Mi Casa Es Tu Casa

Mi Casa Es Tu Casa

9" x 12" Oil painting on canvas paper

A framed gift

At our first pickle ball excursion we met Bill who gave us a ride to his place, offered us a cold drink and soft chair stating "Mi casa es tu casa". We went to watch the Stampeder/Lion semi-final football game at his house which turned into a party. Bill went back to the USA for a few days but offered up his home to us to so we were able to watch the Stampeder/Edmonton game. His friendship was a gift and I wanted to honour that with a painting of his "casa".

Aldama Roundabout

"Aldama Roundabout" in San Miguel de Allende

12" x 9" oil on canvas

We walk past this car roundabout many times each day. I love the mix of concrete and nature with the sun warming it up. The funny shaped pillars or posts in front were used to tie horses to. Cobblestones are interesting to try to paint as well.

"Old Versus New" in San Miguel de Allende

"Old Versus New" in San Miguel de Allende Mexico

12" x 9" Oil on canvas paper

I have really enjoyed strolling the streets and seeing the amazing differences in new/rebuilt buildings with their run down neighbours. You can tell what I find more interesting. Old windows filled in with bricks, tops of walls broken, plaster that has dropped off leaving the bare bricks, openings with no glass left and heavy bolted doors. Oh, the stories they could tell.

San Miguel de Allende street scene

San Miguel de Allende quiet street scene.

12" x 9" oil on canvas paper

This is a typical street scene in the historical (Centro) part of the city. It looks like the trees are coming out of the roof but a lot of the front cement walls are really just large fences with beautiful courtyards inside. The building colours are historic and painted by city workers. Once out of the old historic neighborhood, houses and buildings can be painted any colour the owner wants.

El Charco 2

"El Charco 2"

En Plein Air, Oil on canvas paper, 9" x 12"

This is the second painting I did on this excursion with my painting partner Michelle. The light had changed and the water's colour changed from green to blue. I painted more of the vista and enjoyed the changing colours on the near hill and foreground cactus. 

...in progress

El Charco 1

"El Charco 1"

En Plein Air, 9" x 12" Oil on canvas paper

Jardin Botanico El Charco is a botanical garden on a hill whose springs supply the city with water and the site of the settlement originally founded by Franciscan friar Juan de San Miguel in 1542. Michelle, Gord and I hiked a long way around until we came to the main park buildings. Michelle and I found a spot in the shade to happily paint while Gord headed back. This was the first time I tried to do a painting on canvas paper and it was really different to work on. I really enjoyed the fall colours and the trees that were in the damned water. Michelle painted a beautiful water colour with a larger vista.

Casa Noble

"Casa Noble"

En Plein Air, Water colour 12" x 9"

I painted this while sitting at another table in the shade on our large deck in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. We have done so much walking it was nice to sit and be still. This view is looking into our one bedroom apartment with the large kitchen door open on the left. There is another apartment above us. We can hear wonderful sounds of the school kids coming and going as well as local traffic and general life happening.

Almost There

"Almost There"

Oil on board 16" x 20"

#20116015  $300 unframed

This scene interested me because it was so atmospheric. The boats weren't in my photo but certainly added a visual interest.

Fall Trees

"Fall Trees"

5" x 7" Oil on board

#20118015

I am still learning on the correct value to make things come forward and recede. I am in love with the fall colours but have to work from photos as the season is to short in Calgary and all the leaves blow off to quickly.