Plein Air Painting

Painting Reminiscences

2009-07-11T23:03:00.008-03:00

Joao Homem Street - Conceicao Hill
There are some places in Rio de Janeiro where time seems to have stopped or goes slower. One of these places is Conceicao Hill.Besides being an important historical landmark of the city and of Brazil it is an island of peacefullness.

Beautiful centenary houses, located in the port area and surrounded by skyscrapers this site is a rarity.Children playing on the streets, neighbours (most of them Portuguese descendents) talking to each other from their windows... there is a calm atmosphere, a tranquility that contrasts with urban noises and nearby sounds.

This day I walked up and down the narrow streets and alleys before I found this one. I could not resist the charming colorful old houses bathed by the morning sunlight.I had to open my easel and paint a piece of this oasis.

Joao Homem Street- o/c 61x38cm - Sandra Nunes

Urca- Clearing Skies

2009-07-04T23:56:00.006-03:00

Undefined weather, after a rainy night the sky starts to clear and the dance of the clouds creates a beautiful show on the water. I had to work fast and I hope I did justice in capturing the exquisite winter light.

Urca- Clearing Sky - oil on linen 38x46cm - Sandra Nunes

Victoria Regia - Victoria Amazonica

2009-05-26T19:25:00.008-03:00

The Star of the Waters
Its a privilege to witness the blooming of this tropical water lily in Botanic Garden bathed by the warm sun of May. It is a perfect combination of colors, smells... and it´s a pity their flowers last only three days...

Vitoria Regia- Victoria Amazonica op 22x27cm Sandra Nunes

Candelaria Church

2009-05-07T10:26:00.005-03:00

Candelaria Church

A walking tour through dowtown Rio de Janeiro can be a trip to the past...

Candelaria Church oil on canvas 27x22cm - Sandra Nunes

Quinta da Boa Vista - ( Park of the Nice View)

2009-04-28T10:54:00.007-03:00

This place has an interesting history for Brazilians' life and specially for Rio de Janeiro inhabitants. First, these lands belonged to the Catholic Church priests, then they were divided among Portuguese slave merchants. One of them built a palace on the top of a hill from where he could watch Rio de Janeiro astonishing view, hence the name "Park of Nice View". When the Royal family came to live in Brazil(1808) this property was "donated" to the Emperor (in fact it was traded for a nobility title), then it became one of The Royal Family´s residences in Rio de Janeiro till the end of XIXth century.
Nowadays this park located in the north zone of the city shelters the Zoo and The Brazilian National Museum.

Besides all this history, what attracted me in this composition was how to depict with brushstrokes on the canvas the huge area of different hues of green surrounding the lake having Corcovado mountain as background. Families and lovers in red "pedalinhos" gliding over the water mirror ...
This scenery is part of the emotional memory of most of Rio de Janeiro inhabitants who go, or used to go there for a Sunday picnic with family, school mates or for a romantic stroll.

Quinta da Boa Vista - oil on canvas 54x65cm- Sandra Nunes

Blooming Silk Cotton Trees

2009-04-07T17:55:00.013-03:00

April Flowers
It´s been two or three weeks that whenever I pass by Flamengo Park a rich red spot calls my attention. It´s time for the silk cotton tree to bloom here.
Between the two freeway lanes which runs across the park a lone specimen performs its daily show.
As this area is interdict to the traffic on Sundays, I decided to cross the street and give the tree a closer look.
Sandra Nunes painting silk cotton tree

I remained for a long time observing the character of this exquisite young tree admiring its flowers, its upright trunk, its green leaves that should not be there anymore if the weather were dryer.

Red Silk Cotton Tree - oil on panel27X22cm -Sandra Nunes
After finishing this painting, I started to gather my brushes and paints, when I was almost ready to close my easel I turned back and a leafy pink silk cotton tree invites me to sit under its shade. In fact I called it leafy for lack of a better word, there were just a few green leaves left. Its lush canopy was almost completely made of flowers!
I could not resist , I had to answer to this appeal, I was carried away by the abstract masses of color and this time my emotional response was much more immediate...
Pink Silk Cotton Tree - oil on panel 22x27cm - Sandra Nunes

Largo das Neves, Santa Teresa

2009-03-24T10:27:00.008-03:00

Where the tram turns around

Surrounded by beautiful small two store buildings from 19th century, this Santa Teresa´s bucolic square often acts as scenario for movies and commercial ads. I set up my painting gear in front of the old church and started my composition.
The tram had already its place reserved on my canvas, it was just a matter of time and it would come to model for me. When it started its run my work was already structured and little by little the lazy Sunday morning started to wake up; locals and tourists heading the center of the square called my attention, from far away it could be heard the sound of berimbau (Brazilian musical instrument). People started to gather and I heard from a passerby that a Brazilian Capoeira show would start in some minutes.For a short period of time I was undecided, should I watch the show or should I go on with my painting? This sort of game, fight, dance is really amazing the players literally fly!
The unexpected crowd jumped into my canvas in quick brushstrokes. I had made my mind for the painting. When I finally could close my easel, the show was about to come to its end.

Largo das Neves, Santa Teresa –oil on linen 60x80cm – Sandra Nunes

If you liked this one you will like to see these paintings.

Plein Air Painting time lapse demo

2009-02-08T19:09:00.006-02:00

This is a short clip registering 3.30 h. work condensed in 1.55". It is very cumbersome to do this on a busy the sidewalk and it wouldn´t have been possible without assistance.

Catete Street, Rio de Janeiro oil on linen 54x65cm

Sunny Day at Guanabara Bay

2009-01-13T20:16:00.009-02:00

Finally the sun came for two days in a row and with it the weather that suits this city so well. From the first hours of the day on we can learn that the temperature is going to be very high, what can also be a challenge to the plein air painter.

I headed to the same spot where I did the first 2009 plein air painting (please, check the previous post) in search of that friendly leafy tree which gave me shelter from the rain. This time it provided me the shade I needed to protect me from the unbearable warmth of the sun.

I decided to do the same composition of the last sketch just for fun and the silvery grays gave way to the warm light of Rio de Janeiro summertime.

Sunny Day at Guanabara Bay - oil on panel 16x22cm -Sandra Nunes

Sketching in the Rain

2009-01-06T19:54:00.006-02:00

The weather didn´t give a signal of improving and my desire of painting outdoors was increasing at each rainy day. I decided to take the risk and despite the threatening heavy clouds in the sky, I went in search of that beautiful light that only rainy days can provide. I went to the seashore where the reflective water surface shows thousands of gray hues and the wind that moves the vessels provoques exquisite graphisms.

I found a huge leafy tree which, like a big green umbrella, would protect me for a time from an upcoming heavy rain . I sat on the bulwark and I thought I´d better not attaching the tripod to my pochade box as in case of an emergency it would be faster to get out.

The quality of the photo above isn´t that good as when I asked a nice couple to take it, I didn´t realize the camera was in recording mode, so this is a still of a movie.
Due to the circumstances I knew I had to work faster than fast, it was a real fight against the time lacking to start to rain, who would win? I started to say my mantra: simplify… simplify… get the essence...essence...essence ...

Well, end of the story: It rained(not so heavily) but the generous tree protected me from the drizzle and this is the result of my adventure:

First 2009 plein air painting:
Rainy Day at Guanabara Bay - oil on panel 16x22cm- Sandra Nunes

Urca Fishing Boats

2008-12-31T20:27:00.013-02:00

This is definitely a rainy season. Another break after several rainy days and there I went to paint in Urca. I had done a small sketch of this composition last week and I decided to do it in a larger format,this time a vertical one. I wanted the mountain, the Yatch Club and the bridge. The boats would be the stars.
These old boats are very charming and Corcovado mountain is a perfect background for this scene.
After setting up my painting gear, I started organizing the compositional elements on canvas looking for a better harmony of shapes.
Soon I realized that I wouldn´t have time for a detailed drawing as, despite a beautiful sunlight bathing the boats, there was a curtain of clouds starting to cover the mountain.

If I wanted to stick to my original plan I would have to work fast, so I decided for a more direct way, brush and paint, painting and drawing at the same time, adjusting shapes, colors and values. It was as if the mountain were playing hide-and-seek, clouds come and going, challenging my ability to capture the best moment to register on canvas.

I knew I wouldn´t finish this work in one session, but I was determined to go as far as I could until light changed too much. I was lucky, it didn´t rain.

Fortunatelly the next day the whether condition was the same and although the hide-and-seek continued , I could go on painting.

Last 2008 painting:
Urca Fishing Boats - oil on linen canvas 90cm x 50cm Sandra Nunes

Albamar

2008-12-22T04:25:00.005-02:00

End of the year and an atypical whether here. Besides the constant rain, the temperature is lower than usual, considering we are entering summertime...
If by one side it is much more agreable to paint without the unbearable warmth, on the other hand, the rain provides a few breaks to open the easel outdoors.

In one of these breaks at the seashore:
This is a reminiscence of Old Rio de Janeiro, this tower is what was left from the five ones that integrated the Municipal Market. The others were demolished to give way to a new freeway in the in the 1960`s. Nowadays it is seafood restaurant that operates at the same spot since 1933.
The sea smell intensified by the damp atmosphere inspired me in this composition

Albamar -oil on panel 16x22cm -Sandra Nunes

Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas

2008-12-18T19:45:00.004-02:00

This is the same spot where the last Worldwide Paint Out took place.
Being the host of the event , I didn´t have time to paint that day, I´ve done a small unfinished sketch and later I went back there to paint , this time by myself.
One of the most beautiful Rio de Janeiro´s postcards, Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon portraying a rich ecossystem offers to the passersby spectacles of uncanny beauty at any time of the day at any season of the year .Surrounded by sophisticated districts (Ipanema, Leblon, Jardim Botânico) and framed by majestic mountains it is a good option of leisure for the family.

Sunday at Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon -oil on canvas 46x61cm - Sandra Nunes

Curvelo Tram Station

2008-12-12T18:03:00.009-02:00

This post could be named "There goes the Tram" complementing the post 'Here comes the Tram" , from my ongoing Santa Teresa series. This painting was done from the same spot of the last one. This time, working on a larger format, I looked to my right side where the tram leaves the district to its final stop downtown. I was intrigued by the exquisite backlight on the building and on people walking on the quiet street.

Curvelo Tram Station - oil on canvas 38x61cm- Sandra Nunes
Check other paintings from this series in my official website http://www.sandranunes.com/santa_teresa.html

Saint Francis Church

2008-11-22T16:18:00.006-02:00

Saint Francis Church, oil on canvas 27x22cm

This study is a crop of an old church, maybe one of the oldest in Niterói(one of Rio de Janeiro´s neighbour cities). It was established in the XVIth or XVIIth Century and it is a precious example of Brazilian Colonial architecture, keeping in its interior rarities as an image of Saint Francis plated in gold and a Baptismal sink made by the Indians.
I intend to go back to this site as the reflective surface of its white walls in light as well as in shade are very appealing to paint.

Plein Air Painting in Urca

2008-10-29T19:22:00.009-02:00

Sketching in Urca

I love mornings in Urca. This district in Rio de Janeiro, home of Sugar Loaf Mountain is always very quiet. The charming houses and small buildings shaded by trees is a real oasis.
I´ve decided to work in some small sketches as a counterpoint of a very large painting that is in progress by now.
I aimed to simplify the most I could. I intended to take pictures of the process, but it didn´t work, I took just one of the first washes and then, I forgot to stop...

First washes...
Felix Laranjeiras Square - Urca- oil on canvas 22x27cm Sandra Nunes

This charming red brick house half shaded by a green garden was calling me to paint

The red brick house- Urca -oil on canvas 27x22cm -Sandra Nunes

6th WORLDWIDE PAINT OUT - Rio de Janeiro 2008

2008-09-10T20:06:00.065-03:00

6th Wordwide Paint Out - Rio de Janeiro 2008

The event this year in Brazil was different from the past ones. This time I´ve decided to invite all plein air painters groups and individual artists from Rio de Janeiro and neighbor cities for the 6^th Worldwide Paint Out broadcasting in a web art community and the response was great. I was surprised by the level of engagement of all involved. Not only nearby cities but other states decided to register with IPAP(International Plein Air Painters), like São Paulo with three groups. We had even artists on their own from North and Northeast of Brazil, painting these days and sending us the photos and reporting their experience.

A According to the weather forecast there was 80 % possibility of raining. The place we had chosen was Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, a beautiful spot to paint plein air, but no shelter available in case of an incoming shower. Rodrigo de Freitas , one of the most beautiful sceneries in the city is preserved by National Patrimony and it portrays a rich ecosystem; it is known as the heart of Rio de Janeiro- for it is heart shaped- , embraced by Corcovado and Christ the redeemer (elected one of the seven modern wonders of the world).

It is surrounded by parks, roller skating ring, a heliport, and jogging /bicycle paths, besides several multi sport courts. On Sundays and holidays, paddleboats offer visitors a unique view of the forest covered mountains framing the loveliest lake in Rio.

Fortunately it was a sunny just a bit hazy morning and the forecast didn´t prove right. Artists started to come at 8.00am some in small groups, with their easels and canvas willing to find a good spot to compose their paintings.

Our meeting in Rio de Janeiro was amazing, the most talented artists came from distant places, and some travelled up to 200 km to be with us.

What a pleinair painter can´t do for a good composition?
Few inches backwards and we would have to rescue a painter from the lake...

Others found a nice spot under a tree...
The interaction with the public:
Observe the perfect handling of the brush:
And expressive brushstroke!

Plein air Painters new generation coming...
Canvas and eseals: Perfect integration with the scene...

It was not a competition, there were no prizes involved and the willingness of being there was evident in each participant´s face. There was an atmosphere of camaraderie. Some of them were virtual friends or were introduced just at that moment. Others, long time brush companions, hadn´t met for years.

Receiving a very important guest:
The Brazilian Contemporary Master Lydio Bandeira de Melo (In blue shirt)

Who didn´t save efforts to go to easel from ease...
Making remarks with the authority of his almost 70 years of artistic life.... João was really trying to focus and paint...

Time for the official photo:

I was trying to gather the artists ...
Almost got it . There are some missing...But I could not locate them
Sitting: Yeda, Afonso Carlos, Arimatéia,Pedro, Yvone Paloschi,Arlindo, Patricia Newman, Alencar, Mária Perroni, Caiado, Sol Vilas Boas, Júlia Smith,Lício Maia Davi, Jeanne Rouvier, Eriberto Almeida, Charlene Moreira , Rafael, Zito, Sidney Lacé

Standing: Claudite,Leonídia, João, Juan Cuenca,Vera Braga, Alexander A., Angela, Alexander A., ângela Chefer, Cândida Ferreira,Solange, Lú, Sousa , Sandra Nunes, Eli Epstein, Ana Moura, Reynaldo Caó, Dyandreia Valverde,Gilson de Souza, Oliveira Celso ,Flora, Ignez Rodrigues,Thiago, Silvânia Paraíso,Augusto Marques,Virgílio Dias

Bandeira de Mello arrives and of course another picture has to be taken
We see some late comers in this one but there are still a lot missing here...
sitting: Reynaldo Caó,Sidney Lacé,Yeda Arouche, Julia Smith,Sol Vilas Boas,Pedro da Costa,Patricia Newman,Arlindo,Marcia Perroni

standing: Charlene,Rafael, Oliveira Celso, Thiago, Zenaide, Dyandreia Valverde,Gilson de souza,Lício Maia,Ana Moura, André, Cristina Bicalho, Rudson, Rita ,Lúcia, Souza Rodrigues,..., Bandeira de Mello, Sandra Nunes, Virgilio Dias, Carlos Lacek,Solange, Cândida,Leonídia, João Barcelos, Arimatéia.Sandro Nolding, Zito

As a hostess of this event, I guessed I wouldn´t have much time to paint, so I decided to take my pochade box and do a small sketch. I couldn´t imagine that it would be almost impossible to use it.
Just after most of artists had already finished their works I could open my box and get my brushes to work.

Am I alone? Can I stop talking?

not yet.

We know that the artist´s life can be lonesome and the International Paint Out promoted by IPAP provided a wonderful opportunity to share experiences and thoughts. Great names of artistic scene answered the call; it was a feast for the eyes to watch them working together, united by the love of plein air painting.

The Worldwide Pain Out - Other Brazilian States

Thanks and Congratulation to the artists who immediatelly accepted the invitation and organized the meeting at their places, promoting Plein Air Painting:

São Gonçalo- Organized by Encontro com a Paisagem
São Paulo Capital 1- Organized by Cíntia Midori
São Paulo Capital 2 - Organizado pelo Grupo Umapaz - Maricy
Peruibe -Organized by Paula
Maceió -Organized by Paulo de Tarso
Belém -Organized by Heloísa
Espírito Santo- Jorge Magalhaes
Minas Gerais - Mário
click to enlarge

Largo dos Guimarães seen from Almirante Alexandrino street - Santa Teresa

2008-09-06T09:10:00.007-03:00

I´m back to my Santa Teresa series of paintings. I´ll post some here as it is more immediate although there are some new ones in my website also at http://www.sandranunes.com/gallery.html

Climbing Almirante Alexandrino street on foot can be a breathtaking experience (pun intended).
We have an astonishing view of Santa Teresa rooftops and Guanabara Bay in the background. The street´s sinuous design is a plus leading our eyes to the tram.

Largo dos Guimarães seen from Almirante Alexandrino street - Oil on canvas 73x54cm -Sandra Nunes

Winter in Paris Gardens - Praça Paris

2008-08-18T10:03:00.009-03:00

Autumn Colors

There are in Rio de Janeiro special places where passersby must stop or at least slow down their pace and enjoy the show mother nature performs. This week I went to paint in “Praça Paris”, one of the most beautiful gardens in the city.

At this time of the year colors blow up, it is a finished work of art in rich tones of ochre, oranges and reds. I went there with my painting equipment to face the challenge of translating my emotion to the canvas, for some time I stood still immersed in that profusion or colors as if I were in one of Akira Kurosawa´s movies. It was hard to decide if I should just sit and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere or if I should stick to my plan of painting.

I took a deep breath and my senses, dazzled by that scenario, refused to squeeze paint on the palette. A short time elapsed until the process started up. I was led by the falling leaves blown by the wind, landing on the easel as well as on the palette as if suggesting what to do next. I launched quickly the composition, the drawing flowing from my hand, I didn´t have time to spare. There was no shade in the place where I decided to work. The glare of the white linen in the sun reached my eyes and the colors started to take their place from the brush to canvas mixing ones to the others composing the images, abstract washes becoming leaves, sky, soil...

I was immersed in that profusion of colors, the brushstrokes coming one after the other, I kept observing the cool blues and grays far away involving the church (Outeiro da Gloria) and the warmer ones inside of the garden, shinning under the light of our winter sun. The morning haze disappeared slowly giving way to the beams through the leaves of the mutant trees.

People jogging, exercising, students in their blue and white uniforms, lovers exchanging caresses, homeless people lying in the shade of the trees….and I was pleased to be there in communion with nature…I entered in the flux…

Sometime later, I really don´t know exactly how much. I started hearing some comments from the passersby; at these moments I generally stop to evaluate my work, and give way to the left brain. I would like to have stopped earlier to take pictures for my records. I like to do this, so that when the painting leaves my studio to meet its owner I keep a bit of that moment. Of course a lot of it remains in the memory, each painting has its own history and that remains impressed inside of me…

Winter in Paris Gardens -(Praça Paris) oil on linen 40x90cm - Sandra Nunes

Children´s and Teenagers` Rights

2008-07-06T21:10:00.012-03:00

I ´ve been painting in Santa Teresa for a while and I`m associated of Chave Mestra,(Santa Teresa Visual Artists Association), this way I´m getting more and more involved with the community issues.

I was invited to participate of the eighteenth anniversary of the Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente (Law establishing children’s and Teenagers rights).
The event is produced and promoted by a Non Governmental Organization that works with the community of Morro dos Prazeres in Santa Teresa.
The aim of the event is to promote a discussion among the civil society about what has changed as well as what can be done to improve what is not working.

There will be Lectures, debates, workshops and Art exhibition

I accepted the invitation and this is one of the works that will be in the exhibition. This is not like the ones I´m used to post here, but it is enough to go out anytime and we watch to a scene like this:
Sinal Fechado - The little Malabarist oil on canvas 65x54cm - Sandra Nunes

Here comes the tram!

2008-06-30T12:56:00.013-03:00

Continuing my Santa Teresa series, I´m still working on small and large formats . These small canvases or panels come on handy to work en plein air specially in Santa Teresa, climbing its slopes and walking on its narrow, almost non existent sidewalks. (please check the beginning of this series in my official website www.sandranunes.com).

I stopped just in front of Curvelo Tram Station and imediatelly its red roof bathed by our winter sun called my attention , so instead of painting the yellow ochre building with its acqua windows, I decided to work quick and simplify a composition with the red roof thatwas almost shining at that time of the day.

Then it was the time of children from the local public schools to leave. It was a great chance to give some movement to my theme. They ran shouting, calling their companions to catch the crowded tram.

So this painting could only be named:

Here comes the tram! Santa Teresa oil on canvas 22x27cm

Under Repair

2008-06-06T21:18:00.004-03:00

Under repair oil on canvas 38x61cm

Despite the hiatus between the last post and this one, I´ve been working intensively these days, so much that I didn´t believe more than a month has gone...

SouthwestArt Magazine

2008-04-30T18:38:00.003-03:00

World Tour of Contemporary Landscape Artists...

Three Falls Waterfall - Penedo

2008-04-25T20:08:00.004-03:00

About 190 kilometers from Rio de Janeiro, this place is a piece of paradise. Penedo is a quiet place full of waterfalls formed along Rio das Pedras (Stone’s River), the generally low temperature doesn’t prevent from a bath in its cold and clean waters

Early in the morning I sat comfortably on a stone, listening just the murmur of the waters and birds singing...
Opening the paint box was a natural gesture...

After a couple of hours, tourists start to come...

Suddenly I realize I´m on a trail...that stone was on the middle of the way to the waterfall...

Time to stop...

Three Falls Waterfall - Penedo oil on canvas 16x22cm

Old Fountain

2008-04-17T20:25:00.008-03:00

Old Fountain oil on linen on canvas 8"x10"

The purpose of some fountains in Rio de Janeiro was to provide potable water to the city. Some of these are still working today in their original form. This one was first built in downtown area in 1883, then in 1904 as a part of the process of modernization of the city, it was transferred to the south zone in the district of Botafogo.

Paint your village and you will paint the world...
Well, this is pretty much what I´ve been trying to do. This is the first image I see whenever I get out home, although I´ve already painted it, I´ve never composed it this way.
The morning light bathes the old fountain with Corcovado Mountain in the background as a witness.
This painting is going to Far and Near Horizons - World tour of contemporary Landscape Artists. I thought it would be interesting, to send a piece of my "daily life". The exhibition is already in its second year and to start this season it will be in Eastes Park - Fine Art Gallery, Colorado USA.

Check the exhibition schedule in the side bar of this Blog