Category Archives: Sketches, etc

This time our winter break in Mexico included a trip to Oaxaca for 5 days.

We decided on a 30 minute plane ride instead of the 10 hour bus ride. It was a pleasant trip operated by Aerotućan in a Cessna Grand Caravan with space for 14 passengers. We stayed at the family owned Hotel Casa las Mercedes which is central to the square, museums and restaurants. A half day trip to Monte Albán was a must see on our list – a pre-Columbian archaeological site and UNESCO World Hertiage Site.

There are many museums in this city but my top choice is Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca. It is adjacent to the Church of Santa Domingo de Guzmán and will take up to a good part of your afternoon as it covers pre hispanic, Spanish Conquistador 1519, and contemporary culture.  The Baroque architecture of the Monastery and Church started in 1575 and took 200 years to complete and is built with cantera a local greenish quarry stone. It is impossible for one to understand how this was accomplished without modern day machinery. On the top floor there are a few panoramic views of the botanical garden; an enjoyable addition as access to the garden is restricted to guided tours and specific hours and days. The library of books and illustrative draws is extensive and if you enjoy history and drawings spend time here. If you decide to visit this attraction it is 1/2 km. north of the central square, Plaza de la Constitutución  on a pedestrian only street. The Plaza is a great place to take a refreshing drink and enjoy the music, venders of goods which can be annoying but a firm “no” works. The steeple of the Cathedral of our Lady of Assumption from the square becomes a landmark for orientation. To note the original towers were destroyed in a earthquake in 1931.

Nearby our hotel is the the Cultural Centre of San Pablo originally constructed in 1529 by the Dominicans to house the convent of Santo Domingo de Soriano. Completely renovated the space includes the cloister, textile museum, outdoor plaza and restaurant. The restaurant can be entered by Independencia Avenue or the interior plaza. The serves and food is of excellent quality and well priced.

All churches, museums and civil buildings are built from a local green tinged quarry stone “cantera” . The fountain base in the square near our hotel was made up of large cut blocks of cantera which glimmered and changed accordingly to the slant of the sun. Below are a few more watercolour sketches from my stay in Mexico.

Catch of the Day, watercolour, 2019

Oaxaca city is in one of the poorest states in Mexico but throughout our stay we felt at at easy and welcome. Thanks for a great visit.

This month I have donated a painting for the silent auction at the Annual Valentine’s Charity Ball a fundraiser by the Freemasons of Ottawa to take place on February 9th, 2019 at Centurion Conference and Event Centre, Ottawa. There is a wide selection of articles up for grabs. The super grand prize is an African Safari. All proceeds of this auction will be split equally among – the Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health- Do it for Daron Initative, Bruyère Foundation and Roger Neilson House. More info at valentines.ottawamasons.ca

Below is my oil painting, gallery sized cotton canvas, 30 inches by 30 inches completed in 2019. To be part of this silent auction on February 9, 2019.

Row boats for Rent, oil, 30×30, 2018

When I am on the road and not in my studio my choice of art tools are a quarter sheet of  watercolour paper, 3 brushes, small metal palette filled with pigments and a collapsible waterproof sac from Hachem art supplies in Quebec.

Here are a few watercolour sketches completed in the last week

Sunflowers, watercolour, 1/4 sheet, 2019

Juice Bar, Mercado, watercolour, 1/4 sheet, 2019

Pork Stall, Mercado, watercolour, 1/4 sheet, 2019

The year 2019 is the 12th year of the Chinese calendar symbolized with the pig. Many explanations are given for why the pig received this last place finish- the wolf destroyed his house and he was re-building, he overslept and then stopped to have lunch on his way to the selection committee.

Every 12 years if you are born under the zodiac sign of the pig you are not lazy as many may think. I see it as the need for more time to consider the situation. You are humourous, honest and understanding of others.

So I took in upon myself to sketch at the market here in Mexico at the butcher stalls. Pig, cow or goat heads hang side by side with individual parts of the carcasses. Unbelievable, I was completely out of my comfort zone as a landscape painter of harmonious colours and shapes.

Real food, here is part of the process to my table

Real Food, before they invented styrofoam packaging

Flowers everywhere in large buckets of water at the market in Cubasa tin pail

I continue to work in my studio on new paintings and updating others. It a cosy feeling when you are working on spring landscapes with lovely greens and blues when outside it is minus zero or below here in Quebec .

Recently, I have been looking at the paintings of Neo Expressionist Danish painter Per Kirkeby  ( September 1, 1938-May 9, 2018). I am attracted to his paintings for their earthy tones which correspond to the natural tones of our landscapes. Here is a quote from  him ” My canvas is the plot of land and my colours- that is, the matter of paint itself- are the soil, the flower beds, with their different components and varying textures”. Simply stated but it does explain his works.

I like to “top up my painting mind” by looking at works I have a sensitivity for and Per Kirkeby is one of those artists.

Here are two recently completed 2019 oil paintings.

Spring Marshland

Sunrise

The end of another year is fast approaching, thanks for your support this year. My solo show at the Two Barn Owls in Hudson, Qc was a success. I appreciated seeing old clients and new ones who supported me with purchases and kind words.

I am happy to say the Old Brewery Mission of Montreal received a donation of almost 5,000$ thanks to the selling of art pieces at the annual square art exhibition. This was my 3rd time contributing to this effort and I appreciate all who bought my roosters.

Studio

Presently I am working on new canvases and reworking older canvases in my studio. Season Greetings and Happy New Year.