August 10th, 2010
Roses for Matt
And Ellen
We lost a dear friend this weekend and I want to send flowers. Matt was bigger than life and multi-talented. He built a beautiful marriage with Ellen and a highly successful company and still had time to raise 5 fine daughters. He was also an artist and a musician and to top it all off he could cook! Matt was a thoughtful friend, always eager to help our children, and loved to be the Host. At Matt and Ellen’s parties everyone felt at home. He was a highly creative thinker and an engaging conversationalist. He leaves a very big void in many people’s lives and we will miss him. Somehow sending a single bouquet is not enough. Matt should have the whole rose garden.
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July 20th, 2010
Shadow and Light
Importance of Strong Value Shapes
I always think of value shapes that are interesting before I start a painting. In other words, is the dark and light pattern pleasing and unique? This little painting has only two values so it is easy to see what I am talking about, but it is a good idea to keep your painting to no more than 3 values. You need to remind yourself that the lightest highlight in the Shadow shape in still darker than the darkest dark in the Light value shape. Another way of saying this is to keep your darks in the dark and your lights in the light.
This little painting was painted in San Miguel de Allende.The Shadow shape is cast from an old tree and the side of a church. The Light shape is the town beyond. If all else fails SQUINT!
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July 13th, 2010
Secret Garden
Behind the Walls in San Miguel
San Miguel is full of hidden treasures. From the street you will only see a door and maybe a window that faces onto the cobblestone street, but open that door and a whole new world unfolds. This 400 year old colonial town in Mexico is built on the side of a mountain so you might get a glimpse of these hidden treasures if your balcony happens to be above their property. This was my happy situation last summer when I painted this “Secret Garden”. I don’t know where the path goes and never saw anyone so the property must be huge which only adds to the mystery of the place. Hope I don’t get arrested for snooping when I go again this year.
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July 6th, 2010
Mountain Sunrise
Good Friends
Call me crazy but sometimes while painting objects I feel the personalities of the shapes. These three trees struck me as three good friends. They are planted close to each other, but each tree is very different and unique and they give each other room to grow. I painted this last summer on a ranch near San Miguel de Allende. Our painting group got up early that morning to see the sun rise over the mountains spilling pink and yellow rays over the landscape. While Houston is boiling hot, San Miguel is cool and lovely in July and August. So, I am looking forward to spending time again this summer painting the gardens and ranches in this charming colonial Mexican town.
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