the paintings of this year's solo exhibit at Petrini's. Petrini's Restaurant is in the corner of Ash and India Sts. in Little Italy, San Diego, California. "Searching" oleo, es una de las pinturas en exhibicion en el restaurante "Petrini's", en la esquina de las calles Ash e India, en la zona de Little Italy, en la ciudad de San Diego, California.

When David Petrini opened his restaurant in March 2006, he offered me his walls to decorate with my paintings. It was a dream come true for me, since I was just starting as a professional artist. Through these past four years, we have established a relationship of trust and appreciation for each other's work. Petrini's and its wonderful staff have been kind and generous about exhibiting and promoting my work. When you come to San Diego, please come to Petrini's for breakfast, lunch or dinner, the artwork is mine, and the food is heavenly!!!Cuando David Petrini abrio su restaurante en marzo del 2006, me ofrecio sus paredes para decorar con mis pinturas. Para mi era un sueno hecho realidad, puesto que yo estaba comenzando mi carrera de artista profesional. A traves de estos cuatro anos, hemos establecido una relacion de confianza y apreciacion por el trabajo de cada uno. Petrini's y su maravilloso grupo de empleados han sido generosos y amables con la exhibicion e incluso la promocion de mi trabajo. Cuando vengan a San Diego, por favor vengan a Petrini's a desayunar, almorzar o cenar, el arte en las paredes es mio, y la comida es de los dioses!!!

U Cop U Gnac

U Cop U Gnac , oil, 27x46cm.(15x23"). This is an expression in Occitain, the language originally spoken in the Pyrenees, before it was "France" or "Spain" on each side. "U cop u gnac" means a drink and a bite, probably something like our modern "happy hour". David, the Chef, and his wife own this restaurant in Cauterets, now the "French" Pyrenees, and he enjoys being in pictures with his white goat. I painted him in the corner of his corner restaurant. This painting was exhibited at the Library of Cauterets last year, and is now in David's home. U Cop U Gnac es una expresion en el idioma Occitain, que se hablaba originalmente en los Pirineos, antes que fueran "franceses" o "espanoles". U Cop U Gnac significa una copa y un bocado, quizas algo como la "happy hour" de hoy. David, el Chef, y su esposa son duenos de este restaurante en Cauterets, ahora en los Pirineos "franceses", y disfruta estar en fotos con su cabra blanca. Yo lo pinte en la esquina de su restaurante de la esquina. Esta pintura fue exhibida en la Biblioteca de Cauterets el ano pasado, y ahora esta en el hogar de David.

Occitain was the language and culture of a wide area of the Pyrenees, (now the South-West of France, and the North-East of Spain) where they lived in peace for hundreds of years, it was a matriarcal society. Then around the year 1100, the Christians came from the East, the French from the North, conquered the towns, killed men, women and children, burnt their houses and castles, and made this land "French and Christian" in a little over 100 years. So even though this happened 800 years ago, there is still some resentment about "the French" by those who consider themselves Occitains. There are street and restaurant signs, classes in school, and even rock bands in Occitain in this area. Occitain era el idioma y la cultura de una amplia zona de los Pirineos (ahora el Sudoeste de Francia y el Nordeste de Espana) donde la gente vivia en paz por cientos de anos, era una sociedad matriarcal. Pero alrededor del ano 1100, los Cristianos vinieron del Este, y los Franceses del Norte, conquistaron sus ciudades, mataron a sus hombres, mujeres y ninos, quemaron sus casa y castillos y transformaron las tierras en "Francesa y Cristiana" en apenas 100 anos. Aunque esto ocurrio hace unos 800 anos, todavia hay resentimiento acerca de los "franceses" por aquellos que se consideran Occitanos. Hay senalizacion, negocios y restaurantes, clases en escuelas, y hasta bandas de rock en Occitain in esta zona.

Les Toits de Cauterets

Les Toits de Cauterets, watercolor on yupo, 20x26" (50x65cm.) Painted on location, in the town of Cauterets, France. It is now in the home of Herve and Danielle Hoursiangou, Bordeaux, France. Los Techos de Cauterets, acuarela. Pintado en la ciudad de Cauterets, Francia. Esta pintura esta ahora en el hogar de Herve y Danielle Hoursiangou, Bordeaux, Francia.

The book COMPOSITION, A Painter's Guide to Basic Problems and Solutions, written by David Friend, has a Foreword by Dr. Joseph Bogen, M.D. It is not common to find a neurosurgeon writing a foreword for an art book. The reason is because he believes, according to his research, that art is invaluable toward the development of the "other" side of the brain, the right side. His findings are that the brain is double, that each cerebral hemisphere is capable of functioning independently and in a different manner. The implications for education in general and for art educators in particular, are far reaching. The bottom line: doing art is good for you! El libro COMPOSICION, una guia de problemas basicos y soluciones para el pintor, escrito por David Friend, tiene un prologo escrito por el doctor Joseph Bogen. No es comun encontrar que un neurocirujano ha escrito un prologo para un libro de arte. La razon es porque el cree, de acuerdo con su investigacion, que el arte es muy valioso para desarrollar el "otro" lado del cerebro, el lado derecho. Sus resultados son que el cerebro es doble, que cada hemisferio es capaz de funcionar independientemente y de una manera diferente. Esto es muy importante para la educacion en general y para los maestros de arte en particular. En el fondo: pintar es bueno para ti!

L'Abbe' Pierre

L'Abbe' Pierre, watercolor, 35x27.5 cm. (15x11"). L'Abbe Pierre was a generous, common sense, intelligent, kind, hard working priest in France who created a strong organization to help the poor, EMAUS. He practiced what he preached, and worked side by side with the volunteers. I did this watercolor after reading the book about his life and works. The painting now hangs in the home of Ms. Mireille Lesclous, in Argeles-Gazost, France.
L'Abbe' Pierre, acuarela. El cura Pierre fue un sacerdote generoso, con sentido comun, inteligente, amable, trabajador, en Francia. El creo una organizacion muy fuerte para ayudar a los pobres, EMAUS. El practicaba lo que decia, trabajando lado a lado con los voluntarios. Yo hice esta acuarela cuando termine de leer el libro sobre su vida y sus trabajos. Esta pintura esta en el hogar de la Sra. Mireille Lesclous, en Argeles-Gazost, Francia.

Los Vendedores de Flores

Los Vendedores de Flores, watercolor, 6x4 (15x10 cm.) was painted "plein air" in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. It is one of the paintings sold yesterday at Laurel Milne's event: "For the Love of Laurel". It hangs now in the home of Ms. Onstance Robinson, in San Diego, California. Esta acuarela fue pintada al aire libre en San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Es una de las pinturas vendidas ayer en el evento para Laurel Milne: "Por el Amor a Laurel". Ahora cuelga en el hogar de la Sra. Onstance Robinson, en San Diego, California.

If detail and light define the focal point in a painting, ambiguity, lack of detail, darkness, give it relief. We artists create an illusion, so when we paint something, we must prioritize: what goes into the painting, what is left out. We are the conductors of our symphony, brushes, colors, canvas, paper, they are our instruments of enjoyment and play. Now let's go play! Si detalles y luz definen el punto focal en una pintura, ambiguedad, falta de detalle, oscuridad, le dan descanso. Nosotros los artistas creamos una ilusion, asi que cuando pintamos algo, debemos organizar las prioridades: que va en la pintura, y que queda afuera. Somos los conductores de nuestra sinfonia, los pinceles, los colores, la tela, el papel, son nuestros instrumentos y juego. Ahora, vamos a jugar!

Wish You Were Here

Wish You Were Here, acrylic, 12x16" (28x40cm.) was inspired by the beach in Marbella, Spain. It is hanging in the home of Mr. Samir Chala, in San Diego, California. Quisiera Que Estuvieras Aqui, pintura al acrilico, fue inspirada en la playa de Marbella, en Espana. Ahora esta en el hogar del Sr. Samir Chala, en San Diego, California.

Today I'll talk about VALUE and COLOR. People often go for the color, like candy, or brilliant objects it attracts the eye, but the real work in a good piece of art is done by value. Value is the degree of darkness and light. For example, white and black are at the opposite ends of the "value" spectrum, while red and green, so different in COLOR, are often of the same VALUE in a painting. Hoy hablare de VALOR y COLOR. La gente en general gusta del color, como camarelos u objetos brillantes, atraen el ojo, pero una buena pieza de arte esta basada en los valores. El valor es el grado de claridad y obscuridad. Por ejemplo, el blanco y el negro estan al lugar opuesto de la escala de "valor", mientras el rojo y el verde, tan distintos en COLOR, tienen a menudo el mismo VALOR en una pintura.

Thalie

Thalie, acrylic, 77x57 cm. ( ) and Therpsichore (previous Blog) were bought by the city of Cauterets, and are hanging at the City Hall in Cauterets, France. Thalie and Therpsichore are Muses of Drama and Music, the paintings were inspired by the beautiful buildings and statues around town, some of them over 100 years old. Thalie, acrilico, y Therpsichore (ver el Blog anterior) fueron compradas por la ciudad de Cauterets, Francia, y cuelgan en la Municipalidad de dicha ciudad. Thalie y Therpsichore son Musas de Drama y Musica, las pinturas fueron inspiradas por los hermosos edificios y estatuas de la ciudad, algunas tienen mas de 100 anos.

Therpsichore

Therpsichore, acrylic, 77x57 cm (30.5x22.5") is in the City Hall, at Cauterets, France. There is a companion painting, they were both bought by the City of Cauterets. The inspiration for this and its companion painting (next Blog: Thalie), were the buildings and statues in this beautiful town, some of them from the beginning of the 20th Century. Therpsichore, acrilico, esta en la Intendencia de Cauterets, Francia. Tiene una pintura companera, ambos fueron compradas por la Ciudad de Cauterets. La inspiracion para esta pintura y su companera (proximo Blog: Thalie), fueron los edificios y las estatuas de esta hermosa ciudad, algunos de ellos del principio del siglo XX.



I will be painting in Cauterets again this year, plein air painting around town, sponsored by the Office of Tourism, the 2nd and 4th weeks in August. Then I will have a solo exhibit at the Bibliotheque Municipale de Cauterets, from September 1st to the end of October. During the month of October, I will also be teaching "Decouverte de Pastel" and "Decouverte d'aquarelle" for the Office de Tourisme. Come join us! Maximum is 10 people, so sign up early. Voy a estar pintando otra vez en Cauterets este ano, al aire libre por la ciudad, auspiciada por la Oficina de Turismo, la 2da. y 4ta. semanas de agosto. Luego tendre una exhibicion sola en la Biblioteca Municipal de Cauterets, del 1 de septiembre a finales de octubre. Durante el mes de octubre, dare clases "Descubrimiento de pintura al Pastel", y "Descubrimiento de pintura a la acuarela", para la Oficina de Turismo. Ven a pintar con nosostros! Maximo de 10 personas, asi que registrense temprano.

Le Haricot Tarbais

Le Haricot Tarbais, oil, 27x46 cm. (12x18") inspired by the open market in Cauterets, in the French Pyrenees. This painting is in the home of Mme. Brigitte Scellier, France.



Asger Jon (1914-1973) did a series of drawings which were exhibited in France for the first time last year at the Centre Pompidou, where I saw them. He was one of the founding members of COBRA. There were here about one hundred drawings and watercolors. His drawings offer an insight into the creative process of this exceptional artist. His work draws on Scandinavian mythology, as well as Surrealism, Expressionism, and Art Brut.

Nina

Nina, pastel, 50x40 cm. (20x16") portrait of her daughter, commissioned by Mme. Magda Ferrari, from Tries -sur-Baise, France.


When I was studying in Paris last year, I became a member of the Centre Pompidou, and had the oppportunity to visit often. One exhibit I enjoyed immensely was Alexander Calder's "Les annes Parisiennes 1926-1933". He has said: "I got the first impulse for doing things my way in Paris." Also: "I think best in wire." and "Just as one can compose colors, so can one compose motions."

Morning Ride in Bolzano

Morning Ride in Bolzano, watercolor, 4x6" (10x15 cm.) is a quick watercolor I did in beautiful Bolzano, Italy, when I was visiting there in 2006. You can rent one of those bycicles (the one in the picture) for very little and use it all day around the many gorgeous parks of the town. This sketch is now in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank and Marisa Kiedaisch, in Santa Monica, California. A few notes from my art notebook, for my fellow artists:
--Don't make a boring painting.
--The best reason to paint is for the love of it.
--I learn every day and every time I paint. I learn from nature, from experiments and failures, and from my peers.
Now stop reading this and go paint!

Spotorno Morning

Spotorno Morning, watercolor, 11x15" (28x37cm.) was inspired by a visit to the South of Italy a few years ago. I enjoyed walking along the Spotorno promenade in the early morning, and sketching here and there as I walked. Later I did this watercolor, and is now in the home of Ms. Evelyn Ball and Mr. Dig Wayne, in North Hills, California. Today I'll talk about the "Atelier Brancusi", in Paris. It's amazing how many people from different backgrounds, languages, countries, came to Paris to learn, do, create, innovate, change ART. Some of them donated their work to the city, thus extending their legacy. Constantin Brancusi, born in Romania in 1876, had his Fine Arts training in Bucharest, then came to Paris in 1904 and stayed there till his death in 1957. After working for 53 years in Paris, he donated his atelier to the French State, so it's one of the free museums in Paris, all state museums are free! Brancusi was constantly preocupied by the relation between his sculptures and the space around them. Space was for him like the framing is for a painting. He believed that "life is a fermentation and must be transformed in order to remain alive".

Brazil Bras

Brazil Bras, watercolor, 4x6 (10x15 cm.) from my journal while travelling on a cruise from Rome to Manaus, Brazil. Walking along the extremely crowded sidewalks in Manaus, I was surprised to see so many vendors of brassieres, all colors, shapes and designs.

Change gets us out of our comfort zone. Work past your fears. Fear keeps us locked into insecurity. Painting can be a great way of dealing with moods and feelings.

Brazil Bras (corpinos de Brazil) acuarela, de mis cuadernos de viaje durante el crucero de Roma a Manaus, Brazil el ano pasado. Caminando por las calles llenas de gente de Manaus, me sorprendio ver tantos vendedores de corpinos, de todos colores, formas y disenos.

El cambio nos saca de nuestra zona de confort. Trabaja mas alla de tus miedos. El miedo nos mantiene encerrados en inseguridad. Pintar puede ser una gran manera de explorar modos y sentimientos.

Boca de Valeria Woman

Boca de Valeria Woman, watercolor, 4x6" (10x15 cm.).

I paint where-ever I go. My studio? Anyplace where I am. Let's remember that Paul Klee worked in the kitchen, and Pierre Bonnard in the bedroom. So we can draw/paint in the car, in the train, on an airplane, on a chair in a bar, in a restaurant, in the garden, in a jacuzzi, on top of a mountain, sitting on a rock...because...time is all we have...

"The function of art is to do more than tell it like it is--it is to imagine what is possible."

bell hooks, 1994.

Yo pinto dondequiera que voy. My estudio? Donde sea que estoy. No olvidemos que Paul Klee pintaba en la cocina, y Pierre Bonnard en el dormitorio. Asi podemos dibujar y pintar en el auto, en el tren, en un avion, en una silla en el bar, en el restaurante, en el jardin, en el jacuzzi, en la cima de una montana, sentado sobre una roca...porque...el tiempo es todo lo que tenemos...

"La funcion del arte es hacer mas que decir las cosas como son--es imaginar lo que es posible."

bell hooks, 1994.

Boca de Valeria

Boca de Valeria, watercolor, 4x6 (10x15cm.). As we were going up the Amazon river on our cruise last December, Boca de Valeria was a very unusual stop. This is a small village, of about 130 people along the Amazon. When they know a cruise ship (with about 1000 people) will stop by, they take out their hand-made arts and crafts for sale, and open their homes for the visitors. There was a small church, and a school, each one the size of a room. Children playing with monkeys, hanging clothes, smiling and friendly people, a bar...and an internet dish!

Boca de Valeria, acuarela, 4x6 pulgadas (10x15 cm.). Cuando ibamos subiendo por el rio Amazonas en nuestro crucero del pasado diciembre, Boca de Valeria fue una parada muy inusual. Este es un pequeno pueblito de unas 130 personas a orillas del Amazonas. Cuando saben que llegara un barco de crucero (con unas 1000 personas a bordo), la gente local saca sus artesanias para vender, y abre sus hogares para los visitantes. Hay una pequena iglesia, y una escuela, cada una del tamano de una habitacion. Ninos jugando con monitos, ropa tendida, gente amistosa y sonriente, un bar...y un gran disco de conexion de internet!

Venus Princess after Botticelli

Venus Princess after Botticelli, watercolor, 11x18" (27x45cm.).

This painting comes with a story. Remember I wrote about the cruise I took from Rome to Brazil in December 2009? I have shown on this blog watercolors from my journals I did in Rome and other ports of call. When we were crossing the Atlantic, five days without seeing land aboard the Royal Princess, there was a contest organized by the crew: creating a floating device that would cross the ship's swimming pool. Our dining table had two naval engineers with their wifes: Paul and Chris, and Al and Alice, who believed they could create a good floating device. Our friends Nick and Regi, and my husband and me joined them in the adventure. The floating device had to have a name, and we had to put on a show the day of the contest, when we arrived at the Amazon, in Brazil. We decided to call it: "Venus Princess" ("princess"after the cruise line) and my job was to paint a watercolor of Botticelli's Venus. We all had fun with the project and the preparations, ours was the best "ship", of course, and we almost won. We got second place. This is the watercolor I did for the sail. Esta pintura viene con una historia. Recuerdan que escribi de un crucero que tome de Roma a Brasil en diciembre del 2009? He mostrado en este Blog acuarelas de mis cuadernos que hice en Roma y otros puertos donde paramos. Cuando estabamos cruzando el Atlantico, cinco dias sin ver tierra a bordo del "Royal Princess", hubo un concurso: crear algo que flote y que pudiera cruzar la piscina del barco. Nuestra mesa de cenar consistia de dos ingenieros navales y sus esposas: Paul y Chris, y Al y Alice, quienes sabian como hacer un barco rudimentario que flotara en la piscina, y nosostros: nuestros amigos Nick y Regi, mi esposo y yo, quienes decidimos participar en la aventura. El objeto flotador debia tener un nombre, y todos debiamos hacer una gran exhibicion el dia del concurso, cuando llegaramos al Amazonas en Brasil. Decidimos llamarlo: Venus Princess ("princess" como la linea de crucero) y mi tarea era pintar una acuarela de la Venus de Botticelli. Todos lo pasamos muy bien y nos divertimos mucho con el proyecto y las preparaciones, nuestro barco fue "el mejor" , por supuesto , y casi ganamos. Obtuvimos el segundo lugar. Esta es la pintura que hice como vela.

Kazak Mother

Kazak Mother, pastel sec on suede board, 20x16" (50x40 cm.)

This painting won 2nd place at San Clemente Art Gallery in 2008. It was exhibited at the Koehnline Museum of Art, accepted at the Chicago International Pastel Exhibition in 2009. Esta pintura gano el 2do. premio en la Galeria de Arte de San Clemente en el 2008. Fue exhibida en el Museo de Arte de Koehnline, aceptada en la Exhibicion Internacional de Pastel en Chicago 2009.

I'd like to recommend the book LA BELLE CHOCOLATIERE, by Bernadette Pecassou. (The beautiful Madame Chocolate) I don't know if there is a translation in English. It is the story of how women created the city that is Lourdes (France) today. At the beginning (late 19th C.) there were rich women and poor women, but as Bernadette Soubirous's claims of seeing the virgin spread, and more and more people came to Lourdes, the situation changed completely. People needed a place to rest, and to eat. The women of Lourdes got together. Women of all social classes became united and transformed a village into the international city Lourdes is today. The title of the book refers to Sophie Paillhe, the wife of the chocolate maker in town. Quiero recomendar el libro LA BELLE CHOCOLATIERE, escrito por Bernadette Pecassou. (La hermosa Dama del Chocolatero) No se si hay una version en espanol. Es la historia de como las mujeres crearon la ciudad de Lourdes (Francia) como es hoy. Al principio (finales del siglo XIX) habia mujeres ricas y pobres, pero a medida que la historia de las visitas de la virgen a Bernadette Soubirous se expandian, y mas y mas gente venia a Lourdes, la situacion cambio completamente. La gente necesitaba un lugar para descansar y para comer. Las mujeres de Lourdes se unieron, de todas las clases sociales, y transformaron un pueblito en la ciudad internacional que es Lourdes hoy. El titulo del libro se refiere a Sofia Paillhe, la esposa del chocolatero del pueblo.

Proud

Proud, pastel sec on suede board, 20x16" (50x40 cm.) -


The model for this pastel painting was a friend's husband. When a few weeks later the painting was sold, I told her: "I've just sold your husband." El modelo para esta pintura fue el esposo de una amiga. Cuando se vendio la pintura algunas semanas mas tarde, le dije a ella: "Acabo de vender a tu marido."

Last Spring when I was in Paris, two artists friends and I went to Trocadero gardens to paint for a few hours one day. After an hour of painting quietly, one young man approached me and asked me if I would paint the Eiffel Tower which was in front of us, with a portrait of his sister in the foreground, as if she was there. He wanted to send it to her as a present. He had a picture of his sister, smiling happily. I considered some "rules" of portraits (no smiling with teeth) and of commissions (pay half in advance) and decided to brake all the rules and do it anyway. I loved the challenge! He was pleased with the result, payed me, and I get to tell the story of how I sold a painting in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, in 2009.
La primavera pasada estaba yo en Paris, y un dia fuimos a pintar a los jardines de Trocadero con dos artistas pintoras amigas por algunas horas. Luego de pintar en silencio por un rato, un joven se me acerco y me pregunto si yo podria pintar la Torre Eiffel que estaba al frente nuestro, con un retrato de su hermana en primera plana, como si ella estuviera alli. El queria mandarselo como regalo. Tenia una foto de su hermana, sonriendo feliz. Yo considere algunas "reglas" de retratos (no sonriendo con dientes) y de comisiones (pagar la mitad por adelantado) y decidi romper con las reglas y hacerlo lo mismo. Me encantaba el desafio! El muchacho estuvo muy contento con el resultado, me pago, y yo puedo ahora contar la historia de como vendi una pintura al frente de la Torre Eiffel en el 2009.

A Kiss in Assissi

A Kiss in Assissi, watercolor and charcoal, 16x13" (40x32 cm.) Currently at the home of Mr. Samir Chala, of San Diego, California.

I recently finished reading and savoring THE ART SPIRIT by Robert Henri. It is a simple, deep, marvelous book. "Beauty is the sensation of pleasure in the eye of the seer. No THING is beautiful. But all things await the sensitive and imaginative mind that may be aroused to pleasurable emotion at sight of them. This is beauty."

With this quote I celebrate the 65th day of blogging! Only 300 more to go to complete my committment of posting a painting a day for a year.

Golden Girl

Golden Girl, watercolor, 11x14" (28x35cm.) It's that time of the year again, when the poppies bloom on the hills in Southern California. The hills become orange-gold, that's why California is the "golden state". A few years ago we went to the poppies in bloom and took many pictures. I later painted this watercolor of my grandaughter Emily as a "golden girl". Here in California we have great weather, beautiful flowers, and ...earthquakes! Today we felt a strong one in the afternoon. Later we learned it had been a 7.2 earthquake, about 100 miles (150 km.) Southeast of San Diego.

Golden Girl (nina dorada), acuarela. Es la epoca del ano otra vez, cuando las amapolas florecen sobre las colinas de California del Sur. Las colinas se transforman en naranja-dorado, por eso el estado de California se llama el "estado dorado". Hace unos anos fuimos a ver las amapolas en flor y tomamos muchas fotografias. Luego yo pinte esta acuarela de mi nieta Emily como la "nina dorada". Aqui en California tenemos muy buen tiempo, hermosas flores, y...terremotos! Hoy sentimos uno fuerte a la tarde. Luego escuchamos que habia sido un terremoto de 7.2 a unas 100 millas (150 km.) al sudeste de San Diego.

Danny at Two

Danny at Two, graphite and charcoal, 18x12" (45x30 cm.). I sketched my son watching tv about thirty years ago! This is what he looked like then, he's a grown, independent, successful man today.

Some favorite quotes from Marc Chagall:
-"In the arts, as in life, everything is possible provided it is based on love."
-"Art seems to me to be above all a state of soul."
-"I work in whatever medium likes me at the moment."
-"Work isn't to make money; you work to justify life."
-"All the colors are the friends of their neighbours and the lovers of their opposites."

Cosmos IV

Cosmos IV, acrylic on canvas, 10x10" (25x25cm) last one of the "Cosmos" series of four paintings.

Last year, I found and read the book: ARTISTS SKETCHBOOKS AND ILLUSTATED DIARIES, Exploring the In/Visible. Unfortunately, I didn't keep a record of the author/editor. Among the artists that kept wonderful sketchbooks are -Elizabeth Vigee Le Brun, -Sara Rosenbluth, -Susan Abbott, -Natalia Blanch, and many others. I believe sketchbooks are the most intimate form of artistic expression. Picasso said: "Je suis le cahier." (I am the sketchbook.) An artist's sketchbook is a record of her life, not usually intended for public display. Travel is a source of inspiration for me and has been for many other artists. Keeping a sketchbook gives you an awareness of the immediate, the moment, the now. When you are sketching life stops, and you feel the pulse of the universe without past or future.

Cosmos III

Cosmos III, acrylic on canvas, 10x10" (25x25 cm.) part of the "Cosmos" series of four paintings.

Today I'll talk about WOMEN, CREATIVITY and THE ARTS, a book edited by Diane Apostolos-Cappadona and Lucinda Ebersole, I read last year. I always keep notes on the books I read, so this is from my notes. "Autobiographical reflexion is a luxury and, for an artist, to reflect on the meaning of personal being and creativity is a primal experience of confession and expression. For most artists, and especially for women artists, time is the greatest enemy: to deviate time and energy from one's "work" to the writing of a reflexive text is an insurmountable burden." Martha Graham said: "Art is eternal, for it reveals the inner landscape, which is the soul of 'woman'."

Hoy hablare del libro MUJERES, CREATIVIDAD y LAS ARTES, editado por Diane Apostolos-Cappadona y Lucinda Ebersole, que lei el ano pasado. Yo siempre anoto en mis cuadernos los libros que leo, asi que esto es de mis cuadernos, traducido: "La refleccion autobiografica es un lujo y, para una artista, refleccionar sobre el ser personal y la creatividad es una experiencia casi primitiva de confesion y expresion. Para la mayoria de los artistas, y especialmente para las mujeres artistas, el tiempo es el peor enemigo: desviar tiempo y energia del "trabajo" de una para escribir reflecciones personales es una carga casi imposible." Martha Graham dijo: " El Arte es eterno, porque revela el paisaje interior, que es el alma de la 'mujer'."