Mexican Painting

As some may know we basked in the glorious sun of Mazatlan Mexico for a month over
Christmas and New Years.
No working on a computer, no deadlines, just reading books by the pool, walking the beach and enjoying the company of our friends from Saskatchewan and family from Ontario.

When I first decided to go to Mexico for a whole month, I told myself "Oh you need to do a painting every day." Well that idea quickly went out of my head, as it seemed like way too much work and I was in real need of some "R & R" time, as having just finished the Winter Island Arts Magazine and having hosted a successful first Annual Island Arts Expo. Whew!

I packed a few watercolour paints and paper and painted when the mood 'moved me'. Quite honestly for the first week and a half, I was very busy - deciding whether to go to the pool, or the beach, which book to read and what to do for supper. Needless to say, there was no creative movement in sight.

Then somewhere around Christmas Eve, the 'spirit' moved me and I started sketching and painting. For about a week I could not stop. Paint a little, tan a little, paint a little, beach a little.

The results were some studies that can turn into paintings when once again the 'spirit' moves me.

Here is a quick tease of some of the colourful sketches that I produced.

I look forward to starting to work on a series of watercolour for a gallery in Mazatlan, once I get caught up on some of my other projects - like my upcoming show in March at the Pearl Ellis Gallery in Comox. But that's a whole other blog!

Till Next Time ...

Love what you Do ... and Do what you Love.

Susan

Hot Off the Palette

Painting Painterly - is how best to describe this painting. From a recent workshop that I attended that is one of the things that keeps popping into my mind. "Paint Painterly" our instructor kept saying. Change your brushstrokes - make some wide, others thin, change the direction of the strokes ... painterly.

I met this handsome McCaw last winter while down in Mexico. My friend and I stumbled across a little piece of paradise one day, while out exploring. There was a beautiful resort, with inviting tropical walkways, which led to a gift shop. In front of the shop was a perch, well chewed, but no birds. A Mexican man came by and asked if we would like to meet his birds. He whistled, and instantly two huge birds came flying down and landed on the perch. They proceeded to entertain, while I took many photos.

I started this painting several weeks ago ... then put it up on my shelf. Yesterday I dusted it off and began to "Paint Painterly". It was fun spontaneous and uplifting, with no preconceived end in mind. Suddenly my McCaw came to life and he is a real gem.

"Pajaro Parlante"
10 x 12" acrylic

My advise ... paint with zest, move that colour around, have fun ... it will show in your artwork.

Till Next Time ...

Love what you Do ... and Do what you Love.

Susan

Mexican Cactus

Last winter a friend of mine was heading off to Isla Mujeras, a small island just off the coast of Cancun, Mexico. "Are you coming with?" she said. Well that was all the invitation that I needed. I had never been there before and the Dalai Lama says that you should visit at least one new place a year. I started to make arrangements. I was already booked to enjoy a Saskatchewan Christmas with my family. Was I to go there, then back to the West coast, then south? It was mind boggling.

My partner Jeff said "Why don't you see what kind of flights are available from Regina?" "Regina" I said, "Are you crazy? There won't be nothing flying out of Regina." Well, what do you know, there was indeed a direct flight out of Regina and quite affordable at that. My plans were made. First to Saskatchewan for Christmas, where it was very cold, then off to Cancun Mexico where it was very hot. Talk about extreme weather changes. Another slight problem was the packing, as I had to move through several different climates. Long story short, I made it down to Mexico, had a fantastic time exploring, reading books, snorkeling and just hanging out.

While making our way to the beach for another glorious day of suntanning, swimming and goofing around, I saw this forlorn looking cactus, propped up in a terra cotta pot, ready to be potted. The owners were just opening up a restaurante and hadn't gotten around to potting the cactus yet. With a camera in hand, I quickly took a shot, then headed off to the beach. After returning to Canada and going through my photos I looked at this one and noticed the reflection of the house in the window. What a great bonus to this painting.

"Mexican Cactus"
10 x 12", acrylic

Another great painting inspired by my trip is
"Memories of Mexico"
24 x 30", acrylic

You can view it on my website:
http://store.youngatart.ca
or see a past blog dated October 20th.




Love what you do ... and do what you love!

Welcome to My New Blog

Hi and Welcome to my New Blog!

I am creating this blog as a means to connect to fellow artists and art patrons. I am a fine artist, working currently in acrylic paints.

This recent painting is called "Memories of Mexico", 24 x 30" on stretched canvas.

It was painted from a photograph that I took last year during my winter vacation. The pot of cactus was on a landing just below the apartment that we were renting. I loved the strong bright colors of the brick walls and the tall over-flowing cactus. I especially liked the Mexican blanket hanging in the window as a curtain. It made me laugh as I have the exact blanket on my couch at home - one that I bought years ago on a trip to Cancun.

A lot of my paintings are bright and bold in colour.

You can find out more about me by visiting my website at www.youngatart.ca