BERGOGLIO, NUEVO PAPA - watercolor

BERGOGLIO, NUEVO PAPA, watercolor, 3x7in.
I painted this small watercolor from a picture I took in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on March 13th, 2013, from the tv set in my cousin Mirtha's house. As I had visited her in Buenos Aires for a few days, we were waiting to go to the airport, when Jorge Mario Bergoglio was announced as the new Pope. My cousin told me that she saw him regularly at her church. Father Bergoglio would come to help fill bags of food and/or clothing for the poor. He would arrive by metro or bus, not in the car with chauffeur assigned to his office as Cardenal.

BAD HAIR DAY, urban sea life at Birch Aquarium, acrylic on canvas

BAD HAIR DAY, urban sea life at Birch Aquarium, acrylic on canvas, 16x20 in.

This is one of three paintings accepted for exhibition at the San Diego Southwestern Yacht Club, from October 10, 2015 till January 9, 2016. The artist reception will be on Sunday, October 11, from 3:00-5:00 pm. The Southwestern Yacht Club address is: 2702 Queltrough Street, San Diego 92106.

"MOON DROP", urban sea life near the Pacific Coast

MOON DROP, acrylic on canvas, 16x20 in.
One of three of my paintings that will be on display at the Southwestern Yacht Club Club-house in San Diego, California, from October 10 to January 9, 2016. This is part of the exhibition with the theme: Urban Sea Life. I researched the topic visiting and sketching at the beautiful Birch Aquarium in La Jolla.

RICHARD STARGULZ, portrait painter demonstrator at SDPS, ink sketch

RICHARD STARGULZ, oil portrait painter demonstrator at San Diego Portrait Society last Thursday. I did this ink sketch of him during his demonstration, in my sketchbook/notebook, where I was making some notes. People ask him questions, about what color he uses, what canvas, etc. When they asked him about his brushes, he said which was his favorite kind:
"ANY BRUSH THAT'S 70% OFF". Funny, and a statement of his skill, too. The skill is in his hand, brain, heart, experience, NOT in his brushes!

OCEAN BEACH, acrylic on canvas

OCEAN BEACH, San Diego, acrylic on canvas, 6x6.

I enjoy painting small canvases sometimes, they are good for quick "souvenirs" of a moment outdoors. We are so blessed living in Southern California with nearby beaches, and a short drive to the mountains or dessert! Life is good, and if you can paint it, it's even better!!!

BARRRIO LOGAN FUN, acrylic on canvas

BARRIO LOGAN FUN, acrylic on canvas, 6x6 in.
In these very hot days of summer, children take advantage of the water fountain in front of Northgate market, on Cesar Chavez and Main Street, near Downtown San Diego. This is a small acrylic to celebrate this fun activity.

SPANISH VILLAGE, Balboa Park, San Diego, acrylic on canvas

SPANISH VILLAGE, Balboa Park, San Diego, California, 6x6 in. acrylic on canvas
A fun view toward the Zoo, of the Spanish Village area at Balboa Park.  These are the artists studios, about 40 studios there, from painting to glass, metal, souvenirs, trinkets, posters, jewelry, etc. A fun place to visit, with colorful pavers, music on weekend afternoons. Enjoy!

DRAGON FRUIT, acrylic on canvas

DRAGON FRUIT, acrylic on canvas, 14x14 in.

The last one, of the series of six Drought Tolerant Fruits I painted for the convention and exhibition at  the Jacobs Center in San Diego, California. It was fun and informative to participate in this event. I didn't even know this fruit existed when I started selecting what to paint. I decided to paint them all in a "water-like" background, to emphasize the fact that they are drought resistant, as they were carried water within themselves.

KIWI, drought tolerant fruit, acrylic on canvas

KIWI, drought tolerant fruit, acrylic on canvas, 14x14. This is the fifth painting I share, of the six paintings I did for the Drought Tolerant Plants and Fruits Convention at the Jacobs Center, in San Diego, California, a couple of weeks ago.

Only one left from my small group of six paintings. There are several more drought tolerant fruits. So.....can you guess which one I painted as the sixth in the series? Guess....and send me a message. The winner will have a reward: a signed copy of my painting. I will publish the sixth painting on Monday September 7. Send me an email with your guess at minnievalero@yahoo.fr
 I WILL BE WAITING!.......

MACADAMIA NUT, acrylic on canvas, drought tolerant fruit

MACADAMIA NUT, acrylic on canvas, 14x14 in., another of the six paintings I did for the Drought Tolerant Plants and Fruits convention at the Jacobs Center a couple of weeks ago.

Living in Southern California, it is important to be aware of which plants and fruits to plant in your garden and to eat at your table. This is a naturally dry area, water is a precious commodity, we should be conscientious and favor the drought resistant plants and fruits.

PRICKLY PEAR, acrylic on canvas

PRICKLY PEAR, acrylic on canvas, 14x14 in.  One of six paintings for the exhibition at the DROUGHT TOLERANT PLANTS AND FRUITS, in August, at the Jacobs Center, San Diego, CA.
Bears love these fruits. My friends in Claremont, near Los Angeles, who have lots of prickly pear trees in their backyard, report bears coming down the Los Angeles mountains and filling up on them.