Mexico travel sketches - Melaque

 These are some of the travel sketches while we were in Melaque Mexico visiting with Ken and Marg. The first is a sketch that I did in a small format to work out a larger one I was going to give as a thank you gift (see previous post).

The middle sketch is of a pickle ball tournament we were in (our first). As usual the players were gracious and inclusive. We had a great time especially as Gord and his partner came in first for the men. It was a fun tournament and the prize (besides bragging rights) was a jar of pickled asparagus! 

 The third sketch is of a beautiful beach Ken and Marg took us to (Tenacatita). I had to correct the spelling on my page. It was stunning, calm and great for snorkeling.

A Gratitude Gift in Melaque, Mexico

Gord and I joined my brother and sister-in-law (Ken and Marg) for a week in Melaque, Mexico. They had already been there for 3 weeks and we just did whatever they were doing including Spanish lessons. Juan Emmanuel was giving them private lessons for an hour each day so we joined in (I was way behind them but enjoyed trying to figure out what I could). I painted a small water colour sketch of their home in my sketch book. then painted a larger one and put it in a frame we brought. They were confused as to why I would paint their house, then extremely grateful when they realized it was a gift for them that I had personally painted. The bright white nose and marks on our heads is just the sunshine (great placement!). It was wonderful to get a photo with the whole family.

The painting on the right is the original ink and water colour sketch of their home, Our lesson was usually on the upper floor balcony. They also had rental units in the building and a laundry service.

We had a great time with Ken and Marg and the week flew by! Marg is also an artist so we were quick to bring out our sketch books whenever we could. 

Duck's View

"Duck's View"

16" x 20" Oil on 3/4" canvas with painted sides

#20114217

I love the look of bullrushes; how solid, fluffy and soft they look. I made the mistake of bringing some into my house once and I had the seeds (fluff) everywhere. They are definitely something to enjoy outdoors in their natural environment.

Holiday Reflections

"Holiday Reflections"

12" x 36" Oil on canvas with 1 1/2" deep painted sides

#20107217

This painting is of the channel view in front of the apartment we rented when we enjoyed a holiday in Edinburgh, Scotland. Lucy, Gord and I toured around for 4 days. Other than suffering colds we had a really enjoyable time travelling around the city enjoying the sights, sounds, scotch, castle, museums, walking and food. This painting is quite a bit darker, particularly the buildings but the camera keeps lightening it up. It is more of an evening painting but looks daytime tin this photo.

Summer Living

"Summer Living"
20" x 16" oil on canvas with 1/2" painted sides
#20130117

This painting is based on a photo I took while travelling in England. Lucy and Peter took Gord and I on a holiday to the English coast and toured us around for a few days. Hengistbury Head is where these beach houses (and many more) are lined up. Some are very tiny and are basically one room with washrooms being in a different communal building. They reminded me of the "Painted Ladies" in San Francisco. We had such a wonderful time on this exploring holiday.

Nymphaea

  "Nymphaea"
20" x 16" Oil on 3/4" canvas with painted sides
#20126117


This is a painting that just flowed. I loved the way it looked and felt through the whole painting process. I think it is one of my favourites of the year.

Alberta View

"Alberta View"
16" x 20" Oil
on 3/4" canvas with painted sides
#20119117

This is a very familiar view if you travel around Alberta. The big open land with the beautiful Rocky Mountains within view. There is just something about the majestic Rockies that makes my eyes sing at the first mountain glimpse when travelling. The big open sky is a given. 

Roadside Attraction A & B

As I was driving back to Calgary from Sicamous, I finally stopped at a view point I admire every time I drive that way. The parking lot is just off the highway and is usually quite full and chaotic so I don't stop.

I painted Roadside Attraction below but felt like I was struggling with the values. I am happy with the final result but took a break and started all over again only this time with a palette knife, chunky and not detailed (left). What the camera doesn't pick up is how textural it is. They both have a different feel and look.


"Roadside Attraction 2"
16" x 20" Oil on canvas
#20114117B

"Roadside Attraction"

16" x 20" Oil on canvas

#20114117A

Mountains Revisited

I wish I had taken a photo of this painting in progress when I became "stuck". The painting on the right is in stage 2. The trees in the front were to fussy and the mountain shadow colours were not receding enough in stage 1. Doug corrected the shadow colour and "smooshed" all the trees I had painted in the front with a large brush.

This is the finished painting. I reworked around the painting with Doug's direction and suggestions and am now quite happy with it. The sky is lighter, more definition in the ground plane and of course the tree line reads correctly now.


"Mountains Revisited"
16" x 20" Oil on canvas
#20110117

Happy Urban Space

"Happy Urban Space"

8" x 10" oil on canvas panel

#20106117

I wish I could of painted this en plein aire (on location) but loved the sunny feel of it against a very dreary building background. The planter looked unkempt and wild growing but still bursting with colour.  "Grow where You are Planted" seemed like a metaphor for my art journey.