After a brief departure back to California in March to assist with some family health issues, I returned back to Puerto Vallarta to get down to "BUSINESS". My goal was to complete a painting every (3) days, which I am finding harder than expected. Inspiration doesn't come around everyday. The trick is to keep it "FUN", and don't get too serious.
I have had a couple of unexpected challenges; (1) The condo unit downstairs, below where I have been staying/working is being remodeled, and the noise is unbelievably loud, and is why I have the noise cancelling headphones in the photo above. (2) I typically paint upstairs on the outdoor patio which is beautiful. It is also more quiet there and a nice cool breeze off the ocean. However because its turning to summer, the sun now comes around the corner of the building much earlier, and it's extremely HOT when the sun hits you......and it's hard to paint "watercolors" because the paint dries so quickly. But, I can't go downstairs until the contractors stop working, because the noise is so loud.
But the show goes on!
Brushes-Check!
Paints-Check!
Water-Check!
Inspiration....Hmmm, okay?
Go!
Before leaving to California I was intrigued with the images of Mexico that I had seen while sailing to Zihuantanejo and back. So in progression, here are the paintings completed.
"BEACHED PANGAS"
"LA CASA DEL MAR"
"BARRA CANTINA"
While in California I was invited to show my work at the Annual Port Townsend Boat Festival - September 8th-10th. Hope to see you there. So I decided I better work on some "Northwest" scenes in preparation for the show.
This is "CHETZEMOKA" an abandoned lifeboat on the shores adjacent to the Point Wilson Light House-in Port Townsend.
This is when I noticed the paper I had brought with me was flawed. I had never experienced this before. The second photo shows how the paper dries very blotchy, which I researched to learn this is a common complaint for artists using the Arches Cold Press 300lbs paper.
Being blamed on "COVID" of course and supply shortages, apparently paper was produced without consistent sizing applied to the surface. The sizing allows the water and pigment to be absorbed evenly, and not "pool" in the valleys of the paper texture. Also to blame perhaps is the excessive humidity here in Puerto Vallarta
So I do not know before I start the image if each sheet of paper is flawed or will it perform as expected. So large areas of "washes" (skies) are very unpredictable.
Next was "MISTY", a classic sailboat up on jack stands in a lavender field. Again the paper had unforeseen flaws and to cover the blotchy flaws I needed to add a snow covered mountain. Seems to work, but not what I intended.
Then came another Port Townsend themed piece which is going to remain "nameless" until it is purchased at which time I will add the name to the dinghy in the foreground. "You Name It"!
Moving on to TUGBOATS, here is "RAVEN" an old working tug pictured in the Duwamish River. The flawed paper works very well when painting subjects with a lot of texture.
Next was "WESTERN FLYER", which again in preparation for the Port Townsend Boat Festival, I painted in detail and with as much accuracy as possible. The fishing vessel has a long history, built in the 30's in Tacoma, WA, Western Flyer made it's way to the California to fish of the shores of Monterey. In the early 40's John Steinbeck and biologist buddy Ed Ricketts chartered the boat to sail to the Sea of Cortez in Mexico to conduct a variety of marine biological survey work. Following the trip, Steinbeck published a book, the "Log from the Sea of Cortez" and the Western Flyer went back to fishing the Pacific Coast, including Alaska.
The vessel sank an estimated (4x) before being plucked out of the slew in Anacortes, WA and refurbished in Port Townsend, WA to "perfection" The vessel now is used for Marine Research.
"WESTERN FLYER"
"Big AL" is another fictional scene of old fishing boat and pick up truck in lavender fields. This one go to my Dad, "Albert" for his 90th Birthday in June.
Note: Again this paper was flawed, with a large vertical imperfection on the right side of the paper. I added the telephone poles to cover the blemished area. Seems to work....I got lucky!
That's a (5) Window '53 GMC pick up truck if you were wondering.
More to follow! I have now 6 weeks remaining here in Puerto Vallarta. The plan is to return with (20) original paintings. I am now halfway there. Hope you enjoyed the progress so far......Thank you....Adios Amigos!
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