PARC D'ARGELES-GAZOST, FRANCE, watercolor alla prima

Parc d'Argeles-Gazost, France, watercolor, 4x10 in.

Just walking around Argeles-Gazost, I stopped and sat for a while at the beautiful park, did this little watercolor, and continued my walk. Happiness is enjoying the small things in life. The birds are flying south from the Pyrénées to the north coast of Africa. Autumn is changing the dress on the trees, every day the greens are more yellowish and orange.

We are hanging the show today, at the Bibliotheque d'Argeles-Gazost. The new exhibition starts tomorrow: "Le Mystere de l'Eau/Agua/Water". They are mostly watercolors of water scenes in Sweden, Italy and France, with two pastel portraits, two women.

SAINT SAVIN, watercolor

Saint Savin, Haute Pyrénées, France, watercolor

Saint Savin is a very cute little town, on a hill, with a beautiful XIIIth C. church. There is a river down below. On the other side of the river is Hautacam, another beautiful hill with gorgeous views of the valley. In between all these lovely places, is my mechanic's garage. When I took the car for some work the other day, I had to wait for  about an hour. I walked to the river, sat down, and painted a couple of small watercolors. This is one of them.

FRENCH MARKET II, watercolor

French Market II, watercolor, 5x7 in.

I travel. I travel a lot. I'm trying to follow Woody Allen's advice. He has said: "It's not that I am afraid of death, but I prefer not to be there when she arrives. " And this is what I am trying to do!

FOREVER MINE, acrylic

Forever Mine, acrylic, 20x13 in.
Painted after an original watercolor I did 6 years ago, when my daughter Evelyn came home from the hospital with her new baby, and sat in front of a window. The light was beautiful, the baby was beautiful, and so was my daughter's expression of absolute love.

Our acrylic workshop in Cauterets, France,  is going well. We are painting a lot, and having fun. The beauty of acrylic, is how fast it dries. The tragedy of acrylic is how fast it dries.

MELANCOLIA, acrylic

Melancolia, tango dancers series, acrylic , 30x22 in.

I believe that studying and painting from life is very important, actually essential, to being a good artist. I promote art education through teaching, lecturing, doing demonstrations, and publications through my blog and books. I truly believe that passing along information and what I've learned from my own observation and experience is my obligation to generations of artists to come.

FANTASMAS DEL PASADO, acrylic

Fantasmas del Pasado, acrylic, 30x22 in. available for purchase.
Title based on the lyrics of an Argentinian tango.

The Power of Notan. It gets at the essential spirit of a composition, it's pattern and design, through a strict black and white dark-light arrangement. NOTAN is a Japanese word that translates as dark-light harmony. It refers to the arrangement of light and dark patterns that serve as a foundation of a composition. And now.....there is an app for your iphone or ipad for it!! I just got it, it's great!

FEELING GOOD, acrylic

Feeling Good, acrylic on canvas, 28x22 in. On display and available for purchase at the Wyndham Hotel Restaurant in downtown San Diego, California, USA.

Starting Monday, September 23, I will be teaching a three day acrylic workshop at the beautiful Club House in Cauterets, France. A couple of spaces are still available. Contact: minnievalero@yahoo.fr or by phone: (+33) 07.81.96.24.15.

LA INSPIRACION EXISTE, PERO DEBE ENCONTRARTE TRABAJANDO. Pablo Picasso

INSPIRATION EXISTS, BUT IT MUST FIND YOU WORKING.  Pablo Picasso