My Temporary Studio In Vancouver

This summer, for the first time in years, I rented studio space here in Vancouver. I had a few paintings to finish (mostly Pacific Northwest images), and this seemed the best way to avoid distractions. For the last few years I have used makeshift "studios" at my home. It's been good in many ways, but there is always the distraction element when I am working from home - and never enough room.
I started out by completing those paintings (always a hard task for me; if it were easy, I would finish them all in one go!) It's just so easy now, when I am stuck, to pull out a new canvas, full of possibilities. However, after a week or so of dutifully working on those unfinished ones, I couldn't resist the chance to do a few paintings that were rumbling around in my head - colorful umbrella abstractions from my time in Mexico. In the photos above you can see a few of them in a corner of my 1000 Parker St. studio space.

Saved by Israel's Sharp Eye

 

Looking back at the images I had in my laptop, I came across these pictures of a potentially expensive problem diverted by Israel, who often does projects in my house.
When we were trying to figure out how much water was still in the tank, he noticed a vigourous tree root growing under the tank (which is on the roof). This would have grown quickly, and with the weight of the water, would have caused the tank to crack. He worked it out, and saved me from even more water problems than I already have, with a relatively small storage system... gracias, Israel!

I already miss the color!

 

Back in Vancouver, at midnight, Karen, Mary and I are greeted by my son, Jason, who leads us out to the car - the smell, even though we are still in the airport, is overwhelmingly beautiful - green, sappy, green, fresh,...and very green! It has been raining here - surprise!! and I know that in the morning I will wake up to a very green Vancouver. (The photos above are in my computer, courtesy of Sheila Page and Madeleine Wood - thank you!)

A Proud Artista

 

 

 

 

 

A Beach Paradise

 

Here is a shot of some of the beautiful umbrellas that are set up and maintained by the beach restaurants in La Manzanilla. It is still so quiet here, especially on weekdays...the shot above this is one of our almost deserted beach (in February). The 3 photos above are pictures of Easter Saturday - a very different story! Mexicans from the cities love to spend their Easter week at the beach - and La Manz is a favorite destination.

Blue Pail

 

I enjoy these glimpses of color, texture and line created by the outdoor domestic "still lifes" in La Manzanilla.

 

This painting - "La Manzanilla Portrait - Jeans" is one of the paintings I just finished. It is on dispaly in the Galeria La Manzanilla, along with the one above, which is called Tenacatita Mantel (tablecloth)

Kitchen

 

The kitchen is great to work in, especially with so much contact with the outside world - I dont miss having a dishwasher.

A peaceful retreat

 

This is the upstairs (palapa level) of my house in La Manzanilla, looking out towards the sea. This is quite a big room, cool because of the palapa (thatched roof) There is a sink in the room, and a bathroom with an outdoor shower, just outside the room. It's pleasant to sit in the hamaca chair, and read.

Enrique and Lyle

 

Jason, Nadia, and Enrique have been here from Vancouver for the week, and this is their last full day at the beach. We've had a lot of wind the last 2 days, and the boogie boards are really popular.
Enrique had a chance to renew his friendship with Lyle, who just moved to the house across the street- how lucky!

 

Noel posing on the log in front of his house...the kids here run up and down the street quite freely; lately, some of them have been showing up at my place asking if they can do a painting. Mostly, they find amusement playing in piles of construction sand, and just anything they can find - but when I offered these guys Lego to play with, they were really hooked!

Abraham and his family

 

This is Abraham and his son, Noel. Abraham (pronounced Abram) is helping Noel with his homework. They do most of these kinds of activities outdoors, since the weather is so good, and natural light so abundant.

 

Here's Dan enjoying another day in Paradise.

 

Not realizing that it was a holiday, we got in to quite a crowded restaurant on the beach.

Now That's Rustic!

 

On the way to Tenacatita, Dan and I stopped when we saw this beautiful woven wood building - what is it about such a simple way of building that is so appealing? I am going to see if I can get a little door made like this for the back yard to disguise the washer, etc.

 

Sculpture in La Manzanilla

 

I'm so glad I held on to the scraps from the hardwood that was used to build a guard rail last year...finally got them out for the kids to build with - this is Gael, one of my neighbors, and his casa. There are a lot of recyclable resources here, and I am so lucky to have a big yard to store them in.

 

This is "Natalie", our server at a restaurant at Cuastacomates, a great little beach village close to Melaque. Natalie (Cesar) was really friendly and helpful, and when I asked if s(he) wanted his picture to be published on my blog, he said "Sure, maybe this will give me my big break in Las Vegas!"